New principal appointed for Waimea College

A new principal has been appointed to Waimea College, and he brings with him decades of experience.

Fraser Hill has been the principal of Rototuna Junior High School since it opened in 2016. The school is a large co-educational junior high school that is shared with Rototuna Senior High in Hamilton.

Fraser says being the foundation principal of a school is quite unique in New Zealand and has set him up with a range of skills as he was appointed six months before the school opened so was tasked with getting the school up and running.

The school started off with 634 students and 45 staff but has now grown to more than 1300 pupils and around130 staff – a similar size to Waimea College.

He says a combination of factors led him to apply for the job at Waimea College.

“For my wife and I it’s a combination of things – our children have grown up, but also the school [Rototuna] has grown up and, importantly, I feel like the school is in a really positive place.”

He says the decision to move to Nelson was because of the job opportunity at Waimea College

“It’s the job opportunity first and foremost, the more I read about Waimea, some of the things I picked up on was their really strong focus on student success and it’s held in high esteem, that’s something really positive.”

He says the three core values of care, learning, and belonging resonated with him as well.

Fraser will join Waimea College as its tumuaki/principal in Term 3. He fills the role of outgoing principal Scott Haines, who is heading to Burnside Highschool in Christchurch.

Waimea College Board of Trustees presiding member Joanne Kininmonth, says after an extensive consultation and recruitment process, the board are excited to have Fraser join the school.

“Fraser has a wealth of experience in both teaching and leadership. Having gained considerable recognition from his colleagues for leading the most innovative school in Hamilton, it was clear he has the right balance of knowing when change is needed, without making change for change’s sake,” she says.

“It was very important that the new principal/tumuaki aligned with our school values. Fraser’s strong work ethic, passion for growing people, and empathy towards others will make him a great asset to Waimea College.”

Fraser has been a principal for 14 years, but been in education for nearly three decades.

Moving with his wife Susan, who is also a teacher, Fraser says Nelson offers many of the things the couple enjoy outside of work including Fraser’s keen interest in ocean swimming and cricket.

“While Susan and I grew up in the Waikato in the town of Te Awamutu, we have previously spent eight years living in the South Island and are looking forward to returning.

“We know that Nelson really ticks the boxes,” he says.

He says Susan will take time to get them set up before looking for teaching work herself.

Fraser says he is most looking forward to getting to know the wider community, particularly with the changes to the curriculum that are coming.

“The exciting part for me is getting to know the people – the staff students and wider community, other organisations, talking to people and understanding how I might be able to make a difference.

“My focus is getting to know and understanding where the school is at.

“I am proud of my achievements as both a teacher and school leader and look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge with the students, staff, and the wider Waimea community.

“I feel both excited and privileged to be taking on the role of principal at Waimea College early next term.”