What We Do

Applications now open for 2022! 

Springboard Trust invites school leaders to express their interest in the Strategic Leadership for Rural Teaching Principals Programme and Strategic Leadership for Principals Programme in 2022.

This year, in addition to our usual philanthropically funded places, we welcome applications through other funding channels, such as Ministry of Education PLD budget.  

You can read more about the 2022 application process here – or head straight to our expression of interest form to get started! 

Springboard Trust: 2022 Expressions of interest

Improve your leadership

Springboard Trust's unique learning programmes are designed to enable the development of outstanding educational leaders who dramatically improve their schools and wider communities.  

To achieve this, we offer a range of programmes and services that provide multi-year support for leaders. Over these years, principals partner with us on a journey to: 

• Learn or enhance their strategic leadership skills.  

• Connect with cross-sector partners for unique leadership insights. 

• Develop the tools and skills necessary to plan and report to boards and other stakeholders. 

• Build leadership capability throughout a school.  

• Map the impacts of strong leadership right down to student outcomes.  

• Network with other schools and sectors to improve the community.  

Principals do not generally undertake every programme and service that Springboard offers. By partnering with Springboard and selecting programmes and services that are tailored to your needs, you broaden your skill set and bring yourself – and your leadership team – on a journey that alumni call "the best professional development you will ever get".  

The Principal's Journey  

Usually, the Principal's journey begins with one of our foundation programmes - the Strategic Leadership for Principals Programme (SLPP) or the Strategic Leadership for Rural Teaching Principals Programme (SLRTP). After this point, your programme manager will work with you to understand your challenges and opportunities, and support you to select the best programme or service for your needs.

Foundation Programmes

Strategic Leadership for Principals Programme (SLPP)

A one-year, nine-workshop programme that sees principals partner with a business sector volunteer to develop strategic thinking and leadership. The foundational building block of strong educational leaders. 

Strategic Leadership for Rural Teaching Principals (SLRTP)

A full-year programme, focused on the challenges faced by teaching principals in rural New Zealand communities.

Further Programmes and Skills Workshops

Springboard Coaching for Leadership

A one-term service for principals or their senior and middle leaders, focusing on building self awareness through 360 degree feedback and support from a coach. 

High Performing Leadership Teams

A one-term programme for principals and their leadership teams, learning the essentials of group dynamics, shared goals and commitment.

Kickstart Your Strategy Workshop

A one-day workshop in which principals and your leadership teams are provided with tools and to put your strategic plan into action on a day-to-day basis.  

Coaching for Results Workshop

An online workshop, available nationwide, that introduces New Zealand principals to the basics of being an effective coach through a specially developed curriculum from the NZ Institute of Coaching.

Talent Management Workshop

A one-day workshop focused on ensuring that leaders have the right people in the right place at the right time to deliver a strategic plan.

Annual Planning Workshop

A one-day workshop for principals and their leadership teams, focused on building initiatives, actions and goals for the coming year.  

Learning Events

Annual, half or full-day networking events that give principals and their lead teams the opportunity to hear from the best and brightest speakers, from both in and out of the education sector.  

School Innovation Services

A bespoke service, based around initiatives that schools require specialist support to scope and implement through Ministry of Education PLD or alternative funding pathways.

Beyond these set programmes and workshops, the beauty of the Springboard Trust model is its flexibility. By partnering principals with cross-sector experts based on your needs, we are able to facilitate solutions for a whole host of issues, including: 

• Project Management 

• Coaching and people management 

• Change management 

• Digital transformation 

• Communication plans 

• Strategy refresh 

• Parent and whānau engagement 

Select a programme above – or head to our contact page to enquire about how else we might be able to help.