Source: Te Kura – Correspondence School
Barbara Ala’alatoa has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to education.
Mike Hollings, Chief Executive of Te Kura said, “I am so pleased for Barbara to be recognised in this way, and I congratulate her on behalf of everyone at Te Kura. Her outstanding service to education continues with all she brings to our school. She has a lot of experience in lifting student achievement and a strong commitment to our students’ wellbeing. She is a passionate and inspiring leader.”
Barbara Ala’alatoa has been Te Kura’s Board Chair since September 2019.
The following is from Barbara Ala’alatoa’s citation to be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
‘Ms Barbara Ala’alatoa chaired the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand from 2015 until 2019. During Ms Ala’alatoa’s tenure the Education Council has worked on designing and promoting ‘The Code of Professional Responsibility’ and agreed Standards and Practices for teaching in New Zealand ‘Standards for the Teaching Professional’, as well as releasing a Leadership Strategy for the teaching profession and an Educational Leadership Capability Framework in August 2018.
She has been a member since 2018 of the Tomorrow’s Schools Review Independent Taskforce looking at future options for the schooling system to improve equity and achievement.
She has continued as the Principal of Sylvia Park Primary School in Mt Wellington, Auckland. The higher than average achievements of Year 5 to 8 students at the school led the Education Review Office to profile the culture and teaching practice of the school in 2018. Students are involved in shaping the school’s culture, from planning and leading assemblies, pitching ideas to the Board of Trustees in person, and the creation of an outdoor classroom initiative to explore questions linking the curriculum and students’ lives.
She remains active with the Pacific Principals Association and is a member of the Auckland Primary Principals Association. Ms Ala’alatoa is Chair of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu and lead Principal for the Maungakiekie Kāhui Ako.’
