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The headmaster of an eminent high school in England has accepted the role of principal at an Auckland college.
Expatriate New Zealander Stephen Cole will start at St Kentigern College in Pakuranga in July.
The 56-year-old has spent the past eight years as headmaster at St Bede's Senior School in Sussex, a co-educational boarding and day school with a roll of about 950.
Drama, music and dance are strong components of St Bede's curriculum and Mr Cole said he would encourage the activities at his new school.
A keen cricketer and rugby player, Mr Cole coached rugby while teaching at Auckland Grammar School, where he was also educated.
He was deputy principal under the former principal of Kelston Boys High School, All Black coach Graham Henry, before taking the role as principal at St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton for nine years.
St Kentigern board chairman Bruce Goodfellow said St Paul's and St Bede's had "turned around" under Mr Cole's guidance, achieving higher academic results and gaining recognition for drama, music and dance.
"Stephen Cole was selected from a strong field of local and international applicants. He has had a stellar career to date with considerable experience in both state and independent co-education. Stephen has professional and personal qualities, as well as core values and beliefs that are key to providing outstanding leadership at the college. We are thrilled to have him on board."
Mr Cole's wife, Janet, who is the admissions officer at St Bede's, will join her husband.
"The future of St Kentigern couldn't be more dynamic," Dr Goodfellow said.
"We are bringing home a world-class New Zealander to secure a strong future for a school committed to offering world-class opportunities to boys and girls."
St Kentigern College's deputy principal Suzanne Winthrop will lead the school until the middle of next year.
