Rakesh Govind speaking at the recent college ceremony acknowledging 100 years of school buses in Piopio.
Piopio College principal Rakesh Govind has resigned to take up another role, partly to be closer to his parents.
“I’m heading up to Glenfield College in Auckland, on the North Shore.”
“I’d been planning to stay on in Piopio for another year or two, but this position came up.”
He will start the new role on September 9.
“My parents live on the North Shore and they are getting to the age where it will be nice to be closer to them. My dad is 85 and my mum is 75, so I want to be able to give that support.
He appreciated his time in the King Country town.
“Piopio has been a great community to work with.”
He said he was proud of what had been achieved in his time at the college, especially around the local curriculum.
Govind remains excited about the plans for next year: a new administration building to go up in January 2025, and a new shearing shed, to complement the college’s agriculture programmes.
“The school is in good shape for whoever takes over,” he said. “I will miss the students.”
Piopio Board of Trustees member Shaun Carter said that during his tenure, Govind made significant contributions to the school community.
“We appreciate his dedication and hard work,” Carter said.
While Glenfield has 700 pupils contrasting with the 140 at Piopio, Govind isn’t worried, having already taught in bigger schools with over 2000 students, also in Auckland.
Glenfield’s previous principal, Paul McKinley, died in February.
Carter said details about future leadership plans at Piopio would be confirmed in the coming days.
