This month we celebrate four impressive leaders, women who are principals of well-known secondary schools (both co-ed and girls' schools) in our part of the country. They share their thoughts on women in leadership roles, drawing parallels about the additional scrutiny women leaders often face compared to men and share some great insights into what it takes to run our
world-class schools on the Shore.
Claire Amos is the principal of Albany Senior High School and a long time Shore resident who grew up in Murrays Bay and attended Rangitoto College. Claire’s got 25 years of experience in education, working in and leading in secondary schools across Auckland. She’s particularly passionate about the tech sector, having served on the board of NetSafe for 10 years and just finishing up on the advisory board for Network for Learning. Claire lives in Hillcrest with husband, Simon, daughters Hannah and Emily, and their tribe of animals (basset hound Bella, Harry the cat, Munster the tortoise and Salam the leopard gecko!). When she’s not leading Albany Senior High, Claire says you’ll find her roller skating or thrift shopping.
Channel Magazine: How well do you feel New Zealand is doing in terms of women in leadership in 2023?
Claire Amos: I think we are getting better. I have been part of Global Woman New Zealand for the last two years and their research shows that we are seeing more women in leadership roles in New Zealand. Education has seen a steady rise in the percentage of women in senior leader roles. That said, we still have a way to go before we achieve anything like equality in the leadership space.
What could we do better?
I think we need to check our conscious and unconscious biases about what a woman is capable of and what she will bring to the table. Assumptions are still made about the other responsibilities and expectations a woman may be dealing with when they apply for leadership roles. We also need to challenge and respond to the scale of abuse that women experience online compared to their male counterparts. In a time when we are making headway, it would be sad to see women shying away from leadership roles because of the abuse they may experience.
What is your definition of good leadership?
A warm demander! Someone who can balance having a clear vision, the strategy to deliver on that vision and the ability to develop and grow warm respectful relations with those around them. Good leadership is about that mixture of head, heart and hands, a leader has the knowledge and the skills, shows empathy and cares for others and is willing to do the work.
How do you personally remain positive in the face of challenging times?
Again it's about balance. Work hard, connect hard, play hard. I actually find that throwing myself into my work brings me joy, as does carving out time for my family and friends. I also ensure I make time for myself every single day. At present, that means putting on my roller skates every night in the living room (no joke) and when I’m not working, studying, roller skating or spending time with family and friends, you will find me trawling thrift shops.
What are you currently reading?
I am completing my Masters of Educational Leadership, so there’s a lot of research and readings but I am also a voracious reader of contemporary fiction and am currently enjoying anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Jennifer Weiner.
A piece of advice to your younger self / young female aspiring leaders on the Shore?
Feel the fear and do it anyway. One thing I have noticed about my male colleagues is that they will recognise that they have the potential to do a job and apply whereas women tend to believe they need to have the experience and skills in full before they apply. I also encourage women to reach out and proactively recruit mentors and in turn mentor the women around them. Strong women leaders breed strong women leaders.
In 2023 I am looking forward to…
Travelling overseas! I am heading to San Diego for an educational conference at the end of March and then heading to Mexico.
Albany Senior High School, 536 Albany Highway, Albany
ashs.school.nz
Sarah Kemble began as Carmel College’s principal in 2022 but her history at the school runs deep; she attended the same school as a student. She’s the mother of three young children and says the family enjoys being active and outdoors, typically spending weekends at playgrounds, parks and skateparks around the North Shore. Sarah’s a resident of the Hibiscus Coast but has taught at three North Shore schools and one in West Auckland.
Channel Magazine: How well do you feel New Zealand is doing in terms of women in leadership in 2023?
Sarah Kemble: I think New Zealand has always been at the forefront of promoting women in leadership, from the suffrage movement through to recent female world leaders in sport, culture, business and politics. I can’t see this slowing in 2023.
What could we do better?
I think we need to re-examine how we celebrate women in leadership with regards to the fact that women in leadership, is and should be, normalised and not highlighted as something new.
What is your definition of good leadership?
Working with, and alongside, others, developing relationships whilst maintaining a balance between the needs of the individual and the group in order to achieve a common goal.
How do you personally remain positive in the face of challenging times?
By focusing on the why and connecting with people, as that puts things into perspective.
What are you currently reading?
Something a little different, ‘The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’ by Charlie Mackesy. It is a great little book that gives reminders of what really matters.
A piece of advice to your younger self / young female aspiring leaders on the Shore?
There are so many opportunities; know yourself, have confidence in yourself and have the courage to embrace what scares and challenges you.
In 2023 I am looking forward to…
Learning and developing in my role so that I can support and empower the young women of Carmel College to challenge and shape their future.
