New heads for Featherston schools

FINAL DUTY: Gina Smith, who starts as Featherston School principal in the New Year, performs her final duty as junior dean at Kuranui College and hands the Carterton Lions Trophy to Charlotte Penman for coming first in Year 10. PHOTO/CATHERINE ROSSITER-STEAD

New principals will be welcomed at two schools in Featherston next year when students return to class after the Christmas holidays.

Featherston School board of trustees chairwoman Mary-Ann Newhouse said Gina Smith would start as principal in the new year after completing a tenure as junior dean at Kuranui College.

She said interim principal Frazer Mailman had been "fantastic" during his two terms at the school, which has a roll of 67 pupils, after past principal Phil Robertson stood down from the post earlier this year.

"We were very lucky to have a high calibre of applicants and Gina will be fantastic for the school, she has passion and drive and we are really excited about her appointment."

She said Mr Mailman had been an exemplary interim principal, who had been "amazing" and prepared the way for an even more amazing year to come.

Ms Smith had been given an emotional send-off from Kuranui College at the junior graduation ceremony last week with students "obviously sad to let her go", Ms Newhouse said.

"The impact she had on students during her time at Kuranui has been great and that was acknowledged and our school community, board and staff fully support her appointment at Featherston School and are excited to have her with us."

Outgoing St Teresa's School principal Karolina Surynt-Tapiki, who had held the post for just over two years, said she was moving to a similar role at Our Lady of Rosary School in Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt, and Jennifer Muth was taking over the helm at the Featherston school from the start of the first school term next year.

"She comes to St Teresa's with a lot of experience in many areas of education, and having new people coming in to lead both Featherston schools brings a new look and new vision and that's very exciting for each of those school communities and for the whole town."

Mrs Surynt-Tapiki said other new staff were also starting next year at the school which has a roll of 127 pupils, and "things are looking fantastic and some positive and exciting changes are coming.

"There are some exciting changes coming and I have certainly developed professionally in my time at St Teresa's, which I will miss terribly. I will be listening and watching for all their successes from afar."