Dio School Principal: The Truth About Teenage Girls & NZ’s Education System!

Heather McRae has been the principal of Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls for the past 17 years.In this episode we talk about what really goes on inside elite private schools, how teenage girls are coping with phones and social media, the pressure of leading through crises like COVID and the floods, and what she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and raising strong young women.We also talk about her childhood on a Wairarapa farm, her unexpected journey from organic chemist to educator, the importance of values and ethics in education - and why she’s quietly changed some of Dio’s oldest traditions.Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just someone interested in the future of education in New Zealand, this is a wide-ranging chat full of perspective, humour, and heart.Topics include:Why she’s stepping down after 17 yearsThe rise of “pink tax” and gender pay gapsHow to spot when your teenager’s struggling (and what to do)Phones in schools — and what happened when Dio banned themThe complicated impact of social media and Andrew TateWhy Heather's proudest legacy might be what students don’t seePublic vs private education: does the $30K fee make a difference? Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/domThe issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pdsPast performance does not guarantee future returns.And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.