Headmaster in search of new challenges

The headmaster of New Plymouth Boys’ High School has resigned after four years in the job.

Paul Veric, who received widespread praise and acclaim in 2017 when he told his students the school loved them during a speech addressing suicide, announced his resignation to the board of trustees this week. He will leave the 136-year-old school in April 2019, at the end of the first term.

Veric, who attended NPBHS as a pupil, and was head boy in 1991, did not have any firm plans on where he would work in the future.

In a press release from school’s Board of Trustees, Veric said he still enjoyed going to work but was always looking for new challenges and experiences to push him out of his comfort zone.

Before being appointed headmaster in 2015 Veric, a former national surf lifesaving representative, taught at the 1200 roll school as a physical education teacher.

He had also worked in the commercial sector as Spark Digital area manager in Taranaki, Swimming New Zealand chief executive, and Surf Lifesaving New Zealand development manager.

He did not rule out returning to business, possibly in a consultancy, director or governance role.

‘‘I believe NPBHS is in very good heart and stable,’’ he said in the statement. ‘‘Whilst there are many projects still under way and unfinished, most of the big things I personally hoped to achieve are completed.

‘‘I don’t want to be in a situation where I am making this decision because I don’t like it, or resent the challenges that go along with the role.’’

Veric said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and hoped his two sons would one day wear the school crest.

In July 2017 Veric was praised by mental health advocate Mike King for a speech he made to pupils about suicide in which he reassured them it was OK to talk about their feelings.

King said Veric deserved a medal for the speech. ‘‘Boys need to be given permission to love their mates. They need to know it’s OK and they won’t be judged for that, ‘‘ he said.

For his part Veric said he had grappled with what to say for months.

‘‘It was a challenging message to deliver, but I think I was struggling, in a way, to get across to the boys. We do love our students, and it’s important in a boys’ school that we break some of the stereotypes around hardening up, being a man, boys don’t cry – that sort of stuff,’’ he said at the time.

NPBHS board chair Leigh Sampson said the board had tried to persuade Veric to stay for another five years but were unsuccessful.

However, members fully supported Veric’s decision to resign, she said. ‘‘Paul has worked very hard for the students and community during his time with us.’’

Veric had done more than the board had required of him when he started at the school, she said. ‘‘He very quickly grasped the role and established himself as not just a headmaster but a high performing one at that.’’

Veric achieved a number of accomplishments at the school during the four years, Sampson said.

These included saving the boarding hostel from closing, increasing arts and culture, improving academic results, and the school’s financial performance and sustainability.