by Independent Schools NZ

Craig Hardman receives award for service

At the Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) annual conference held in Auckland in late June, one of our outstanding members of staff was presented with an ISNZ Honours Award for Service to Students and Sport, by the Honourable Jenny Salesa, Associate Minister for Education.

An ISNZ Honours Award is presented to ‘honour exceptional staff who have demonstrated talent, service and commitment to Independent Schools that is truly above the ordinary’. In recent years, we have been fortunate to have Mr Duncan Smith, HOF Science (2012); Mr Martin Holmes, past HOD Commerce (2013); Mr Gary Henley-Smith, past Guidance Counsellor and Housemaster (2014); Mr Chris Wynn and Ms Cyn Smith, Tihoi Directors, for outstanding service to Outdoor Education (2015); Mr Peter Hampton, Deputy Headmaster – Curriculum and Assessment, for contribution to Agribusiness (2016); and now Mr Craig Hardman receives this prestigious award and recognition from their Independent School colleagues. The following is the citation read out at the awards ceremony when the awarded was presented:

Craig Hardman, St Paul’s Collegiate School – for Service to Students and Sport

Craig joined St Paul's Collegiate School after taking a Conjoint Degree in Teaching and Sports and Leisure. Over the past decade, his passion, enthusiasm and determination have seen him work his way up through the ranks into positions of responsibility and leadership.

Craig has been HOD PE and Health and Leader of Curriculum - PE since 2011, and he recently became Housemaster of Williams Boarding House. Craig has coached the Schools' 1st XI Hockey squad since his arrival at St Paul's, culminating in the team becoming national secondary school champions in the Rankin Cup and being named Secondary Schools Team of the Year at the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Award.

Craig also developed and implemented various exciting initiatives such as the Xccellerator Programme for junior high performance sportsmen and the Character Education initiative, a drive to introduce character development into the curriculum.

Craig forged a partnership with the regional Midlands Hockey organisation, encouraging them to base their operations from the school. He also helped establish a Collegians' Hockey Club to enable Old Collegians and members of the community to play hockey through the school, and to foster a strong link between past and present players.

Craig is a motivated, goal-driven teacher and coach. He develops strong relationships with students, is approachable and interacts with students and staff in a most professional manner. He is always prepared to do the hard yards, often going above and beyond the call of duty.

Craig has a long future ahead of him and exhibits the attributes of a true leader. He gives fully of his time, energy and experience to improve the lives of students in the classroom, on the turf and in the boarding environment. He has succeeded in all areas, while raising a young family alongside his wife Brooke. Craig is destined to lead a school and has made an outstanding contribution to St Paul's.

Mr Craig Hardman has been a huge asset to our school. Outstandingly well-organised and efficient, he has managed a multitude of key roles very effectively whilst proving an extremely successful Housemaster and Hockey coach. Craig’s ISNZ Honours Award is well-deserved recognition for his tremendous commitment to St Paul’s Collegiate School.