Principal Professional Growth Cycle
At St Joseph's School, the principal participates in an annual professional growth cycle (PGC) to determine whether they are meeting the Standards for the Teaching Profession | Ngā Paerewa mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga (the Standards). The principal develops their own PGC that promotes professional learning and growth as appropriate to the needs of our school.
The principal is also responsible for designing and implementing an annual PGC for teachers. See Teacher Professional Growth Cycle.
At St Joseph's School, the PGC process aligns with the special character of the school.
Professional growth cycle process
The principal plans their professional growth cycle (PGC) in consultation with the board, other staff members, and external colleagues. As part of their PGC, the principal seeks feedback from within the school and from external colleagues to support their professional growth. The principal and board chair discuss how the PGC meets student needs and aligns with the strategic direction of the school.
The PGC is based on elements set out by the Teaching Council:
- The principal works with teaching staff to facilitate a shared understanding of the Standards, and what meeting and using them looks like within our school.
- The principal develops their PGC and shares this with the board chair to plan any support that is needed.
- The principal engages in professional learning and practice development within a network of colleagues, using the Standards.
- The principal seeks feedback on their practice from a range of sources, including the board chair or their delegate.
- A professional learning network colleague (i.e. the
endorser) confirms annually that the principal has participated in the PGC, and endorses whether the principal meets or is likely to meet the Standards.The person who endorses the principal is selected in collaboration with the board chair and the professional learning network. The endorser follows guidelines provided by the Teaching Council.
The endorser makes a decision based on collaboration within the network and evidence-based conversation. The endorser is not expected to collect evidence about the performance of the principal.
The endorser confirms that the principal has participated in the PGC, and provides a statement about whether the principal meets or is likely to meet the Standards of the Teaching Profession.
Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand: Aratohu Kaiohia | Endorser Guidelines 
- If, in the endorser’s judgement, the principal does not meet or is not likely to meet the Standards, they discuss this with the principal.
The principal may be endorsed as meeting the Standards (Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate – Category One), or as not currently able to be endorsed as meeting all the Standards, but considered likely to meet them (Pūmau | Full Practising Certificate – Category Two).
The PGC process meets privacy and records retention requirements. See Privacy Policy and School Records Retention and Disposal.
Professional learning network
The PGC supports ongoing professional growth of the principal as part of a professional learning network of colleagues. The principal participates in a professional learning network in order to assess their own capability in meeting the Standards. The principal also supports colleagues to carry out their own PGC.
All members of the professional learning network must hold a Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate, as members are responsible for endorsement decisions regarding re-certification.
The professional learning network may operate locally or remotely, and may connect in person or through digital platforms. These networks may exist already (e.g. a Kāhui Ako group), or may be created specifically for the PGC.
The Teaching Council recommends five or six members as an optimal number for a network. This allows members to establish a collective professional purpose, positively challenge each other, engage in feedback, and provide support as required. The principal receives support from the network, and provides reciprocal support to the other members.
One person within the network is responsible for endorsing the principal as meeting the Standards. It is not recommended that two people within a network are responsible for endorsing each other.
As a member of the professional learning network, the principal follows a kaupapa (set of principles) set out by the Teaching Council:
- observe confidentiality
- support the agreed facilitator
The facilitator for meetings of a professional learning network may be a member of the network, or an external facilitator. If meetings are facilitated by members of the network, the facilitator role may cycle through different members. Facilitation may also be delegated to a person who is not a school leader, but an external facilitator cannot professionally endorse other members.
Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand: Aratohu Kaiohia | Endorser Guidelines
- share responsibility for enriching the discussion
- come to meetings on time, prepared, informed, and open minded
- contribute to the group by being responsive, reflective, and supportive
- agree to intentionally address the elements of the PGC
- ensure that the endorsement process is followed.
Resources
- Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand:
: Term 4 2024, Term 4 2022
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