Kia ora, The Kaipara College School Board are delighted to be able to announce the appointment of the new Principal of Kaipara College. Despite the challenge of running a recruitment process very late in the academic year it was pleasing that we received a significant number of high-quality applications, reflecting the attractiveness of a role at Kaipara College and the opportunity to live and work in our rohe (district), and to guide our akonga (students).
We were looking for a committed, courageous and resilient leader who showed a deep understanding of Te Waka o Kaipara (our WAKA values), and who had a clear plan to bring them to life. Also central to our search was the desire to identify a leader who was committed to an ‘everything matters’ approach to student standards and behaviours, to maintaining high academic expectations, and who cares deeply and believes strongly in the capability of our students to excel and live up to our motto - Eke Panuku, Eke Tangaroa (navigate to success).
We believe that in Jane Coup we have found that leader. During her 13 years at Waitakere College, she has consistently initiated and led groundbreaking initiatives that have raised equity and significantly improved academic performance, including driving forward the biology scholarship programme and founding the Maori and Pasifika Medical Science Academy. She has a Masters of Secondary School Leadership from Victoria University, and over 20 years education experience across roles as head of biology, head of science, Y11-13 dean, as deputy principal, and also sat on the school board as teacher representative for 5 years. She was recognised in 2023 as an emerging leader and in 2025 was invited to the New Zealand Education Scholarship Trust leadership forum, a highly prestigious accolade designed to prepare Deputy Principals for Principalship. Our new Principal will take up their post for the start of the 2026 year, and will be welcomed into the role and our community with a powhiri early in the school year.
More details of these events and other opportunities to get to know Jane will be shared closer to the time. The School Board would like to recognise the strong and positive leadership of Bernard Coleman as Acting Principal over the past 3 months, and thank him for his service. Bernard’s calm, consistent and determined leadership has had an immediate impact on our Kura, recognised by students, staff and whanau alike. We are committed to supporting Bernard’s ongoing professional development journey and believe the combination of Jane and the existing Senior Leadership Group, including Bernard and his fellow Deputy Principals Brianne Te Paa and Brigitta Bravery, means we have all the ingredients needed to deliver real change and become the school of choice in our community again. Nga mihi o te wa.
Colin May Presiding Member
Kaipara College School Board
Colin May Presiding Member, Kaipara College School Board
