Mike Fenwick

MA (Educational Leadership), BEd

Mike began his teaching career at Auckland Normal Intermediate School before moving on to St Peter’s College. Mike then left New Zealand to embark on a two-year teaching post overseas - which turned into 15 years. He has had excellent opportunities in teaching, spending 16 years at an International School in South Korea working as Head of Department and Hong Kong as a Year 6 Learning Leader.He has been involved in sport throughout his overseas tenure as a coach, in Varsity level Basketball and National Rugby.

Mike is an Academic Manager, Head of Wellbeing & Positive Education, and an English teacher at Middle School West Auckland. His schooling approach champions concepts such as “broaden and build” and using character strengths to build self-worth. In his opinion, positive schooling experiences begin with a positive psychology approach to teaching, learning and inclusion.

His mother was born in Atiu, the Cook Islands, and his father was born in New Zealand. Mike brings a unique understanding of cultural diversity. With a recent Pasifika study grant, Mike wants to investigate further the impact of his ‘Positive Wellbeing on Pasifika families’ project.

In addition to being trained by Professor Lea Waters as a Visible Wellbeing™ facilitator, Mike was an invited presenter at the Hong Kong Vocational Training Center, speaking on strength-based perspectives and wellbeing in schools with specific reference to classroom application and whole school development.