Home » Fellowships » Woolf Fisher Fellowships 2004 – present

Woolf Fisher Fellowships 2004 – present

Rewarding excellence in education

Note: Some 2019 and 2020 Fellowship holders were unable to take up their fellowships in 2020/21/22 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, their fellowships were deferred until 2023/24. For each of these and subsequent fellowships completed, an Executive Summary of the Fellow’s report to the Trust will be published below. No new fellowships will be awarded until late 2024.

2020

Phillip Holstein – Principal
Burnside High School

Phil Holstein’s 2020 Fellowship was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19
Pandemic, and then undertaken with a substantially modified programme in 2022/2023.
The focus of Phil’s study was to determine how the role, leadership style, and approach of
Principals of very large secondary schools’ contrasts with that of smaller secondary schools
(those of around 1,000 students); and to determine the competencies, skills, attributes, and
actions of these Principals that best suit, and most effectively drive, schools of such scale
and complexity.
In particular, Phil wanted to investigate how Principals in very large schools establish,
maintain, and enhance academic endeavour while creating and developing a positive
climate and an inclusive and supportive school culture.
Phil also hoped that his study would afford an opportunity to formalise his views of school
leadership, developed over 17 years of principalship, and to compare his ideas with other
professional leaders.
Phil’s revised programme consisted of the 2022 Queensland Secondary Principals
Conference in Brisbane, meeting with key educators at several leadership organisations,
Chief Executives of Principals’ Associations of Australia and South Australia, and visiting
schools in Melbourne and Adelaide. He then visited Rangitoto College, Macleans College,
and the University of Auckland’s Leadership Institute. Finally, he visited three secondary
schools in San Francisco.
Phil’s study found that while the leadership role of the Principal of all sized schools is the
same, the way Principals of very large schools work changes, as does their leadership style
and approach, as the scale, size and complexity increases. The specific challenges that were
highlighted during his research are summarised as: school climate and culture: a sense of
belonging; visibility and connection; shared vision, values and strategy; distributive
leadership and communication. The Principals of very large schools adopt a variety of
strategies to lead effectively and successfully. Common themes were ‘leading from behind’,
maintaining connections, being the leader of leaders, and growing the leadership capacity of
others.
Phil has now stepped down as Principal of Burnside High School and is seeking opportunities
to support and assist Principals and/or Senior Leadership Teams in a mentoring role. He
feels that his experience, combined with the knowledge gained from this study, will prove
invaluable in his future work.

Dr Wendy Kofoed – Principal
Newmarket Primary School

Denise Torrey  – Principal
Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo

Patrick Walsh – Principal
John Paul College

Jennifer Ashby – Teacher of English
Logan Park High School

Nicholas Williams – Teacher of Physics
Napier Boys’ High School

Lau Raj Kumar – Teacher of Physics
Botany Downs Secondary College

Jenny Lim – Teacher of Chemistry
Ormiston Senior College

Hendrickus Popping – Principal
Otumoetai Intermediate School

Henk’s 2022 Fellowship involved travel in Australia including attendance at the ACEL National Conference in Sydney followed by travel in the South Island of New Zealand.

Henk’s learning can be summarised into four main themes:
Equity and Inclusion, Literacy and Numeracy, Leadership and Student Behaviour and Mental Health.
Interwoven throughout these is how schools are seeking to implement influences with the largest effect sizes that will have the greatest impact on their students’ learning. This involves using high impact learning activities, collaborative pedagogical practices and inclusive cultures based on collective efficacy: the influence with the greatest effect size on student learning.
Henk learned Collective efficacy is best achieved through collaboration between teachers and between students led by principals whose leadership was inclusive, team-based, collegial, responsive to change and student focused. He found effective leaders were strategic, relational and able to communicate a clear vision and goals for their school which all stakeholders understood and supported.
Henk was also able gain examples and inclusion strategies for increasing student sense of belonging, hauora and engagement.

