Workshops 3

Thursday 11 July, 8:45am - 10:15am
3.1 An Introduction to Wellbeing
Modern workplaces and today’s schools have many common challenges – high workloads, constant pressure, long hours, changing technologies and escalating social issues – which can impact significantly on staff wellbeing, increasing the incidence of stress and mental health and addiction challenges. This workshop will introduce some fundamental concepts to help school leaders recognise and understand mental health and substance use issues, to appropriately respond to and support people who may show signs of stress and distress in the workplace, and to promote wellbeing in your organisation to help prevent issues arising.
Patrice Dennis, Blueprint for Learning
BHSc(Nursing) MMusTher (Hons) Patrice has worked as a registered nurse in the mental health and addiction sector in Aotearoa for 15 years, in a number of nursing and education roles. Before moving to Blueprint for Learning, she worked for Wellington Addiction Services. In her current role, Patrice provides leadership for the successful delivery of the MH101 workshop. MH101 is a one-day workshop that is designed to increase the confidence of frontline government and social agency staff who will encounter people with experience of mental distress and/or addictions. It is now delivered to a variety of organisations and communities across Aotearoa. Patrice has always been committed to working in partnership with people, their whānau and communities, acknowledging and valuing peoples’ personal experiences as well as her own. She is passionate about continuing to improve mental health care and understanding in Aotearoa.
Charlotte Heather, Blueprint for Learning
3.1 An Introduction to Wellbeing
Modern workplaces and today’s schools have many common challenges – high workloads, constant pressure, long hours, changing technologies and escalating social issues – which can impact significantly on staff wellbeing, increasing the incidence of stress and mental health and addiction challenges. This workshop will introduce some fundamental concepts to help school leaders recognise and understand mental health and substance use issues, to appropriately respond to and support people who may show signs of stress and distress in the workplace, and to promote wellbeing in your organisation to help prevent issues arising.
- Why mental health and wellbeing in the workplace matters
- Common mental health and addiction issues in the workplace and how to recognise them
- How to approach someone experiencing mental distress in the workplace
- Hands-on approaches to promoting wellbeing
- Where to get assistance and ongoing support
Patrice Dennis, Blueprint for Learning
BHSc(Nursing) MMusTher (Hons) Patrice has worked as a registered nurse in the mental health and addiction sector in Aotearoa for 15 years, in a number of nursing and education roles. Before moving to Blueprint for Learning, she worked for Wellington Addiction Services. In her current role, Patrice provides leadership for the successful delivery of the MH101 workshop. MH101 is a one-day workshop that is designed to increase the confidence of frontline government and social agency staff who will encounter people with experience of mental distress and/or addictions. It is now delivered to a variety of organisations and communities across Aotearoa. Patrice has always been committed to working in partnership with people, their whānau and communities, acknowledging and valuing peoples’ personal experiences as well as her own. She is passionate about continuing to improve mental health care and understanding in Aotearoa.
Charlotte Heather, Blueprint for Learning

3.2 School Audits
This workshop will look at the more complicated and more common audit issues as well as the opportunities that schools miss out on in not charging administration costs for organising trips and tagged funds.
Trevor Deed, Deloitte
Trevor has been with Deloittes since 2000 and leads the Wellington based audit team.
National Audit Executive, Audit Innovation Lead; Director & Advisory Board member.
Trevor has a Bachelor's Degree from Massey University.
Please click here to view the presentation.
This workshop will look at the more complicated and more common audit issues as well as the opportunities that schools miss out on in not charging administration costs for organising trips and tagged funds.
Trevor Deed, Deloitte
Trevor has been with Deloittes since 2000 and leads the Wellington based audit team.
National Audit Executive, Audit Innovation Lead; Director & Advisory Board member.
Trevor has a Bachelor's Degree from Massey University.
Please click here to view the presentation.

