Tawhero School welcomes new principal Karleen Marshall 'gifted' to them by the Rānana community

New Tawhero School principal Karleen Marshall is welcomed by board chairman Nga Apai and pupils.

Tawhero School said haere mai to their new principal Karleen Marshall as departing principal Chris Dibben handed over the reins to her this week.

Marshall was delivered to her new post by her whānau from Rānana where she has been principal of Te Wainui a Rua kura for seven years.

School pupils, staff, family and board of trustees members made the trip downriver to escort Marshall to her new school.

"I don't see many smiles on that side of the room yet," said Dibben.

"I know we take your wonderful gift that you bring but she will be very well looked after here."

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Today is the first day of our journey with a new captain. We are very glad she is here because we were worried that the people upriver would not let her go.

Nga Apai

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Tawhero pupils Zhiva Whittaker and Jahotiz Makatea-Allen, both 10, led the singing of waiata Te Aroha to welcome the visitors.

Long-serving board of trustees chairman for Tawhero Nga Apai said the school is like a boat welcoming a new skipper aboard.

"Today is the first day of our journey with a new captain.

"We are very glad she is here because we were worried that the people upriver would not let her go."

Dibben, who is leaving Tawhero after 18 years said Marshall is a wonderful fit for the school and brings the Rānana connection which will benefit both schools.

Te Wainui a Rua may be a little school in a small community but they made a big splash at Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon in Wellington last year when they won the top prize against 2500 competitors.

The success is an example of the good things that have happened during Marshall's tenure says acting Te Wainui a Rua principal Denny Kumeroa.

"In seven years, she has really lifted the kura.

"The school is now debt-free and the achievement level for tamariki has been very impressive."
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Long-serving principal Chris Dibben has left Tawhero School.

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Kumeroa said she has applied for the permanent position and would like to fill the "big shoes" left behind.

Marshall will also be stepping into some large footwear at Tawhero School where many long-serving staff and board members will be on hand to support her transition from a country school with two small classes to a city school with a roll of around 170.