Juliet Dickinson

Deputy Principal Appraisal 2015

Rationale
Effective educational leadership builds the pedagogical, administrative and cultural conditions necessary
for successful learning and teaching.
Educational leaders lead learning to:

improve outcomes for all students, with a particular focus on Mori and Pasifika;
create the conditions for effective teaching and learning;
develop and maintain schools as learning organisations;
make connections and build networks within and beyond their schools;
develop others as leaders.

Kiwi Leadership for Principals. Page 7

Introduction: As a part of managing a Deputy Principals Performance this must be
completed on an annual basis to ensure the DP is fulfilling their relevant Job
Description, meeting the professional standards for Deputy Principals, and also the
performance goals that were set the previous year.
The Deputy Principals ability to organise people and resources to deliver high quality
education to students directly impacts on the effectiveness of the school.
Overview: The educational leadership model sets out the qualities, knowledge and skills
that educational leaders need to lead their schools in the 21st Century.

The Process This report has been informed through the following process and
procedures:

Deputy Principals self-review/s

General observations and discussions throughout the year
Informal discussion with students

A questionnaire was also developed and distributed

to the various stakeholders in the school (including
Board, teachers and support staff) There are
interesting trends to be seen within this data - it
gives useful insight into the different perceptions
that can arise from different roles within the school.
Some individual comments on the surveys were
gathered with the data.

Survey respondents will always base their ratings on their interactions with you, and
will therefore be based on their own particular lens or filter and context in which
they interact with you e.g a Board member will be privy to much different aspects of
your higher level thinking and leadership than some staff. Teachers will be able to
comment/rate your performance regarding pedagogy. I believe seeking wide-ranging
feedback from various stakeholders is a vital part of completing an appraisal report,
as relationships strongly underpin the work of a deputy principal and the
performance of our school.
In general survey results were very positive with desirable characteristics mostly
receiving the top two ratings. A full copy of the survey results is included with this
appraisal report.
There were 22 respondents to the online survey.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS A.P/D.P

Professional Knowledge & Leadership
A focus this year has been to work with Sharon/Shirley/Rochelle to plan and
design areas to improve curriculum delivery across the LCs e.g. EPIC,
progressions etc. This is an area for continued development given its
importance around use of student data and students articulating their next
learning steps.
You have worked more closely with all LAs during 2015 with the subtle shift in
programme focus rather than team LA support This has led to more
empowered LAs and also more appropriately targeted support for our learners.
You are very strong at the development of strong systems, and whilst a
management area, it is vital to have strong operational systems to ensure our
school can run effectively.
We are now completing the 2nd year of what was a new strategic plan for our

school. There has been significant growth and exciting change. We need to
work hard to ensure that this change is embedded and highly effective within all
our classrooms.
You have continued to grow your own wider leadership networks via the AP/DP
network and with our interactions with other schools.
Professional Development has been linked to our strategic goal areas, although
we both recognise has perhaps not been as effective as some of our approaches
in 2014
Your own professional development has been somewhat limited this year due to
the nature of the year, but it is timely to look at what your key interests are for
2016
You have supported staff to take on new opportunities and supported them
along the way e.g. Shirley (F & P), Julie (working with other LAs)

Next steps:
- Support the evolution of our new leadership model/team, and support the
personal/professional growth of our new Leaders of Learning.
- This will also involve prioritisation of roles/responsibilities to ensure that the
BIG things do not get lost in the busy-ness of day to day work i.e. keep the
best plates spinning! This could/should involve some professional days held
offsite for higher level thinking
- The development of our curriculum and focus on 21st Century
fluencies/solutions and/or LQs at the heart is an area of development
- Developing your own website/portfolio for your own thoughts/thinking is a
great idea for your own reflections, but also to share your tremendous talent
with others
Professor Vivianne Robinsons Leadership capabilities and dimensions model
{below} show the significant impact that promoting and participating in teacher
learning and development has on student outcomes. This is a critical area of your
role, and will be bolstered by x3 leaders of learning that are also focused on this
area.

