Flaxmere College's principal resigns to take on new challenge up north

Louise Anaru, Flaxmere College principal, in 2013. Photo / File

Flaxmere College's popular Principal Louise Anaru has resigned to take up an opportunity in the Far North.

Anaru, who has been principal since August 2010, was instrumental in lifting the achievements of the school and has also positioned it at the heart of the Flaxmere community.

She will leave on January 26 to become Principal of Kaitaia College.

Flaxmere College's Board chairwoman Taime Pareanga–Samuel QSM said it was with regret that the board accepted Anaru's resignation.

"We congratulate Louise on her new appointment as Principal of Kaitaia College. This has been an extremely difficult decision for Louise – however she feels it is time to return home to the Far North with her whānau."

Anaru said she had enjoyed her time as principal of Flaxmere College, but it was time for her to return home.

"The foundation of our school has been around whānaunatanga or having a whānau environment. We have created an environment where our students can succeed. I am proud of our students and I wish our school whānau great success in the future."

Under Anaru's leadership, the school received the Supreme Award at the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards in Wellington.

The school received the award in recognition for accelerating Māori student progress through work with whānau and community.

Anaru was also at the forefront of the establishment of Flaxmere College's Teen Parent Unit and Services Academy and there has also been a dramatic turnaround in academic achievements, with NCEA levels close to 90 per cent and attendance levels up to around 85 per cent from 50 per cent in 2009.

The School Board has appointed Jim Hay MacKenzie as acting principal while the board undertakes a principal appointment process.

Pareanga-Samuel said that the change at the top would not affect the growth the school has been achieving.

"I want to assure you that the school is in a very strong position moving forward and that this will continue as we move forward with our $25 million dollar school re-build in 2020."