Principals from around the Auckland region made the most of the beautiful Waitemata Harbour with an afternoon of match racing at the Auckland Primary Principals Association (APPA) Yachting Regatta.
More than just networking and nibbles, this annual event follows the AGM in the morning and provides a welcome opportunity for principals to get together in a relaxed environment for some fresh sea air and healthy competition.
A light breeze provided ideal sailing conditions for the 11 boats in the competition this year, with principals racing in teams of five to seven. Competitors bring a range of sailing knowledge to the regatta, but a lack of experience is no barrier as each crew has an experienced captain provided. All that is required is a cooperative attitude and the ability to duck the boom and man the winches at the right time!
A range of industry sponsors support the event, with each boat supported by a different sponsor. Every crew member receives sailing gear and takes away prizes from these companies. This year saw 140 enthusiastic educators take part, with an additional fifty observing from two spectator boats.
The APPA Regatta Cup was won by the Remuera cluster sailing as the Konica Minolta team. Carolyn Marino took away the ‘Best Sailor’ award and received tickets to ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ courtesy of the University's Faculty of Education and presented by Faculty Manager, Stuart Windross.
Antionette Vaha from the University of Auckland, says the Faculty is proud to reward Primary principals and support the opportunity for them to get together.
"This is a really worthwhile event, and just one of the initiatives we get behind to support principals in the fantastic work that they do. The Faculty of Education also provide a wide range of support and professional development opportunities for principals through Team Solutions, First Time Principals programme, the national pilot for the Aspiring Principals Programme, School Leadership Centre and postgraduate studies."
And it seems that principals couldn’t agree more, with the feedback showing this year’s event was a great success. Many commented that coming together with other principals for occasions like this helps to relieve the isolation that comes with the job, and gives them the opportunity to make useful connections.
Susan Robins, from Ponsonby Primary agreed that the day is a worthwhile experience. "The event was a great opportunity for members of the teaching profession and support services to relax and network in a social environment," she says. "In 30 years of teaching it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to do something like this, and it was really refreshing."
