PRINCIPAL Robin Paul is a softly spoken man, he is considered and doesn't rush.
He is a literary man, keen on long bush walks and quiet times.
His persona is far from what you would expect of the principal of an energetic primary school teeming with kids from a wide
range of backgrounds.
But he has his finger firmly on the pulse of his school. He cares about his school and the kids who go there.
This is obvious from the way he follows with his eyes two little girls trotting past holding hands after a visit to the mobile dental clinic.
``It's a big thing to support each other after a visit to the dental nurse,'' he smiles.
The old dental clinic, built in 1910, an attractive wooden building with a peaked roof, is up for sale. ``Make a great sleepout, granny flat or something,'' he said.
In the trees around the school are the sounds of tui, mingled with the warbling cries of magpies nesting across the road in the park.
A few parents wait outside in the street, leaning across their cars and chatting, as they wait for the lunch bell and a quick snack with their children.
They call out to Mr Paul ``howzit going?'' then ``come on, smile'' when they spot the camera.
Mr Paul waves and asks them how they are.
New principal Elinor Barry is a brisk, no-nonsense, efficient woman with a sparkling smile.
She admits she is excited about her new position and says it is exactly what she wants to do.
``This is a great opportunity and I love this school, I really do.''
Ms Barry beams when she talks about the students.
``Every day we follow ACHIEVE ... our word for our behavioural expectations from our teachers to the children.
``More than half of the children at Wanganui East School are Maori and they are mostly an exceptional group,'' she said.
Ms Barry's pride in the school's innovative Te Mana programme is evident.
Te Mana was set up specifically for senior Maori boys three years ago.
It is an after-school programme designed to improve social skills, literacy and numeracy, and co-operation with others.
Students are invited to attend and it is up to them whether they do.
It has been a such a success that girls were also included this year.
Ms Barry says the strength of the programme has meant it not only is valued within the school, but it has been a real winner in the community as well.
``We think it's an amazing programme and that's how it has been ... amazing.''
The classes of soon to retire teachers Jan Dawson and Kath Pinker were ready and waiting for us to call in.
Every child wanted to be in the photograph and mostly they were.
Even though they were all keen to have a say, they gave that privilege to their teachers who are leaving them this week.
Kath Pinker, who is retiring after 19 years, says she definitely will not be staying at home to work in the garden.
``No, I have lots of other things to do, and I am very involved in Wanganui Netball.''
Jan Dawson is leaving after 20 years and said she was off for a trip to Australia then back home for some gardening and a lot of relaxation.
And Robin Paul ... well he is off to walk most of the hiking tracks around New Zealand.
``It's complete lifestyle change for me,'' he said.
``I'm following all the trails from the top of the North to the bottom of the South ... which I reckon is pretty near perfect.''-->-->
WANGANUI EAST SCHOOL Patapu St, Wanganui East. Staff:10 Pupils: 193 Decile: 2 Principal: Robin Paul Mission Statement: ACHIEVE: A- Attitude C- Co-operation H- Hauora I- Integrity E-Effort V-Values E- Enjoyment