Primary award recipients 2017
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Adamson, Janice
Victoria Avenue School
Undertake a literature review and gather evidence on current thinking and research around leading from the middle/distributed leadership.
Download: Full report (PDF 437 kB)
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Allan, Rachel
Te Uku School
Investigate effective practices for successfully transitioning children from early childhood to school, including effective practices for transitioning children with special learning needs, to develop our school's early years learning programme in alignment with Te Whariki.
Download: Full report (PDF 464 kB)
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Baillie, Shane
Ross School
Investigate effective management systems and processes that successful primary schools (U1 and U2) use to enable greater progress in students' writing.
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Baldwin, Alistair
Brightwater School
Examine the research literature behind the Dunedin Study – Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit – which predicts success in adulthood from children's self control at the age of three years. Research and implement action plans to assist students, families/whānau and teachers in the Waimea Schools Community of Learners to assist students who display poor self control to become better controlled.
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Barber, Graeme
Woodend School
Identify and explore effective elements, strategies and techniques that will help learners, whānau and teachers to thrive in the BYOD environment.
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Benade, Gina
Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School
Find out what makes true collaboration and better understand how professional collaboration can make a difference to student achievement.
Download: Full report (PDF 809 kB)
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Bewley, Susan
Nelson Park School
Research new change management to support the development of new pedagogy in innovative learning spaces.
Download: Full report (PDF 340 kB)
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Bigwood, Dorothy
Cockle Bay School
Develop an understanding of how a leadership coaching process can develop team leadership and extend a school's vision and direction, develop a culture of self-responsibility, create a greater sense of shared ownership and accountability, and build a sense of enthusiasm that encourages creativity and innovation.
Download: Full report (PDF 170 kB)
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Billington, Suzanne
Tauriko School
Inquire into possible options and designs for structured leadership – learn to support middle and senior leaders in schools to carry out their leadership roles effectively to support 21st century learning and teaching, and grow them as leaders within their schools.
Download: Full report (PDF 87 kB)
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Blair, Stephen
Tokoroa North School
Investigate what school leaders believe about equity and social justice and what innovative school systems and practices are aimed at reducing the effects of economic deprivation on learning outcomes.
Download: Full report (PDF 361 kB)
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Bole, Catherine
Five Forks School
Research how best to retire from a long-term teaching principal position with the least disturbance to the students and community.
Download: Full report (PDF 525 kB)
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Brisco, Karen; Hepworth, Lynette
Omata School and Oakura School
Inquire into how full primary schools in our region transition their year 8 students to local secondary schools. Inquire into the perceived effectiveness of the transitions and develop ideas on how the process could be strengthened.
Download: Full report (PDF 461 kB)
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Brock, Terrence
Otaika Valley School
Research Drama for Learning/Mantle of the Expert to support my school's journey of learning in this area.
Download: Full report (PDF 134 kB)
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Callister, Leyette
Howick Primary School
Investigate the keys to sustainability and longevity in the principal role.
Download: Full report (PDF 556 kB)
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Campbell, Adam
Postgate School
Investigate how the Education Review Office reviews schools using the new evaluation indicators.
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Chapman, Eden
Horohoro School
Explore neuroscience, positive psychology, and education.
Download: Full report (PDF 589 kB)
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Chesswas, Andrew
Te Pahu School
Undertake research related to accelerating student achievement in writing.
Download: Full report (PDF 122 kB)
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Cook, Alison
Bluff School
Research and explore possibilities around student-driven initiatives linking the school to the community, in order to effectively lead a review of what our school currently does and what is possible in our context.
Download: Full report (PDF 158 kB)
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Derbidge, Alan
Otaki School
Investigate the impact of the Learning with Digital Technologies implementation on student outcomes at Otaki School.
Download: Full report (PDF 113 kB)
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Diamond, Trevor
Henderson South School
Gain a better understanding of the cultural background and schooling experiences of Samoan migrant children attending school in NZ by visiting schools in Samoa. Research strategies and successful programmes operating in NZ schools that accelerate Pacific (predominantly bilingual Samoan) students' learning.
Download: Full report (PDF 428 kB)
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Dooley, Kathleen
Mt Richmond School
Visit schools using the Reggio Emilia philosophy in their teaching and learning programmes to learn how these schools facilitate their students' learning in innovative learning environments.
