Pillans Point Primary School have a new principal - Matt Simeon.
Mr Simeon was welcomed onto the school this morning in a traditional powhiri, led by parent Melanie Katu and blessing from Kaumatua Tamati Tata from Ngai Tamarawaho.
In his opening speech Mr Simeon said it was "a great privilege and honour" to be the new principal of Pillans Point Primary.
"I'm looking forward to being part of a change and driving the Pillans Point bus."
Mr Simeon has 13 years experience in the education industry. When he graduated from Teachers College he landed his first teaching job at St Peter's School in Auckland. After 12 months he moved to the Bay of Plenty and was one of the seven founding teachers at Te Akau Ki Papamoa.
He and his wife Lee then travelled to London and he taught in a number of schools, namely St Thomas, before the couple returned to the Bay and took up a position again at Te Akau Ki Papamoa.
Until now Mr Simeon was the deputy principal at Mount Maunganui Primary School.
He is Pillans Point Primary School's eighth principal and has replaced Ian Fletcher, who retired earlier this year.