Diocesan<\/a> has praised her for the way she handled the crisis. \u201cThey said, \u2018it was before your time, we are proud how you dealt with it\u2019. <\/p>\n\u201cI look back and think gee, I got through that. I\u2019ve grown an extra layer of skin and I did what was right.\u201d <\/p>\n
![\"Diocesan]()
Diocesan praised Dr Sandra Hastie for her transparency in handling the egregious data breach at Somerville House that occurred while she was principal. Photo \/ Dean Purcell <\/p>\n
Now Hastie is looking ahead – at applying everything she has learned in four decades as an educator to one of New Zealand\u2019s most elite private schools. <\/p>\n
She herself was educated in the public system. The youngest of four – and only girl in the family – Hastie tap-danced and played multiple sports while growing up in Picton, where she learned to sail and water ski. <\/p>\n
She was a tramper, she played squash and tennis, and later represented Marlborough in hockey and turned out for premier first-division football in Christchurch. <\/p>\n
![\"Diocesan]()
Diocesan principal Dr Sandra Hastie initially wanted to study law but when she was 16 her careers adviser suggested she apply for teachers’ training college in Christchurch. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n
Hastie originally wanted to study law, but at 16, her careers adviser at Queen Charlotte College suggested she apply for teacher training in Christchurch. <\/p>\n
Her father, Hilton Kirkland, worked at the local dry cleaners, and her mother Mavis Kirkland was a bookkeeper. They encouraged her to give it a go, and she enrolled in a Bachelor of Education. <\/p>\n
Hastie says she had never set foot in a private school before she started teaching at St. Kentigern Boys\u2019 School. <\/p>\n
Her CV since then reads like a roll call of the well-heeled: St Kentigern Boys\u2019 and Girls\u2019 Schools, Rangi Ruru Girls\u2019 School, Somerville House, and Tavistock and Summerhill School – a co-ed British preparatory school in Wessex, UK. <\/p>\n
So how did a public school girl from Picton end up running one of Brisbane\u2019s most prestigious schools \u2014 the all girls\u2019 school that came second in the state academically? <\/p>\n
It\u2019s your first day at Diocesan. What is going through your mind? <\/p>\n
Imposter syndrome is a real thing. That saying, \u201cwe stand on the shoulders of giants\u201d, springs to mind. The former principal, Heather McRae – a friend of mine – was a giant so it\u2019s respecting the wonderful legacy she left. I never went for the position thinking I was going to get it. I thought they might want someone younger. I feel privileged. <\/p>\n
The school motto is \u2018Ut Serviamus\u2019 or \u2018That we may serve\u2019. If you could change it, what would it become? <\/p>\n
I have a mantra: \u201cPeople won\u2019t remember what you say or what you do, but they will always remember how you make them feel\u201d. People matter most. <\/p>\n
What is something students care deeply about that adults underestimate? <\/p>\n
There\u2019s a lot of fear about the future – climate change, finding a job and saving for a home. I was naive at their age, but young people today are aware of what\u2019s going on around them and we need to listen. <\/p>\n
We also need to find a balance between academic achievement, progress, strong values and being genuinely good human beings. <\/p>\n
![\"New]()
New principal at Diocesan School, Dr Sandra Hastie, says she is collaborative and trusts people to do their jobs. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
What\u2019s a rule you secretly wish you could change? <\/p>\n
More flexible hours around when the school day starts and finishes could make a real difference. Teenagers aren\u2019t at their best first thing in the morning, so the question is how we can better cater for our students. <\/p>\n
At Somerville, I introduced a new day structure, and it\u2019s working well. <\/p>\n
Would you consider a political career after Dio to legislate this idea? <\/p>\n
No. When I leave Dio I will play golf all the time. <\/p>\n
If you could invite three people, past or present, to speak at assembly, who would they be? <\/p>\n
Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern stand out. I watched the Jacinda documentary and cried my eyes out, having come to appreciate just how difficult her role had been during Covid, and the loneliness of leadership. <\/p>\n
At Rangi Ruru, I heard her speak with some of the top scholars. She had no notes, and when she finished, her aides were trying to usher her out. She said no, went around the room, met every family, and had her photo taken with them. <\/p>\n
She was incredibly personable and humane at the time of the mosque attack. The way she handled that was first class. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie says she admired former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern’s handling of the Christchurch Mosque attack in 2019. Photo \/ Alan Gibson<\/p>\n
And the third person? <\/p>\n
If I could bring her back to life, Elizabeth Reid. She left a lot of money to Rangi Ruru. She had the most amazing story of survival and what she\u2019d been through during the Depression. <\/p>\n
What impact did the 2019 mosques attack have on Rangi Ruru? <\/p>\n
It was frightening. I had just come out of an assembly in the church with 700 students when my EA told me the police had called to say we needed to go into lockdown. <\/p>\n
There had been an incident at the mosque with multiple people shot. We were warned that the attackers might come to our school looking for Muslim students. <\/p>\n
