KARIEGA – Strelitzia High School principal Ian Balie will travel to Auckland, New Zealand, to attend the prestigious International Confederation of Principals’ Convention (ICP 2026), taking place from 11 to 23 September at the New Zealand International Convention Centre.

According to the school, the convention brings together school principals and education leaders from around the world, providing a platform to engage with pressing issues facing schools globally, exchange ideas, share innovative practices and explore new approaches to school leadership.

Strelitzia High has expressed gratitude to District Director Ernest Gorgonzola and the Eastern Cape Department of Education for supporting Balie and granting him the professional development opportunity.

The 2026 convention theme, Purapura Korari, Ka ruia e te hau, which translates to “The seeds of the flax bush are dispersed by the four winds,” speaks to the sharing of ideas, the development of future generations and the value of different cultures and perspectives.

By engaging in this global dialogue, Balie connects Strelitzia High with international standards, reinforcing the school’s belief that education extends far beyond the traditional classroom to prepare learners for a rapidly evolving world.

The insights, strategic vision and innovative practices gathered at the convention are expected to directly enrich the school’s educators and learners, renewing its commitment to high academic achievement.

In a statement, the school said that Balie reminds them that true leadership means having the courage to look beyond the present, to seek knowledge from others, to embrace new ideas and to invest in the future.

“As Mr Balie travels from Kariega to Auckland, he carries with him more than the title of principal, he carries the support, aspirations and pride of the entire Strelitzia High School community.”

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