Omokoroa principal calls time after 21 years

Chris Broadhurst, one of the Bay's long-standing principals, has decided to call it quits after 47 years in the teaching profession.

He has spent the past 21 years leading the Omokoroa No 1 School.

Mr Broadhurst, 67, resigned last week and will retire at the end of next January.

Under his leadership, the school had been transformed from a small cluster of classrooms with a tiny roll to a modern learning hub with almost 300 pupils and 28 staff.

Mr Broadhurst said he had been thinking about retiring for two years but had not discussed it with many people.

Staff, students and parents were "gobsmacked" when he announced his decision.

Mr Broadhurst said the reaction from students and parents was heart-warming.

"One of the students told me she was leaving the school if I did not stay on. Some of the parents have also urged me to stay on for another three or four years until their children have left the school," he said.

He loved being principal of Omokoroa No 1 School but believed it was time to move on while the school was in a "very healthy" shape.

Joining the teaching profession has been a family affair - his late father taught at Nelson College and his sister was a teacher at an intermediate school in Upper Hutt.

"My wife also teaches at this school. Bridget, who is a bit younger than me, runs the Year 7 and 8 pupils' programme," Mr Broadhurst said.

"But Bridget won't be retiring as we'll probably need the money," he quipped.

"It's been a fantastic journey. There are always be up and downs in any profession, but all the highs have far outweighed any low points.

"It's a very rewarding career but it's also hard work. I don't think lots of people understand that teaching is not a 9-3 job, with 12 weeks holiday every year."

Mr Broadhurst said handing over the reins would free up more time to spend with his five grandchildren and pursue other interests.

"I love teaching particularly maths so I plan to become a maths tutor and I have always wanted to do some voluntary work. Maybe I'll take on some part-time manual work."

Snapshot of Chris Broadhurst's career

1970: Avondale Primary, Christchurch

1971-1973: Tinwald Primary, Ashburton

1974-1986: Ashburton Intermediate School

1986 -1994: Te Miro School, up the back of Cambridge

1994- 1997 Deputy principal at Hamilton West Primary

February 1, 1997: Appointed principal at Omokoroa No 1 School