Download: Full report (PDF 1 MB)
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Eastwood, Petrina
St Gerard's School (Alexandra)
Investigate ways to build resilience in students, especially priority and targeted students and those with on going behavioural issues either as the victim or wrong doer.
Download: Full report (PDF 205 kB)
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Edwards, Teresa
St James School (Palmerston North)
Research current best practice pedagogies about culturally responsive leadership and teaching practices.
Download: Full report (PDF 573 kB)
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Farrelly, Raymond
Ferndale School (Christchurch)
Investigate the best way to implement TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-related handicapped Children) at our school. My research will include exploring how to move this intervention from a therapeutic base to an educational base.
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Fitzgerald, Peter
Awakeri School
Investigate the teaching of mathematics in Singapore and the reasons why Singapore constantly tops international assessment rankings in maths.
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Fletcher, Noelle
Te Atatu Intermediate
Investigate best practice around acceleration.
Download: Full report (PDF 6 MB)
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Fox, Christopher
Puketapu School (Hawke's Bay)
Research the impact of the Talk4Writing intervention programme in the UK.
Download: Full report (PDF 291 kB)
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Friis, Michael
Te Puru School
Develop and document a clear vision of what a collaborative teaching/co-teaching model will look like in our school.
Download: Full report (PDF 155 kB)
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Gameson, Martyn
Hororata School
Investigate examples of Discovery Learning Theory in the primary education sector, including research into the theory, examples of New Zealand best practice and a visit to Brightworks in the United States.
Download: Full report (PDF 1,022 kB)
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Hahn, Jane
Good Shepherd School (Balmoral)
Research how schools are catering to the needs of gifted and talented students from minority ethnic groups in the 21st century classroom.
Download: Full report (PDF 233 kB)
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Harlick, Verity
Maori Hill School
Review and strengthen our school's current practice of identifying 'at risk' learners in literacy to ensure programmes of support or intervention are based on sound evidence and delivered in a timely manner.
Download: Full report (PDF 177 kB)
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Hayward, Steven
Green Island School
Identify and explore useful strategies, approaches and techniques that assist children to more effectively develop their social and emotional intelligences, with a particular emphasis on the 15% Tier 2 and 3 children whose behaviour is hard to shift.
Download: Full report (PDF 678 kB)
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Heath, Suzanne
Hawea Flat School
Research current literature around leadership and teaching practices that are future focused. Visit schools where there is an emphasis on future-focused issues to see what this looks like in terms of teaching and learning, the learning environment, and student, parent, whānau and community engagement.
Download: Full report (PDF 324 kB)
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Hedley, William
Kapanui School
Investigate how schools accelerate the rate of progress of target students in written language with a particular focus on boys and Māori students.
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Hepburn, Julie
Red Beach School
Identify effective leadership and explore the question: What prevents schools from reaching Tier 3?
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Hewlett, Shona
Longford Intermediate
Investigate the effectiveness of the process of student transition into/out of our school. Investigate the range of practices, sharing of information, and the involvement of whānau and families. Research effective transition models used in other areas.
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Hill, Gaylene
Linden School
Effectively engage in true partnership with our Māori whānau and students to enable our students to be highly engaged, successful, confident, proud and achieving as Māori.
Download: Full report (PDF 485 kB)
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Hornblow, Roger
Pegasus Bay School
How can we improve our processes and programmes to improve the engagement and achievement levels of our Year 1 and 2 students?
Download: Full report (PDF 708 kB)
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Horne, Susan
Maungatapu School
Investigate how leadership organisation and practices in dual-medium schools support improved outcomes for students and teachers.
Download: Full report (PDF 120 kB)
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Jenkin, Peter
Wakaaranga School
Research the theme of "BYOD and ILE – the myths and realities, what is or isn't working". Look at whether PD in the necessary pedagogies is being delivered or funded; whether the focus is more toward the acquisition of the latest IT tools, equipment or infrastructure, rather than improved learning outcomes; and how schools evaluate the impact of digital learning on student achievement.
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Jennings, Carmen
Discovery School
Research to better understand dyslexia and how best to identify and work with students who have dyslexia.
