Picton's loss is Kaitaia's gain

MEET THE FAMILY: New Kaitaia College principal Jack Saxton, his wife Kirsty, 18-month-old twins Xavier and Lily and 3-year-old Ruby.

New Kaitaia College principal Jack Saxon and his family have been formally welcomed to the school.

Mr Saxon has come north from Picton's Queen Charlotte College, where he spent 10 years, rising to the position of deputy principal, and which farewelled him with mixed emotions.

Principal Tom Parsons said the school was very proud of what Mr Saxon had achieved there, and believed he would go on to great things.

"He has been a huge contributor to the success of the college, and has expended a large amount of his time and energy ensuring that our students have been given every opportunity to excel, not only on the academic front but also on a variety of sports fields," Mr Parsons said.

"Jack will be missed in so many ways, and our loss is Kaitaia's gain."

Meanwhile Kaitaia College accorded Mr Saxon and his family a full-school powhiri when he arrived, a ceremony attended by representatives from the Te Hiku iwi. Board of trustees chairman Ron Liddicoat addressed the gathering of close to 1000 students, staff, parents, community representatives and guests from Picton's Queen Charlotte College, with a recurring theme of a new beginning, new blood, looking forward to what Mr Saxon had to bring to Kaitaia College and the need for change.

The Saxons were accompanied by a number of people from Picton, including Mr Parsons, board of trustees iwi representative Amai Thompson, staff member Maata Hart, head girl Zoya Timms and friend Beryl Bowers.

Kirsty Saxon's mother, Louise Mason, was also there.

The ceremony began with a wero, followed by karanga by teacher Morgana Thomas and karakia by Michael Withiel, before Mr Saxon was ceremoniously escorted across the marae to officially take up his new position.

As the final speaker, he told the gathering of his hopes and aspirations for Kaitaia College, liking it to a large waka where everyone had to be rowing in the same direction if it was to get ahead.

An old boy of Nelson College, he arrived in Kaitaia with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained both within New Zealand and overseas. He gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and classical studies at Canterbury University before enrolling at the Christchurch College of Education, where he acquired a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. He then returned to Canterbury University to gain a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in leadership, and will this year complete his Masters' degree in education (Endorsed in Leadership).