WORK> PEOPLE WORK> PEOPLE

eing sent to the principal After renovating their home on spend 10 minutes with the children and is usually a daunting ’s North Shore earlier this year my energy levels shoot through the roof. experience, but walking (“There’s nothing more therapeutic than The positivity, the inclusiveness, the B a nail gun!”), Thea and her husband taking care of each other – these values into Thea Kilian’s office and being greeted by her beaming smile is Shane moved to the with are entrenched in our school, which is quite the opposite. their children Dannan (13) and Aleksi (11). great, because they complement my “We sat down and made the decision own educational philosophy beautifully.” “I’ve never raised my voice to a student,” together,” she says. “We’re not the type Thea’s philosophy includes a holistic she says. “I can be clear on expectations, of family that lets things happen to us approach to education, with a focus but I’m a firm believer in modelling the – we like to forge our own journey, on mental wellbeing. “We’re living in type of respectful behaviour we expect whatever the circumstances” from the kids.” a 24/7 world, so it’s important for kids Life to understand their minds as well as Thea has only recently been appointed “IT’S ABOUT their bodies,” she says. “We talk about principal at ACG . Her warm, PACKAGING SIMPLE dopamine levels in our brains and why lessons down-to-earth nature and wealth of CONCEPTS IN A this chemical makes us feel happy, and experience (including working with seven WAY THAT KIDS also that it’s okay to feel sad sometimes. One of the Bay’s newest imports, Auckland principals to improve student CAN ACCESS.” Thea Kilian is redefining the way outcomes, and more than six years as “Talking about the importance of sleep, nutrition and exercise isn’t about jumping we educate our children. a deputy principal) have seen her hit Thea’s eyes light up when she talks about on a bandwagon – it’s about packaging the ground running. her kids – both her own and her students. simple concepts in a way that kids can “I love the strategy side of education WORDS LAURA TUCK / PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN “I’m loving Tauranga,” she says. The access. It’s important to give students and the intimacy of the classroom, so I people here are always smiling and a sense of control over their emotions – jumped at the chance to marry the two,” I’ve had nothing but support. And it empowers them. It’s something I want she says. “Whenever I’m feeling flat, I I can always find a parking spot!” for my own kids.”

32 | unomagazine.co.nz unomagazine.co.nz | 33 WORK> PEOPLE WORK> PEOPLE

Getting it right

ACG Tauranga Growing up in South Africa, Thea She may be at the helm of one of New fast facts realised school wasn’t always a happy Zealand’s top co-ed schools, but Thea place for children. Her antidote? Set remains incredibly humble and connected Why ACG? the bar high but give them the tools to the core of her career, which is, of No zoning, no waiting list, and support they need to succeed. course, the students. exceptional staff, caring culture. “I consider myself “WE’VE GOT “I once taught a young lucky to have the girl who never spoke Ages: STUDENTS OF ALL most phenomenal in class,” she says. “I Preschool to Year 13 on one BACKGROUNDS AND campus in . parents who believe tried everything but in education,” she says. ABILITIES AT ACG. never seemed to get Values: “When I was 13, my SOME ARE NATURALLY through. On the last Non-religious and co-educational friends started to ask GIFTED AND OTHERS day of school, I walked with a strong focus on family. me to help them with ARE LESS ACADEMIC, into my office to find their work, and I’d BUT WITH TEACHER a lovely bunch of white Qualifications: do it because I loved SUPPORT AND A LOT roses. Shane is the Internationally recognised that moment when only person who buys OF HARD WORK, Cambridge Curriculum. everything clicked and me white roses, so I suddenly school wasn’t THEY ABSOLUTELY assumed they were from In the community: so tough anymore. FLOURISH.” him, but the card was Proud sponsor of the Mt from her. It read: ‘I know I struggle to Maunganui Lifeguard Service “As a mum,” she adds, “I personally connect, but thank you for being the Nippers programme. believe the Cambridge Curriculum is one teacher who never stopped trying.’ the best education I can give my kids. Visit the school: It was a beautiful gesture, and it taught We’ve got students of all backgrounds Holland Beckett Law’s new partner Christie Goodspeed tells why ACG holds regular open me to remember that it’s not always and abilities at ACG. Some are naturally she became a lawyer and what family means to the firm. days. Check out the website about the end result – it’s about never gifted, and others are less academic, but for more information. giving up.” with teacher support and a lot of hard WORDS DANIEL DUNKLEY / PHOTOS BRYDIE THOMPSON work, they absolutely flourish.” TAURANGA.ACGEDU.COM

34 | unomagazine.co.nz unomagazine.co.nz | 35