Leading Relationships: The Importance of Principals & School Business Managers Vaughan Couillault
W
Troy Gerbich
e have been working in the New Zealand education industry for over 20 years. In that time, we have recognised that two
and the School Business Manager (SBM). These roles
The Leadership Team and School Business Managers
serve to improve outcomes for students and the
Each school has its own “best fit” for their SBM, depending
critical roles in New Zealand schools are the Principal
community but have different portfolios to focus on to enable this. From our experience, schools that have a visibly great working relationship between the Principal and School Business Manager operate more strategically and reach their goals faster.
on the school’s strategic planning outcomes and the structure of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). When asked how he fits into his SLT, Troy said, “I work alongside the Senior Leadership Team in providing advice and support around the areas of my responsibility without unnecessarily crossing over into their areas of responsibility.”
We recently sat down with the President of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), Vaughan Couillault, and the President of the School Business Managers’ Association, Troy Gerbich to explore the key elements of this critical working relationship. As
Papatoetoe
High
School’s
Principal,
Vaughan
oversees the daily activities and operations within the school. His responsibilities as a Principal include providing professional leadership and creating a learning environment that fosters a school culture on enhancing learning and teaching. Troy is the SBM at Palmerston North Girls’ High School. In his role, he supports the Principal and School Board in operating a safe and effective learning environment for students and staff. This involves but is not limited to managing finance, property, human resources and health and safety operations. 16
He went on to explain that in other schools, his colleagues sit on the SLT and that works well for them. This is the case for the SBM at Vaughan’s school, where the SBM is a member of the SLT. “It’s important to acknowledge the direction the school Principal chooses to lead and to compliment that with our specialist skill set” said Troy.
The day-to-day working relationship As a Principal, Vaughan outlines that he has a meaningful, decision-making based interaction with his SBM at least twice a day. His SBM is also very happy to get involved in the wider life of the school and is a full, active, valuable member of the SLT. Troy also has a great day-to-day working relationship with his Principal. Troy says he is, neweratech.com | 0800 438 428