SupportingQuotes:
Julietalwaysappearstometobeaprofessionalleader,Icanonlycommentinlimitedcapacity.FrominteractionsIhave
seenIfeelsheisprofessional,veryadaptableandalsoapleasuretoworkwith.
Julietisawealthofprofessionalknowledge.Shehasapositiveandenthusiasticattitudetowardsprofessionallearningandis
alwayskeentohearnewthingsweareimplementinginourlearningcommunity.Shehasacalmdemeanourwhendealing

withdifficultsituations.
Greatpersonwhoisanexcellentfitwithschoolculture,whilestillimpartingherownthoughts&ideas.
Julietappearstoalwaysstrivetogiveallstafftheopportunitytotakeonmoreresponsibility.Shealsosupportsthoseless
experiencedwhilegivingthemtheseopportunities.Juliethasalsobeenattheforefrontoftherecentchangeswithinour
schoolandhasmanagedstaff/parent/BOTconcernsinanexcellentmanner.
Juliet'sstyleofleadership(inmyopinion)isoneofinclusivenessandencouragement,sheleadsbyexample,shewouldn't
expectanyonetodoanythingunlesssheseesrealvalue,worthandnecessityinit;sheisalwaysconsciousofourworkloads,
everythingisjustifiedclearlyinherheadifweareaskedtodoit.
Julietconsistentlydemonstratesthedrivetoimplementnewsystems,structuresandprogrammestoimproveteachingdelivery
andstudentachievement.

Policy & Programme Management

In 2014 I made the comment below
Withaneverincreasingspecialneedsroll,yourSENCOrolehasbeenconsiderable.Whilstsometimesdominated
byasmallnumberofhighneedsstudents,therearenumerousotherswithmedium/highneeds.

This year I think your role has ensured that far greater coverage/support has been
provided for our medium concern students through the overseeing of the LA
work/timetables. While still some high level students that require intensive support
there are many more students now on the radar
Your role as SENCO is a huge part of this area, ensuring that childrens individual
behavioural and learning needs are being met more effectively.
This area has included:
Developing clear timetables for LA support including tracking for payroll etc.
This system (now developed) is ensuring clarity
Updated appraisal process for LAs
Appointment of new LAs
Intervention programmes tracked on both data wall and also Google doc
Data wall established, but to be updated and sustained in 2016
Dealt with vast majority of schoolwide discipline issues
Because of your strong relationship skills you have developed some strong
partnerships with parents, external agencies, LAs, teachers and the students
themselves.
You have worked this year to refine our mid/end of year written reports and also
reviewed our overall reporting schedule including the role/timing of reports/SLC
All camps were successful for 2015
Next Steps:
The development of TAI in 2016 is an area to be considered carefully to show
that teacher reflection is actually enhancing their practice.
Devise robust GATE tracking system and corresponding interventions if
necessary (i.e. if not catered for in class)
With our Boards focus on student achievement data we need to develop a

reporting schedule in this area. I would like to see greater mining of data,
including tracking of cohorts and evidence of progress (accelerated progress)
This data management and tracking is a key area for you to work on with the
involvement of the 3 LoLs. The incorporation of using easttle, EPIC and EDGE
effectively within these areas is also critical.
Further development of our curriculum based on LQs, 21st C fluencies etc

Staff Management
Our schoolwide appraisal system continues to be tweaked and modified
accordingly. Feedback entered on MyPortfolio was a more efficient/timely
approach
Your regular liaison with team coaches at the coaching meetings was
effective, and will be made easier next year through our new leadership
model.
The development of the LAPD sessions is positive and one to bolster. It is
also well received by LAs.
With a large staff and a range of personalities your strong relational trust with
all is evident and appreciated. You are able to have many open to learning
conversations
Coordination of relievers can be a thankless task but one that is important to
ensure the school functions well. In 2016 it is hopeful that Classcover will
make this process less timeconsuming.
You are always readily available to all staff & parents to go over any issues,
concerns or queries and try and provide advice where necessary
Next Steps:
- Ensure that teachers access MP during team and staff meetings to update
thinking, evidence, reflections by building in a 5 minute reflection time when
necessary
- Keep staff individual goals in mind so that any readings/PD can be shared
with them
- Empowering staff to problem solve and have the tricky conversations i.e.
shifting the monkey
SupportingQuotes:
IunderstandfromdiscussionswithstaffmembersthattheyfindJuliettobeveryapproachable.Sheseemstomakeapointof
makingsureshealwaysconnectswithherstaff.
Julietisarealpeopleperson.Everyonelovesbeingaroundher.Shealwaysencouragesstafftohaveagoatnewthingsand
isalwayskeentohearaboutwhatishappeningaroundourschool.
Juliethasbeenverythinlystretchedthisyear,withcircumstancesbeyondhercontrol,whichhasmadeherunavailableat
timestoassistwhenrequired.Shehascopedadmirablyandwiththeutmostintegrityanddisplayedconfidenceevenwhenshe
didnotfeelit.Shehasbeenamazing!
Greatteammember.Alwaysbacksyouandiseagertolearnalongsideyou.Herdoorisalwaysopen
JulietsteppeduptothepositionofActingPrincipalwithconsiderableease.Sheledtheteamthroughoneofthemosttrying
circumstancestofaceaschoolwithamazingstrength,poiseandprofessionalism.