Henk is encouraging and promoting greater teacher collaboration using best practice for student learning based on what we now know about desired influences and their effect size for all students. Central to this is all students collaborating in team learning tasks and mixed ability groups. He is leading a new focus on collaborative learning and inclusive practices school wide to lift student engagement, sense of belonging and self-efficacy.
Henk will use the knowledge and strategies he has gained by adjusting school organisation and working with staff throughout the year. He will focus on building positive relationships and effective strategies to address student anxiety and trauma. For students, school wide programmes and activities based on collaboration and fun will be built into the Ōtūmoetai Intermediate school year.
Henk will also be applying what he learned about building trust and relationships to refine his leadership approach for multiple diverse organisations and schools of which he is lead principal or chairman.

Katie Peters – Teacher of English
Waiopehu College

Not undertaken due to a move to a role not in teaching

2019

Richard Dykes – Principal
Glendowie College

Patrick Drumm – Headmaster
Mount Albert Grammar School

Ben Skeen – Associate Headmaster
Auckland Grammar School

Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton  – Principal
Kaiti School

Amanda O’Sullivan – Principal
Greymouth Main School

Iain Taylor – Principal
Manurewa Intermediate

David Thorp – Deputy Principal
Wellington College

Marek Brewster– Teacher of Mathematics
King’s High School

Antony Cox – Teacher of Chemistry
Christchurch Boys’ High School

Peter Stewart – Teacher of Chemistry
Rangitoto College

Megan Mannering – Teacher of Economics
Napier Girls’ High School

Emma Tyler – Teacher of History
Palmerston North Girls’ High School

Allan Smith – Teacher of Performing Arts
Te Puke High School

2018

Anne Cooper – Principal
Whangarei Girls’ High School

Julie Henderson – Principal
Eastern Hutt School

Ash Maindonald – Principal
Western Heights School

Chris Murphy  – Principal
Methven School

Mark Wilson – Principal
Cashmere High School

Fiona Pearson – Teacher of English
Hutt Valley High School

Dirk Smyth – Teacher of Mathematics
Otamatea High School

Jonathan Wieland – Teacher of Mathematics
One Tree Hill College

Edwin Small – Teacher of Mathematics
Kaitaia College

Erina Butterworth – Teacher of Science
Rotorua Lakes High School

Louise Richards – Teacher of Geography
Rongotai College

Anna Colman – Teacher of Technology
Marlborough Girls’ College

Nicole Stevens – Teacher of Health Science
Manurewa High School

Chris Nielsen – Teacher of Physical Education
Riccarton High School

2017

Michael Bain – Principal
Te Mata School

Anne Marie Biggs – Principal
Glendowie School

Sheryll Ofner – Principal
Selwyn College

Andrew Smith  – Principal
Windsor North School

Andrew Wood – Principal
James Hargest College

Maddy Haydock – Teacher of English
Kerikeri High School

Rachel Shepherd – Teacher of English
Freyberg High School

Susan Scott – Teacher of Mathematics
Bayfield High School

Ingrid Rinsma – Teacher of Mathematics
Hillcrest High School

John Walker – Teacher of Mathematics
Nayland College

Darcy Fawcett – Teacher of Physics
Gisborne Boys’ High School

Matthew McGovern – Teacher of Physics
Havelock North High School

Sarah Johns – Teacher of Biology
Nelson College for Girls

Trudy Gibbs – Teacher of Geography
Glendowie College

Scott Jenkins – Teacher of History
Morrinsville College

2016

Julia Davidson – Principal
Wellington Girls’ College

David Ferguson – Headmaster
Westlake Boys’ High School

Andrew Bird – Principal
Muritai School

Russell Burt  – Principal
Pt England School

Andrew Larson – Principal
Fairfield School

Ian Scoltock – Teacher of Chemistry
Mt Albert Grammar School

Sally Withers – Teacher of Chemistry
Marlborough Boys’ College

Philip Irwin – Teacher of Physics
Avondale College

Jason Ellwood – Teacher of Mathematics
Otumoetai College

Mark Houghton – Teacher of Mathematics
Timaru Girls’ High School

Kane Boulton – Teacher of Geography
Napier Boys’ High School

Russ Maged – Teacher of Geography
Papatoetoe High School

Mark Mortensen – Teacher of Media Studies
Newlands College

John Hayden – Teacher of Classical Studies
Waitaki Girls’ High School

