Te Wharau School’s new principal, Mark Harris.

school has begun: Te Wharau School students gave a warm welcome to their new principal, Mark Harris, last Wednesday as they began the school year. Sam Morrow, Sitaleki Ahuriri-Fifitia, Declan Mark, Mark Harris, Cleo Brenchley, Payton Smith, Chanel Kinder. Picture by Paul Rickard

Mark Harris returned home after five years in the Cook Islands to take up the role of principal at Te Wharau School.

Born and raised in Gisborne, Mark comes from a family of educators, with both of his parents teaching in Gisborne.

Teaching runs in the family bloodline, he said.

He has worked locally in education for over 10 years, including four years teaching at Te Wharau and Awapuni schools. He has also worked alongside many educators across the region as an RTLB (resource teacher; learning and behaviour).

He saw a number of different schools in action as an RTLB teacher.

“I was able to learn and grow from the many different teachers and school leaders I worked with,” Mark said.

Teaching is his passion. He sees education as the vehicle for individuals to create options for themselves, or pursue their dreams.

In 2017, he and his family moved to the Cook Islands, where he and his wife Shannon taught at Apii Te Uki Ou in Rarotonga.

“We were looking for a teaching adventure at the same time and wanted to provide the opportunity for our children to live and experience a different culture,” he said.

The Harris family found the Cook Islands community welcoming and became utterly immersed in the Cook Islands way of life, he said.

During their years in the Cook Islands, the family fell in love with the culture, food, people and the beauty of the Pacific.

The Harris family struggled with not being able to return home amid the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“Not being able to be there at times of need . . . you can't just jump on a plane and be there,” Mark said.

After five years of living the tropical island life, the family decided to move back home to be close to family and friends again.

Mark tells people they moved from one slice of paradise to another.

“We are bracing ourselves for winter as we have lived the endless summer lifestyle for a while now and will take a while to acclimatise,” he said.

Mark's previous stint teaching at Te Wharau School was only for a short period in 2012 and 2013, but he always thought he would love to be a part of the school and the staff again.

“Te Wharau School has always been a school I have admired as there are many great educators from across the region who contribute to the success of the school,” he said.

He feels privileged to contribute to the school in his new role as principal.

Education is constantly adapting and primary education has developed and evolved over time, he said.

The school year began last Wednesday for most schools and Mark has been slowly settling into his new role as principal.

There are new mandates for primary school students eight years old and over to wear masks inside classrooms.

He wants to assure families it is not full-time masks for the kids.

It is a neccessity in classrooms, but Te Wharau School is promoting hands-on outdoor activities as much as they can.

“I suppose everyone is struggling with the idea, you know it's new and it's a change that's always difficult.”

Mark Harris commends people who have committed their lives to the pursuit of teaching as it has become a “complex and nuanced skill”.