18 May, 2018

By special delivery: St Leo’s new principal arrives

St Leo’s school welcomed its new principal Maureen Harris last week with gifts and song.
Vicky Trainor, principal at St John’s School, Mairangi Bay, where Harris has come from, said her school was handing St Leo’s its taonga – a gifted teacher who would be a fantastic principal, and put the children first.

Pupils Elise Vacherand and Melody Liu led Harris into the welcome, and Sophie Howcroft, Evan Joseph and Melissa Busch presented her with gifts of a cross and a candle.
Harris replaces Elizabeth Walker.

Wearing a ceremonial cloak, which was a parting gift from St John’s, Harris said she was delighted to be at St Leo’s and had already taught five girls from the St Patrick’s room when other students were away at a sports day.

The cloak has a lot of blue in it, the St Leo’s school colour, and she hoped it could be worn be students on special occasions.

“I’m only one person – any sucess I have will be because all of you have been a part of it.”
Harris was at St John’s for 12 years and has more than 30 years of teaching experience.

Father Larry Rustia, the Parish Priest of St Francis de Sales and All Souls church in Devonport, blessed the gifts and said Harris would offer great leadership at the historic school.

• St Leo’s celebrates its 125th anniversary on November 10 and 11.