Lynmore School principal Lorraine Taylor takes on new role in Upper Hutt school

Lorraine Taylor with Rotorua Eastside principals and Te Roro O Te Rangi representatives. Photo / Supplied

Having taught at three schools, and been the principal of another three in her 24 years in Rotorua, Lorraine Taylor is a familiar face in the city.

But when a job came up in Upper Hutt, she jumped at the opportunity to be closer to her partner, who lives in the capital.

Taylor accepted a principal position at Silverstream School.

She had her last day at Lynmore at the end of Term 1 and her first at the new school - a similar size and decile - was the beginning of May.

Taylor said she had been looking to move to Wellington for a while.

"All my own children have left home and moved town, and I thought, I might do something different - for me."

Lorraine Taylor (left) with Rotokawa School assistant principal Christina Roberts at her powhiri at Silverstream School.Photo / Supplied

The first job that came up was at Silverstream School. She applied in January, and was appointed in February.

"I love Lynmore, but I think nine years at a place, your best ideas are done and it's time to give someone else a go," she said.

"I could've stayed there 15 more years, but I never want to be that person that stays way too long."

Her 24 years in Rotorua was the longest time she had lived in one place.

"Rotorua feels like home to me."

Lynmore School was "amazing", she said - everything from the kids, the community, and the environment.

"I'm looking forward to bringing some of that Lynmore craziness to Silverstream."

Taylor was welcomed with a powhiri last week which eight representatives from Te Roro O Te Rangi and all the Eastside principals made the journey for.

"It was really humbling, it was really special ... to be handed over from Rotorua to Upper Hutt was lovely."

Taylor began her time in leadership as a deputy principal in Greymouth for two years which was followed by a three-year position as an ICT national facilitator for CORE Education in Christchurch.

Silverstream deputy principal Jackie Sutherland (left) with Lorraine Taylor. Photo / Supplied

She moved back to Rotorua for a principal position at Horohoro School in 2006 for three years, followed by another three-year stint before her time at Lynmore.

"I've loved every school I've ever been in."

Life outside of school was different now, she said, now living on a lifestyle block in Featherston in the Wairarapa and she now caught the train through Remutaka Hill.

"That's quite cool, commuting again like I used to in London."

She said it was "super cool" to be able to live rurally and work in the city.

Billinda Connolly-Tevendale and Michael Cunliffe were appointed co-acting principals of Lynmore School until a new principal was appointed.

Connolly-Tevendale said Taylor's guidance and support would be missed.

"As a principal, she had an enormous workload but her door was always open and she would drop whatever she was doing to talk to you if you needed her," she said.

Te Roro o Te Rangi kaumatua Paraone Pirika at a powhiri for Lorraine Taylor at her new school in Upper Hutt. Photo / Supplied

"Lorraine will always be part of 'Team Lynmore'."

Mokoia Intermediate principal Rawiri Wihapi said it was lovely to have the opportunity to hand over "a strong leader for our kahui ako" at the powhiri.

"I will miss working with her, our loss is Silverstream School's gain," he said.

"Her work ethic and commitment to the kahui was commendable, which reciprocated in her own school at Lynmore."

Taylor began teaching in London in 1990 and had her first taste of Rotorua as a teacher at Aorangi School in 1997.

She also taught at Otonga Rd School and Kaitao Intermediate.