Download: Full report (PDF 127 kB)
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Kaa, Margaret
Tuakau School
Investigate successful transition to primary school. Visit schools, early childhood education providers and Kohanga Reo, and talk with family groups.
Download: Full report (PDF 631 kB)
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Kane, Anthony
Hamilton North School
Investigate purposeful activity, work and employment of students with intellectual disabilities after their time at school. Visit areas where rural-based employment situations have been established to accommodate people with disabilities. Gather information on what families think is important for their adult child on leaving school. Reflect on and refine our school's transition programmes of study and work.
Download: Full report (PDF 292 kB)
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Kemp, Rosemary
Our Lady Sacred Heart School (Epsom)
An investigation into how different schools bring their changing culture into school life and how can I use this information to influence and support our school’s changing culture.
Download: Full report (PDF 324 kB)
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Koberstein, Gerald
Onerahi School
Develop a strategic planning model that is concise, purposeful and genuinely drives what and who we are as a school – ensuring the key driver is better progress and outcomes for children and staff.
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Kofoed, Wendy
Newmarket School
Gain a better understanding of how school leaders utilise small, innovative inquiry as part of future-focused curriculum design.
Download: Full report (PDF 1 MB)
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Kumeroa, Melva
TKKM o Ngati Ruanui
Investigate effective technology practice to support students in Kura Kaupapa Māori who require specialist support and effective practice for te reo Māori through sign language.
Download: Full report (PDF 89 kB)
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Langford, David
Awapuni School (Gisborne)
Develop a greater understanding of the importance of traditional Pacific voyaging to indigenous people of Aotearoa in terms of identity and whakapapa. This to include historical facts, learning about the traditional narratives connected to the landscape features of Tairawhiti, the broader Pacific voyaging heritage and the possible opening up of other, as yet unknown, areas for inquiry such as the traditional navigation links to modern maritime navigation.
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Le Marquand, James
Arohanui Special School
Explore the use of musical pedagogy to engage students with a significant intellectual disability.
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Leonard, Bernadette
St Joseph's School (Temuka)
Research, inquire, observe and learn about best practice for increased student agency in learning.
Download: Full report (PDF 228 kB)
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Leverton, Andrew
Geraldine Primary School
Investigate how schools sustain their involvement in Positive Behaviour for Learning Schoolwide (PB4LSW) once their Ministry funding ends and they enter the sustainability phase of their development.
Download: Full report (PDF 3 MB)
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Lind, Graeme
Greenpark School (Tauranga)
Research based on the importance of physical activity in both physical and cognitive development.
Download: Full report (PDF 179 kB)
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Mahoney, Joanne
Tuturumuri School
Professional learning to improve my knowledge, skills and practice in utilising e-learning in daily teaching.
Download: Full report (PDF 115 kB)
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Marshall, Raewyn
Mount Biggs School
Research the belief that teaching kindness to young children and instilling a culture of kindness at schools will lead to a decrease in bullying.
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McCallum, Sandra
Mt Cook School (Wellington)
Inquiry-based project to investigate the ways that multicultural schools engage their communities and form strong partnerships in order to help support their children's learning to achieve high student outcomes.
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McCulloch, Karen
Pukekawa School
Investigate the modern teaching and learning pedagogy, practices, and physical aspects associated with innovative learning spaces, and explore how these can be implemented successfully into our school.
Download: Full report (PDF 651 kB)
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McDonald, Bruce
Kenakena School
Professional learning relating to the Te Reo Tuatahi programme and te reo Māori in the curriculum.
Download: Full report (PDF 465 kB)
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McKernan, Craig
St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei)
Investigate what professional development (leadership) and support principals find to be effective in assisting them to lead successful schools.
Download: Full report (PDF 129 kB)
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McLean, Donal
Fruitvale Road School
Undertake professional readings, visit schools within the greater Auckland area as appropriate, and administer a survey across Auckland primary schools.
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Morrall, Andrew
Rolleston School
Learn more about Project-Based Learning (PBL) with older students, 12–13 years, with a view to incorporating it into the curriculum of our year 7 and 8 students.
