Meet our two new Assistant Principals

At the end of Term 2 we were very pleased to announce the appointment of two new fixed term internal promotions. Please find below profiles from our two new Assistant Principals - Grant Macpherson (Dean of Makomako Whanau) and Nicola Kaiwai (Head of Health and Physical Education).

Grant Macpherson

Hi everyone,

My name is Grant Macpherson and I’m one of the new Acting Assistant Principal’s here at Albany Junior High School. I was born and raised on the North Shore, initially living in Paremoremo, where I attended Albany Primary and then Northcross Intermediate. In my later teens, we moved to the Birkenhead area, where we’ve remained ever since.

I have taught in a number of North Shore schools and was also lucky enough to teach overseas (International School Brunei) before returning to AJHS, where I was a foundation staff member; first employed in 2004. I have spent approximately half of my teaching career in Year 7 and 8 Homerooms and the other half as a specialist Physical Education Teacher both here and in Brunei.

Throughout my career, I have been a classroom Teacher, a Head of Physical Education and Sport, a Whanau Leader (Dean) and now an Assistant Principal. I am passionate about education and in particular, the emotional, physical and mental well-being of students.

I am married with four children (two of whom are currently overseas) and my wife (Jennie) teaches Year 3 at Kristin School. In my spare time, I enjoy watching sports, reading and travelling. I used to be heavily involved in playing sport, but advancing years and a shoulder reconstruction have put things on hold for a while.

I thoroughly enjoy working at AJHS and take enormous pride in working with a fabulous staff, a wonderfully supportive community and of course, an absolutely awesome group of students.

I look forward to meeting and working with lots of you as the year progresses.

Grant Macpherson, Assistant Principal

Nicola Kaiwai

I am excited to accept one of the new Acting Assistant Principal positions of Albany Junior High School.

Growing up I gained a world junior tennis ranking of 44 in doubles, and won 10 National Tennis Titles. I accepted a full scholarship to attend Wake Forest University in North Carolina. In my senior year, I transferred to Pepperdine University in California, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. There I peaked at No.2 in tennis and made the Dean's List for academic as well as sporting achievements, earning All American Honours.

Upon completion of my time in America, I was happy to accept an offer of a scholarship from New Zealand to train as a secondary teacher, which is something I had always wanted to do. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my vocation.

My teaching career spans over 22 years across a number of different Middle and Secondary schools throughout New Zealand. During my time, I have taken on a variety of roles and responsibilities, including being a Head Of Department, Head Of Learning Area and Dean across multiple Year levels. Working in schools is a rewarding job, as I get to work with young people and help to guide and influence them as they develop their own skills and passions.

My colleagues at Albany Junior High School are committed to excellence and often go above and beyond expectations, making leading and working alongside them an absolute pleasure. I am looking forward to the rest of the year, working with a great group of students.

Nicola Kaiwai, Assistant Principal