Inspiring ākonga: Principal Leigh Fowler (St Andrew’s College Preparatory School)
by Metropol | April 15, 2026 8:30 am
There’s a new face at the helm of one of the cornerstone colleges in Christchurch education. St Andrew’s College welcomes new Preparatory School Principal Leigh Fowler in 2026, who describes her first few months in the role as both energising and affirming.
“From day one, the warmth of the St Andrew’s culture was unmistakable,” she reflects. “Everyone from Rector Mark Wilson, and the Senior Leadership Team to the Preparatory School staff, parents and whānau have been equally welcoming, supportive, and encouraging.”
The former Principal of Te Rito Harakeke – Marshland School, (which earned a strong reputation for inclusion, high-quality education, and a student-centred culture under her leadership), Leigh says her passion for excellence drew her to St Andrew’s ‘world-class’ reputation. “I’m energised by the opportunity to collaborate with St Andrew’s high-performing team of educators.”
The Preparatory School has 465 students from Years 1 to 8, with Leigh also having oversight of the adjacent St Andrew’s College Pre-school, both of which offer bright, modern environments for young learners. Leigh says these early years are such a “formative and powerful stage of development,” where children need to feel safe enough to take risks, make mistakes, and work through challenges. “Resilience grows when ākonga (students) experience a full range of emotions and are supported to understand and navigate them, not protected from every difficulty.”
With a background in educational psychology, Leigh is known for her relational leadership style, leading with integrity, clarity, and kindness in decision-making. She’s often found spending time out of her office and in the classroom, building connections with staff and ākonga.
“I am highly visible in classrooms, not to monitor, but to encourage, affirm, and strengthen consistency of practice,” she says. “I am deeply connected to pedagogy and curriculum and believe Principals of preparatory school aged ākonga need to understand what’s happening in classrooms if they want meaningful development.”
Inside her approach
In her first few months, Leigh’s loved working alongside the Preparatory School’s “incredibly committed, passionate, and capable” teachers.
“My goal is to honour them by listening, supporting, and fostering a culture where strengths shine, well-being is protected, and professional joy is sustained. When teachers flourish, our ākonga flourish and that is always the ultimate goal.”
At the heart of Leigh’s approach is fostering a calm, structured and relationship-focused learning environment, combined with a deep commitment to ākonga well-being, confidence, and future success, she says. “I am passionate about building ākonga confidence and celebrating individuality. When children feel seen and valued, they are far more willing to challenge themselves. Skills such as independence, self-management, and critical thinking must also be explicitly taught and practised.”
Through her son’s eyes
Leigh’s son, Willim, is in Year 11 at St Andrew’s, placing her in the unique position of being both a parent and an educator at the College. Experiencing the school through her son’s eyes has given her an added perspective on daily life at St Andrew’s and a deeper appreciation of the environment in which students learn and grow.
This dual perspective has cemented Leigh’s respect for the care, professionalism and commitment shown by staff across the College, reinforcing her confidence in the education and support provided to students and families.
“It also reinforces the question at the heart of great schooling, ‘Is this what we would want for our own children?’ When we care for every child as if they were ours, it guides decision-making with integrity and clarity,” she says.
Leigh resonates strongly with St Andrew’s values of Truth, Excellence, Faith, Creativity, and Inclusivity, along with the College’s rich history, Scottish heritage, and Presbyterian Christian foundations, which create a culture where ākonga feel inspired and connected to something bigger than themselves, she adds.
“My first impressions of St Andrew’s College have been shaped by its deep traditions, but even more by the lived values visible in every interaction,” Leigh says. “I often pause at the images in Strowan House or in the Preparatory School, taking in the faces and moments captured over time. They provide a grounding reminder of our legacy and a strong sense of continuity and connection.”
She says her ultimate aim is to create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, challenge is embraced, and every ākonga feels a strong sense of belonging, a place where calm and creativity sit comfortably together.
Rector, Mark Wilson, says as a values-driven and innovative leader with a proven track record of delivering effective strategic leadership across all areas of school life, Leigh has already made a positive impact at St Andrew’s.
“Leigh’s relational style of leading with integrity and care, and maintaining high visibility and genuine connection with students, staff, and whānau, is being widely appreciated by the St Andrew’s community.”
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/inspiring-akonga-principal-leigh-fowler-st-andrews-college-preparatory-school/