Anderson’s Bay School principal Hamish McDonald took a year of leave from his position last year so he could complete his doctorate in education.
Until recently, he planned to return to his job, but then a new door opened up.
"As part of trying to support my student diet of two-minute noodles throughout the year, I took on some lecturing at the College of Education and some work delivering professional development to schools.
"After reflecting on that work, I discovered that was the direction I wanted to go in, and once I’ve finished my doctorate, it will lend itself well to both of those areas.
"It will feed back into the teaching profession in a way that can perhaps support it more across the whole profession, as opposed to just one place.
"So I’ve taken a leap. It’s quite exciting for me."
He was recently offered lecturing work, and had been contracted to work as an accredited consultant and facilitator with Cyclone, delivering professional learning development to schools and supporting the existing facilitators in the Southland and Otago area.
He would also continue his doctoral research, which would look at professional development and supporting experienced principals in "the ever-changing" landscape they worked in.
"It’s about looking at how best we can support the professional learning and the ongoing development of our principals in New Zealand, so that we’ve got the best things coming through all the time."
He hoped to complete his doctorate early next year.
The Anderson’s Bay School board of trustees is now advertising for Mr McDonald’s replacement.
