National role for Rotorua principal

Kristin Macfarlane | 10th March 2010

Walsh Rotorua's Patrick Walsh is the new voice of the majority of New Zealand's secondary school principals.

The John Paul College principal has been elected as the president of the Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand, which represents more than 90 per cent of all state, integrated and independent secondary school principals.

Mr Walsh was the vice-president of the association last year and put his name forward for the president's role after being asked to by his colleagues. He will represent all members of the association and bring up issues affecting secondary school principals at a Government level.

"I feel honoured and privileged that my colleagues think I'm worthy of representing secondary schools throughout the country," Mr Walsh said.

He was looking forward to his new role, which would see him have regular meetings with government officials in Wellington, meeting with provincial principal groups and taking up issues they have with the Government.

"I think I've got the energy and the skills to do the job," he said.

He said his appointment also showed that the president's role didn't have to go to a principal from Auckland or Wellington. Mr Walsh said people in smaller cities could also take on national level positions.

Mr Walsh came to John Paul College from Auckland about seven years ago. He is a qualified lawyer, has a master's degree with honours in education, a Bachelor of Law with honours, and diplomas in religious studies and school management. He had written several books on education and the law, among other achievements.