IT'S A strong and long-lived perception in Marton that the town's local secondary school, Rangitikei College, may not be up to scratch in comparison with schools outside the area.
But then this mentality could be filed alongside the many misconceptions about Marton that simply don't add up.
The college, already
up and running well with great kids, is going from strength to strength.
Positives are many ... and they are enhanced, and celebrated.
And the negatives?
Well, new principal Karene Biggs has taken the rule book and assured her students that rules are rules _ don't break them.
Abide by the rules and everything at school will go swimmingly. Break them and this principal acts swiftly.
Mrs Biggs makes no excuses.
``The safety of all my students is what I care about ... safety is everything to me.''
When she moved to Auckland with her husband more than five years ago now, Mrs Biggs worked for the Education Review Office, covering early childhood units through to secondary schools.
She taught for three years at Aorere College, in South Auckland, where she was dealing with mostly Pacific Islands students _ young people whose second language was English. But amazing things happened throughout those years _ experiences that will stay with her forever, she says.
Recently Mrs Biggs clamped down on a group of students at Rangitikei College who were using marijuana. ``It's against the rules, so I suspended them all.''
Before they returned to school she organised a drug counsellor from the Whanganui District Health Board to be at the the school once a week to offer counselling.
And she seen the results of having a drug counsellor on site. ``I saw great successes at Aoere College. The counsellor was from Odyssey House, the drug rehabilitation centre in Auckland, and did some incredible work with those young people.''
The beauty of Rangitikei College is that it's small, and the students are all known individually to the staff.
It also means smaller classes which are a boon in any school, Mrs Briggs says.
``I know I've only been here a short time, but I am so impressed by the students and staff here. Okay, so we had one group that broke the rules but that's done now.''
Mrs Biggs is convinced that a positive approach, personalised learning programmes and building the self-esteem of all her students are the answer.
``These kids need to be educated ready for the outside world.''
She smiles, remembering one young chap from South Auckland who had run the full gamut of drugs, truancy and not bothering with schoolwork at all.
``Once I eventually got through to him and he got help from the drug counsellor, he was totally transformed. He not only settled in and got his qualifications, he now has an apprenticeship with a builder ... it's great.
``At Rangitikei College I can already see there are many smart, talented students who will more than make their mark in the world.
``I know I'm like the new sheriff in town ... but as I said, it's all about achievement, personal growth and safety for all my students.''-->
RANGITIKEI COLLEGE: Bredins Line, Marton Staff: 34 Pupils: 300 Decile: 3 Principal: Karene Biggs Mission Statement: Striving Towards Higher Things.
