Prestigious private school loses long-standing principal

St Cuthbert’s College is losing its principal after 20 years of service.

Lynda Reid, who will leave the private Auckland girls school in September, will head to France with her husband.

The couple will be based there for a year, while Ms Reid completes educational consultancy work in the United Kingdom and China.

“I’ve been at [St Cuthbert’s] since 1996 and I love this place dearly. I don’t want to go and lead another school but I’d like to do one more challenging role or experience before I settle down and retire,” said Ms Reid.

Originally from Christchurch, she came to St Cuthbert’s after a deputy principal role at Dunedin’s St Hilda’s Collegiate.

During her time at St Cuthbert’s she introduced numerous initiatives, including a celebrated remote campus at Kahunui, near Whakatane, for Year 10 girls.

However, Ms Reid believes her greatest contribution has been the team of teachers she has recruited.

“In the end, what they do everyday in the classroom is what’s absolutely the key to success.”

Simon Allen, chair of St Cuthbert’s Trust Board, commends Ms Reid’s leadership.

The principal’s team approach allowed the students to achieve their academic best, said Mr Allen.

Teacher Karen Leuschke said Ms Reid made a huge effort to connect with her staff over her years at the college.

The principal’s door was always open, said Ms Leuschke.

The prestigious school will start the search for a new principal in a few weeks.

The board is looking for both a “modern leader” and “someone with the culture and values of the traditional St Cuthbert’s approach to life – the ‘By Love, Serve’ concept,” said Mr Allen.

If necessary, deputy principal Helen Robertson will act as interim principal following Ms Reid’s departure.