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About Us

SPANZ HISTORY

During the mid nineteen eighties a strong feeling developed among secondary principals that a national association should be formed.

The inaugural conference of SPANZ was held in April 1988 and was attended by 106 principals.

Membership now stands at over 90% of all secondary school principals - state, integrated and independent. With the revolution to "Tomorrow’s Schools" in 1989 SPANZ has had a vital role in the support of principals and their schools.

SYMPOSIUMS

SPANZ holds an annual Principals’ symposium open to all New Zealand secondary principals.

PUBLICATIONS

SPANZ produces a wide range of professional material including:

  • Regular newsletters  
  • Biannual journal

CONSULTATIVE NETWORKS

The following networks are vital in the consultative process and the development of SPANZ policy

SPANZ Networks

  • Curriculum, Qualifications and Assessment
  • Finance and Property
  • Maori Education
  • Principals’ Support
  • Publications
  • Staffing
  • Students’ Pastoral Needs
  • Resourcing

LEGAL COSTS FUND

SPANZ offers all its members the opportunity to become members of a legal costs fund. The fund was established to replace legal cost insurance and gives its members full control over the usage of the fund without any requirement to maintain a margin for profit.

The fund can be drawn on to meet the legal costs of its members both collectively and individually Membership of the Fund is not automatic on becoming a member of SPANZ. New members of SPANZ should seek further information on the Legal Costs Fund from the SPANZ Secretariat.

As part of the Legal Cost Fund arrangement SPANZ members have access to the law firm of Harrison Stone legal opinion on matters relevant to the day to day management of a secondary school. Further information is through the SPANZ Secretariat.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of SPANZ is upon written application and payment of the appropriate annual subscription.

  • The principal of any secondary or area school
  • The associate principal of any secondary school
  • The principal and associate principals (or equivalents) of the secondary section of any College of Education

Associate Membership is upon written application and payment of the appropriate annual subscription

  • The deputy or assistant principals of any secondary school
  • Up to two staff of a similar level to those listed above from the secondary section of any College of Education.