New boss a class act
He came, he saw, he went home again, and then he conquered.
Deputy principal Jeremy Marshall is set to take the reins at Marlborough Boys’ College next year.
Marshall, a ‘‘soldier child who moved around the world’’, growing up in England, Germany and Canada, first came to Marlborough in 2004 for a teaching role at the college, but returned to England in 2009 to be closer to family.
But the sweet taste of life in Marlborough never left him, and in 2013, when he saw an assistant principal role at the college come up, his bags were packed again.
‘‘My wife and I are always reflecting, and we decided New Zealand was a great place to raise children,’’ Marshall said.
Three years later he was deputy principal, and from next year he takes on the role of acting principal.
Marshall said he was ‘‘excited but also nervous’’ to fill the shoes of the departing Wayne Hegarty, who would officially step down on January 28 after 10 years at the college.
Marshall said his goal for next year was to maintain everything the school was already doing, and develop both teaching and learning.
‘‘For me, one of the key parts of Marlborough Boys’ College is that it develops the whole student. I come from the UK where everything’s backwards and focused on academic results – to the exclusion of all else,’’ Marshall said.
‘‘Through leadership we [Marlborough Boys’] develop everything, if we can develop the culture and the leadership of the boys, that helps hugely with how the school functions.’’
While Marshall was big on physical education, he was also a staunch supporter of the arts,
having taught at a performing arts school in England.
‘‘If you look at some of the best boys’ schools across the country, if their sports is developing well they [students] do wonderfully well academically, too,’’ he said.
‘‘The school I was at in England, they were a specialist school for performing, one of things about Marlborough Boys’ College that makes me proud is that we actually have more boys’ performing in arts here, than that UK school.’’
The school would look to fill the role of principal permanently from 2021.
Marshall said he was supportive of this – as it would guarantee the school had the right person for the job.
Marlborough Boys’ College board of trustees chairman Sturrock Saunders expected Marshall would be a top contender for the permanent position, but said it was important to be thorough with the process.
‘‘As a board we are really objective about our employment processes. To the point we have external parties who come to the table – and Jeremy is an outstanding candidate – we’re really delighted to have him leading the college,’’ Saunders said.
Saunders broke the news of Marshall’s appointment to staff on Monday morning and it was ‘‘really well received’’.
Retiring Wayne Hegarty thought Marshall was the right candidate for the role – and staff would benefit from the continuity Marshall would bring to the table.
‘‘There’s been some really important initiatives Jeremy’s been given charge of, and he’s sitting here now because of that,’’ Hegarty said.
‘‘The initiatives that he’s introduced to do with learning support and the support that individual boys in our school are getting now, [are] testament to the work Jeremy has done and his ability to foster change.’’
Hegarty would return to the school for 100 hours next year, to ensure the transition went as smooth as possible and assist with consultant work ahead of the college’s colocation with Marlborough Girls’ College.
‘‘For me, one of the key parts of Marlborough Boys’ College is that it develops the whole student.’’ Jeremy Marshall