Whangarei Boys' High School's new principal says she will focus on the individual needs of students to help them achieve and reach their potential.
Karen Smith, who is deputy principal of Epsom Girls' Grammar, was appointed to the role last week and will take over the reins on July 20- the third term of the year - with Boys' High headmaster Al Kirk on "study leave" until then.
Ms Smith, who hails from Scotland, but has been teaching in New Zealand for 18 years, will be the first female principal of WBHS in its 134-year history.
She said she would focus on the individual needs of students and she was impressed that a panel of senior students from the school were part of the interviewing process.
"That was a really important part of the process. I teach very much with a student focus," Ms Smith said.
Boys' High Board of Trustees' eganChairman Tim Robinson said Ms Smith's appointment sent a clear message of its commitment to innovative change to develop "Fine Men" for the future.
Ms Smith is currently the deputy principal at Epsom Girls Grammar, and is acting principal for term 2. Before moving to Epsom Girls Grammar she was assistant principal at Nayland College in Nelson, and head of faculty for health & PE at Waiheke High School.
She commenced her teaching career at Palmerston North Girls' High.
Mr Robinson said the board embarked on a recruitment process designed to attract a new leader who would instigate meaningful change that raised student achievement, especially among Maori students.
"The board were delighted to have attracted high calibre applicants to the role, and Ms Smith stood out as the best candidate to deliver the aspirational goals that the board have set for the school," he said.
