Former James Hargest High School principal of 17 years, Paul O'Connor, stepped into the Wakatipu office at the start of the week.
The public image of the school, with its perception of problems among staff, was incorrect, he said.
"It saddens me the image that is being projected out there ...
"When something unforeseen happens, it doesn't take a lot to damage perception."
On September 21, Lyn Cooper was removed from the position of principal by external employment lawyer Peter MacDonald.
Mr MacDonald was contracted by the Ministry of Education after the Educational Review Office filed a damning report in regard to senior management of the school.
Mrs Cooper has since lodged a claim with the Employment Relations Authority.
The process of the claim includes mediation between both parties.
Mr O'Connor wants to set the record straight.
"The school is in good nick and the community [members] do not need to be unnerved about the future of Wakatipu High School."
Mr O'Connor will see out the rest of the year with the school and probably term 1 of next year.
He said he had been impressed with the school's residual strength in both staff and pupils.
"The people I'm working with in the senior management team are dedicated."
Mr O'Connor intended to ensure everyone worked harmoniously.
He wanted an established platform, so that a new principal could come in with confidence.
The board of trustees, along with Mr MacDonald, is working on securing a permanent principal for 2012.
Mr O'Connor said he had been made to feel very welcome.
He was still finding his feet at such a busy time of year.
"It has been intensely busy.
"I have to get my head around so many things.
"It is always busy at this time of year and it is doubly busy coming in from elsewhere."
Mr O'Connor said he took the job because he was "always up for a challenge".
"I don't like sitting around."
He was not planning to apply for the role full-time.
During his 17 years at James Hargest High School in Invercargill, he remembered Wakatipu High as the school "that popped up and gave us a run for our money".
He was very impressed with Wakatipu High School.
"There is so much talent among the people at this school. It's absolutely delightful and there are kids here who are going to take on the world."
The pupils showed high levels of success in extra-curricular activities, but this did not detract from their focus in academic achievement, he said.
"The bread and butter of a school is what it has in quality teaching," he said.
"All the events that make a school tick, all those things are rolling along well.
"It's business as usual and it's good business."
