Principal Appointed at Opononi Area School

02 April 2009 MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate distribution

Principal Appointed at Opononi Area School

Opononi Area School in the Hokianga has a new principal. Mr Dennis Finn, the Commissioner since September 2008, announced the appointment of Mrs Christine Wood to the position.

Mr Finn said, "Christine Wood brings with her considerable experience gained over many years in Education, including her time as principal of Kaeo Primary School and Te Kura o Matihetihe. Her most recent position has been with the Ministry of Education. She has lead the schools' performance team which has a particular focus on supporting schools to strengthen governance and management with a strong emphasis on positive outcomes for students.

She has facilitated the advancement of key MoE strategies including Ka Hikitia and the Kiwi Leadership framework.

Mrs Wood's prior experience includes seven years with Te Putahitanga Matauranga - the Ministry's Far North schooling improvement initiative. As Project Coordinator for Te Kete Akoranga, the secondary and area school initiative, she was instrumental in raising NCEA level 1 literacy and numeracy achievement which surpassed the national Maori average in 2007.

"This experience will be invaluable at Opononi Area School where 91% of the school roll are Maori." said Mr Finn. "This appointment marks an important milestone in the school's turnaround."

Mrs Wood is excited about this new opportunity and will take up her role at the beginning of Term 2.

ENDS

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