Garth Powell is to take up a position as Special Education Advisor with the Ministry of Education.

It is with very mixed emotions that I am informing the community that Garth Powell is leaving at the end of this term to take up a position at the Ministry of Education as a Special Education Advisor. It is a fantastic opportunity for Garth and a step towards his goal of becoming an Educational Psychologist, following his passion, working with children who have challenging learning and behavioural needs. 

Garth will leave a huge gap at East Taieri. He started here as a beginning teacher 16 years ago and has contributed so much to East Taieri, becoming Dean of the Middle School, taking on several leadership roles, driving new initiatives and leading highly successful staff PLD. Garth is a fantastic teacher with so many skills and talents. He is an excellent role model for our tamariki and is highly respected by our school community. Garth has been an amazing member of the Leadership Team and is just such a wonderful person. As Garth's principal, I feel very privileged to have worked alongside him for the past 16 years.

While this is a fabulous opportunity for Garth, he will be sadly missed by the whole East Taieri community.