Principal settles in to new college

The first day of the new school term can be chaotic but Papamoa College's first principal has it under control.
Sitting at his desk surrounded by boxes that were still to be opened yesterday, Steve Lindsey said he was not overwhelmed by the obstacles that lay ahead.
Instead he was excited about his new adventure at Papamoa College and the arrival of the students.
"The students make the school and without them, we're an empty shell," he said.
"We've got flash buildings and great staff but students are the heart of the school and without them we are incomplete."
For the past two weeks, Mr Lindsey and the staff due to start at Papamoa College had been emptying furniture from trucks, emptying boxes and setting up classrooms in preparation for the first day of school next Tuesday.
While there was still work to be done, Mr Lindsey was optimistic everything would fall into place.
"We've got 600-plus chairs, over 120 tables scattered throughout the school, dozens of office chairs, 20-30 whiteboards, some that are stationary and some that are mobile, and we've even had to think about bathroom supplies," Mr Lindsey said.
While the school had flash facilities and new resources, Mr Lindsey said the school's point of difference was shaping Papamoa College into a place where students became "masters of their own learning. I want our students to be people who really enjoy learning, ... and are passionate and inspired about learning," he said.
"I want our students to learn and develop and I want them to gain the skills and knowledge of learning before they leave."
With former teaching roles at Auckland schools St Kentigern Collene and Papatoetoe High School, Mr Lindsey would be drawing on previous experience.
"I'll bring the best parts of those experiences here," he said.
"I've been at a large state secondary school and a large independent school and although they are different ends of the spectrum, the strategies are the same and their focus is on education, so I've got the best of both worlds."
Looking out from his office with a view of the playing fields, netball courts and Gordon Splatt Reserve Mr Lindsey said his was a job he loved.
"Teaching is a real satisfying vocation because you're investing in people and making a difference in their developing lives."
PAPAMOA COLLEGE
Principal: Steve Lindsey.
Location: 151 Doncaster Drive, Papamoa.
Enrolment numbers: About 400.
Year levels: Year 7-9.
Number of staff: About 30.
Zone: From Palm Beach Boulevard, Papamoa, to Kaituna River, to Rocky Cutting Rd.
Due to open: Tuesday..
Website: papamoacollege.school.nz