KEY POINTS:
The head of Selwyn College admits it is time to prepare for a younger principal to take over but still refuses to be drawn on if she will retire this year.
Carol White, 66, who told the Herald yesterday the school's multicultural path was well established, hit out
at accusations that Selwyn was not safe and said student achievement problems were being addressed.
She urged wary parents to visit the school and hoped progress on an "action plan" would see the Education Ministry- appointed board of trustees adviser withdrawn.
Ms White's comments come amid a long-running battle between ardent supporters of the Kohimarama school's liberal ethos and vocal detractors who favour a more mainstream approach.
Ms White did not speak publicly on speculation last month that she was set to resign "within weeks".
Yesterday, she broke her silence but would not comment on if she would lead the school next year.
"The decision-making I have is that it is very good, sooner rather than later, for a younger person to come into my position," said Ms White, whose work was acknowledged in this year's New Year's honours list. "I've had a very good innings here."
Change to come with the introduction of the new national curriculum meant it was "a very good time to start thinking about somebody else coming in".
The board of trustees announced last week deputy principal Bill Lake would retire at the end of the year.
When Ms White was appointed deputy principal of Selwyn in 1988, the student population was 85 per cent Pakeha and 15 per cent Maori and Pacific Island. Last year, it included pupils from 57 countries and more than 80 ethnicities.
The school roll is dropping and just 41 per cent of students passed NCEA level one in 2005, compared with the national average of 53 per cent at other decile-five schools.
Ms White said a roll with more than 40 per cent of students with English as a second language was a challenge but students were not missing out.
The school was confident it added value by building confidence and teaching tolerance.
"It's also very important that students do have qualifications doors opened for them."
The school had to work hard to pull up grades in core subjects, such as English and science, particularly for candidates for whom language was an issue.
Ms White said a deeper analysis of National Certificate of Educational Achievement data showed students excelled in certain externally assessed standards, including a level three maths paper in which the school's rate of excellence was more than double the national average.
A study on student achievement was in the pipeline and a report on student safety would be presented at the next board meeting.
Ms White said the school led the nation in the development of a multicultural learning environment.
Its multi-purpose campus helped build connections for families and the wider community.