Katikati College principal Carolyn Pentecost resigns

Katikati College is now searching for a new permanent principal. Photo / NZME

Katikati College principal Carolyn Pentecost has resigned.

The college's limited statutory manager, Shawn Gielen, confirmed Pentecost's resignation to the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend and said it was for personal reasons.

She had been on leave for health and personal reasons since the start of March.

Pentecost told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend: "I've always made decisions in the very best interest of the students and the school community, to ensure a safe learning environment and effective teaching.

''I will now take this opportunity to spend more time with my family and reflect on my experiences as a principal by completing further university study," she said.

Former Katikati College principal Carolyn Pentecost. Photo / NZME

Gielen said he had accepted Pentecost's resignation and she would not be returning to the school.

"On behalf of the board I would like to thank Carolyn for the achievements she has made since her appointment, and we wish her all the very best in her studies and future endeavours."

Gielen said Louise Buckley would continue as acting principal until a permanent replacement was appointed.

In November 2019, the Ministry of Education appointed Gielen as the LSM (limited statutory manager] to help the college's board of trustees manage a "range of issues".

At the time, the ministry said Pentecost continued to have full management responsibilities for all day-to-day operations at the school.

Gielen said "everyone at the school" was informed of the decision on Thursday and an email had been sent to parents to inform them of Pentecost's decision the same day.

The Ministry of Education declined to answer questions about Pentecost's resignation. A spokeswoman said questions about employment matters were for the limited statutory manager to answer.

In the email to parents, provided to Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Gielen reminded parents to return byelection voting papers by June 14 to select a staff representative on the board of trustees.

"The intent here would be to have an appointment made as soon as possible to align with the four vacancies being filled in the current parent elected member byelection.

"Following the election of four new board members over the next few weeks, a robust process of induction and training will take place," Gielen said.

He also said the current board had confirmed a co-opted board position would be sought. It had invited Pou Arahi, an initiative to include iwi in the school to improve outcomes for Māori students, to put forward Shaan Kingi as a nominee.

"Historically the college has had representation from local iwi and this continues."

Gielen said this position would take effect at the same time as the newly elected members took office on June 21.

He also said the newly elected members, as part of the full board, would be involved in the selection process for appointing a permanent principal.

"Outside expertise would be used to assist in this process as is standard practice.

"I expect the permanent principal position will be taken up at the beginning of the 2022 school year. I will work with the board to keep you up to date with progress as we go."

Gielen said he would continue to maintain the governance powers of employment and finance in his role as LSM.

"I will continue to advise the board on matters of communication and policy until the Ministry of Education carries out their annual review of this intervention in January 2022."

He said the future beyond this date would depend on the ministry's review process.

Gielen also said he would continue to work to build "robust capacity in the governance context" "in order to bring the ministry's intervention process to a satisfactory conclusion.

He thanked the parents for their "patience and support" as they "worked through a number of challenges in recent times".

Gielen said he and the board would seek to engage with parents to share information and invited feedback on their work to ensure the college "was a great place for students to learn and thrive, and a fulfilling place for our staff to work".