John Morris to resign as Headmaster of Auckland Grammar

6th December 2011
John Morris to resign as Headmaster of Auckland Grammar School after 19 years of distinguished service.

The Board of Trustees of Auckland Grammar School today announced that John Morris has given notice of his resignation as Headmaster to be effective in late 2012.

The Board will now undertake the process of seeking a new Headmaster for only the third time in the last 60 years. John Morris will continue to lead the School until he leaves at the end of September 2012.

As Headmaster, John Morris has been a visionary leader guiding the School through a period of massive structural and policy change. As a result of his leadership Auckland Grammar School has consistently maintained its position as one of the top ranked state schools in New Zealand.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jeff Blackburn said, “John has continued the Auckland Grammar School tradition by being a remarkable Headmaster. As a professional leader he has enhanced the Grammar ethos of the pursuit of excellence. John is stepping down at the top of his game. The Board thanks him for his outstanding contribution to Auckland Grammar School and wishes him every success ahead.”

“The 2011 ERO Report is a fitting endorsement of John’s leadership. ERO awarded Grammar the top rating of a 5 year review cycle which recognised the significant success of Grammar boys at a regional, national and international level in a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural endeavours.”

John’s leadership in education stretches beyond Auckland Grammar School. During his time as Headmaster he has chaired both the Education Forum and the Cambridge Schools’ Association, introduced Cambridge International Qualifications to New Zealand and was a long-standing member of the University of Auckland Council. In addition John has sat on a number of Government Think Tanks on Education. He has also been heavily involved in sports leadership and was Chairman of New Zealand Football for six years and represented NZ Football on the FIFA Technical Committee for four years.

After nearly 20 years of outstanding school leadership at Auckland Grammar John is looking forward to new and different opportunities.

Jeff Blackburn
Chairman, Board of Trustees

ENDS