But within weeks of announcing his resignation as principal of St Clair School, the 57-year-old was offered a two-year contract with the University of Auckland's Centre for Educational Leadership.
``It came completely out of the blue,'' he said.
``After I got the call, I came home and had a chat to [wife] Chris, and we thought it would be an adventure.
``Although a move to Auckland was not in our original plans, the opportunities the new position offers are too interesting to turn down.''
So now the couple are moving to Auckland.
Mr Newton left St Clair School last Friday, after clocking up 27 years as principal - 17 of them at St Clair School.
He announced his resignation in May this year, and said at the time he did not have any plans for his future beyond September 23, other than to take a break from working in the busy environment of modern education.
But he also said he was passionate about education, and believed he would eventually return to some kind of work in the sector.
``Life's a bit of an adventure. You don't really know what's around the next corner. It could be something totally out of left field that I haven't thought of.''
Mr Newton said he was looking forward to the new role at the University of Auckland because it encompassed many aspects of his skill set.
Alongside his role as a principal for the past 27 years, he has spent the past 10 years of his career helping other principals around the country as part of a national principal mentoring programme.
``The Centre for Educational Leadership runs national and international contracts for school leadership, so the work I'll be doing will be associated with those contracts.
``For me, when I think about the variety of things I could do, this sits quite high in the desirable area.
``The work is engaging, interesting and meaningful, and I'm really looking forward to it.''
Jen Rodgers (48) will take over the principal's role at St Clair School at the start of next term.
