We welcome Mark Potter as the incoming President of NZEI Te Riu Roa as he moves from his usual position as principal of Berhampore School in Wellington.
Mark has over 30 years' experience as a principal in various school settings. Through his involvement with NZEI Te Riu Roa over this time, Mark has supported members across the education sector, beginning as an industrial advocate and a member support team member. He has served three terms on National Executive, as a general and principal representative and as Vice-President for the past two years.
Mark’s focus is on ensuring educators have more time and access to ensure tamariki receive the education they deserve.
“Our children need more teachers to reduce classroom ratios, more teacher aides and more specialist support for their classmates with high needs. They also need their teachers to get proper time away from classrooms to develop exciting and engaging lessons.”
His role as principal has emphasised the need to reduce work demands for leaders in the sector so they can focus attention back to their primary role – as education leaders within their schools, kura and centres.
Mark also has a keen interest in learning support. He is a member of the Education for All Forum which brings together disability communities and professional bodies (such as NZEI, PPTA and NZSTA) to lobby the Ministry of Education to ensure all children in this country are included in the education system.
Mark is looking forward to having a dedicated full time role at NZEI Te Riu Roa. “As President, I will have real time to devote to members and I am looking forward to that because NZEI Te Riu Roa is one giant community and no community is one voice. It has a lot of different voices that need to be heard.”
