Gary Marsh has always aspired to be a principal.
It is an aspiration that has come true for the Queenstown Primary School deputy principal, who will take over the reins from Sally Direen as principal of Balaclava School.
''It is an amazing opportunity.
''I always aspired to be a principal one day and the day has come.
''It's an awesome move to go to a very good school such as Balaclava.
''It is a real honour to be the principal there,'' he said.
Mr Marsh, who has been teaching for 15 years, has lived in Dunedin, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Cromwell, Queenstown and England.
''I was the assistant principal at Cromwell Primary before the role as deputy principal at Queenstown Primary.
''I will miss the amazing kids, supportive parents and staff.
''It is a great school but I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Balaclava team.''
Mr Marsh was ''honoured'' to be going into a ''good ship''.
''I just want to get to know the school and find out what makes it so special then look at what improvements can be made along the way.
''I am going into a very good ship, which is an honour,'' he said.
Dunedin-born and bred, Mr Marsh is looking forward to coming home.
''I want to continue in the same mould of building good relationships but with my own flavour,'' he said.
