PRESS RELEASE
30 June 2025
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) acknowledges the contribution of Dr. Patricia Rodie, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, who delivered a keynote plenary presentation at the 2025 Principalsโ Conference held from 25โ27 June at SINUโs Panatina Campus.
Hosted by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and supported by the Solomon Islands Government, DFAT, and MFAT, the conference brought together school leaders and education stakeholders from across the country under the theme:
โCreating a Better Future for Our Children in Solomon Islands through Transformational Leadership.โ
Dr. Rodie was one of five esteemed plenary speakers, alongside:
- Associate Professor Kabini Sanga, Victoria University of Wellington
- Dr. Franco Rodie, Permanent Secretary, MEHRD
- Mr. Richard Ledger, University of Newcastle
- Dr. Rhonda Di Biase, University of Melbourne
In her thought-provoking presentation titled โSustaining School Leadership through a Village Model, Vera ni Sasaniโ, Dr. Rodie introduced a leadership framework rooted in indigenous Solomon Islands values. Drawing on her own upbringing in Central Guadalcanal, she advocated for a Village Model of a School, a culturally embedded approach that emphasises mentorship, collective responsibility, inclusive leadership, and relational care.
Dr. Rodie addressed some of the key challenges facing school leadership in the Solomon Islands, such as teacher attrition, professional isolation, and limited systemic support. She stressed that sustainable leadership must be community-driven, culturally responsive, and shared among all stakeholders.
โThe Village Model reminds us that leadership is not a role confined to one individual,โ said Dr. Rodie. โIt is a shared responsibility, guided by the values we grew up with, mentoring, collective care, and a strong sense of belonging. It takes a village not only to raise a child, but to grow a teacher and sustain leadership in our schools.โ
Dr. Rodie further called for policy reforms to support inclusive and relational leadership development, structured mentoring systems, and localised professional learning communities across the education sector.
As the host venue for this important national event, SINU reaffirms its commitment to supporting visionary, transformative leadership in education. Dr. Rodieโs address reflects the Universityโs broader goal of integrating local knowledge and cultural values into academic leadership and teacher training programs.
The Principalsโ Conference 2025 stands as a significant step forward in redefining education leadership in the Solomon Islands, and SINU is proud to contribute to this national dialogue through strong academic leadership and innovative frameworks.
ENDS//