North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Pinehurst leader to retire
Pinehurst School is on the hunt for another caring but strong leader, after its founding principal Sherida Penman-Walters announced her retirement.
Penman-Walters will leave the private school in Albany at the end of term two, 2017.
Chairman of the school’s board, Peter Davies, said PenmanWalters built up the school from scratch, creating its family atmosphere.
It now has more than 800 students in years 1 to 13.
‘‘She’s been the central figure in the past 26 years and they will be big boots to fill,’’ Davies said.
Penman-Walters had to make some tough decisions over the years, he said.
This includes expanding Pinehurst School from a contributing primary school to include a full college, which was done in three stages.
The school also decided to offer only Cambridge International exams, rather than NCEA exams, Davies said.
‘‘That was a bold move; the school gets a lot of interest and support on that basis and that was her leadership.’’
The long notice given by Penman-Walters will help the school in its recruitment process, and it has already engaged an external expert and started advertising, Davies said.
The replacement could come from anywhere, he said.
‘‘It could be someone from the other side of the world or someone from under our noses.’’
‘‘She's been the central figure in the past 26 years and they will be big boots to fill.’’
Board chairman Peter Davies