New principal’s challenge

Pride and respect are the foundations the new principal of Glenfield College wants to build on.

Paul McKinley has been named the seventh principal of the college since it opened in 1969. He started on October 16.

He comes from 10 years as the associate principal at Mount Albert Grammar School, one of the largest secondary schools in the country.

‘‘I identified a fantastic challenge coming across to Glenfield College,’’ McKinley said.

‘‘The first thing I’m looking forward to is, with a school the size of ours, you get to know everybody and set them up for success.’’

In his first few terms McKinley said he was looking forward to getting to know the school of about 500 students and building on the academic results of the past 16 months under the previous principal, CJ Healey.

‘‘The first is listening and learning, getting an idea of the school. Then, what I want to be able to say in a year’s time is ‘How have we managed to build on the foundations?’’’

McKinley said serving the community, not competing with bigger schools, would also be a focus for him.

‘‘We’re like a different flavour of ice cream. The focus is serving our community. A lot of people believe in sending children to the local school,’’ he said.

‘‘Pride and respect. They are the foundation we’re looking at building the school culture around.

‘‘A lot of people believe in sending children to the local school.’’

Paul McKinley