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Critics of Selwyn College's liberal approach are calling for a new direction for the school from the principal who replaces Carol White.
Mrs White, whose work in education was acknowledged in this year's New Years Honours List, yesterday announced she will retire as principal after the first term next year.
She has been at the Kohimarama school for almost 20 years.
It comes amid a long-running battle between ardent supporters of its liberal ethos and vocal detractors who favour a more mainstream approach.
When Mrs White was appointed deputy principal in 1988, the student population was 85 per cent Pakeha and 15 per cent Maori and Pacific Island.
Last year, it included pupils from 57 countries and more than 80 ethnicities.
For more than 40 per cent of students English was a second language.
The school roll is dropping and just 45 per cent of Year 11 students passed NCEA level one in 2006, compared with the national average of 58 per cent at other decile 5 schools.
Mrs White, 66, cited the introduction of the new national curriculum next year as an appropriate time for a new leader.
"Although I love Selwyn, I have given consideration to the need for the school to have a firm foundation on which to move forward," she said.
The school had been contentious long before she worked there.
James Hoskins, a member of the Vision Selwyn group of "concerned parents and their supporters", said the group wished Mrs White well but called for the board to act to attract families from surrounding suburbs back.
He said it still appeared to be targeting students from wider Auckland and overseas to boost its roll.
"While they are doing this, local families are still having to pay high fees and drive across Auckland to get the education they want."
Board of trustees spokeswoman Margaret Belich said it hoped a replacement would be appointed by the end of the year, and a job description was being prepared.
"Basically it's going to be about leading a school [that's] forward-looking."
Chairman Tur Borren paid tribute to an "extraordinary leader of an extraordinary school".
Mrs White said she did not have firm plans but wanted to pursue further work with refugees and might return to teaching English part-time or complete further study at university.
She had been considering the move for some time.
It was time for someone younger to step into the "all absorbing" role.
The presence of the board of trustees adviser appointed by Ministry of Education this year was not a factor in the decision, she said.
The controversy over Selwyn College's direction simmered for a number of years, but came to a head this year.
Education Minister Steve Maharey ordered the specialist adviser because of bitter in-fighting among the trustees.
A new board, lead by Mr Borren, has since taken over.
Documents obtained by the Herald revealed that Mr Maharey was concerned about the college's poor academic performance and low enrolment among families in its area. He threatened to put the school under direct Ministry of Education control if the board could not get its house in order.
A spokeswoman for Mr Maharey said yesterday talks with the new board were continuing but no further details were available.
Mr Maharey said he wished Mrs White well for her next challenge.
"Carol White has made a lifelong contribution to teaching and education, and I wish her well for whatever she chooses to do next."
