Sonrise started in 1993, meaning their first pupils would be in their 30s today.
Mr Russell's job is to grow the school with the help of many.
“We have a whole community that's really supportive, and parents will challenge us if there is something we could be doing better, which is great.
“Those are the conversations we need to run an excellent school.”
With 20 years of teaching experience around Tairawhiti, Mr Russell is excited about the change in role.
Being principal means stepping away from the classroom and into management.
“The principal's role is working on the development of the staff and supporting them while ensuring student achievement is number one, because it's easy to get tied up with other things.
“At the end of the day, it's about the students first.
“I'm very conscious that I don't want to hide behind a door. I want to be connected with the kids and with the community. So I'm looking forward to making sure I'm getting through the classes every week and remaining connected.”
Blessed with a job he loves, Mr Russell says it doesn't feel like work.
“For me, it has always been like coming home. It's a place where I can be myself and I can share that with the kids.”
Mr Russell spent most of his life in Gisborne after moving here at a young age. He attended Gisborne Intermediate and Gisborne Boys' High School.
He served with Youth With A Mission for four years, travelling overseas and leading teams throughout different countries, before moving back Gisborne and getting into teaching.
Family is an important part of Mr Russell's life.
He is married to Dione and they have three children — Tirzah, who loves drama, Micah, a musician in the New Zealand Navy Band and Jesse, who is in his first year at Auckland University studying engineering.
Mangapapa Church has been a large part of his life and is an extension of his family.
As a Christian school, Mr Russell says they want to be known for what they stand for, not what they stand against.
“The school was started on a foundation of knowing God and our desire is that our children get to both know him and become strong in their identity of who they are as sons and daughters of God.”
The school's next chapter is expanding to welcome all high school level students — with the first Year 12 students starting next year — and developing a local curriculum.
Part of the localised learning will focus on Tairawhiti's history, which includes working with local iwi.
“I'm very blessed that we've got such a strong vision for the school.”
Mr Russell is looking forward to what the job brings and working with the staff and community.
“My heart is here. It's work but it doesn't feel like it.”
