BRENT GRAY

Curriculum Vitae
6 Country Place
Allenton
Ashburton 7700

Telephone:
Mobile:
E-mail:

(03) 308 5677

(021) 153 8838
brentgray8@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

Continue to develop as a Principal who develops Culture, Pedagogy, Systems and Partnerships and Networks
where a strong background in curriculum development and team leadership, as well as promoting high
standards of quality education, can be utilised to benefit the development of all konga.

PERSONAL SUMMARY

Broad background and qualifications within the education sector, with a proven track record in senior level
roles. Completed First Time Principals Project.
Teaching and classroom professional who easily builds a positive and caring learning environment with
students, parents and staff. A strong passion for excelling in learning outcomes.
Solid practical knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum, with special emphasis on Health and Physical
Education.
Skilled at leading and motivating teams, with the ability to manage staff effectively. Background in team
training, supervision and mentoring.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to relate effectively and professionally with
people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Sound fiscal responsibility and budget management competencies.
Proven ability to multi-task, highly organised and experienced in managing numerous accountabilities
simultaneously.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The Principal has a strength in the area of partnerships and networks. He has a very good reputation in the Mid
Canterbury region. Teachers and the board noted his very good relationships with parents and the way he
attends so effectively and sensitively with any issues that arise.
Lois Christmas Principal Appraiser Lead Learning

The principal, with the help of the deputy principal, has maintained a positive school culture that is supporting
ongoing school improvement. Features of leadership and management include the:

good balance achieved between promoting consistency of programmes and practices while
encouraging initiative and innovation

level of collaboration, teamwork and support amongst the staff

well-targeted professional development

growing evidence of reflective practices.

ERO (Education Review Office) Report, February 2014

I appreciate your consideration and contribution to our management team and your support of our school
vision. In addition, your management of school discipline is both effective and appropriate. The tone that the
school achieves is in no small part a consequence of the application of consistent discipline. Staff appreciate
your input into this matter as well. Your considerable experience within and of PE/Health is also a major asset to
our school. Your team enjoy your inclusive nature and have appreciated the way you communicate with them.
Brent you enjoy the respect and confidence of all the staff in your role as Assistant Principal. This is a credit to you
and I thank you for your work across the school. The support you offer others is particularly appreciated.
Sam Winterbourn Principal Ashburton Borough School

I am very aware of the respect and standing you have gained in the primary physical education community and
with your fellow teacher educators during your five years as an Adviser in Teacher Support Services.
Christine Sommerville Senior Human Resources Consultant Christchurch College of Education

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Brent Gray

CAREER HISTORY
Jan 2012 Current

MT SOMERS SPRINGBURN SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL
Responsibilities:
Responsible for the students and staff
Responsible to the Board of Trustees through the Chairperson
To manage the school in accordance with the Principals Professional standards which will be monitored
through the Principals Performance Agreement through a Professional Partnership programme
To be the Privacy Officer responsible for monitoring and recording all personal information of staff and
children in a safe place
To provide sound leadership in the areas of practice as defined in Kiwi Leadership for Principals that relate
to:
o Culture: What we value around here
o Pedagogy: Knowledge about teaching and learning
o Systems: How things work around here
o Partnerships and networks: Creating positive links to support learning
Major Achievements:

ALL (Accelerated Literacy Learning) Project participation and leadership in school during 2014/2015.
Education Gazette Article featuring the school and presentation by invitation of national facilitators at the
South Island Impact Day related to the process undertaken in the school and the successes of the project.

Successful management of Mt Somers Springburn Schools School Transport Service including the managing of
a fleet of three school buses and drivers.

Overseeing of property projects that included a hard-court replacement, ablution block upgrade and mulitpurpose room build as a result of Special Property Grant Funding.

Successful ERO (Education Review Office) Review in 2014.

Grown the profile of Mt Somers Springburn School via regular columns in the Snowfed newspaper, contact
with local media, encouraged participation in community events, advocated for rural schooling opportunities
and built strong relationships with the school and wider communities of Mid Canterbury and Canterbury.

