David Foster is Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland New Zealand, a position he has held since 2001. The Centre provides a residential school and a range of specialist services to Deaf and hearing impaired students throughout the North Island of New Zealand. At Kelston Deaf Education Centre quality is best expressed through students’ right to be part of a community that promotes full access, participation and achievement. Kelston serves a community that is culturally and geographically diverse.
David previously held management positions in four other schools including eight years served as Principal of two state full primary schools (Y1-8). His early teaching career encompassed primary, intermediate and secondary schools as well as working in both urban and rural communities.
David has a particular interest in quality as the foundation for educational management. He has made a valuable contribution the resolution of a number of complex operational and policy issues. His particular strengths are his ability to synthesise information into possible strategic actions, to communicate with a range of audiences and to provide an objective perspective.