Lincoln Heights School

Clare Hocking

Principal, Lincoln Heights School

Clare grew up in Christchurch and from school she went into nursing, became a registered nurse but found nursing to be more confining than she expected. Teaching appealed, so off to Teacher’s College and then to Nelson to commence her career, now spanning 30 years. From Nelson, Clare taught in Lower Hutt, Wellington and Christchurch. During this period she was Deputy Principal and Acting Principal in Kaiapoi, North Canterbury. “Children and adults frequently came to me for pastoral care. It became clear to me that this was an avenue I would take into school leadership.” Next Clare moved to Auckland, as Deputy Principal at Pt Chevalier Primary working for seven years with Principal John Fleming, a supporting encourager who enabled her to develop several new initiatives and at the same time to consolidate her teaching and leadership skills in Human Resource Management. Seven years ago Clare moved to her present position as Principal of Lincoln Heights School. “I think it’s a magnificent school with a reputation for innovation and creativity - one that counts among its strengths staff capability, unity, high expectations of students and a school wide culture of leadership. We have a sense of fun in learning – inclusion is high on the list – inclusion of cultures, in celebration of diversity. We are also a magnet for students with Special Education needs.” For the coming year Clare has been seconded to the University of Auckland by the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association to be a team member at Team Solutions, an organisation providing in-school support for teachers and principals. Clare will be assisting several first-time principals in leadership development and aspects of strategic planning including school vision, recruitment, and several practical how-to’s. She will also mentor a cluster of principals in staff HR issues. Clare will return to Lincoln Heights as Principal in 2008.