Developed and built a staff that has different strengths and work as a team to continually develop
programmes that meet the needs of all of the learners at school, at the same time allowing staff to develop
and positively promote themselves out of the school.
Jan 2008 Dec 2011

ASHBURTON BOROUGH SCHOOL

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL / CLASSROOM TEACHER

Responsibilities:
Assistant Principal

Provide leadership for Year 7/8 teaching staff with a focus on building strong relationships which contribute to
effective teaching and learning outcomes.

Lead HR aspects including recruitment, supervision of professional development and facilitation of coaching
and mentoring for individual team members.

Support the Board of Trustees and ensure all guidelines are met.

Manage a curriculum budget of up to $8,000 and monitor financial performance indicators.

Oversee the guidance and discipline of students, ensuring a high standard of welfare and promoting a safe
learning environment.

Lead in the delivery of school curriculum and pedagogy which meet / exceed legislative guidelines as well as
best practice protocols. In particular manage the key area of Physical Education and Health.

Promote collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning opportunities.

Organise and coordinate a range of extra-curricular opportunities for students, including special events.

Foster strong relationships between the school and the community. Key activities include:
Member of the Borough Sports Club (parent body)
Attending school functions and events
Presenting at parent information evenings
Active member of the school community through coaching out-of-school teams
Assisting at the Mid Canterbury Schools Music Festival
Teaching / Co-curricular

Carry out teaching and classroom management of a Year 7/8 class, including planning, teaching, assessing
and reporting to parents.
Major Achievements:

Serves as Staff Trustee and member of the Finance Sub-committee on the Board of Trustees.
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Brent Gray

Active in developing an encouraging and caring learning environment for all students.
Ensures all day to day teaching activities are carried out professionally, using best practise systems and
processes.
Recognised by senior management and the Board of Trustees for high standards of on-going performance
through regular reporting and reviews.
Successfully demonstrated the ability to effectively lead team environments, as well as operate within tight
deadlines.
Developed and implemented a number of effective systems to streamline administrative operations within the
school.

Jan 2006 Jan 2008

DON HOUSE, WAITAKI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL

ASSOCIATE HOSTEL MANAGER / TEACHER

Responsibilities:

Manage requirements for two classes:

Year 10 Physical Education class and Year 10 Social Studies class (2006)
Year 9 and Year 10 Physical Education class (2007)

Lead and manage day to day operations, including coordinating special activities.

Oversee budgeting and accounts duties, ensuring a high level of financial control for an annual budget of
$700k.

Direct and supervise capital works and facilities management projects, including routine maintenance.

Recruit, manage and retain an effective team of 14 hostel staff.

Build and maintain a positive and safe atmosphere within the hostel, and deal proactively with any
behavioural issues.

Develop regular communication and liaison with school, parents / caregivers and students. This includes the
preparation and distribution of a regular newsletter.

Provide a range of services for international students, assisting with processing of visas and travel
arrangements as well as organisation of holiday homestays and care.
Major Achievements:

Provide a safe and encouraging environment for learning outcomes.

Demonstrated the ability to implement effective pupil behaviour strategies as a classroom manager.

Learnt strong practical skills in prioritising, multi-tasking and time management.

Served in the following extra-curricular functions:

Member of the Health and Physical Education and Social Sciences faculties
Assist with Soccer 2nd XI (2006) and Year 10/11 Softball (2006-07)
Sports Committee Member
Assist students with SCRANO (Choir/Drama/Haka) rehearsals and performances
2000 2006

CHRISTCHURCH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

(NOW EDUCATION PLUS, CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY)

PRIMARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION ADVISER

Responsibilities:

Develop professional development framework as part of a national co-ordination team for the 2005/2006
Physical Activity Initiative.

Lead this at a regional level including fostering of relationships with Regional Sports Trusts.

Prepare and facilitate presentations to advisers and pre-service lecturers of the Health and Physical Education
Exemplars.

Lead professional development for teachers and schools to establish programmes of work in physical
education that reflect student, school and community needs as well as the philosophy and intent of Health
and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum, 1999.
Major Achievements:

Co-ordinated the allocation of teacher participation funding for the Physical Activity Initiative (2005), and
Primary Physical Activity Pilot (2003/2004).

