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ISNZ Awards
DIO STAFF HONOURED
Each year Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ), the organisation representing private schools throughout New Zealand, calls for nominations for the ISNZ
Honours Awards. These awards give recognition to staff – be they academic, support staff, boarding, sporting, property, administration roles and others – who stand out above and beyond what might reasonably be expected as part of their employment. A wide range of roles contribute to the success of Independent Schools, and these awards are inclusive of the diversity of positions held by staff.
Successful candidates demonstrate an outstanding commitment and dedication to their students, not necessarily in a classroom setting.
They must have five years of service or more within an ISNZ member school and be a role model for students and their peers to enhance the values of independent schooling. They must also demonstrate service and a contribution to the wider community.
Each year, consideration is also given to worthy recipients of an ISNZ Distinguished Service Award. In the history of the ISNZ Honours Awards Scheme less than 10 such awards have been presented.
This year, one ISNZ Distinguished Service Award was made and we’re delighted to acknowledge our principal, Heather McRae, for Outstanding Service to Independent Schools of New Zealand, and to the wider education sector.
HEATHER McRAE
Heather took up her position as principal of Diocesan School for Girls in 2009. Right from the outset Heather has embraced and embodied the independent school movement and its place as an integral part of the wider education sector.
She served on the Association of the Heads of Independent Schools from 2010 until its disestablishment in 2019 and served on the ISNZ Board from 2011 as a board member and board chairperson from 2016 until the end of last year. In her capacity as board chair, Heather most recently oversaw the restructure of the ISNZ governance model. With her vast experience in international education and her principalship in both the state and private school sectors, Heather understands and actively promotes the need for collaboration and collegiality across the wider education sector. She is the first to put her name forward to contribute to the Government’s education goals and, as such, has served on numerous reference and advisory groups.
We congratulate Heather on her recent appointment to the Curriculum Advisory Group established to support the new Ministry of Education Curriculum Centre. The Advisory Group will help the Ministry provide strengthened and inclusive curriculum leadership and expertise.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to work alongside Heather and we thank her for her outstanding service to education.
CHRISTINE LEWIS
Service to languages teaching, pastoral care and water polo
During an impressive almost 30 years’ commitment to Diocesan School for Girls, dean of Year 11 and languages teacher, Christine Lewis, has demonstrated a strong sense of service across a multitude of key responsibilities.
Crediting her own education at Dio as being a major influence on her career, Christine fully embraces the School’s ethos to provide every one of its girls with the “courage and confidence to positively shape the future”. Christine strives to open doors for her students through her languages teaching. Passionate about everything she does in the classroom, her aim is to inspire such interest in the subject that her students are curious to continue to discover more.
Committed, determined, motivated, reliable, intelligent, and open, Christine considers many perspectives when tackling challenges and she thinks creatively – the latter proving particularly beneficial during pandemic lockdowns.
With generosity of spirit and a desire to ensure the very best care and education for each student, Christine sees one of her key roles as building strong individual relationships. Having positively influenced so many young people, she is described by students as a “second mum”.
Additionally, Christine’s involvement with the Diocesan Premiers, which she has managed since 2008, has contributed to the water polo team winning repeated national titles. As well as being able to impart her own expert knowledge on the sport – which she continues to be heavily involved in outside of the School – Christine’s warm, caring and structured approach allows the girls to perform at their best in the pool.
Congratulations Christine! Each year, Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ), the organisation representing private schools throughout New Zealand, calls for nominations for the ISNZ Honours Awards. These awards give recognition to staff – be they academic, support staff, boarding, sporting, property, administration roles or others – who stand out above and beyond what might reasonably be expected as part of their employment.
