SCHOOL’S OUT FOR GOOD ...
School is done for another year and for Waimea Heights Primary principal Sally Gill, today marks a graduation of sorts. Ms Gill has been principal of the Sandy Bay school for the past decade, but her time at Waimea Heights, which began as a Year 4 student back in 1965, is over. Yesterday
Grade 1 students (back) Geoffrey Palmero and Henry Lindsay and (front) Ellianna Pearce and Evie Baldock, prepared to farewell Ms Gill, who will next year become an external school review leader.
WITH more than half a century between her first and last day at Waimea Heights Primary, Sally Gill is not your average school-leaver.
Ms Gill has been principal of the Sandy Bay school for the past decade, but her time at Waimea Heights began as a Year 4 student back in 1965.
The now 64-year-old also taught at the school for two years in the early ’90s before eventually returning to take on the top job in 2010.
The final chapter of her 55-year association with Waimea will come to a close today as she prepares to take on a new role as an external school review leader.
“Going from 52 staff and 430 kids to an office block will be a very different experience,” she said.
“Waimea will always hold a special place in my heart.
“To have that really strong connection with the community and be the principal for 10 years is really special.
“It has gone from a good to a great school and I’m very proud of that.”
Ms Gill yesterday told the Mercury her proudest achievement as principal at Waimea was helping develop thousands of students into “thoughtful, kind, active citizens that actually feel they can make the world a better place in small and big ways”.