Controversial high school gets new principal

Cambridge High School has a new principal and could have a new board by the end of the year.

Students and staff at the school opened term three by welcoming Phil McCreery on to the school grounds today.

The 48-year-old successor to the controversial Alison Annan was principal at Pahiatua's Tararua College for eight years.

Cambridge has been run by a commissioner, Dennis Finn, since before the September departure of Ms Annan. Former Hamilton Boys High head Jim Bennett has been acting principal.

Today Mr McCreery said Cambridge High would be reviewed by the Education Review Office at the start of term four. "After that, if the report is good, a new board of trustees will be formed," he said.

He said today was a new start for the school.

He will work closely with Mr Finn over the next six months.

"I think it's going to be good," Mr McCreery said. "Mr Finn has got a path that's well down the line. I can concentrate on the future direction of the school."

Mr Finn said Mr McCreery's appointment would mean the school could get on with strategic development.

He said the position was advertised twice before a decision was made to appoint Mr McCreery and added: "We were very particular."

Last month, a $450,000 library was opened on the school site, the old one having been closed two years earlier.

- nzpa