Cambridge High principal appointed after Annan resigns

4.30pm

The Government has acted immediately to fill the principal's job at the troubled Cambridge High School after Alison Annan resigned today.

Mrs Annan has been under siege for several months as the school has been plagued by accusations of manipulating results, staff bullying and financial mismanagement.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said former Hamilton Boys High School principal Jim Bennett would be the acting principal.

Specialist education advisor Dennis Finn was also appointed as limited statutory manager of the school.

Mr Mallard said the manager had been appointed after an investigation by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) identified several issues in its June investigation of the school.

The new manager was expected at the school today taking over most of the duties of the board of trustees.

Mr Mallard said Gail Thomson had also been appointed as a limited statutory manager with powers to manage curriculum and assessment practice at the school. She will take up her position on Tuesday. She is a former principal of Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland.

"Ministry of Education officials have been at the school today to provide support to the board and to the school. I am aware that parents, students and staff will be concerned at these developments but I would like to reassure everyone that the action we have taken today will ensure that the school can proceed positively," Mr Mallard said in a statement today.

"The interests of students and their education is at the heart of all our actions today and I am confident that these appointments will ensure that a high quality education is delivered to Cambridge students. Classes will continue as per usual on Monday, as will the normal day-to-day operations of the school."

A teacher made the announcement of Mrs Annan's resignation at this morning's school assembly. Mrs Annan has so far refused to comment.

The school's head boy met media at the school gates to read a prepared statement and was visibly shaken as he blamed reporters for Mrs Annan's situation.

Mrs Annan has been principal at Cambridge since 1992 and, after several golden years which saw the school held up as a national model of achievement, has seen her position dogged by controversy.

As well as the NZQA investigation, the Education Review Office is expected to announce the results of an inquiry into alleged staff bullying in October.

Mr Mallard has also asked Auditor-General Kevin Brady to examine the school and its principal over a possible conflict of interest between Mrs Annan and a private international college.

Meanwhile, the school trustees have appointed retired district court judge Dame Augusta Wallace to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations.

- HERALD STAFF AND NEWSTALK ZB