Salisbury School’s leaving Principal has put school in a strong position for future.

Salisbury School principal Brenda Ellis, second left, shares morning tea with students Shikara, left, and Molly Armstrong, and Board of Trustees chair Emma Thompson. Credit: Tim Newman

The Salisbury School Board of Trustees sadly farewells Principal, Brenda Ellis, who is leaving to take up a new Wellington-based job, from Monday 14 October.

Brenda’s passion, commitment and superb leadership skills have navigated the school through some impressive achievements and some difficult times over the last nine years, says Board of Trustees Chair Emma Thompson.

“We’re really proud of what Salisbury has achieved in recent years, and much of this can be attributed to Brenda’s guidance and dedication to the school and its students,” says Thompson. “Most recently, we achieved ERO’s highest rating, which is undoubtedly due to Brenda’s leadership – we are in a good place for a new Principal to start with us.

“Brenda has embedded in Salisbury her vision to provide an 'extraordinary' experience for our students, and this is obvious in the wide range of academic and recreational programmes and activities the girls have access to at the school. This is a wonderful legacy,” says Thompson. “We’re all sorry to see Brenda go and would like to thank her for her service to the school, the families and most importantly, the students.  We wish her well in her new position.”

“I have loved my time at Salisbury and would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff and Board of Trustees for the wonderful support I have enjoyed throughout my time as Principal at Salisbury,” Ellis says. “I will look back with fondness and pride at all we have achieved together in our determination to meet the needs of vulnerable girls with complex needs.”

Using her extensive experience in Learning Support, Ellis is taking up a role as an Education Consultant & Learning Support Specialist for Evaluation Associates based in Wellington.

Thompson says an extensive recruitment process is underway for the new Principal, with the goal to appoint someone to start the new school year in 2020.  In the meantime, Alison McAlpine has been appointed as the Interim Principal.

“We’re delighted that Alison has agreed to step into the role until a permanent appointee is in place,” Thompson says. “Alison has a long association with Salisbury and a wealth of leadership experience, including being the former Principal of Nelson College for Girls and Chair of the NZ Teachers Council, amongst other roles in the education sector.  We’re very lucky to have an interim Principal of Alison’s calibre.

“We’ll be advertising far and wide for the right person to ensure we can springboard the school forward from the strong platform built by Brenda.  This can take time so it’s reassuring that we will continue to have a strong leadership team in place to maintain the momentum already achieved at the school,” says Thompson.