That same day, we had 30 students protesting against climate change in the square. We told them that if anything happened, they should go straight to the library and call us. Thank God they were safe. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie was the principal at Rangi Ruru Girl’s School in Christchurch during the mosques attacks, and they went into lockdown for four hours. Photo \/ Alyse Wright <\/p>\n
Describe what it was like being in lockdown for four hours. <\/p>\n
Doors were locked, and blinds shut, everything dark. We were all lying low on the floor, staying completely quiet. Some areas didn\u2019t have bathrooms, so people just had to manage as best they could – using a bag or whatever was available. I was in my office, messaging families every half hour, telling them not to come to the school\u2014but many came anyway. <\/p>\n
What did you learn from the lockdown? <\/p>\n
We didn\u2019t have basics like water or even barley sugars, and we were lucky that no one had a medical emergency. <\/p>\n
We learned a lot. We put better systems in place, including emergency supplies and portable toilet kits. We also identified \u201csafe places\u201d around the school. <\/p>\n
In any future lockdown, students now know to go to the safe buildings that are equipped with bathrooms and supplies. <\/p>\n
How hard was it to keep the students calm, especially Muslim students who would have relatives at the mosque? <\/p>\n
It was tricky. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie says the lockdown during the mosque attacks was chaotic. Everything was dark, and everyone had to be quiet and stay still. Photo \/ Michael Craig.<\/p>\n
What do you think of the Government\u2019s new draft curriculum? <\/p>\n
It is needed, but I worry about the speed of the change. It\u2019s already putting a lot of pressure on our busy teachers. <\/p>\n
It does feel more future-focused, and NCEA needs an overhaul. And what happens if there\u2019s a change of government? Unfortunately, education reform is political. <\/p>\n
How hard is it for students to navigate the digital world we live in? <\/p>\n
We accept that young people need to be connected, but the need to constantly \u201ccomment\u201d or \u201clike\u201d something – or someone – is overwhelming. In my day, if we didn\u2019t like someone, we told them in person rather than messaging them. <\/p>\n
There is more pressure on girls. If you don\u2019t respond straight away, it can be interpreted as \u201cdoes that mean you don\u2019t like me?\u201d Girls can be brutal with each other; they can exclude someone with a look or online, while still appearing innocent. <\/p>\n
In Australia, social media accounts have been banned for students under 16. <\/p>\n
Dio was one of the first schools in New Zealand to ban iPhones and smart watches. There was a noticeable lift in engagement, and students talked to each other more. <\/p>\n
Why are you wearing a smart watch? <\/p>\n
I\u2018m into fitness and need to keep track of my daily steps. Heather wore one too. <\/p>\n
Were you a rebel or a goody-goody at school? <\/p>\n
I was a rule follower and kept my head down. I did get in trouble now and then for talking too much, but I was good at debating, which I loved. My mother was a strong woman who encouraged me to use my voice. <\/p>\n
I don\u2019t like injustice, and I will always stand up when I see it. <\/p>\n
![\"Diocesan]()
Diocesan Principal Dr Sandra Hastie with her mother, Mavis. Hastie was a keen tap-dancer. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
What\u2019s one thing you hope the students will challenge you on? <\/p>\n
I hope they always feel they have a voice\u2014that they can ask \u201cwhy\u201d and bring new ideas forward. <\/p>\n
When I went through school, we were never asked for our opinions about anything. <\/p>\n
Why did you apply to be the principal of Dio? <\/p>\n
To be closer to my husband Bruce\u2019s family. It was also a chance to lead a school I had always wanted to lead, and to return to the New Zealand culture, which feels more like home to me. <\/p>\n
Describe your time at Somerville House. <\/p>\n
I was the first Kiwi woman to run a flash school in Australia – it was tough. I was very nervous about going over there.<\/p>\n
We lived in an apartment, and I used to ride my scooter to work to show the students I was committed to sustainability. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie, with her husband Bruce. She told the Herald she is the first Kiwi woman to run a private girls’ school in Australia. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n
How different is Somerville House from Dio? <\/p>\n
Somerville is an inner-city school in South Bank \u2014 a bit of a concrete jungle. Here, everything feels more open and greener. <\/p>\n
The education system in Queensland is very different. There is a lot more pressure on students to achieve academically. In New Zealand, students can take a gap year, explore different university courses, and try a range of subjects. <\/p>\n
In Australia, the system is far more prescriptive, especially for medicine, law or engineering, and everything is based on an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) result. <\/p>\n
So, if a student wanted to study medicine, they would need a 99.95% to get in. <\/p>\n
There are constraints around subject choice. All subjects are scaled, which influences the subjects students take, like art, music and drama. <\/p>\n
What was the success rate like? <\/p>\n
We did well academically, but what is wrong [with the Australian system] is everything was measured purely by academic success, and nothing else. <\/p>\n
The pressure on students was intense. Many pulled out of sport, music, art and drama – the focus was on achieving top marks. Students were driven by exam results, which created a lot of anxiety. Taking a gap year was often seen negatively. <\/p>\n
