With great pleasure, we introduce Jane Harris, the new deputy principal of St Mark’s School and Preschool. With over thirty years of experience in teaching and leadership roles within independent schools across the Wellington Region, Jane brings a dynamic blend of expertise, passion, and innovation to our St Mark’s community.
Jane’s journey in education is inspiring. Her dedication to nurturing globally-minded learners who seek to make a difference in the world through service or Manaakitanga is commendable. She has championed conceptually based pedagogy throughout her career, delving deep into its intricacies through her Master’s Programme research.
Having previously spearheaded Gifted and Talented programmes within various school structures, Jane is no stranger to fostering excellence and providing enriching opportunities for students to thrive. Her commitment to authentic learning experiences is evident in her passion for empowering tamariki to explore their potential fully.
As our Deputy Principal at St Mark’s, Jane is poised to bring her innovative spirit to our school community, igniting new initiatives and pushing boundaries to ensure every student reaches their highest potential. Jane has hit the ground running, introducing exciting new initiatives such as the Writers’ Group, Tournament of Minds, Chess Club, and Robotics. These initiatives cater to diverse interests and cultivate essential critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity skills. Looking ahead to 2024, Jane has outlined a series of initiatives that embody our shared commitment to fostering excellence and authentic action within our school community:
Expansion of Gifted and Talented Programmes: Building upon her expertise in this area, Jane aims to enhance our Gifted and Talented programmes further, ensuring that every student can excel and explore their unique talents.
Community Engagement Projects: Jane is passionate about providing our learners opportunities to make a real difference in the community. Through various community engagement projects, students can apply their skills and knowledge to address real-world issues, fostering empathy and social responsibility.
STEAM Education: Emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary learning, Jane plans to expand our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education initiatives, integrating hands-on learning experiences that inspire creativity and innovation.
Cultural Competency Development: Recognising the importance of cultural competency in today’s globalised world, Jane is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within our school community. Through cultural immersion experiences and cross-cultural exchanges, students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of different perspectives and traditions.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter with Jane Harris, we look forward to nurturing a community of academically proficient, compassionate, resilient, and empowered learners who will positively impact the world.
