Head of Junior School
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Sue Cattell - MEdLd (Hon) | PGDipEdLd, BTchLng

Sue Cattell is the Head of the Junior School at Diocesan School for Girls. With a passion for making learning fun and exciting, Sue believes providing the opportunity to explore, inquire and experience new things is key to a holistic education. It’s this sense of adventure and excitement about learning that she wants her students to come to school with every day.

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Head of Junior School

Sue is an highly experienced principal who is passionate about the IB programme, and in particular the Primary Years Programme run at Diocesan. “It teaches students big concepts that are important through life.” She has also worked as an International Baccalaureate (IB) workshop leader and school evaluator, a role she has had since 2005, and one that saw her travel to many schools throughout Asia -Pacific, working with teachers to improve practice and outcomes for students.Sue is the past president of the North Shore Principals Association, a role she loved as it involved connecting with, and supporting, principals as they navigated the ever changing times in education. Her passion for well-being saw her lead initiatives around support for, and building resilience in, leaders.

“We challenge our students to be more than they ever imagined. This means providing our students with as many opportunities as possible, so they find what brings them joy, to help them not just succeed but flourish, and perhaps uncover a talent they didn’t know they had.”
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Educational Leadership

Sue was awarded a TeachNZ Principal’s Sabbatical in 2021 to conduct research into the glass ceilings that are sometimes unintentionally placed on students. She strives to create an environment where there are no such ceilings, where students can grow beyond expectations and surprise themselves and others in their journey as lifelong learners.

It’s not just students that she sees as lifelong learners, but everyone in the teaching team. Having recently completed her Master of Educational Leadership, Sue looks to inspire and encourage others to continue their learning, taking opportunities to grow themselves and their leadership.

junior school sports hero
junior school sports hero
Philosophy for success

We assist the girls to explore who they are by engaging in a wide range of different activities. Dio girls build strong, positive relationships with teacher mentors, take intellectual risks with their ideas, build leadership skills, and cultivate their passions. Not only do we engage with the students throughout her time in the Junior School, but we also view her journey as a partnership with her and her family.

Visitors to our school often remark how happy and friendly Dio girls are. We also hear that they are unusually poised and stunningly confident. To my mind, the most important aspect is the competence underlying that confidence. Regardless of her background, talents or plans for the future, Dio girls gain mastery of core competencies essential for the next step of her education and eventual success in the world.

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