Pip Woodward

Tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Gisborne and spent my early years in Manutuke. My parents were farmers and we moved a bit so I was lucky to experience six different schools. I have three older sisters, I am a twin and the baby of the family! I love being outside and active, it is my happy place and where I can really relax and waste time. My partner Steve and I are embarking on a restoration project on a block of land near Katikati so I really love spending some of my spare time scrub cutting, chainsawing, propagating and planting native trees on this block.

How do you see the role of Deputy Principal Year 9?

To support our Year 9 students in having a successful transition to Ōtūmoetai College, and ensuring our Deans, Form teachers and classroom teachers of Year 9 also have the resources and support they need. It is a really tough time for many Year 9 students as many don’t cope with change (especially since they transition twice in two years). Creating a culture whereby we all feel valued, connected and secure has an immense impact on learning and wellbeing, we will flourish in this environment. My leadership practices are guided by this belief, and it requires deliberate and purposeful actions to ensure this can happen, and requires all of us to be part of it and contribute.

Who are some of your role models and why?

My parents - Margaret and Gavin Woodward - they have given me so many wonderful opportunities, taught me about humility, integrity and generosity, and encouraged me to always be open to learning and learn from my mistakes. They are fun to be around too.

My partner Steve - a great leader and inspiration - he truly walks the talk.

Jennifer Garvey-Berger - a researcher and writer - I have learned so much from her and her writing about leading differently, complexity and adult developmental theory - how diverse we all are in our sense making.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Back yourself and never give up. Keep learning and always try and see the strengths in others and in the experiences you have.

As you will be travelling with the 2023 Year 9 cohort through their five years at Ōtūmoetai College, what are some of the goals you have for this cohort?

• That each one of our Year 9 cohort leaves school loving learning, and has a sense of agency.

• That they have self belief and know how they learn best and have achieved the goals they set themselves whilst at school.

• That they have a sense of community and responsibility and value the importance of giving to others.

• That they are courageous, creative and have a fire in their belly about making a positive difference.

• That they understand how resilience works - have learned how to build and develop strong protective factors (being resilient) and understand how they can contribute to others’ resilience - this is a big goal for me as I believe we all need to learn how to more effectively thrive in a complex and unpredictable world - it requires resilience and a strength based perspective!

What is a little known fact about you?

I started riding horses when I was four years old and I was on Country Calendar with my twin sister when we were 10 years old, they ran a story about my parents farming on Waitangirua farm in Porirua.