Woodlands Park School

Liz Manley

Principal, Woodlands Park School

Liz grew up in Africa, in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa and Swaziland. “My dad was a teacher and he liked moving around.” Liz finished her schooling, with ‘A’ levels at Whickham in the north east of England. Returning to South Africa, Liz completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and then an MSc in human physiology. She worked as a journalist for some time before lecturing at Rhodes University. Getting married and having her first child, she started her PhD and although they moved to New Zealand in 1992 and had two more children, Liz still finished her doctorate in physiology (studying hypothermia). The family settled in Mt Eden and Liz joined the Playcentre organisation, where she did as much early childhood training as she could. Moving to the west, their youngest daughter was enrolled at Woodlands Park School in 1995 and when their third daughter started there a few years later, Liz completed a one year teaching diploma, available to those with degrees, through Auckland College of Education. Green Bay Primary was her first school and she loved it! Then a job at Woodlands Park was advertised and, having always wanted to teach there, Liz moved. In 2002 she became deputy principal and when the previous principal left in August to travel the world, Liz applied and won the position of principal. “This is a wonderful school, where everyone is valued. For me it is another step in an exciting journey, which includes teaching adults, early childhood and primary school children.” At this point in the interview I was introduced to four school pupils, randomly selected from those about to go home. I asked Alysha, Ellie, Gabrielle and Luke, ‘What do you think about your new principal and what do you like about this school?’ Their answers were as follows: “She’s a great principal. She has style, she’s nice and a good teacher. This school is a lovely environment; the staff is made up of good people. Because there’s not a lot of kids everybody has friends and not just in their class levels.” Liz’s curriculum strengths include science, maths and sport (she is a surf lifesaver at Piha) and she has special interests in gifted and talented education and in nurturing boys to success.