Introducing Board member and Principal Shane Buckner

So, a bit about me!

I come from a very strong family background where my mother and father are Salvation Army officers, where they were working in the community in church settings, social services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, aged care and mental health.

I was born in Wellington, and spent until my teenage years in the North Island, attending 11 primary schools. My family moved to Christchurch in time for me to attend another intermediate to spend my last year before doing all my high schooling at Cashmere High School. From there I went to Christchurch Teachers' College and Canterbury University. At this time my family again moved, and transferred to the North Island so I stayed in Christchurch to do my tertiary education.

While at university, I supplemented my student allowance by working as a pump jockey at Mobil service stations, in hospitality at a number of venues, and enjoyed working my Christmas holidays at Kaiteriteri beach at the camp store.

My first teaching position was at Pleasant Point Primary school in South Canterbury - a beautiful little rural town inland from Timaru. After getting married to Sarah, we moved to Wellington where I had secured a job as Senior Teacher at Adventure School, a brand new school in Whitby. After a couple of years there, I moved to Russell School in Cannons Creek, Porirua East as Assistant Principal. During these years, I was appointed as the teacher representative on the national Schools Network project, a Ministry of Education pilot for schools to use the internet as an educational tool. It was my first experience working within the Ministry of Education.

After a few more years in Wellington, we thought it time to come back to Christchurch, so with a 10 week old son, we made our way back and I began my new role as Deputy Principal at Sockburn School. It was here that again I was involved in Ministry of Education projects, specifically around special education services. After 7 years, I was seconded as Principal to Bamford School in Woolston. After 3 years, I then moved to Wairakei School as principal. Soon after, the Christchurch Earthquakes changed the shape of education in Canterbury and I was involved again in a number of working groups in the Ministry of Education. I was elected to the Canterbury Primary Principals Association executive soon after and have since held the position of President for three years.  In mid 2021, I was elected as a member of the New Zealand Principals Federation executive

As part of my ongoing professional learning, I have presented internationally and nationally on The Deprivatisation of Teaching Practice, Restorative Practice, School community wellbeing, and have been part of the Maori Achievement Collaborative developing culturally sustainable practices in school communities for the last 10 years. I continue my Te Reo learning journey through formal and informal courses and learning opportunities.

In term 4 2021, I moved to my new position of principal at Rangiora Borough School. 

In any spare time I have, I really enjoy spending time with my family. Now that our two boys have moved on, one in Nelson and one in Melbourne, Sarah and I relish the times they visit or we are able to visit them. We do have our spoodle Chester to keep us entertained at home however.

I also enjoy participating in BBQ competitions and providing smoked bbq for friends and family. I have taken away some awards over the last few years.
I am really looking forward to 2025 and meeting so many more people. 

Keep smiling

Shane Buckner