Carmel College, 108 Shakespeare Road, Milford
carmel.school.nz
Jane Stanley has been the principal of Westlake Girls High School since 2017. She has spent time at Rangitoto and Birkenhead Colleges, in an Assistant Principal position for 12 years. Jane started her career as a physical education teacher at Epsom Girls Grammar, as a keen athlete, national rowing representative and coach. In 2013, Jane left the secondary school environment and spent four years as the Athlete Life Manager at High Performance Sport New Zealand where she led a team delivering career and leadership development for New Zealand’s Olympic athletes. Jane has lived on the North Shore for more than 40 years and has strong ties to the Westlake community, her daughter, two sons and husband having all attended the Westlake schools.
Channel Magazine: How well do you feel New Zealand is doing in terms of women in leadership in 2023?
Jane Stanley: The number of women in leadership positions is growing and there are fantastic role models, which is so important. New Zealand paved the way in the women’s suffragette movement in the late 1800s. However, Jacinda Ardern’s experience has highlighted the scrutiny that women often face in high profile leadership roles. This is a sad indictment on our society. We all have to own this and find a way to support and empower our aspiring women leaders.
What could we do better?
Empower young women to be bold and courageous and believe in themselves. One of the best things about my role is being able to work with so many curious, intelligent and passionate young women who have so much to offer the world. We need to look at ways of providing equitable opportunities for women to achieve leadership positions until we reach a 50–50 share of that space. It is taking too long.
What is your definition of good leadership?
Having a vision and communicating that clearly. Understanding yourself, the things that are non-negotiable for you, and staying true to who you are. Valuing others and committing to nurture their strengths and talents while taking them with you. Knowing what you want to achieve and removing distractions.
How do you personally remain positive in the face of challenging times?
I genuinely really enjoy the people I work with, both the staff and students at school and my principal colleagues; they give me energy and keep me positive. During down time, I enjoy my family and doing fun things together, which helps me recharge.
What are you currently reading??
'Simplify to Perform' by Richard Young.
A piece of advice to your younger self / young female aspiring leaders on the Shore?
Take your time and enjoy the journey. Be open to taking opportunities that present themselves and learn as much as you can from those around you. Find what it is that you really enjoy and do the very best you can in whatever you are involved in.
In 2023 I am looking forward to…
Seeing our students thrive back in the school environment after three challenging years. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Australia and the US to attend two international girls’ schools’ conferences. I am looking forward to sharing and learning from educators across the globe.
Westlake Girls High School, 2 Wairau Road, Takapuna
westlakegirls.school.nz
Principal of Takapuna Grammar, Mary Nixon, lives locally and says she enjoys all the amenities of our vibrant city and being close to family. She enjoys the beautiful beaches and outdoor experiences such as walks and biking locally. Being within easy reach of Auckland, other places across Aotearoa and the globe are among the things Mary loves about living and working on the Shore.
Channel Mag: How well do you feel New Zealand is doing in terms of women in leadership in 2023?
Mary Nixon: It’s getting better, with more women taking middle leadership roles and a few more at the most senior levels across a range of sectors. But still, the challenges of top leadership are too daunting and the positions are too lonely, which discourages women aspiring to this level.
What could we do better?
Value and reward women for the strengths they bring that add value to top leadership, rather than continuing to promote the negative aspects of competition and hierarchy over the positive opportunities that collaboration and new, and better, ways of doing things deliver.
What is your definition of good leadership?
Growing leaders who grow leaders who act with integrity and grit and deliver on meaningful intentions, knowing this is made up of lots of small actions across different layers of organisations, rather than talking lots and hoping things will happen.
How do you personally remain positive in the face of challenging times?
Surround myself with many people who are better than and different to me. Together we inspire each other to stick to goals, measure and respond to checkpoints, keep laughing while being brave, and keep doing what is needed, knowing we do impact the end results and that all this takes time and energy.
What are you currently reading?
An 'Outlander' novel by Diana Gabaldon, 'Into the Fire' by Gregg Hurwitz, articles from PA Consulting and HBS Education Leadership Insights, and 'Improving Teaching and Learning for Ākonga Māori' by Melanie Riwai-Couch.
A piece of advice to your younger self/young female aspiring Leaders on the Shore?
Back yourself as a valued contributor to leadership when you are deserving. Take your place at the leadership table and use your voice effectively there. And throughout your journey, do the things you are good at, especially what others do not like doing. Get better at what you are not good at and, most of all, learn to take and listen carefully to feedback. Accept praise, ignore jibes and improve where you should; invest in your talents, rather than letting self-doubt discourage you.
In 2023 I am looking forward to...
Connecting with more people, being face to face more, collaborating with others to redress the social and academic gaps coming from three years of disruptions and utilising the tenacity and resilience that comes from navigating challenges in positive ways to make our communities better.
Takapuna Grammar, 210 Lake Road, Takapuna
takapuna.school.nz