2015

Steve Bovaird – Principal
Lynfield College

Gary Moore – Principal
Rutherford College

Robin Staples – Principal
Southern Cross Campus

Leon Fourie  – Executive Dean
Unitec Institute of Technology

Yvette Isherwood – Teacher of English
Trident High School

Tristan Riley – Teacher of Chemistry
Nelson College

Hamid Abu-Shanan – Teacher of Physics
Wellington College

Alka Rhode – Teacher of Physics
Auckland  Girls’ Grammar School

Esme Danielsen – Teacher of Mathematics
Onslow College

Michelle Dalrymple – Teacher of Mathematics
Cashmere High School

Douglas Udy-Bothwell – Teacher of Mathematics
Rangitoto College

Linda Richards – Teacher of Geography
Wakatipu High School

Ros Cameron – Teacher of Visual Art
Wellington East Girls’ College

2014

Daniel Reddiex – Rector
King’s High School

Murray McDonald – Principal
Aberdeen School

Stuart Cameron – Principal
Sumner School

Diana Tregoweth – Principal
Owairaka District School

Ngaire Joy Nielsen – Teacher of Chemistry
Whangarei Girls’ High School

Matthew Russell – Teacher of Chemistry
Westlake Boys’ High School

Linda Orton – Teacher of Classical Studies
Havelock North High School

Gavin Parratt – Teacher of Commerce
Mount Roskill Grammar School

Maree O’Donoghue – Teacher of English
Palmerston North Girls’ High School

Angee Robertson – Teacher of English
Shirley Boys’ High School

Aaron O’Brien – Teacher of History
Selwyn College

Janet McCallister – Teacher of Languages
Wellington Girls’ College

Irene Bennet – Teacher of Mathematics
Botany Downs Secondary College

Helen Wiessing – Teacher of Mathematics
Dargaville High School

2013

Madeline Gunn – Principal
Epsom Girls’ Grammar School

Judy Dixon – Principal
Frankton School

Helen Malcolm – Principal
Waipahihi School

Mark Genet – Principal
Peterhead School

Shirley Wilson – Director Education
Christchurch Polytechnic

Warren Lincoln – Outstanding Teacher of History
Auckland Grammar School

Joanna Morris – Teacher of English
Karamu High School

Jennifer MacDonald – Teacher of English
Mahurangi College

Prudence Casey – Teacher of Biology
Otago Boys’ High School

Ashwin Reddy – Teacher of Physics
Lynfield College

Allick Lal – Teacher of Physics
Macleans College

Darrell Harvey – Teacher of Mathematics
Wellington College

Nicola Shanley – Teacher of Visual Art
Burnsidei High School

2012

Sue Hume – Principal
Avonside Girls’ High School

Jennifer Ellis – Principal
New Plymouth Girls’ High School

John Bockett – Principal
South New Brighton School

Simon Heath – Principal
Renwick School

Neil Haywood – Associate Headmaster
Shirley Boys’ High School

Paul McWilliam – Deputy Headmaster
Christchurch Boys’ High School

Karen Eder – Assistant Principal
Christchurch Girls’ High School

Michael Fowler – Deputy Principal
Hagley Community College

David Taylor – Teacher of English
Northcote College

Andrew Hope – Teacher of Mathematics
New Plymouth Boys’ High School

Trevor Barge – Teacher of Geography
Mountainview High School

Michelle Gourley – Teacher of Classical Studies
Kaiapoi High School

2011

Greg Watson – Principal
Mt Roskill Grammar School

Jane Milner – Principal
Redoubt North Primary School

Peter Verstappen – Principal
Southbridge School

Pauline May – Principal
Levin East School

Ann Greenaway – Deputy Principal
Wellington East Girls’ College

Mary Simonsen – Teacher of English
Hastings Girls’ High School

Nigel Mitchell – Teacher of English
Tawa College

Philip Lloyd – Specialist Calculus Teacher
Epsom Girls Grammar School

Rebecca Astwood – Teacher of Mathematics
Katikati College

Jane Hill – Teacher of Physics
Whangarei Boys’ High School

Elizabeth Lewis – Teacher of Biology
Horowhenua College

Nicholas Kingston – Teacher of Biology
Birkenhead College

Graeme Moran – Teacher of History
Western Springs College

Grahame Cope – Teacher of Geography
Rangitoto College

Christine Cheyne – Teacher of Languages (French)
Gore High School

2010

Dale Burden – Headmaster
Mount Albert Grammar School

Garry de Thierry – Principal
Rotorua Intermediate School

Kevin Mackay – Principal
Greytown Primary School

Mary Pupich – Principal
Paparoa Range School

Sandra Sidaway – Second Principal
Burnside High School

Kenneth Benn – Teacher of Physics
Palmerston North Boys’ High School

Margaret Cotter – Teacher of History
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School

