Wellington High

New Principal announcement to families, whanau and community of Wellington High School

Tēnā koutou katoa

The Board of Trustees of Wellington High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel Hanton to the position of Principal.

The Board worked closely in the process with two well-respected, independent expert education advisors, both of whom have considerable experience in the appointment of Principals and other senior education leaders. Staff and student representatives were involved at all stages.

Nigel follows outgoing Principal Prue Kelly who is retiring after a rich career in education with the last 17 years at Wellington High School as Principal.

Nigel is currently the Principal at Wanganui High School. He was originally an Art teacher and taught for some years at Mana College. He was the Deputy Principal there from 1999 to 2005, and was appointed Principal at Flaxmere College in Hawkes Bay in 2005. He was then appointed as Principal at Wanganui High School in 2010.

Nigel holds a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning and a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management.

Nigel described Wellington High School as the school he’s always wanted to apply for when it came up, and he is looking forward to working with the students, staff, Board and wider community. The Board highlighted Nigel’s ‘fit’ with the school culture and values, as well as his commitment to distributed leadership, his respect for diversity, and his strong educational background and ability. Nigel will take up the position in early March 2012.

The Board also takes this opportunity to wish Prue every happiness in her retirement, after a stellar contribution to education throughout her career.