Family of principals put education first
Michael Harrop calls it Brian’’.
As a new principal, when he’s talking in front of the school assembly, he channels long-time teacher and principal Brian Harrop.
‘‘I catch myself being my dad. The way I speak, the way I stand. It’s my dad all over. And it’s not a bad thing, it’s something I’m quite proud of.’’
His brother Mark Harrop, who is also a principal, says their dad is a strong role model. ‘‘Here we are, both principals, and we’ve made that choice probably in due part to the pride and respect we have for our dad,’’ Mark says.
‘‘You can’t go anywhere in the Waikato without someone saying, oh you’re Brian’s son. It’s very much a legacy.’’
Teaching runs in the Harrop family’s veins and they seem to be breeding principals.
Brian began his teaching career in 1974 and is currently principal at David Street School in Morrinsville.
Michael and Mark recently found out - on the same day - they were newly appointed principals at Silverdale Normal School in Hamilton and Paterangi School near Te Awamutu.
‘‘There are teachers everywhere in our family. You can’t really avoid it,’’ Mark said. ‘‘The
‘‘When people who aren’t teachers come to family gatherings, it can get boring for them, all this teacher talk.’’
The family grew up in the small rural community of Tauhei, in the Waikato.
When Brian was principal of Tauhei Combined School, the family - made up of five kids - lived in the schoolhouse right in the middle grounds.
Michael said he fought against the idea of teaching. He baulked at the idea of a job you couldn’t switch off from. He knew it wasn’t a 9 to 3 job like non-teachers thought.
He studied science at university.
‘‘I ran from it like wildfire,’’ he of the school’s said. ‘‘Then one day I volunteered handing out pizza for lunch at school and realised the relationships and conversations I had with kids and that’s what lit a spark in me.’’
Mark was the opposite. Watching his parents motivated him to become a teacher.
Both sons are looking forward to making their mark at their new schools.
‘‘I feel like I have a lot to give in a leadership role in terms of supporting the teachers and fostering a school vision,’’ Mark said.
Michael added, ‘‘I can’t believe now I was running from it for so long, because it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.’’
Brian’s seen a lot of change over the past 40 years.
Teaching back in the day was often focused on behaviour, he said.
‘‘It was about a teacher at the front, directing the passive learners, often sitting in straight lines.
‘‘They copy off a blackboard, the teacher will give a test and mark it in red pen. And if you did something naughty, you got the strap.’’
He said there’s been an enormous shift. It’s now all about teaching children skills for learning and there are no rules.
‘‘We have started to think about each individual child more and now the learner is in charge.’’