A new principal for college

MOVING NORTH: Jack Saxon, who has been selected to succeed William Tailby as principal at Kaitaia College, with his wife Kirsty and children.

The board of trustees at Kaitaia College adopted a very thorough process to select a successor to principal William Tailby, who will retire at the end of this term, and has now made its decision.

The successful candidate was Jack Saxon, currently deputy principal at Queen Charlotte College in Picton, who board chairman Ron Liddicoat described as offering a wealth of knowledge and experience beyond his years.

The selection process had involved consultation with the five iwi of Te Hiku, college staff, students and the school's senior leadership team. The short-listed applicants met those five panels, which then provided feedback to the board of trustees.

"This was a brilliantly successful strategy, which was thorough, inclusive, and provided the board with the views of all sectors to consider," Mr Liddicoat said.

"Each of those interviewed brought unique qualities to the role, and the final decision was unanimously supported. All parties are very happy with the outcome."

Mr Saxon (35), who will take up his post at the beginning of the second term, was a student at Nelson College. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts in history/classical studies at Canterbury University, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Teaching at Christchurch College of Education before returning to Canterbury University to gain a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in Leadership. He is currently completing his Master's in Education (endorsed in leadership).

He worked as a head of department at Nelson College and the International School Damascus (Syria) and held a senior leadership position at the International School in Jordan. He has organised and led sports trips to Australia and cultural trips to Europe, and is actively involved in coaching touch rugby and basketball, which he also plays (as well as squash).

His wife Kirsty is a trained primary teacher.

He can trace his whakapapa to Ngai Tahu through his mother's side, and he also has iwi links, albeit unknown, through his maternal grandfather, who was from Whangarei. He also claims French, German, Scottish and English ancestry.

"Mr Saxon is team-oriented, and believes that successful leaders foster whakawhanaungatanga, developing partnerships with whnau, iwi, staff, students and the wider community that will maximise the potential of our rangatahi," Mr Liddicoat said.

"He says he feels humbled and privileged to have been selected to lead Kaitaia College in the next chapter of our history.

"He realises that this position carries with it significant responsibility and expectation, and he looks forward to arriving and developing the relationships that will be crucial to maximising the opportunities available to our rangatahi.

"The Kaitaia College board of trustees welcomes Jack and Kirsty and their children to the Far North, and look forward with excitement to his contribution to Kaitaia College."