Vic Hewson (past volunteer) – School Management Coach in Vanuatu

Before he went on assignment Vic was living in Waikanae, and was working as a self-employed facilitator specialising in leadership and culture change in organisations.

What Vic is doing in Vanuatu

Vic is working with the Malampa Education Office to improve the quality of school management in Malampa Province. He has developed a new operations manual for school principals, most of whom have little or no management training. The manual includes information on things such as how to consult with the local community, how to write a school manifesto, how to set up a discipline code for students, and how to manage difficult students.

Vic has also designed workshops to teach the management practices outlined in the manual, and developed guides for the province’s nine Zone Curriculum Advisers so that they can run the workshops themselves.

Making a positive impact

Vic is pleased to have been able to provide the Malampa Province with an easy-to-use manual  for improving school management practices, and to have set up the processes needed to implement the practices in the manual.

Vic’s highlights so far

“I have loved working with the Zone Curriculum Advisers and Principals and being blown away by their openness and enthusiasm for learning the new tools.”

What Vanuatu has taught Vic

“To be patient”

 “That happiness is not necessarily increased with more education and access to things that make life easier”

“The importance of community here in Vanuatu has caused me to reflect on the isolation that exists in many areas of New Zealand despite – or maybe because of – close neighbours.”