Download: Full report (PDF 1 MB)
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Morresey, Lisa
Mt Maunganui Intermediate
Familiarise myself with PACT. Visit schools who have implemented PACT re process, development, and aggregation and analysis of school-wide data. Interview and observe individual teachers on how the PACT learning progression can be used to develop next learning steps and inform instructional teaching. Try it myself with a group of students in our school.
Download: Full report (PDF 122 kB)
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Nel, Judith
Parkside School
Investigate some UK special schools, along with some mainstream schools, which have been given the opportunity to become teaching schools, to explore the objectives of this enterprise and the positive impact on professional learning for pre-service teachers and in-service teachers.
Download: Full report (PDF 558 kB)
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Odgers, Megan
Ravensbourne School
Find ways that Ravensbourne School can become culturally responsive in a deeper and more meaningful way to enhance student achievement.
Download: Full report (PDF 453 kB)
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Ormrod, Juliet
Central School
Observe and evaluate the power of integrating the performing and visual arts in our school so that I can better support our expert teachers to affect positive and lasting change in our school curriculum.
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Otene, Leanne
Manaia View School
Research transition programmes between full primary and high schools in Whangarei.
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Palfrey, Philip
Manurewa East School
Investigate in New Zealand and abroad, the role of the Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) in supporting a school's inclusive practices.
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Palmer, Margaret
Waterlea Public School
The use of coaching as a professional development model, building learner capacity in a sustainable way.
Download: Full report (PDF 442 kB)
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Patara, Elizabeth
Clyde Quay School
Identify a digital, collaborative innovation, design and implementation plan that will be integrated into the school's innovative learning environment.
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Pepper, Daniel
St Dominic's Catholic School (Blockhouse Bay)
Review the actions taken in our Community of Learning, Kāhui Ako, one year in, and the impact on our schools and their communities.
Download: Full report (PDF 210 kB)
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Peri, Diana
Oranga School
Further professional training in the GROWTH coaching for leadership model. Inquire into the potential of solutions-focused coaching to deepen collaborative teacher inquiry and a culture of autonomous collaborative inquiry. Identify next steps for the leadership of this project.
Download: Full report (PDF 140 kB)
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Pomare, Dianne
TKKM o Nga Maungarongo
See how other Kura Kaupapa Te Aho Matua have adapted the PB4L programme.
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Prchal, David
Morningside School
Investigate play-based learning programmes in early years' classrooms, focusing on: the opportunities to enhance learner agency; positive transitions for whānau and children from ECE to school; the impact on raising achievement for our priority learners, Māori students and boys; the changes needed in teacher pedagogy to implement this approach successfully; and how teachers are evaluating the success of the play-based approach to learning.
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Rivers, Catherine
St Mark's School (Pakuranga)
Research two age groups of Māori to find out what factors they think have made, or are making, them successful. The first group I would like to interview is a group of 30 to 45 year olds who went through the education system before MOE/ERO made Māori their priority learners. I would like to compare this group with groups of students, year 5 through to tertiary education, on what the factors they think are making a difference to their education.
Download: Full report (PDF 528 kB)
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Roberts, Gary
Hornby Primary School
Observe children and speak with families and teachers in five Pasifika early childhood centres in Christchurch, four Samoan and one Tongan, to make connections with early childhood learning and experiences so our school can be better placed to meet the needs of children and families when they arrive at primary school.
Download: Full report (PDF 478 kB)
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Robertson, Dane
Kaimai School
Investigate schools that are implementing play-based learning. Establish best practice play-based learning and cater for students' schemas and urges to help develop student learning.
Read about Dane's findings on play-based learning at NZ Curriculum Online.
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Rutherford, Raewyn
Egmont Village School
Observe Te Whariki in action and establish strong working relationships with the early childhood services our students attend, and a good line of communication, so we can best support a good transition to school. Investigate what is done in ECE to focus on readiness for school.
Download: Full report (PDF 753 kB)
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Schreiber, Norah
James Street School
Gain an understanding of what accelerated learning looks like for students with high and complex needs, and how progress is reported to parents and whānau.
Download: Full report (PDF 213 kB)
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Scott, Kim
Wyndham School
Attend a Leading a Digital School conference in Melbourne and spend time with a successful school cluster, Manaaiakalani, to gain the future focused knowledge I need to enhance my vision for a digital school and build my leadership depth in this area for my school and then my wider community (through our LMW CoL).
