Its reputation has suffered in recent months, with rumblings of discontent about governance, administration and management which have divided trustees, staff, pupils, parents, and the community.
The situation has desperately needed resolving, which the board and management have been unable to do.
Concerned parties felt they were left no option but to ask the Ministry of Education to intervene.
Now, after five unsettling months, the board of trustees has stepped down and a commissioner has been tasked with turning around the school.
The appointment of a commissioner is undoubtedly an extreme measure.
It is the highest level of intervention the ministry can take under the Education Act, and is done when the operation of the school or the welfare or educational performance of pupils is believed to be at serious risk.
The appointment now offers the school the chance to wipe the slate clean and move forward.
For many, the appointment is a welcome relief.
There is much to be done to restore pride, morale and trust, to repair relationships, re-engage staff and pupils, and overcome the blame, shame, anger and hurt.
The commissioner must address the issues raised in two independent and hard-hitting reports, and a draft Education Review Office report.
The divisive situation has unfortunately had a trickle-down effect on pupils, and some bad behaviour has been an undesirable but perhaps inevitable outcome.
Everyone will benefit from the strong leadership and positive outlook a commissioner will bring.
It is encumbent on all those involved to now work through their grievances and become united in the interests of the school and its pupils.
It is to be hoped, in time, under the guidance of the commissioner the school can be returned to self-governance, and a place of pre-eminence in the community.
Arts Festival kicks off
What a feast of delights is in store for audiences at this year's Arts Festival Dunedin (formerly the Otago Festival of the Arts), which began yesterday.
It features 10 jam-packed days of eclectic, entertaining, thought-provoking, challenging and moving performances and presentations across a range of mediums - music, theatre, dance and the visual arts.
Many local acts and artists take their place alongside celebrated New Zealand entertainers and international acts.
Among the local events to support are Opera Otago's season of Dunedin composer Anthony Ritchie's This Other Eden.
The world premiere was last night, but there are several other performances.
Poet Laureate Vincent O'Sullivan, of Dunedin, is involved in the massed musical drama Requiem for the Fallen, which commemorates the centenary of World War 1.
The Dunedin School of Art, the University of Otago and the Dunedin City Council are hosting an international symposium on the art, history and production of books. Numerous local visual artists will exhibit works.
The city's landmarks are put to good use.
St Paul's Cathedral is the perfect central venue for short lunchtime performances from a variety of musicians from Dunedin and further afield, Olveston hosts several early evening recitals by Dunedin musicians, and the Vogel St street party will showcase the grandeur of the city's heritage buildings and highlight the revitalisation going on in the warehouse precinct.
The festival is back under the leadership of founding director Nicholas McBryde after the difficulties of the 2012 event, with which he was not involved.
The board and the arts community can have confidence in Mr McBryde's tried and trusted approach, and he and the board will certainly be doing their utmost to ensure the 2014 festival is a financially successful one.
It is to be hoped Dunedin and Otago audiences will support the festival to help ensure its financial success - and to help maintain the diversity of events we are fortunate to enjoy.
