Emma reflected on some surprising things she learnt about Greg . “ We have bonded over a love of sports events that usually involved travel to Australia and , perhaps more surprisingly , a love of shopping . Oh yes , Greg is an expert shopper !! If you are ever travelling overseas and Greg has been to the place you are visiting , he will likely have all the intel on the best shopping spots . In fact , so good are Greg ’ s shopping tips that I blame him for having to buy an extra suitcase for my purchases on a recent trip to the United States .”
Emma asked the last three student board representatives what their lasting memories of Greg would be : One indicated : “ What stood out for them was his respect for all members of the Board , including myself , making sure that I was always involved in conversations and decision making .” Another commented : “ It is clear Mr Fenton cared deeply for us students . He strived for us to succeed , pursue our dreams , and follow our ambitions . Our well-being was always a top priority ; he always took time out of his day to catch up with students . I remember fondly talking to him at break times , on the side of the volleyball or badminton court , and at board meetings . Other students will remember him on the side of a hockey turf , football , or rugby pitch , or in the auditorium , always there to see us follow our passions . He was an amazing principal . I ’ m grateful for his leadership during my time at Havelock North High School . Thank you .” A third stated : “ Mr Fenton [ affectionately known as Fendog among the students at Havelock North High School ] was someone I looked up to throughout my time at high school . A leader and role model , being able to work with him closely during my year on the board of trustees was an experience that enlightened me to his impact on the school . I wish him all the best and a peaceful retirement .”
Greg has done this with aplomb and with the ease and experience born of many decades in the sector serving both single-sex and co-ed school environments . Educating is a service ; it ’ s an essential service , and anyone that can dedicate their whole working life to the education of others is a real hero or heroine in my book . Greg ’ s service to the Havelock North community in the last decade has been greatly appreciated , but even more than that , his service to the many school environments around New Zealand during his career has been immense .
Sue and I are so pleased that Greg and Lynne can freely travel again and buy time to connect with their family , and we wish you both a very happy and deserved retirement . Kia Kaha .”
The recently appointed Chair of Havelock North High School , Andrew Schmidt , commented : “ In NZ , the only people able to appoint a principal are board members elected by their schools ’ community . To many other countries , this is a very strange anomaly of our system . But the board appoints a principal because the role is not just an academic one ; it is a community one . I have learnt a lot about the principal ’ s role since I have been on the board . Not only are they expected to be a community leader but also a contortionist , weaving between a small proportion of errant students , to a few self-entitled parents , to being compelled by the Wellington hierarchy to follow a strict curriculum that , in turn , you must convince the staff that report to you that it is the way of the future . All this while you have your hands tied behind your back with limited government funding . It ’ s a Houdini class act !
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