Award Winning Medbury Staff

Service to Educational Leadership and Innovation

Congratulations to Scott Johnson, Assistant Principal and Head of Curriculum at Medbury, who was selected as a recipient of a 2022 Independent Schools of New Zealand Honours Award for his service to Educational Leadership and Innovation.

Seven such awards were given out across 46 Independent Schools in New Zealand this year. These Awards were established by ISNZ to honour exceptional staff who demonstrate talent, service and commitment that is truly above and beyond.

Scott has been part of Medbury School for the better part of a decade. Joining as an experienced teacher, the boys in his care thrived and today have such great respect and admiration for ‘Mr Johnson’.

One parent wrote “The impact Scott had on my son was immediate. He had lost his love of learning at his previous school but was quickly excited about school again and the opportunities provided in Scott’s class. Our son flourished that year and regained his love of being at school. Scott is a deeply committed teacher who looks for creative ways to motivate and engage his learners”.

His superb leadership and pedagogical knowledge, sense of humour, and ability to have fun while learning, sets him apart. He is described by his colleagues as approachable, supportive, collaborative and forwardthinking: “the most dynamic and inspiring educator and an absolute pleasure to work with”.

Scott is deeply passionate about catering for each boy’s learning needs and styles, and about the explicit practice of differentiation in the classroom. To unlock the boy’s potential, Scott investigated research based programmes like Philosophy for Children, Future Problem Solving, and Ethics Olympiad, and the best practice internationally.

He is now described as “a true expert and exemplary leader” in P4C, and is an excellent FPS coach, with a number of National trophies being awarded to teams from Medbury School. “Scott’s leadership of P4C (Philosophy for Children), FPS (Future Problem Solving), and ACE (Medbury’s Acceleration and Enrichment) has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Student engagement, curiosity, promoting a love of learning, and creating life-long learners are some of the outcomes that are clearly observed by students who are involved in different facets of the ACE programme at Medbury School. His service to the CAGE organisation is evidence of his commitment to giving back to educational organisations. He has

Scott Johnson

also been instrumental in leading the Aristotle programme (emotional intelligence and well-being); and in introducing the Komodo well-being programme for the boarders.

From a leadership perspective, Scott “has a clear direction where he wants learning and student development to go, and before starting a project, he has a clear direction and understanding of how he plans to reach the intended outcome”.

Scott is certainly not averse to trying new things. The constant reviewing of best education practice is one of Scott’s defining leadership traits.

After his leadership at a workshop, an outside observer wrote “He exemplified the skills of an effective leader, with his inclusive approach, his openness to teacher dialogue and debate, and his self-effacing, but also very clear, demonstration of, and sharing of, his own considerable skills and knowledge”.

A colleague wrote “He is proactive and solutions-focussed. His strong sense of collegiality, and his professionalism, can always be depended on.”

Scott is also actively involved in leading the First XI Football Team at Medbury. His passion for football is contagious.

The respect he shows to his students and the encouragement he gives to all his team are exemplary. Scott is an asset, not only to Medbury School, but to Education.

Congratulations, Mr Johnson.

The Award was presented by the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins

Other recent recipients of ISNZ Honours Awards at Medbury School:

Chrissie Badger Rosemary Black Kerri Fitzgerald Lesley Bath 2021 Service to Music 2021 Service to Boarding 2019 Service to Drama 2019 Service to Learning Support