A Dunedin secondary school principal has resigned after 11 years at the helm.<\/p>\n
St Hilda\u2019s Collegiate principal Jackie Barron informed the school\u2019s community she would be stepping down from her role at the end of term 1 in April next year.<\/p>\n
She said the past 11 years had been the most rewarding of her life and she wanted to leave while she was ahead.<\/p>\n
Though she was happy to announce she was resigning to give the board time to find a replacement, she did not want to get into detail about her time at St Hilda\u2019s because she still had about 20 weeks left.<\/p>\n
“I don\u2019t want people thinking that Elvis has left the building.”<\/p>\n
She said the school was in good hands and a new strategic plan was in the works, so it was a great time for someone to take over.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m very happy here and I really enjoy the job.<\/p>\n
“But you always want to go before people wish you would.”<\/p>\n
She was looking forward to taking on new challenges that were more flexible and required a sligkhtly less intense lifestyle.<\/p>\n
She said she would not be accepting another role as principal.<\/p>\n
“Whatever I do, it\u2019ll still be about encouraging young women, especially in education and sport.”<\/p>\n
Mrs Barron is on the board of New Zealand Football.<\/p>\n
The board of trustees at St Hilda\u2019s was beginning its process of recruiting a new principal and Mrs Barron was working with them to ensure a comprehensive and seamless transition.<\/p>\n