New principal Amohia Rolls and a group of new teachers were officially welcomed to Camberley School in Hastings on the first day of the new term. Video by Duncan Brown.
The school bell chimed once again at Camberley School, with staff, students and the wider school community coming together to welcome new acting-principal Amohia Rolls, three new teachers and a number of new students.
Despite concerns from the wider community that the school would be forced to shut, those close to the school were determined to show this was not to be the case.
It comes after the decile 1 primary school suffered a staff exodus after the resignation of its principal Tamla Smith. Four teachers left in support at the end of last year after the ongoing rifts with members of the board, including disagreements about the appointment of a teacher.
Amohia Rolls, aka Amo Rolls, new principal, officially welcomed at Camberley School.
It is now known that former deputy principal and Year 5 and 6 teacher Tracey Dixon decided to withdraw her resignation and is back as the senior team leader.
"It was sad, but onwards and upwards," she said "The school is open and ready to go and it is absolutely all about these children."
Tears were shed at the mihi whakatau, with the pain and hurt from last year still prevalent amongst some.
One-hundred-and-twenty students began the school year yesterday, as did new teachers Amy Beets, Katrina Adams and Quentin Stratford, as well as existing teacher Mary Sankey.
The phrase "it's all about the kids" was heard many times during the course of the morning from those close to the school - and it appears that will be their main focus as the year progresses.
Camberley School principal, Amohia Rolls was officially welcomed in front of students, staff, family and the wider community yesterday at a Mihi whakatau. Photo/Duncan Brown.
Camberley School's limited statutory manager, Kevin Palmer said Ms Rolls would remain acting-principal for the first three terms before she will have the opportunity to reapply with other applicants to find a permanent principal.
"Just given the time of the year, schools are closed over the holiday period and that's why I have appointed Amohia fixed term for the bulk of the year and then there will be a process going forward. It is no different from any other situation," said Mr Palmer.
He maintained that appointing Ms Rolls as an acting-principal was not to see if she is a good fit with the school, but rather as a logistical issue, as it occurred during the school holidays.
"Amohia Rolls is the new principal and all the new teachers have made a fantastic first start and I'm completely and utterly confident in them and the kids and the community, and that it's going to be a fantastic year this year."
Mr Palmer said he would "continue to work with the school and the board for a period of time until things settle down" - which he expected would be by the end of the year.
He emphasised that Ms Rolls is engaged in the school and invested in the school.
Ms Rolls was appointed a few weeks ago, before it being publically announced last week by Mr Palmer.
She said she was excited and is looking forward to "meeting the kids and getting to know them and their whanau".
"I think the priority is getting to know the kids, who they are, where they come from and who their families are."
She hopes to "establish a strong school culture and at this stage that is a priority for us to move forward together to focus on learning and reach the potential of all our students and enabling that to happen".
"I have an idea of what the community is already like."
She is experienced in the education sector, having taught for 21 years, been a principal for about six years and worked as a Ministry of Education adviser.
Ms Rolls declined to comment on what advice Ms Smith had given her but said they had been working closely to make sure it was a smooth transition, as she had been doing with Mr Palmer as well.
"She is very supportive and very invested still in this community. We have got great new staff - they are really vibrant and they come with a huge skill set and they have a passion and love for the kids, hence why they are here."
Year 2 and 3 teacher, Mary Sankey has been teaching at the school for the past nine years and said she planned on staying for as long as she could.
