New Principal for One Tree Hill College

New Principal for One Tree Hill College

Nicholas Dynes [Nick] Coughlan has been appointed principal of One Tree Hill College, Auckland.

He is the eighth principal of the college, formerly known as Penrose High School, since the college opened in 1955. He is also the youngest. At 35 he is one of the youngest principals of a New Zealand secondary school.

Mr Coughlan, deputy principal of the college since 2004 and acting principal after the departure of Iva Ropati in January to take up the principalship of Howick College, holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma of Teaching. He was head of social sciences at the college from 2000–2004.

Mr Coughlan, who is married to a teacher and comes from a family of teachers, was chosen from a strong field of candidates.

Board of Trustees chairman Garth Biggs described him as outstanding.

“He is, in the view of the Board of Trustees, the person most likely to continue the rejuvenation of the college,” Mr Biggs said.

“He worked closely with Iva Ropati to rebrand the college, improve discipline, increase the college roll and, most importantly, lift academic achievement.

“His commitment to excellence was reflected in the strong and positive review the college received from the Educational Review Office last year.

“The board sets a high benchmark for the principal’s performance and we are confident that Mr Coughlan has the skillset to lead the college into a new era.”

Mr Coughlan said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“To ensure the college continues to grow we must step up our engagement with the One Tree Hill College community.

“I want the college to be the school of first choice for the local community.”

ENDS

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