Kia ora koutou

I am very pleased to be writing my first Panui, as the new President of the Otago Primary Principal Association. A big thank you to Verity Harlick for her work in the role of President this past year. I look forward to working alongside you and the executive, for the benefit of all principals in the Otago region.

Our 2025 OPPA Executive was announced at our AGM on Friday 1st of November. We have an excellent team who will work hard to support us all and advocate on behalf of our Tumuaki. The office bearers for 2025 are Verity Harlick (Maori Hill School) in the role of Secretary and Immediate Past President.

Continuing in the Treasurer role for her second term is Anneta Payne (Kaitanagta School). Congratulations to the Tumuaki who were elected as OPPA Executive representatives:

OPPA Exec Nominations received 2025/2026

Steph Madden - Abbotsford School

Greg Lees - Fairfield School

Carmel Jolly - Mornington School

Jared Holden - Opoho School

Greg Hurley - Silverstream South

Jen Rodgers - St Clair School

Steve Turnbull - Brockville School

Gareth Swete - Sawyers Bay School

Vicki Nicolson - Port Chalmers School

Robyn Wood - George Street Normal School

Jennifer Horgan - East Taieri School

Chris McKinlay - Elmgrove Primary

Kim Blackwood - Arthur Street School

Verity Harlick - Maori Hill School

Gary Marsh - Balaclava School

Nicola Philip - Karitane School

Heidi Hayward - Dunedin North Intermediate

OPPA PRESTIGIOUS STUDY AWARD
At our Annual Meeting Chris McKinlay (Elmgrove School) was presented with the 2025 OPPA ~ University of Otago Prestigious Study Award. Chris's study topic is focussing on how educational leadership impacts and influences consistency in mathematics education. Chris will travel throughout New Zealand, Australia & Singapore. Congratulations Chris, we look forward to you sharing with the sector your learnings.
 
TUMUAKI RETIRING FROM PRINCIPALSHIP
We have had a number of Tumuaki retiring from principalship in 2024. We would like to acknowledge their services to Otago Schools, and I am sure each of you will be leaving your own unique mark on the Kura and tamariki that you have served:

• Tania McDonald - Brockville School

• Dr. Wendy Bamford- Wanaka Primary

• John Auld- Lawrence Area School

• Sara Whitaker- Waihola District School

• Mel Jewiss - Portobello School

• Nicky Bell - Purakanui

• Jo McKay - Holy Family

• Will Fraser - Stirring School

FIRST TIME PRINCIPALS TO OTAGO SCHOOLS IN 2024
Congratulations to the following principals who have started their Principalship journey in this year:

• James Rasmusse - Arrowtown

• Charissa Nicol - Columba

• Alison Holden - Omarama

• Tom Hobbs - Portobello

• Anna Taylor - St Peter Chanel

• Lisa Bankshaw - Strath Taieri

• Alice Casey - Tarras School

• Stuart Cooke  - Waikouaiti School

• Rebecca Gilbertson - Broad Bay

• Donna Watson - Stirling

• Kerry Forse - Palmerston

• Sara Jones-Hogan - St Joseph's Oamaru

• Deborah Keach - Romahapa

• Stacey Gribben - Wakari

• Fiona Sizemore- Liberton
   
  

Take care of you over the summer!
 
To all Tumuaki, my sincerest thanks for what has been another challenging year. Take the summer and do something just for you and your whānau that makes you happy. Enjoy the well-deserved holiday we all deserve, as we look forward to what ever challenges 2025 will bring for us.

Ngā mihi koutou ngā tumuaki