Principal suffers 'withdrawal symptoms'

MARK DWYER/Taranaki Daily News

TEACHING ADDICT: Stratford High School's new principal, Philip Keenan, says the hardest thing about the job will be stepping away from his beloved maths classroom.

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The only problem facing Stratford High School's new principal is how to wean himself away from the classroom.

Philip Keenan has been teaching secondary school maths "for a bloody long time" now and describes his job as his biggest passion.

"I must admit, becoming principal is a bit like being a smoker," he says. "I've got withdrawal symptoms."

The 58-year-old, who began his teaching career in the South Island, has also taught at Spotswood College, but left there for Stratford 17 years ago.

"I was promoted to Stratford. In those days, my title was senior master. Then I became assistant principal, then shifted to deputy principal in 2004. And now I'm the head."

Despite his rise through the ranks, Mr Keenan said he'd never imagined taking an administrative role all those years ago.

"Ever since I started teaching, that's what I enjoyed doing. But over time opportunities present themselves and you take them.

"When this opportunity came up, I thought I'd love to lead a school. And I feel very privileged to lead Stratford High School."

Mr Keenan, who also coaches a school basketball team, says it might sound arrogant, but he's not daunted at all about the new role.

"It's going to have its challenges. But I've got a great support staff. The only thing is getting your head around dealing with bureaucracy, rather than being in a classroom."

"I just want to help the students make use of all the talents they have. I want them to use that talent in a positive way, to achieve their dreams and goals."

Part of that help will be equipping students with a wide range of skills for when they leave school, he said.

"When I first started teaching, it was one job for 40 years. Now it's always changing. You've got to have a monumental amount of skills."

"We've got to get them thinking creatively."

Mr Keenan lives in New Plymouth with his wife, who is also a teacher, and hopes to make the move to Stratford soon. He has two daughters.

- © Fairfax NZ News