Five new principals for North Canterbury schools
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Five North Canterbury schools will begin the year with new principals.
Former principal and Rangiora High School board of trustees presiding member Simon Green said it was a normal level of turnover for the region.
‘‘It is certainly in line with the last four to five years.’’
Last year there were about 15 school principals across the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts announcing their retirement or starting new roles over the previous 12 months.
Green said it showed principals were thinking more about their work/life balance.
‘‘Traditionally in North Canterbury people stayed in a job a long term, but those days are gone and people are more willing to move and take on new roles.’’
Amy O’Kane is the new principal at Ohoka School, near Kaiapoi, while at View High School, near Oxford, Pax O’Dowd is the new principal.
Kate Hassall has stepped up from deputy principal to the top job at North Loburn School, north of Rangiora, while Rebecca Pugh is new principal at Greta Valley School.
Jo Fissenden (pictured) has been promoted from deputy principal to principal at Kaikōura High School.
At Hurunui College, deputy principal Jane Marsh will be stepping up as acting principle while Stephen Beck takes up a secondment as the Ministry of Education’s area schools adviser.
Principals are employed by a school's elected board of trustees.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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‘Healthy’ response to Waimakariri’s Long Term Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri residents have had their say on the long-term plan (LTP) and given councillors plenty to consider.
A council spokesperson said ‘‘a healthy’’ 336 submissions have been received to the 2024-34 LTP, making 1670 submission points.
The council is due to hold hearings on the submissions on May 8, from 9.30am, in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and then in the Oxford Town Hall from 3pm.
A second day of hearings will be held in the council chambers in Rangiora the following day from 1pm.
The council has signalled a rates hike of 8.94% this year, which is thought to be the lowest proposed rates rise in Canterbury.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, while continuing to pay off its earthquake recovery and Mainpower Stadium loans.
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
To support that growth, the council is proposing to spend around $693 million over the next 10 years.
Managing the natural environment, flood resilience, community facilities and transport infrastructure were being consulted on.
Key projects include the proposed Rangiora eastern link road, a draft natural environment strategy, the Rangiora Library extension and expansion plans for Mainpower Oval.
Once the hearings have concluded, the council will resume its LLT deliberations on May 21 and 22, before the final adoption in June.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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