New principal for Omokoroa No.1 School

Craig Pentecost is set to take up a new role as principal of Omokoroa No.1 School. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Craig and Carolyn Pentecost will no longer have to work on separate sides of the Kaimai Range when Mr Pentecost takes up his new role as principal of Omokoroa No.1 School.

Mr Pentecost was principal of Te Awamutu Primary while his wife had been travelling to the Western Bay of Plenty for work since August.

However, a job offer at the Omokoroa school sealed the deal for the family to move to Tauranga.

It means Mr and Mrs Pentecost will no longer have to work in different cities.

"Trying to live between two different sides of the Kaimais became difficult, but we are prepared for the long haul," Mr Pentecost said.

Mr Pentecost would take over Chris Broadhurst's role after the long-standing principal called time on the position in June.

The new principal said he had been very fortunate to be offered leadership at a Bay school and was excited about what the future would hold.

"Good principal jobs do not come up that often, especially in the Bay of Plenty. It is an attractive place for people to want to live and work."

Mr Pentecost said it was a hard decision to leave Te Awamutu Primary School but was looking forward to the family's new adventure.

"It is like you have two families, your school life and home life," he said. "I am looking forward to the move and how I can continue my education leadership within the new school."

He was excited about the prospect of continuing his hobbies outside the classroom, which included waterskiing, wakeboarding, mountain biking and spending quality time outdoors with his children in the Bay.

"I am hoping to do a bit of fishing," he added.

Mr Pentecost intended to bring "open eyes and ears" to the school community at Omokoroa No.1 School.

"I am looking forward to building positive relationships with staff, parents and the children to keep that sustainability going. The rewarding aspect is being able to continue and foster that learning environment."

The father-of-three had taught all three of his children, aged 9, 13 and 15, in his 20-year career teaching at schools in Queenstown, Christchurch, Gisborne and Waikato.

Mr Pentecost had enjoyed working in semi-rural schools and said what he loved most about being a principal was being able to make a difference in children's lives.

"You are continuously at that level where you can make a change for a wide range of people and not just your own children," he said.

"I love seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they are loving what they are doing."

He had been working with outgoing principal Chris Broadhurst on the transition before he started his new role at the beginning of term one next year.

Mr Broadhurst said many people who applied for the job were of very high calibre.

"I think he [Mr Pentecost] would be great for the school and I am very confident he will move the school forward and have something we may be missing or consolidate what we do have."