Principal has high hopes for school

BY: MICHELLE COOKE

Sandra Hastie is a goal-setter. She knows what she wants, goes after it - and usually gets it.

The new principal of Saint Kentigern School for Girls - Corran, wants the year 1 to 8 pupils to do the same.

It was announced last year that Corran School would merge with Saint Kentigern School for Boys in Remuera and Saint Kentigern College in Pakuranga.

Girls year 9 and above were invited to attend the college, leaving the younger girls at the former Corran site.

Although changes are imminent, Mrs Hastie is keen to retain the Remuera school's history.

"This is the 63rd year of the school - it's not the first year of a new school. I'm the eighth principal, not the first."

Mrs Hastie has taught in Christchurch and Auckland, and was made a deputy principal at just 25.

She has been the deputy principal at Saint Kentigern School for Boys for the past 10 years and says her new job gives her the best of both worlds.

"It's everything I love about Saint Kent's but also the chance to run my own school."

She has moved with her husband Bruce and their dog from their house at the boys school into the principal's house at the girls school.

"That's part of it being a family - creating a sense of community. Saint Kent's is built on the ideal of a family and that's the same idea I want to grow here - it's a family school."

With the older students gone the school has been left with a smaller roll and plenty of space.

"We have two fantastic art rooms, four science labs, a neat music suite and computer suite. We have facilities you wouldn't usually get in a primary school."

There is a lot of room for the school roll to grow and an early childhood centre is planned for later this year.

Mrs Hastie wants to introduce a gifted and talented programme, extension maths and English and a values programme.

She is whole-heartedly dedicated to education and helping students reach their full potential.

Mrs Hastie aims to complete her doctorate in education, with a focus on goal-setting, in the next couple of years.

She wants the girls - and their parents - to set goals.

Mrs Hastie is the only teacher in New Zealand accredited to administer the Triple P Parenting programme. She ran evening classes on the programme at the boys school and plans to do the same at the girls school this year. It's a family school, after all.

- © Fairfax NZ News