Education staff selection has truly entered the digital age.
In an unusual step, the board of trustees at Kaikorai Valley College has set up an online survey which will allow the school's staff and pupils' parents to have a say about what qualities they would like to see in candidates for the school's replacement principal position.
Current principal Philip Craigie handed in his notice of retirement late last year, following seven years as principal of the college and more than 40 years in education.
He plans to retire at the end of term 1 and the board of trustees is in the process of appointing his successor.
Board chairman Mark Rogers said as a part of the appointment process, staff and the school community had been invited to participate in an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com.
Information gathered would be used to assist the board in appointing the next principal.
The survey asks respondents to list the three most important qualities the new principal should have, and what the immediate priority for the board of trustees and new principal should be.
It also asks respondents to list (in order of importance) the four things the school does best, and the four things the school should improve on. Respondents are also given an opportunity to make other comments.
"We hope the survey will help the board appoint a principal which will be tuned to the school's needs now, and in the future," Mr Rogers said.
"It's a good opportunity for us to align ourselves with the board's directions and the community's ideas of the way forward."
Mr Rogers said there had been a good response to the survey so far, with 14 respondents completing the survey on the first day.
The survey would remain open until the end of January, and it was hoped interviews for the principal's position would begin in mid-February, he said.
Mr Craigie was unavailable for comment yesterday.
However, Mr Rogers said Mr Craigie had been good for the school.
"Mr Craigie's leadership and educational expertise will be greatly missed by the board of trustees, staff and parents.
"The time for formal farewells and accolades will come in the near future, but this [praise for his contribution to the school] is already becoming evident from comments included with our survey."