Download: Full report (PDF 392 kB)
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Simpson, Pauline
Rosebank School (Balclutha)
Review the factors contributing to mathematical engagement and success in school students in New Zealand and other countries. Visit schools in high performing maths countries such as China, Japan, and Switzerland to explore first hand practices that lead to successful maths learning and compare this to the New Zealand situation. Submit a plan for mathematics improvement that could be used in the South Otago Community of Learning schools.
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Stackhouse, John
Redwood School (Christchurch)
Investigate teaching and learning for priority students in a collaborative learning environment, with an emphasis on special education needs.
Download: Full report (PDF 708 kB)
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Sutton, Pauline
Uruti School
Develop learner agency across multi levels in a flexible learning environment.
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Tappenden, Philip
Kirkwood Intermediate
Explore how modern learning environments link with pedagogy for successful teaching and learning of students in the middle years.
Download: Full report (PDF 487 kB)
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Taylor, Melanie
Golden Sands School
Research effective collaboration, leading in collaborative environments, and the leadership training that might benefit lead principals.
Download: Full report (PDF 137 kB)
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Tonks, Selena
Grovetown School
Research how small schools, U1 and U2, develop, sustain and improve leadership capabilities of pupils and staff.
Download: Full report (PDF 123 kB)
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Trezise, Alfred
Botany Downs School
Study the transition to and from primary school.
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Turrel, James
Limehills School
Collect data to support or challenge our intuitively held beliefs about the strengths and weaknesses of our school's curriculum design.
Download: Full report (PDF 336 kB)
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Van Zyl, Timothy
Te Awa School
Investigate the implementation of successful anti-bullying programmes or teaching strategies that have a direct impact on the culture of the school. Form partnerships with schools in both the UK and Finland that have successfully implemented the KiVa anti-bullying programme in their schools.
Download: Full report (PDF 254 kB)
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Varney, Helen
Target Road School
Learn how to grow our schools' capacity in culturally responsive teaching practices and pedagogies to support acceleration of learning for priority and target learners.
Download: Full report (PDF 573 kB)
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Verstappen, Peter
Wakefield School
Investigate how social action outcomes can be an effective component of an inquiry curriculum.
Download: Full report (PDF 265 kB)
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Waldron, Debra
St Peter Chanel School (Green Island)
Read and critique current research on effective appraisal, in particular the impact of teacher inquiry and 4 minute walk-throughs in my setting. Use professional development providers or facilitators and colleagues to critique, challenge and help me improve my professional practice. Undertake a principal inquiry around improving achievement through effective inquiry into practice.
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Walsh, Cindy
Takapuna School
Investigate the implementation of educational coaching and the outcomes experienced in schools in New Zealand and overseas.
Download: Full report (PDF 748 kB)
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Warren, Bruce
Mairangi Bay School
Investigate the effective use of the latest voice recognition software in educational contexts.
Download: Full report (PDF 719 kB)
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Warren, Virginia
St Albans School
Investigate how to shape an appraisal model that promotes teachers' self-efficacy while also fulfilling the requirements of the Education Council – one that includes the natural harvest of everyday evidence and focuses on all akonga.
Download: Full report (PDF 715 kB)
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White, Timothy
Frimley School
Identify innovative approaches taken by Kāhui Ako to address achievement challenges for priority learners – in particular, those that would be difficult to implement as a single school – and foundational structures or organisational scaffolds that have helped the developing Kāhui Ako to work constructively together.
Download: Full report (PDF 110 kB)
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Whiting, Michele
Corinna School
Leading in a complex world – understanding the “why”. Explore thinking about leadership to support transformational change to meet students’ needs as 21st Century learners.
Download: Full report (PDF 527 kB)
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Woods, Tracey
Manunui School
Investigate how our school can improve children's readiness for school by improving the TeRito 4-year old programme. Create a free resource for all parents and caregivers of the children who attend Manunui School's TeRito 4-year old programme.
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Wootton, William
Adventure School
Investigate the development of student and teacher agency.
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Zimmerman, Karl
St Anne's School (Wanganui)
Investigate strategies and pedagogies that assist to personalise learning through an inquiry approach for priority learners and children with diverse educational needs.
Download: Full report (PDF 587 kB)