I kept thinking about myself at that age \u2014 what happens if you work so hard to get into medicine and then realise it\u2019s not what you want? <\/p>\n
Some students were upset with 90%, which they saw as failure, whereas I would have been rapt. <\/p>\n
The reality is that top academic schools are designed around being academic. We need to encourage young people to do what they love and choose subjects that genuinely excite them. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie with her husband Bruce and his brothers Garry on the left and Russell on the right and their wives, Margaret and Lynda, at Somerville House in Brisbane. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n
What\u2019s your vision for Diocesan? <\/p>\n
The next few months will be about learning the Dio heartbeat\u2014listening to the students and staff and working alongside them. <\/p>\n
We need to complete the annual plan that Heather and her team have put in place. <\/p>\n
And continuing to be future-focused, any changes we make must be considered, and in the best interests of the students. <\/p>\n
What\u2019s your leadership style? <\/p>\n
I\u2019m very collaborative \u2014 I don\u2019t micromanage people, and I trust them to do their jobs. I like being part of something bigger than myself. <\/p>\n
But as a leader, I also make the tough calls when needed. <\/p>\n
How much do you value AI? <\/p>\n
We need to learn and embrace AI, but not be dictated by it. AI has real value in schools, as long as it\u2019s used ethically and taught properly. <\/p>\n
Women cope better with AI than men because we are more about empathy and compassion. Males tend to be black and white; they like to control everything. <\/p>\n
This quote sums it up: \u201cThe illiterate of the 21st century will be the people who can\u2019t learn, unlearn and relearn.\u201d <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie says we should learn to embrace AI but not be dictated by it. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
How does being an all-girls school influence classroom dynamics? <\/p>\n
Girls can be themselves and try everything because there\u2019s no gender bias or boys to distract them. <\/p>\n
Boys want to know how many words they have to write and when an assignment is due. They have no sense of urgency; they hear the first instruction and forget everything else. I loved teaching boys when I was the deputy principal at St Kents. <\/p>\n
They wouldn\u2019t want a deep and meaningful conversation about why they whacked someone; they just got over it and barely remember what the fight was about. <\/p>\n
Girls are sensitive. When they fall out with someone, it can go on for ages; they feel the need to tell a friend, who then tells 50 others, and it gets embellished. Girls have the desire to be liked. <\/p>\n
![\"Dr]()
Dr Sandra Hastie with her husband Bruce and their two dogs Skye and Meg – Meg has since died of cancer and they are preparing to get a new dog. Photo\/ Supplied <\/p>\n
What\u2019s your advice to parents? <\/p>\n
Parents work incredibly hard for their kids to come to this type of school. The most important thing they can give is time. <\/p>\n
In my career, I\u2019ve seen a lot of young people who have the best overseas holidays, cars and houses, but they don\u2019t have parents who take time to talk to them or sit down with them at dinner. <\/p>\n
Tell me about your husband? <\/p>\n
Bruce and I have been married for 37 years; we have no children. We have Skye, and we\u2019re about to get another dog.<\/p>\n
I met Bruce when I was at Teacher\u2019s Training in Christchurch. He is a pharmacist at the hospital and works remotely, providing doctors and specialists with medical information on drugs for their patients. He\u2019s a mad keen cyclist and looks after me very well. <\/p>\n
How would you like to be remembered? <\/p>\n
As a kind person who makes others feel good. <\/p>\n
Carolyne Meng-Yee<\/a> is an Auckland-based investigative journalist who won Best Documentary at the Voyager Media Awards in 2022. She worked for the Herald on Sunday from 2007-2011 and rejoined the Herald in 2016 after working as an award-winning current affairs producer at TVNZ\u2019s 60 Minutes, 20\/20 and Sunday. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Although she wasn\u2019t the principal at Somerville House when the document was created – she arrived there in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":407573,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[74,95,696,52371,1975,20133,160177,51,1135,4057,42126,167043,148231,1069,1952,14739,18613,2082,13838,148232,1364,68199,685,13620,5603,12514,1073,42127,3025,117,111,43,139,69,90,1523,2171,29192,1136,3240,766,34260,4062,6649,6180,4525,673,53883,1361,210,6382,13797,14638,12025,2963],"class_list":["post-407572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-after","tag-and","tag-announced","tag-appointment","tag-at","tag-attention","tag-attracted","tag-auckland","tag-australian","tag-behind","tag-carolyne","tag-dio","tag-diocesan","tag-dirt","tag-dr","tag-expensive","tag-file","tag-for","tag-girls","tag-hastie","tag-her","tag-january","tag-last","tag-leading","tag-leak","tag-leave","tag-media","tag-mengyee","tag-most","tag-new","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-on","tag-over","tag-plans","tag-principal","tag-private","tag-recently","tag-reports","tag-sandra","tag-school","tag-schools","tag-shes","tag-something","tag-storm","tag-surviving","tag-that","tag-through","tag-took","tag-used","tag-wants","tag-wellknown","tag-zealands"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407572\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/407573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=407572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=407572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}