On Monday we held a ceremony to welcome Mr Murray Saunders into his new role as Principal of Pukekohe High School. We would like to acknowledge the visitors who attended the ceremony, including the mana whenua of this rohe, Ngāti Tamaoho, leaders and representatives of schools in the wider Franklin area, Andrew Bayley – Member of Parliament for Port Waikato, members of the local business community and local board representatives, members of the Pukekohe High School Board of Trustees, Senior Leadership team, Rōpū Āwhina and students and staff of the school including our Amokura – student leaders.

In his speech, Mr Saunders expressed to students and staff his awareness of “the privilege and responsibility of being tumuaki of this school”. He asked that our students hold expectations of him as he will also hold expectations of them, such as: embracing their education, living our school values and doing themselves and their family proud.

As Principal, Mr Saunders has suggested that students can ask of him: “to be present, out and visible in our school and community; to be fair, while holding high expectations for all; and to back Pukekohe High School by always promoting the opportunities and successes that we have here at school”.

We are all excited by what is ahead of us.