Stephen Graham – Teacher of Economics
Tauranga Boys’ College

Christine Gratton – Teacher of English
Westlake Boys’ High School

Dana Livesay – Teacher of English
Wanganui High School

Adrienne Krzanich – Teacher of Geography
Kaipara College

Brendon Monk – Teacher of Chemistry
Paraparaumu College

Heather McLennan – Teacher of Chemistry
Epsom Girls Grammar School

Mark Robinson – Teacher of Geography
Long Bay College

2009

Rod Galloway – Principal
George Street Normal School

Elizabeth Horgan – Principal
St Joseph’s School

Douglas McLean – Principal
Whakatane Intermediate School

Kelvin Whiting – Principal
Hillcresh High School

James Lonergan – Deputy Principal
Macleans College

Kenneth Clark – Teacher of Chemistry
Taieri College

Gregor Fountain – Teacher of History
Wellington College

Johan Gloy – Teacher of English
Kapiti College

Meryl Howell – Teacher of English
Orewa College

Peter Huzziff – Teacher of Biology
Avondale College

Adrienne Krzanich – Teacher of Geography
Kaipara College

Johanna McHardy – Teacher of Mathematics
Mount Albert Grammar School

Lawrence Naicker – Teacher of Mathematics
Papakura High School

2008

Ken Havill – Principal
Western Springs College

John Laurenson – Headmaster
Shirley Boys’ High School

Dave Turnbull – Principal
Cashmere High School

Mark Brown – Principal
Victory Primary School

Mark Johnson – Principal
Puketapu School

Allan Mitchell – Principal
Otatara School

Anthony Sissons – Headmaster
King’s School

John Snook – Deputy Chief Executive
Waiariki Institute of Technology

Allison Barrett – Teacher of Physics
Pakuranga College

Glenys Bigge – Teacher of English
Cambridge High School

Myra Francis – Teacher of French & German
Westlake Girls High School

Gavin Jennings – Teacher of Physics
Auckland Grammar School

Lynda Keer-Keer – Teacher of Chemistry
Burnside High School

Patrick McEntee – Teacher of Mathematics
Havelock North High School

Christine McIndoe – Teacher of English
Ashburton College

Craig Steed – Teacher of Chemistry
Freyberg High School

2007

Wayne Dixon – Principal
South Otago High School

Trevor McIntyre – Headmaster
Christchurch Boys’ High School

Tim O’Connor – Rector
Palmerston North Boys’ High School

Cheryl Doig – Principal
Fendalton Open Air School

Marilyn Gwilliam – Principal
Papatoetoe Central School

Eric Shaw – Principal
Highlands Intermediate School

Gary Sweeney – Principal
Pukekohe Intermediate School

Lawrence Arps – Director Academic Services
Tai Poutini Polytechnic

Gordon Robertson – Deputy Principal
Glendowie College

Mary-Anne Blair – Teacher of English
Napier Girls’ High School

Cushla Brown – Senior Teacher
Northern Health School

Pamela Dowling – Teacher of Mathematics
Mahurangi College

Christopher Franklin – Teacher of Physical Education
Nelson College

Leigh Hucker – Teacher of Physics
Hawera High School

Robyn Jamieson – Teacher of English
Hillcrest High School

Darryl Leath – Teacher of Physics
New Plymouth Boys’ High School

Joe MacDougall – Teacher of Chemistry
Mt Roskill Grammar School

Margaret Nightingale – Teacher of Biology
Rangitoto College

Craig Waller – Teacher of Mathematics
Westlake Boys’ High School

Kerry Wootton – Teacher of Visual Arts
Wellington High School

2006

Ross Brown – Headmaster
Napier Boys’ High School

Bruce Ritchie – Principal
Massey High School

Prue Taylor – Principal
Christchurch Girls’ High School

Simon Peek – Associate Principal
Macleans College

Michael Gardner – Principal
West Harbour School

Terry Hewetson – Principal
Glen Eden Intermediate School

Janice Shramka – Principal
Karori West Normal School

Peter Simpson – Principal
Belfast Primary School

