We want students to have the best possible learning experiences possible. Often this can be hampered or hindered by national assessment or other regulatory requirements. We are taking strong steps in making this happen in our school but how do we assist teachers to think differently about both teaching and assessment. How do we ensure that they have the time to do this? How do we encourage them to take risks? Teaching in New Zealand is facing a teacher shortage and increasingly difficult working conditions - how do we make the teaching profession a profession of choice? We are also on the cusp of some of the biggest system changes we have seen with governance (Tomorrow's Schools), assessment and 16 other government reviews underway. All with the goal of ensuring that students are able to have the best possible learning experiences?