Martinborough principal steps down | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The abrupt departure of Martinborough School principal Ann Easter has led to the recall of a retired teacher to take over the reins in a caretaker role.

Frazer Mailman, who bowed out as Masterton Intermediate School principal late last year after 21 years at the helm, has been brought in to look after Martinborough School until a new principal is found.

Neither Mr Mailman nor the chairwoman of the school's board of trustees, Amanda McLeod, would give details of why Mrs Easter has suddenly resigned, leaving the school little time to organise a replacement for the start of the new school year.

Mrs McLeod said the principal, who had been at Martinborough School since 2008, had given notice in December with the bulk of that resignation time falling during school holidays, and that it had not been entirely unexpected. As far as she knew, Mrs Easter had moved to the Auckland area but she had not since heard from her.

The board was now going through the proper channels of seeking a new principal but meanwhile was more than happy to have the very experienced Mr Mailman in the caretaker role.

Mrs McLeod had no comment on whether Mrs Easter had problems with other teachers, pupils or parents.

She said Martinborough School, like other schools, had "our share of discontent" during her own time on the board but that any specific information on why Mrs Easter had decided to resign would need to come from her or her supporters.

Mrs McLeod said the board was expecting to have Mr Mailman in charge for two terms, so that a replacement principal could go through the proper channels and give appropriate notice to the school they were now working at before coming to Martinborough School.

Mr Mailman took up his role as caretaker principal when the school reopened last week.

Since his retirement, he had been working one day a week as a relief courier driver and had not expected to be " back in harness" in schools.

"But Martinborough has given me a very warm welcome and I am very appreciative of the support they have shown me."

Mrs McLeod said moves to get a caretaker principal quickly on the job had been much better than "putting pressure on other teachers for two terms".

She said the board was very happy with Mr Mailman.

"He is amazing, he's great and knows how to set things up."

Before retiring from Masterton Intermediate School, Mr Mailman had clocked up a total of 44 years as a primary and intermediate teacher.

He had also been principal of Central School, Masterton.