After five years as principal at Palmerston’s East Otago High School, Mr Cooper is moving to Geraldine High School.
Mr Fleury has been deputy principal at the school for 12 years and is well positioned and ready to take on the principal role.
"I know the community well and we get on well . . . I’m happy to step in as long as it takes before they find someone for the position," he said.
In his tenure, Mr Cooper introduced a semesterised option, designed and implemented by Mr Fleury, that split the year into two semesters with six classes each semester for pupils in years 9 and 10.
Mr Fleury plans to continue that option with more development, saying "that was one of my babies and something I’m proud of".
The classroom behavioural policies introduced by Mr Cooper will also be continued.
"The restorative practices worked really well," Mr Fleury said.
"We encouraged students to give thoughts to their actions, so we focused on discussion and getting to the bottom of it, rather than punishment."
Mr Fleury does not plan to "bring in too much change" and said there were other challenges with the certificate for literacy and numeracy "that is a national issue right now".
"We need to get our heads around that . . . this is an issue we’re working hard around".
Mr Fleury, who lives in Oamaru and was previously a teacher at St Kevin’s College for 17 years, believes the changes in society and the impact post-Covid are also presenting challenges in education.
He said until four years ago, there had not been many changes in teaching and education practices.
"Covid has played a large part of societal change and how students have adapted and how they learn now.
"We must change how we deliver education to a more modern world."
He highlights IT and its use in education as a "possible danger" and believes the interaction between teacher and student is important.
"Some countries are getting rid of IT, out of the classrooms. We want to look at more of a balance now."
Mr Fleury explained why he did not apply for the role of principal.
"I’m 65 next year. I didn’t apply as you have to give five years’ assurance and I couldn’t do that."
A survey was sent out to staff, students and whanau and the wider community for their input on the type of person they would want as principal.
Respondents wanted empathy, understanding of a rural community and community involvement.
"We’re a great little school, with around 174 students," Mr Fleury said.
"I hope the new principal will have the understanding of working with young people and the vision to pull things together in a time of big changes in education."
