Pa¯ tea school excites head
Principal says new posting ‘full of aroha’
School head’s cartoon capers
Pa¯tea Area School has a new principal. James Davidson is finishing up as the deputy principal at O¯ punake High School this year before heading south for his new role.
Davidson is excited about the new challenge, which will suit his family well as it means he can be at the same school as his three children, Orlando (11), Miley (9) and Trixie (5).
His wife Emily is also a teacher and an artist and is looking forward to the move to Pa¯tea, too.
Davidson has been the deputy at Opunake ¯ for three years, having started at the school in 2003 where he also spent time as head of the arts faculty as well as a dean.
He says he brings enthusiasm as well as a love for children to the job.
“I guess my motto is building on the past success of Pa¯ tea Area School and keeping on their upward trajectory.”
The school has been under the leadership of Nicola Ngarewa — who is now head of Spotswood College — and Davidson says she leaves the school in great shape.
He is looking forward to the dynamic of being at an area school, which he says is a great opportunity to look after and foster the community’s children during their entire schooling years.
He says he never set out to be a teacher — or a principal for that matter. But having met many inspirational people during his career who have guided and mentored him meant he has always sought new challenges and gone after them.
Davidson is also a published author and cartoonist, but says life may be a bit busy for art over the next few years.
He took his children to visit the school recently.
“It’s just really welcoming and full of aroha, with lots of good souls working and volunteering in the school and they really just love the kids and want the best for the tamariki.
“It has a real wha¯nau feel about it.”