Andrew Codling – Deputy President, Academic
UNITEC Institute of Technology

John Bird – Teacher of English
Havelock North High School

Philippa Doig – Teacher of Languages
Hutt Valley High School

Peter Fergusson – Teacher of Biology
Whakatane High School

Jean Grattan – Teacher of Biology
Otumoetai College

Sue Holmes – Teacher of Mathematics and Science
Kamo High School

Peter Jaques – Teacher of Mathematics
Takapuna Grammar School

Diana and Denis McMurtrie – Outstanding Service as Teachers
Papanui High School

Tony Meechang – Teacher of Physical Education
Central Southland College

Geoff Moorhead – Teacher of Geography
Howick College

Nigel Pettigrew – Teacher of Physics
Matamata College

Philippa Rendall – Teacher of Literacy
Riccarton High School

Tina Smith – Teacher of History
Lincoln High School

Janetta Van Maren – Teacher of Geography
Upper Hutt College

Margaret Wynne-Jones – Teacher of Drama
Hamilton Girls’ High School

2005

Kieron Fouhy – Principal
St Peter’s College, Epsom

Chris Grinter – Principal
Rotorua Boys’ High School

Brent Lewis – Principal
Avondale College

Margaret McLeod – Principal
Wellington Girls’ College

Sue Ashworth – Principal
Paparoa Street School

Geoff Lovegrove – Principal
Lytton Street School

Anne Malcolm – Principal
Ponsonby Primary School

Dr Laurie Thew – Principal
Manurewa Central Primary School

Clare Crawley – Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy
Universal College of Learning

Neil Carroll – Academic Director
Wellington Institute of Technology

Kim Tattersall – Outstanding Teacher – Classics
Wellington College

Tepiki Brown – Teacher of Graphics
James Hargest High School

Justine Butler – Teacher of Economics
Golden Bay High School

Gayle Clements – Teacher of English
Otorohanga College

Jessica Douglas – Teacher of Art
Northcote College

Denise Edwards – Teacher of Mathematics
Selwyn College

Moira Fraser – Teacher of Mathematics
Edgecumbe College

Peter Haworth – Teacher of Commerce
Wairarapa College

Stuart Kelly – Teacher of English
Waiuku College

Raewyn Lightoller – Teacher of Accounting
Stratford High School

Alan Martin – Teacher of Science
South Otago High School

Stewart McKissock – Teacher of Graphics & Technology
Birkenhead College

Urmila Mehta – Teacher of Chemistry
Lynfield College

Barry Petherick – Teacher of Chemistry
Waiopehu College

2004

Dr Graham Stoop – Principal
Burnside High School

Stephen Watt – Principal
Kelston Boys’ High School

Kelvin Davis – Principal
Kaitaia Intermediate School

Anne Mackintosh – Principal
Greerton Village School

Richard Newton – Principal
St Clair Primary School

Jonathon Tredray – Principal
Northcross Intermediate School

Dr Caroline Seelig – Education Services Manager
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Deanne Andrews – Teacher of Biology
Otago Girls’ High School

Bruce Barnes – Teacher of Outdoor Education
Westland High School

Emma Beale – Teacher of Literacy
Tangaroa College

Pauline Bendall – Teacher of Physics
Epsom Girls Grammar School

Beryl Blucher – Teacher of Social Sciences
Orewa College

Monique Bryden – Teacher of Chemistry
Avondale College

Margaret Crawford – Teacher of English
New Plymouth Girls’ High School

Garith Farr – Teacher of Geography
Inglewood High School

Ngaire Gardner – Teacher of Art
Queen’s High School

Stacey Gordon – Teacher of Biology
Dargaville High School

Suzanne Johnston – Teacher of English
Waitaki Girls’ High School

Kin Ip Kenneth Leung – Teacher of Mathematics
Edgewater College

Dr Nicholas Marsh – Teacher of Chemistry
The Manurewa High School

Joan Mills – Outstanding Teacher
Cambridge High School

Shaun Oughton – Teacher of Art
Waimea College