Kamo High School Principal quits during holidays | Northland News | Local News in Northland

A Northland secondary school rocked by management issues and a falling roll will operate without a permanent principal for at least the first half of 2012.

Kamo High School principal Bernie Taffs announced his resignation to parents in a newsletter this week, but declined to discuss his departure when approached by the Northern Advocate. The board of trustees, which employed Mr Taffs, also declined to discuss his resignation, and referred the Advocate to the statutory manager.

Chris Saunders, appointed by the Secretary of Education early last year to look into specific areas of concern at the school, said a new principal could be in place by the start of Term 3.

"We now have to begin the process of finding a new principal to start at the beginning of Term 3 which is around mid-year," Mr Saunders said.

"In between now and the new appointment, I have appointed one of the senior management team members, Jacquie Tyrrell, as the acting principal for Terms 1 and 2."

He assured parents and other stakeholders that the school's operation and the welfare and education of students would not be affected.

"In a normal situation, that [appointment of a new principal] takes a period of time to advertise, shortlist and interview candidates. We'll be using the first half of this year to do that," he said.

Mr Saunders is vested with all the functions, powers and duties of the board as an employer, as well as managing curriculum, teaching and assessment practice.

"Once a new principal is appointed, my role will continue to diminish. In the meantime, I'll be working with the board and other interested parties and that will continue for sometime yet," Mr Saunders said.

His appointment preceded an Education Review Office report in early 2011 that highlighted several areas of concern, including failure of the school's senior management to get all staff to support changes in the school's culture.

The report observed NCEA achievement levels fell below that of similar schools and the results of Maori students were below national averages.

It recommended the school develop and implement a curriculum management plan "as a matter of priority" and for the board of trustees to consult with senior managers at the school to consider strategies to reduce high levels of stand-downs and suspensions.

Kamo High School is one of only a few Northland secondary schools to have a manager appointed. Yesterday, a message from Mr Taffs on the school's website and a December 1 newsletter to parents gave no hint of his departure.