Challenges still lie ahead for Mt Aspiring College, Wanaka and Maurie Jackways.
More population growth is forecast and there is pressure on Wanaka's resources and space, which is being felt by all schools.
But the former college principal feels optimistic that Wanaka, with Ministry of Education support, is heading in the right direction.
And Maurie Jackways is confident New Zealand is also heading in the right direction with a revised curriculum focusing on preparing young people for a global world, "where processing information is as important as content".
He feels school leavers are better prepared for the future than he was when he was a seventh former.
He loves being around young people but has the sense he has moved on to the right job.
"For me personally, I don't know what's in the future but I really enjoy working with the new principals and those who aspire to be principals. I am really encouraged by that.
"And for us, Wanaka will always be home now. Perhaps in the future I might have to go away for a year or so. I don't know.
"But it will always be the place we want to come back to."
