School welcomes first male deputy principal
Southland Girls’ High School is welcoming its first male deputy principal.
John Grogan took on the new role this week after moving from Gore High School where he was assistant principal.
Grogan had been at Gore High School since 2001, and said he loved the school – especially with his two daughters, in year 11 and 13, still attending.
However, he was excited to take on the new opportunity at Girls’ High. ‘‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to take on a leadership role in a top school.’’
With having daughters, girls education had always been close to his heart, he said.
Girl’s High is the first all-girls school he has worked at.
‘‘First and foremost, they [the students] are young people and all need to have a school that meets their needs.
‘‘The girls of the school, what they bring is enthusiasm and energy and desire to learn.
‘‘I’ve been delighted with their smiles, warm nature, and classrooms – which are a hive of kids busy learning.’’
Grogan hoped to build on the strong foundation of the school, and develop the skills needed in 21st century learning.
Even though the school was much bigger, with a roll of about 1100 compared to 500 at Gore, there was still a sense of community.
‘‘There’s more faces and names to get to know but I’m looking forward to that.’’
Principal Yvonne Browning said the school always hired the best person for the job.
‘‘We’re so lucky John was the best person for the job and it’ll be good for us to have a male voice in our senior leadership team.’’
He would also be a support to the already 20-odd male staff they had at the school, Browning said.
‘‘We’re hoping he will challenge our thinking and lead us in a direction for all of us going forward. We want him to be able to critically examine and offer us different ideas.’’