Paul, 

You have been an outstanding principal to work for. Everyone that visits our school comments on the lovely feel that they get and this comes down to the values that you have helped instill here at Papanui.

Our staff have been a long serving and consistent team and this comes down to the value you give to us and to the culture of our school. Staff regularly talk about what a supportive and fun place this is to work and that doesn't happen in every school.

You have always fought to get the best for our tamariki and our school.  This is something that makes our school a very special place to both learn and work in.

Over time you have developed a strong bicultural vision for PPS through projects such as our main entrance, our new Pou, our whānau trees, and you have encouraged others to get on the journey with you.

Your resilience has been tested over time but you always kept a calm and consistent approach to getting things sorted including:

• the school fire
• many building projects plus the earthquake rebuild 
• the complete renewal of our playground and school landscape 
• the earthquakes and the ongoing challenges these brought to the community
• Covid and all the changes we had to make to school operation

You are a keen cyclist and have even got many of the staff along for the ride with you on different cycling ventures.  You have contributed immensely to the cycling culture at PPS with our wonderful bike track and maintenance of the bikes. Your contribution to our school Basketball teams has given many children the opportunity to participate in this sport.   

Paul, you have created many opportunities for whole school fun including the BIg Day Out, the odd bouncy castle, school trips and camps and you even get the hose out on a hot day to cool the kids down.

Paul, you will be remembered for your kindness, sense of humour and strong belief in always putting the tamariki at the centre of all we do here at PPS.  We will do our best to continue this legacy.

Paul, you have gifted us with our school whakataukī of “Kimihia te ara tōtika” and we now wish you all the best in finding your path through your retirement.

From all the staff at Papanui Primary