3.3 ICT Best Practices and Observations
As an ex-senior leader in both a school and the IT space, Tony will discuss the good the bad and ugly of what he and the New Era Technology have observed throughout New Zealand schools.
This is relevant for any School Business Manager who would like to out a lens on what they do with ICT in their school and will also include an opportunity to share practices amongst colleagues and a Q and A with the presenter and New Era Technology staff.
Tony Gilbert, New Era IT
Tony began his formal working life as a primary school teacher before moving into secondary schools where he had various roles including mentor teacher, Head of Department and most recently, six years as a Deputy Principal. He has completed post graduate study, focusing on the value of appraisal data and recent commercial work includes being one of three people running New Era Technology that supports ICT in New Zealand and around the world.
He is driven by the desire to make things easier for New Zealand teachers, so they can focus on the important stuff – teaching and learning. He believes that New Zealand teachers are some of the best in the world but can easily get caught up in the noise and expectations set upon them.
Personally, he is a father of five, has worked as an ambulance officer, has an international Improv title, enjoys playing piano and guitar and has played a myriad of sports albeit it to varying degrees of success.
Please click here to view the presentation.
As an ex-senior leader in both a school and the IT space, Tony will discuss the good the bad and ugly of what he and the New Era Technology have observed throughout New Zealand schools.
This is relevant for any School Business Manager who would like to out a lens on what they do with ICT in their school and will also include an opportunity to share practices amongst colleagues and a Q and A with the presenter and New Era Technology staff.
Tony Gilbert, New Era IT
Tony began his formal working life as a primary school teacher before moving into secondary schools where he had various roles including mentor teacher, Head of Department and most recently, six years as a Deputy Principal. He has completed post graduate study, focusing on the value of appraisal data and recent commercial work includes being one of three people running New Era Technology that supports ICT in New Zealand and around the world.
He is driven by the desire to make things easier for New Zealand teachers, so they can focus on the important stuff – teaching and learning. He believes that New Zealand teachers are some of the best in the world but can easily get caught up in the noise and expectations set upon them.
Personally, he is a father of five, has worked as an ambulance officer, has an international Improv title, enjoys playing piano and guitar and has played a myriad of sports albeit it to varying degrees of success.
Please click here to view the presentation.

3.4 Getting the best out of your Project Manager
The role of the Project Manager is crucial for a successful project but so is your perception of the PM's role and your communication skills. An efficient project manager should be capable of solving any or all problems, either with the team or the project itself. The team members should trust the project manager to solve their problems but also involve the team in problem solving also.
Brian Mitchell, Ministry of Education
Brian Mitchell, Group Manager Infrastructure Advisory Service in the Ministry of Education’s Education Infrastructure Service (EIS), is specifically responsible for the leadership of a national, regionally-based team of over 100 personnel charged with improving the condition and functionality of the state school property portfolio. Brian is directly responsible for addressing any school-related property matters, including compliance with all infrastructure based policies and procedures. This role has a service delivery and monitoring focus, and a key element is supporting schools in the production and implementation of their individual long-term property plans, which, across all schools, is the largest item of Ministry-funded capital expenditure in the school sector. Brian has had over 40 years’ experience in public sector infrastructure management, primarily in the Ministry of Education and in a variety of management and leadership roles throughout the country, including capital works delivery, policy development and implementation, and governance of operating functions at the national level.
Please click here to view the presentation.
The role of the Project Manager is crucial for a successful project but so is your perception of the PM's role and your communication skills. An efficient project manager should be capable of solving any or all problems, either with the team or the project itself. The team members should trust the project manager to solve their problems but also involve the team in problem solving also.
Brian Mitchell, Ministry of Education
Brian Mitchell, Group Manager Infrastructure Advisory Service in the Ministry of Education’s Education Infrastructure Service (EIS), is specifically responsible for the leadership of a national, regionally-based team of over 100 personnel charged with improving the condition and functionality of the state school property portfolio. Brian is directly responsible for addressing any school-related property matters, including compliance with all infrastructure based policies and procedures. This role has a service delivery and monitoring focus, and a key element is supporting schools in the production and implementation of their individual long-term property plans, which, across all schools, is the largest item of Ministry-funded capital expenditure in the school sector. Brian has had over 40 years’ experience in public sector infrastructure management, primarily in the Ministry of Education and in a variety of management and leadership roles throughout the country, including capital works delivery, policy development and implementation, and governance of operating functions at the national level.
Please click here to view the presentation.