Relationship Management
Your relational trust is a superpower
Communication is always effective and timely, whether it be face to face,

email, Facebook etc and whether it be me, staff or parents

Your contribution at events and functions has been huge
Next year we have x3 new leaders. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity,
but one that will also no doubt bring its own challenges as we refine
structures/roles etc. It will be a big part of our roles early on to grow and
support these leaders and also to embed/grow our new leadership team

SupportingQuotes:
Juliet'sabilitytorelatewellwithotherssetsherapartfromothers.ArealassettotheleadershipteamandtoTeKowhai
School.
IhavefoundJuliettobeamosteffectivecommunicatoraroundissues,problemsandconflict
Juliet'sdoorisalwaysopen.Sheishappytolistenandhelpnomatterhowbusysheis.
Universallyliked&respectedamongstaff,parentsorkids.
AsaparentIhavehadtheopportunitytoobserveJuliethandlingsituationsthatwerebothcomplexandpotentially
problematic.Thishasbeendonewithpoiseandcomposureandwithutmostprofessionalism
IthinkthisisastrengthforJuliet,becausesheisaverywarmpersonwithagenuineinterestinothersandacaringnatureI
thinkpeoplewarmtohernaturally;shecomesacrossasverynaturalandeasywithrelationships,shehasgottheperfectmix
offun,professional,addingveryfavourablytoourstaffculture.
JuliethasbeenverysupportiveofwhatIdointuckshopandenthusiasticoftheservice,sheisclearmindedandconcisewith
hercommentsandputsforwardvaluablesuggestionsthatIhaveimplemented.Ihaven'thadanyconflictsituations.I
ALWAYSfeelthatIcanapproachherandthatshewillgivemeherfullattention.Sheseemstodealwiththingsinaneffective
andefficientmannerwithanupliftingtone.
TrusteeIfeelthatJuliethasbeenthrowninthedeependinmorewaysthanonethisyear,shehascopedadmirablyinsome
verystressfultimes.Sheisapleasuretoworkwith,alwayspositiveandwillingtohelpnomatterwhatthesituation.Ibelieve
shehasdefinitelyprovenherselftobeatrueleaderoverthelastyear.
TrusteeOverallJuliethasshownherselfcapableatalllevelsinherroleandwithherabilitytostepupwhencoveringthe
principalrole.
TrusteeHavebeenhugelyimpressedwiththewayJulietsteppedupforTony'ssabbaticalandbackoperation;andalsothe
wayshehassupportedstafffollowingMandi'spassing.Verysafepairofhandsandbringsagreatworkethic.
Julietisverybusybutyoufeellikeyoucancatchheranytimeandshareaconcerninconfidence;noproblematall;sheis
oftenabletooffercleardirection,nextstepsorsolutions.
OtherSupportStaffMemberJulietdisplaysaveryclearmindedprofessionalintentunderneathherfunlovingandcaring
personality.Sheisagreatassettoourschoolandculture,I'mgratefulsheishere.

Financial Management
During this year you have gained knowledge in this area through being Principal
and attending finance meetings with Peter Granville, overseeing LA
budgets/timetables etc
Your ongoing input at a Board level is also invaluable

Signed: ______________________
Tony Grey
Date: 2nd December 2015

Signed: ________________________
Juliet Dickinson

Afterword:
This year you have effectively been Principal for about half the year, covering
for me during extended absences for my sabbatical and then back surgery.
This has enabled you to grow from different experiences during some
exceptionally challenging times.
Not only did you cope, but also you did so with flying colours!
Our school continues to go from strength to strength and the many visitors are
testament to this. It is important to keep iterating, while also not forgetting
some of the important plates that are spinning. We need to try and ensure that
our own time is best focused on what makes a difference too, and not lost in
the blur of interruptions.
I enjoy the daily chats, conversations, laughs and camaraderie, and my
reinvigoration for my role is largely due to our working relationship.
Next year will be huge as we grow a new leadership team and will be very
exciting.
Thanks for everything you bring to the role and the leadership/development of
our school
Regards
Tony