Haere pai atu, hoki pai atu Louise; nō mātau koe i whakahōnore!

Preparing to leave Flaxmere College has been a very emotional time for principal of almost 10 years, Louise Anaru. “There were a lot of tears as I told the board, the teachers and students; it felt like I didn’t do anything but cry for two weeks.”

Louise is returning home to the Far North in January to take up a position as Kaitaia College principal. Her husband Matua Tangira, who teaches at Flaxmere College, will also be taking up a position at Kaitaia College. “It was a very hard decision. I really feel a part of the whānau here,” says Louise.

She is immensely proud of what the school has achieved in her time there and will be celebrating from afar as the success continues. “We have a wonderful school culture. Yes, we have excellent academic results, but even more importantly we have a strong whānau atmosphere with very strong relationships within the school; between the staff and students and with our community.”

The school has a motto: ‘Student success is the only option’. “We work with each and every child to make sure they have the capabilities they need as they leave college, and a robust pathway to their next steps.”Louise leaves as work on a rebuild of the school ramps up. That will see almost every building razed and rebuilt, with the hall and gym staying but completely redesigned.

That is something Louise is looking forward to coming back and seeing. “It will be wonderful and I can’t wait to see it.”