Columba College is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Charissa Nicol to the role of Principal.

The Columba College Board of Governors and School Board have had the privilege to consider outstanding candidates both local and international. Mrs. Nicol stood out as an innovative and visionary leader with broad experience across both education and community organisation management. She arrives with a proven reputation for creating inspiring and optimistic environments where young people and their communities thrive.

Mrs. Nicol had been the Head of St Bedes Middle School, a day and boarding school in the United Kingdom, a Head of Department at Rangi Ruru Girls School and previously a Maths Teacher with us at Columba College. Educated at Canterbury University in Christchurch, she has degrees as a specialist teacher of Maths, Physics, Music, and Theology. In addition, Mrs. Nicol is currently a Board Member of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and a tertiary sector lecturer.

Columba College Board Chairs, Julia Scott and Doug Hill are excited for the future of Columba students and their school community, given the challenges the New Zealand education sector has faced over the past few years. “Mrs. Nicol encompasses all the vitality, focus and wide-ranging experience necessary to continue to grow Columba’s thriving educational community.”

Mrs. Nicol is thrilled with her appointment.

“I loved working at Columba as a young Maths Teacher. It was a supportive, friendly, and positive place to be and returning feels like coming home. I am excited to lead the academic, cultural, and sporting excellence that Columba offers and more importantly be part of a great southern community of students, staff and whanau. I am passionate about communal wellbeing and enabling each and every student to thrive. I cannot wait to start.”

Mrs. Charissa Nicol will commence as Principal at the start of Term 4, 2023, following the retirement of Mrs. Pauline Duthie.