Papanui High School looks for new head

Papanui High School looks for new head

Papanui High School is preparing to move ahead on the next stage of its development with the appointment in August of a new Principal.

The co-educational secondary school in Langdons Rd will capitalise on the progress made over the past decade when it was led by former Principal Denis Pyatt, and wants a dynamic leader to take it forward.

“We feel now’s the time to move ahead in a really positive way,” said Jerome Williamson, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees.

The September earthquake interrupted an earlier start on the process, which then saw Bronwyn Welsh appointed as Acting Principal.

“While the February earthquake provided another disruption, we feel it is important for the school and the community that we complete the process, with the successful candidate expected to begin at the start of Term 3 on August 1,” said Mr Williamson.

Papanui High School is currently sharing its campus with Shirley Boys’ High School, the 1500 Shirley boys working on the site from 1.l5pm-6pm; the Papanui students work from 8am-1pm.

Swift organisation, together with compromise and flexibility by staff, students and parents had resulted in the success of the pairing, after the Shirley Boys’ High School site was damaged by the February earthquake.

Mr Williamson said with the appointment of a new Principal, Papanui High School was looking forward to further expanding its “full service” educational philosophy, developed over the past decade, where every student was catered for in the best way possible in order to achieve excellent outcomes.

“We’re very pleased to be able to celebrate above average academic results, national sporting titles, cultural honours and to have a fantastic new range of facilities in which to work, including the soon-to-be-completed Graeme Condon Centre.”

Papanui’s future challenges included providing all students with programmes and opportunities that maintained their interest and allowed them to succeed. The board envisaged closer liaison with the Canterbury Tertiary College and other community institutions.

It is keen to continue its commitment to the concept of “distributed leadership” enabling staff to undertake responsibility for diverse educational areas.

“This distributed leadership model has worked extremely well for staff and students alike and we are confident that it will continue to be an effective part of the school’s operation.”

The Principal’s position will be advertised mid this month with applications closing on 11 May.

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