RECOMMENDED NEW ZEALAND EDUCATION CONSULTANT
Trusted by 60+ New Zealand Secondary & Primary Schools since 2015

The time that Graeme spent working with us to set the appraisal parameters up was invaluable and the staff have commented very favourably on the inclusive nature of the process through the survey, formal interviews and Graeme's availability for informal feedback. Graeme's attention to detail and constructive, honest feedback is invaluable for us as we continue to build our capacity as a senior leadership team.

Andy Fraser - Principal, Otaki College

I feel that having engaged a professional consultant with real, rich and diverse experience offers new insights. I am really pleased to have gone through the reflective process and it has made me go back and take stock of how I am tracking with my chosen goals and my professional development of the leadership role. I’ve appreciated the sharing of inspirational quotes, anecdotes and Graeme's professional, kind and compassionate nature, which has been well received by myself and the staff.

Ahnna Stewart - Principal, Moawhango Primary School

The decision to have you appraise our whole leadership team has definitely been the right one as we are all confident in your processes and genuine interest in us growing our leadership.

Chairperson of Te Kuiti High School Board of Trustees

Graeme is well respected and extremely professional in managing Principal Appraisals with your BOT and staff. Graeme has been an accomplished and an effective Principal so has a clear understanding of the various roles and responsibilities. Graeme’s appraisal service is professional, detailed, honest and thorough. I totally recommend having Graeme to facilitate your principal appraisal process.

Chris Dibben - Principal, Tawhero School

You will not find a more capable or supportive appraiser than Graeme McFadyen! Graeme brings to his role an understanding of the demands placed on a school leader. Due to this, he ensures that the appraisal process is both relevant and affirming. Graeme co-constructs appraisal goals that are specific to the professional learning needs of the leader while ensuring alignment with professional standards and the strategic direction of the school. Graeme provides regular encouragement and targeted advice and support by sharing of inspirational quotes, resources, professional readings and contacts. Throughout, he ensures that the appraisal process is positive, developmental and an encouraging experience. I fully endorse Graeme McFadyen as a professional appraiser.

Steve Farrand - Principal, Maranatha Christian School

Graeme McFadyen was my professional appraiser for the last 2 years and I am very happy to endorse his work. Graeme is warm and kind, he’s a real people person and a really nice person to interact with. Graeme made the appraisal easy. He was very willing to vary his procedures in line with my needs and the needs of the school.

Peter Ferrar - Principal, Cornerstone Christian School

All the staff commented how comfortable they felt talking to Graeme. Personally, I have found Graeme to be an engaging and thoroughly professional colleague.

Gary Yeatman - Principal, Awatapu College

I would highly recommend employing the services of Graeme McFadyen to undertake a Principal Appraisal. The process was conducted in a very professional, sensitive and confidential manner. He developed an easy rapport with my students and staff and his wealth of experience in education meant he not only fully understood the diverse role of a school principal but I was able to seek his advice on matters related to school management. Graeme kept me fully informed throughout the process and provided regular updates on how he was progressing. His thoughtful remarks about my school, students and staff members showed he really uncovered the true nature of the school’s learning environment.

Raewyn Rutherford - Principal, Egmont Village School

The entire process is very comprehensive and thorough. Graeme is well respected by staff, ancillary staff, teaching staff, students and BOT. He gains valuable feedback and then he can develop very detailed and helpful final report. An appraisal can be a nerve-wracking experience, for Principal's, Graeme’s affirmative and supportive, approach puts everyone's minds at ease. Graeme also has a wonderful manner about him, he is very efficient and thorough in all that he does. I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy working with Graeme in coming years.

Hayden lles - Principal, Parawai School

The Board of Trustees found Graeme very capable, professional and collaborative at all times. His facilitation of the process was effective and encouraging, and at all times acknowledging the integral decision the board was required to make. Thank you for supplying constructive resources for our consideration, ie timelines, job descriptions, application packs, referee reports and interview templates. We found these to be most useful.

Chairperson of Te Kuiti High School Board of Trustees

On behalf of the Rotorua Girls’ High School Board of Trustees, I thank Graeme McFadyen for supporting the Board throughout the Principal Appointment process. He was professional, knowledgeable, thoughtful and worked very well with the Board, staff, students and the community. I would highly recommend his services without hesitation.

Chairperson of Rotorua Girls High School Board of Trustees

Graeme, on behalf of the Board I am writing to thank you very much for the work you carried out for our school ie:  Principal Recruitment. You were very professional to work with. Your commitment and dedication was much appreciated. You were so approachable and always available. We appreciated your invaluable experience and expertise and the human approach you took throughout.

Chairperson of Rotorua Lakes High School Board of Trustees

When our long serving Principal retired unexpectedly it was an unsettling time for our school. The Board of Trustees were in a particularity busy period due to several major projects and it was important that an exceptional new leader was found quickly. It was decided that the board would contract a consultant to help find our new Principal. We had several high caliber applications including Graeme, whom we had worked with previously regarding our Principal and Senior Leadership Team appraisals. He had done an outstanding job regarding the appraisals, so we had the utmost faith that he would do the same for our appointment process. From the start Graeme listened to our needs and put together a compressive timeline of events to ensure that we not only met all the requirements but that we also completed the process in a timely manner. Nothing was too much trouble for Graeme and his professionalism during the entire process was second to none. He gave regular updates both verbally and in writing to the board and sought advice when required from NZSTA or the MOE. He guided the board through the process and attended numerous consultation meetings with our community and his attention to detail was outstanding. Graeme also helped us on the shortlisting and interview days and as a result we were able to identify an outstanding leader who will keep our school performing at the highest levels. I would highly recommend Graeme to anyone looking for a new Principal or senior leader. We continue to utilise his skills in our appraisal process for our senior leaders and will hopefully have his services for many years to come.

Karl Thornton - Chairman of Cambridge High School Board of Trustees