Bindy Hannah was officially welcomed as the new principal at Gisborne Girls' High today. She is pictured with family after the ceremony. From left are Katie and Scott Hannah (Bindy's son), John Rae, husband Eric, grandson Digby Jones (2), daughter Brooke Jones and Nick Jones, and grandson Mac Jones (4). Photo / Kim Parkinson
Bindy Hannah was officially welcomed as the new principal at Gisborne Girls' High today. She is pictured with family after the ceremony. From left are Katie and Scott Hannah (Bindy's son), John Rae, husband Eric, grandson Digby Jones (2), daughter Brooke Jones and Nick Jones, and grandson Mac Jones (4). Photo / Kim Parkinson
Gisborne Girls’ High School welcomed its new principal Bindy Hannah today with a moving pōwhiri.
Hannah said she never imagined being a principal when she started at the school 34 years ago.
With encouragement from family, friends, colleagues and students, she had to put her “thunderpants on” to stepup and become the college’s ninth principal.
She succeeds Jan Kumar, who cloaked her in a red and black feathered korowai in the ceremony that took place at the school.
“I’ve never felt more energised,” Hannah said in her speech. “I’m excited to bring life to some of the visions I have for the school. The ako [learning] goes both ways.
“Every day you bring your stories, your whakapapa, your humour, your resilience, your mana into this space. You make this school.”
A school was about its people ... “he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.”
“It is relationships. It is the way we show up for each other. It’s the way that we learn from each other.
“It’s the way we hold each other accountable, lift each other up and celebrate each other’s successes.”
Bindy Hannah wears the school's korowai as she is welcomed by a line-up of school staff members and students. From right are Tira Nikora, Jess Williams, Wendy Kirkwood, Trish Tangaroa and Alice Houkamau. Photo / Kim Parkinson
Hannah acknowledged the staff, teachers with decades of experience, who had “poured their lives into the place”.
She welcomed new staff who she said would bring fresh ideas, new energy and bold thinking to the school.
Leadership was not just “standing up the front”.
“Sometimes leadership is stepping back so others can shine. Sometimes it’s rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands in the sink and sometimes it’s being the one who has to make a tough call, even when it’s uncomfortable.
“But every part of it is something I take on willingly because it is a joy to serve this community. And that joy is powerful.
“Joy creates momentum, joy builds pride, joy strengthens communities.”
