We are running a series on getting to know the staff at Massey High School. So, we thought we would start with Mr D.

Name: Glen Denham

Role: Principal

Born: Dunedin

Education: Kings High School, Dunedin

Dunedin College of Education

Otago University

Massey University

Affiliation: Te Arawa, Ngati Rangitihi

SPANZ (Secondary School Principals New Zealand)

ASSPA (Auckland Secondary Schools Principals Association)

New Zealand Olympic Committee: Education Committee

Experience:

I have been involved in education for 30 years. My first job was Year 1 at Morrinsville Primary School in 1986, I also worked at, St John’s College and Ngaruawahia High School in the Waikato. I have also taught at Brockville Primary School in Dunedin as well as lecturing at the Dunedin College of Education in Dunedin.

From 2000 – 2014 I led Primary and Secondary schools in London and Essex, before being appointed as Principal at Massey High School in 2015.

Current areas of responsibility and Impact:

I am responsible for the overall direction of Massey High School in all aspects. From Staffing, Teaching and Learning, Achievement and Attainment, Professional Development, Finance, Property, Culture and Relationships and Leadership and Management. I work closely with the Board of Trustees and, Mr Garelja our Board Chair.

Out of School Interests

I love being a Grandad. I have two grandchildren; Theo is 3 ½ and Evvy is 18 months old. School is a massive part of my life and I think about it constantly. I love my job and I feel very privileged to be a teacher. I love watching all sport. I am also an avid reader and I tend to read books about leadership, but I should read far more fiction.

My favourite author is Ayn Rand and I really loved two of her books; The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. They are huge tomes of work, but they are beautifully written. I love the movies and my all-time favourite is Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder in the lead role.

Musically I love to hear anything our school choir or Barbershop group sings. The best theatre production I have seen is a tough one, I really loved Hair Spray which we did at Massey in 2016. I also really loved Blood Brothers and Dr Seuss also performed by our students.

Massey High School

Our students are awesome. They are great people. Many head off to Universities nationally and internationally, many head off to apprenticeships and the world of work. But this will always be their home and they are always welcome here anytime. I think schools are like Control Towers at the Airport. We do not get on the plane with the students, but we fill them up with knowledge, purpose, and a destination. However, they must always come home. To tell us how they are going and what adventures that they have had. If things are not going well then that is when we want to see them the most. If they need us, we will always be here, no matter how old they get!

Rangatiratanga, Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga are at the heart of our work at Massey High School. I want our students to always remain positive so that they have the strength to persevere with even the hardest work. They do what it takes for as long as it takes. They are loyal and have the courage to do the right thing. They play by the rules. They are respectful, polite, and courteous, always.

Our students focus on three things. Mastery, which is the drive to get better at things that matter; Autonomy, or the drive to direct their own lives; and Purpose, which is the drive to connect to a cause larger than themselves.