
Educational leadership and lifelong dedication recognised
At the end of last week, Principal Paula Wells and Deputy Principal Jenny Caldwell attended the Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Annual Conference held in Christchurch. The conference, themed "Shifting Tides," provided a platform to explore the evolving paradigms in education through keynotes, panel discussions, interviews, and workshops.
The event featured outstanding international and local speakers and facilitators who delved into topics such as leading communities through the meta-crisis, living and working in the age of strong artificial intelligence, and the impact of generational transitions on the teaching workforce. Both Paula and Jenny were honoured to be guest speakers at the conference.
Paula, who has been instrumental in shaping Marsden’s forward-thinking curriculum, and Jenny, a leader in educational innovation, co-presented a session on NCEA+: Marsden’s Innovative Approach to Year 11 Education. This future-focused programme integrates traditional NCEA Level 1 subjects with interdisciplinary courses, allowing students to earn credits while exploring real-world contexts from personal, local, and global perspectives. Together, they engaged in discussions on bold, values-driven strategies for supporting students in an interconnected, digital world, highlighting the importance of new pedagogies, digital fluency, and understanding the unique needs of today’s learners.
Special recognition for School Archivist Rosalba Finnerty
In addition to the speaker sessions, long-standing School Archivist and Marsden Old Girl, Rosalba Finnerty, accepted a special ISNZ Honours Award.
The ISNZ Honours Awards were established to honour exceptional individuals who demonstrate talent, service, and commitment to independent schools that go above and beyond the expectations of their paid employment. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Rosalba’s extraordinary dedication to Marsden, particularly her work in curating the rich history of our school.
Rosalba’s contributions to Marsden span several decades, beginning as School Bursar in 1966. She volunteered as a librarian in 1986, transitioned to a permanent part-time role in 1987, and served as full-time School Librarian from 2002 to 2011, where she played a key role in modernising the library and expanding its resources.
Since becoming School Archivist in 2011, Rosalba has meticulously maintained and expanded our archives, ensuring that the history of Marsden is preserved and accessible for future generations. Her work goes far beyond simply managing records; she has crafted engaging exhibitions, contributed to important publications, and played a vital role in teaching Marsden’s history to students. Rosalba’s efforts have helped foster a strong sense of identity and pride within our community, connecting current students with the legacy of those who came before them. This ISNZ Honours Award is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication, passion, and the lasting legacy she continues to build at Marsden.
We are proud to have such inspiring leaders and dedicated staff members who continue to make a significant impact on education and the broader community. Congratulations to Paula, Jenny, and Rosalba for their outstanding contributions.