KEY POINTS:
The head of the controversial Selwyn College will leave the school, it was announced today.
Carol White, whose work in education was acknowledged in this year's New Years Honours List, will end her tenure as principal after the first term next year.
She had been at the school
for almost 20 years.
The announcement comes amid a long-running battle between ardent supporters of the Kohimarama school's liberal ethos and vocal detractors who favour a more mainstream approach.
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 was dropping and just 45 per cent of Year 11 students passed NCEA level one in 2006, compared with the national average of 58 per cent at other decile-five schools.
Mrs White cited the "great and far reaching change and challenge" for schools with the introduction of the new national curriculum next year as an appropriate time for a new leader to take over at the school.
"Although I love Selwyn, I have given consideration to the need for the school to have a firm foundation on which to move forward," she said.
Board of Trustees chairman Tur Borren paid tribute to an "extraordinary leader of an extraordinary school".
The controversy over Selwyn College's direction simmered for a number of years but came to a head this year.
Education Minister Steve Maharey ordered a specialist adviser to help to run the school because of bitter in-fighting among the trustees. A new board, led by Mr Borren, has since taken over.
Documents obtained by the Herald revealed that Mr Maharey was concerned about the college's poor academic performance and low enrolment among families in its area. He threatened to put the school under direct Ministry of Education control if the board could not get its house in order.
A spokeswoman for Mr Maharey said yesterday talks with the new board were continuing but no further details were available.
Mr Maharey said he wished Mrs White well for her next challenge.
"Carol White has made a lifelong contribution to teaching and education, and I wish her well for whatever she chooses to do next," he said.