Head of school resigns
Marcus Blackburn, St Peter’s School. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Controversial St Peter’s School head Marcus Blackburn has resigned.
The announcement came from Trust Board chair John Macaskill-Smith this afternoon and he also confirmed Jason Speedy has been appointed Head of School from Term One next year.
In a statement, Macaskill-Smith revealed Blackburn had told the board in August he was resigning but wanted it kept “confidential”.
Blackburn was instrumental in leading several initiatives that would stand St Peter’s in good stead as it looks to its future and prepare students for life, leadership, and beyond, said Macaskill-Smith.
“Chief among his achievements include the introduction and implementation of the St Peter’s Seven-Year Student Journey and amplifying an educational approach that seeks to develop students holistically as learners and leaders.”
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Jason Speedy
Speedy is currently headmaster at Southwell School in Hamilton, the largest co-educational independent primary and boarding school in New Zealand. He was also on staff at St Peter’s for 14 years as a teacher and associate principal before taking up the headmaster role at Southwell in 2016.
“We were fortunate to have a conversation with Mr Speedy at the start of our planned recruitment process and after in-depth meetings, conversations and careful consideration, the board is confident Mr Speedy is the right person for the role,” said Macaskill-Smith.
It has been a troubling few years for St Peter’s with accusations of bullying and harassment made against former head Dale Burden and his wife, deputy principal Yevette Williams.
Burden resigned in May 2021; his wife three months later.
Both were cleared and the school was found to be in breach of its obligations as an employer.
Williams took the school to the Employment Relations Authority saying it did not act quickly enough to investigate the claims.
The authority agreed.
Burden is now principal at Howick College.
See: Blackburn leading the way
See: St Peter’s head takes extended leave
See: St Peter’s names new head
See: St Peter’s calls in Worksafe
See: St Peter’s up to the ‘test’
10 October 2024 – 8am
More parking
A switch from parallel to angle parking will add a handful of ‘long stay’ parks to the centre of Cambridge. The change will be made on the south side of Kirkwood Street where the existing 13 parallel parks will become 20 angle parks.
Parking changes in Kirkwood Street after the road was resealed.
Reserves call
Community input is being sought to help shape the management of four iwi-owned reserves in Waipā. The four reserves are under the administration of Ngā Pae Whenua, a joint management body made up of iwi representatives from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and members of Waipā District Council. The reserves were part of the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Treaty settlement with the Crown.
Matters outstanding
Seven necessary, one urgent and one beneficial management actions remaining outstanding from past Waipā District Council annual reports, staff told the Audit and Risk committee. The urgent item is from 2022/23 and relates to ensuring frequent checks are made to the council’s fixed asset register. Staff said it would require a full system redesign across various functions.
Ombudsman delay
Waipā District Council is still awaiting a response from the Ombudsman regarding a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act complaint made by The News seven months ago, Internal Assurance advisor Janice Downard told the council’s Audit and Risk committee this week. A case manager from the Ombudsman’s office has been assigned but the workload is “very stretched.”
See: Decision stands
See: Council looks at Boshier report
Renovations, first to the clock, now to the National Hotel.
The heritage protected National Hotel in Cambridge, built in 1912, is having a facelift. Owner Jonny Schick says the hotel will remain open for business while the work goes on and the building’s character will be protected.
Legal proceedings
A Kihikihi ratepayer is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages, interest and costs from Waipā District Council dating back to 2001 when the council completed stormwater system work in the town. The action before the High Court in Hamilton says council has been negligent, in relation to a private drain on the plaintiffs’ property.
It involves Kihikihi couple Wayne and June Atkinson and dates back to 2001 when the council completed stormwater system work in the town.
The action before the High Court in Hamilton says council has been negligent, breached its statutory duty and created a nuisance in relation to a private drain on the plaintiffs’ property in Kihikihi. The Atkinsons are seeking more than $2.5 million in damages, interest and costs.
See: New council’s $8.5 m headache
See: Council settles $6.8 million claim
Numbers good
On the (Regional) buses
Passenger numbers on the Cambridge regional bus service to and from Hamilton have hit five figures for the fourth time in three years. A total of 11,462 people caught the service last month, down 2269 on the record 13,371 in August and 126 caught the Tokoroa Connector in Cambridge.
Report delayed
For the second consecutive year, Waipā’s annual report has been delayed by Audit New Zealand. It was to have been presented to the Audit and Risk committee this week but will now go to a meeting later this month.
Collier stars
Nick Collier
Cambridge canoeist Nick Collier finished first in the Under-23 and second overall in the K1 event – where the athlete sits in a kayak with a double-bladed paddle – and second in both Under-23 and overall in the C1 event, where the athlete kneels and uses half a paddle, at the canoe slalom champs in Palmerston North last weekend.
See: Paddler’s dream shot
Roigard back
Future All Black – Cameron Roigard, pictured when he attended Karāpiro School on a day when students dressed up as what they wanted to be.
Cambridge’s Cam Roigard, 23, is back in the All Blacks after being sidelined after picking up a serious knee injury playing for the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby season. He scored two tries for provincial side Counties Manukau at the weekend in a successful return to competitive rugby, and joins veteran TJ Perenara and Piopio’s Cortez Ratima among the squad’s three halfbacks.
