Dunstan High School's new principal was welcomed to the
Alexandra school with a powhiri yesterday morning, but said
moving to Central Otago felt like "coming home".
Click photo to enlarge
Brent Russell.
Former St Kevins College principal Brent Russell was
appointed to the position when Dave Smyth stood down after 10
years as principal and 23 years teaching at the school.
Mr Russell (52) was welcomed to the school, along with two
new year 13 pupils who had also moved to Alexandra from St
Kevins, in Oamaru.
It was the first full day of school yesterday, with more than
500 pupils taking part in the powhiri.
Mr Russell taught at the Wanaka Area School from 1981 to 1985
and was principal at the Roxburgh Area School from 1989 to
1992.
Living in Alexandra was both new and familiar, he said
yesterday.
"I love Central Otago. This feels like coming home."
Mr Russell was principal at St Kevins for eight years and at
the helm of Verdon College, in Invercargill, before that.
Newcomers to the school shared a morning tea with staff,
board of trustees members and representatives of the Dunstan
Community Whare Trust.
