Mark Richardson
COL Lead Principal 2021 – 2022
Principal of Aidanfield Christian School
The Lead Principal has the responsibility of coordinating work across the CoL schools primarily as it relates to the Achievement Challenges of the CoL. However, the Christian Education Network existed well before the advent of CoL’s with the Christchurch Christian schools working together at various levels since 2003. The collaboration of schools will outlast any CoL structure as we work with a clear vision to enhance God’s kingdom intent. As such we collaborate on more than just the Achievement Challenges of the CoL with a focus on enhancing quality teaching and learning within the context of each school’s special character and enlarging the impact of the Christian schools in the wider Christchurch environments. The Lead Principal contributes to the coordination of this focus. The role is such that each school’s principal remains fully responsible for their own school and the CoL lead principal has no authority in any school. The role is focused on drawing together a collection of the willing to move in directions that are agreed with the purpose of lifting the quality of teaching and learning so that all pupils can achieve.
Joelle Nareki
Across School Teacher – Enhancing Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga
Mrs Joelle Nareki (Ngāi Tahu, Aidanfield Christian School) was appointed to the Te Reo/Tikanga Across School Teacher roll in 2021 and continues to work with the Within School Teachers across the CoL. She also connects with any teacher who has either interest and responsibility for developing things Māori in their school context. She presents and works with school Boards, full staff meetings and various groups of staff within and across schools as well as linking with the PD focus areas in the CoL preschools.
Key areas of focus include a language resource that supports the acquisition that supports teachers in the acquisition of te Reo Māori, both their own and those of their students. This resources is designed to be used alongside the the Curriculum Guidelines for Te Reo Māori. She is also working with schools to enhance strong and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including Māori whānau, ākonga, local iwi and hapū. Ensuring the special character of each school is foundational to all developments in this area is an ongoing area of focus.
Judith Anthony
Across School Teacher – Enhancing Culturally Responsive Practice
Mrs Judith Anthony has been in the Across School Teacher role since 2018 and brings significant insight and experience in working with ELL pupils as well as culturally diverse learners. CoL schools are experiencing a significant shift in the cultural backgrounds of the pupil populations. To raise the achievement of all pupils across our schools we need to respond to the diverse learner needs that are becoming increasingly apparent. Judith has developed a network of professionals within the CoL and added significant PD into each school. The sharing of practice, PD and successes enhances our response to the myriad of pupils from around the world. Through the work that Judith continues to do we have seen a 150% increase in the number of individually funded ELL pupils. This relates to direct support for classroom teachers for pupils who are at various stages of learning English.
Mandy Cleave
Across School Teacher- New Zealand Histories
Mandy will be working primarily with the Within School Teachers who have the NZ History focus at each of our schools. She is also likely to be involved at various schools staff meetings and PD through the year. The focus will be on both exploring how to teach history really well, understanding the new structure of the curriculum being ‘refreshed’ by the MoE and lining local narratives and ideas to the big ideas. In doing this we hope to serve each school as they see fit to implement this new aspect of the curriculum easily, collaboratively and with a sense of God’s hand in who we are as a nation.
