Whangarei Boys' High School's new principal says she will focus on the individual needs of students to help them achieve and reach their potential.
Karen Smith, who is deputy principal of Epsom Girls' Grammar, was appointed to the role last week and will take over the reins on July 20 - the third term of the year - with Boys' High headmaster Al Kirk on "study leave" until then.
Ms Smith, who hails from Scotland, but has been teaching in New Zealand for 18 years, will be the first female principal of WBHS in its 134-year history.
She said she would focus on the individual needs of students and she was impressed that a panel of senior students from the school were part of the interviewing process.
"That was a really important part of the process. I teach very much with a student focus," Ms Smith said.