Head principally impressed
Linden School’s new principal raves about its atmosphere and tight-knit community, and she hopes to become a familiar fixture in Linden this term.
The school officially welcomed Melanie Dean with a powhiri on Friday.
Mrs Dean, 48, has been deputy principal at Miramar North School since 2010 and fell in love with Linden when the principal’s position became available.
‘‘This school looked really lovely. I thought it had a really lovely atmosphere,’’ she said.
She has felt at home since starting the job five weeks ago.
‘‘ The children are gorgeous. The staff have been wonderful at keeping me up to date with what happens at the school.’’
Mrs Dean grew up in Masterton but spent most of her career at St Mary’s School in Blenheim, starting her first teaching job there and later becoming deputy principal.
She has no plans for sweeping changes at Linden – her goal this term is to gauge how the place works.
‘‘I’m getting to know a new community and getting them to know me. There may not be any changes that need to be made. It’s not about me coming in and doing all the things I want.’’
Her biggest challenge so far has been remembering the names of the 100 children on Linden’s roll.
It is a very balanced school in all regards, Mrs Dean said. No ethnicity or socio- economic group dominates.
She hopes to help students strive for confidence, competence, creativity and consideration, and is impressed with the clubs and programmes offered.