New Arrowtown School principal Chris Bryant is well qualified to grapple with the school's leaky building issue.
He has spent the past three years as a project manager with the Government's $1.3 billion education renewal programme in Christchurch, which is repairing classrooms or building new ones at Canterbury's earthquake-shattered schools.
Mr Bryant, who will be formally welcomed to the school at a special assembly today, said new buildings were a catalyst for change, but property was only an ''enabler''.
''It's what you do in those spaces that is critical.''
The Ministry of Education announced in August that the school had weathertightness issues with seven of its nine blocks.
It is considering demolishing and rebuilding some of the worst buildings rather than attempting to repair them.
Mr Bryant said he understood the ministry had put out a tender for a master planner to rethink the school's layout, but had yet to be told of a time frame for the rebuild.
His role in Christchurch had been ''fascinating'', and enhanced his understanding of modern teaching and learning.
However, his ''heart and soul'' was in school leadership.
''Arrowtown School has a sound reputation, and it's a real privilege to come and build on that legacy.''
Born and bred in Wellington, he had 18 years' experience as a principal of two schools in the city and one in Mid Canterbury.
A competitive road cyclist who pedalled 200km in training at the weekend, he was also looking forward to spending time in the ''beautiful'' environment.