Served as Secretary for Teacher Support Services Domestic Meetings.

Established strong relationships and networks with other agencies working in schools in the area of health and
physical education including Sport Canterbury, Community and Public Health, Water Safety New Zealand,
Sport and Recreation New Zealand and Physical Education New Zealand.

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Invited member of Sport and Recreation New Zealand and the Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust Regional
Physical Activity Plan Steering Group (2004), and reference group for the Waimakariri District Physical Activity
Plan (2005).
Provided the following articles, which were published by The Adviser.
Gray, B. (2005) Physical Education or Sport : Is there room for both in primary schools? The Adviser, June ,
pp. 20-23, College of Education, University of Canterbury
Gray, B. (2004). I didnt know how much I didnt know about the students!. The Adviser, February, pp.
76-79, Christchurch College of Education.
Lead and facilitated a wide range of courses, workshops and programmes at a wide range of schools and
conferences including:

Teaching Games for Understanding

Activating Educators

Adventure Based Learning in the Primary

Tchoukball: Through Teaching Games for
Classroom
Understanding

From Checklist to Continuum

Movement in Moving Times
Moving in Context
Kids, Culture and Community

1996 2000

WINDSOR SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

Major Achievements:

Led delivery of a wide range of whole school sport and physical activity events including swimming sports,
athletic sports, cross country and winter sport tournament. Also served as a member of the Christchurch North
East Zone sports cluster with responsibility for annual planning and running of Zone Cross Country Event.

Participant teacher in 1999 Contract for new curriculum document Health and Physical Education in the New
Zealand Curriculum. Hosted Ministry of Education representatives looking at school development undertaken
in curriculum implementation and led professional development for colleagues both in and outside of the
school in this area.

Played a key role in a number of major school musical and sporting events:
Co-conducted the Senior School Choir in preparation for Christchurch Schools Music Festival.
Co-facilitated the senior school Outdoor Education experience.
_______________________________________________
QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

First Time Principals Project Centre for Education Leadership, Auckland University (2013-14)
Bachelor of Teacher and Learning Christchurch College of Education (2004)
Teacher Registration and Practicing Certificate - Registration number: 192171 (since 1997)
Diploma of Teaching Christchurch College of Education (1995)
Included Certificate for Extension studies as Resource Teacher in Physical Education.
Completed various in-house and external professional development, team leadership and IT related courses,
including most recently:
National Aspiring Principals Project (NAPP) (2010) a one year course that focussed on the publication
Kiwi Leadership for Principals and involved leadership and workshops and a Ministry of Education led
conference.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) Professional Development Contract (2008-10)
Vocational Study Trip to Illinois, USA through the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) (2008)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / CONTRIBUTIONS

Vice President, Mid Canterbury Primary Principals Association

Vice President, Mid Canterbury Hockey
Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ)
Formerly served as a Board Member.
Member of the Organising Committee for the National Conference, 2002, held in Methven and attended
by 200 Delegates. Also presented a workshop looking a game sense approach to developing thinking
players.
Provided input and leadership in the following professional development conferences / seminars.
Task Development Panel Member and Writer / Forum Comment Writing Team National Education
Monitoring Project (NEMP); Health and Physical Education Panel (2007)
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Brent Gray

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

Well versed in MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and MS Outlook as well as a
variety of in-house software packages.
Specialist software knowledge includes MUSAC EDGE (School Management System).

PERSONAL

New Zealand Citizen.

Marital status Married, two children.

Interests include hockey coaching, umpiring

and administration, choral singing and acting.

REFEREES

Kerry Harmer Previous Board Chair

Mt Somers Springburn School
Tel (hm): (03) 303 9087
Email: castleridgestation@gmail.com

Lois Christmas Principals Appraiser

Lead Learning
Tel: 03 980 8245
Mob: 027 210 6055
Email: leadlearning@me.com

Maryann Heaven Deputy Principal

Mt Somers Springburn School
Tel (hm): (03) 303 9112
Email: maryann.heaven@outlook.com

Madeline Brown Board Chair

Mt Somers Springburn School
Tel: 303 9814
Mob: 021 1853573
Email: schrubie@xtra.co.nz

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