Geraldine Primary School’s new principal is feeling ‘‘lucky and privileged’’ in his new role.
Stuart Wilcox said he felt like he had ‘‘come home’’.
He said teachers and teaching assistants at the school were ‘‘phenomenally positive’’.
‘‘They work really well together’’.
He said the teacher longevity at the school was a sign people enjoyed working there.
‘‘If teachers are working in a positive workplace then students will thrive.’’
His first priority atthe job was to ‘‘sit, listen and learn’’ to pupils, staff and family.
‘‘After that we can work together.’’
He previously worked at Opihi College as a careers and gateway adviser, and before that held the position of principal at Highfield Primary School.
He felt Geraldine Primary School allowed pupils the best of both worlds . . .with the same class sizes as neighbouring rural schools, but with the perks of an urban school.
Those perks included being able to offer supported learning programmes and co-curricular opportunities including the use of the new turf in the Geraldine Domain. He was trying to get outside every play time to get to know pupils. Mr Wilcox felt it was important ‘‘everyone just has fun, and enjoys coming to school’’. He wanted everyone —pupils, staff and community — to have a ‘‘shared ownership of the school’’. He wanted to strengthen the bond between the school and the community so they ‘‘work hard for each other’’. Mr Wilcox moved to Geraldine from London eight years ago. Having previously worked in private schools in London — where he said staff were expected to give 110% — those expectations had become a part of his own work ethic. In a world ‘‘where everything is perfect’’ he said he was a big believer in making mistakes. ‘‘They build resilience.’’ His sons Ollie, 14, and Finn, 12, previously attended the school and loved their time there, he said. He coaches the female senior rugby team, and he will co-coach the under-18 Hanan Shield once they have finished selecting the squad. Through winter he was busy with sports, and in summer he trained for a triathalon. He said on the bike or in the pool, it helped by giving him the endorphins to ‘‘forget all those pressures’’. And to help manage challenging times.
