The new principal of Columba College was attending her commissioning as principal, but she agreed it felt something like a marriage.
''It is a little bit,'' Mrs Hayes said.
The service was held in an almost full church, with green-blazered pupils, parents and staff on hand for the commissioning.
That, Mrs Hayes said, was ''being welcomed by the community and the Presbyterian Church to my role''.
The service also opened the school's 100th year.
Mrs Hayes was ''handed over'' to the Columba community by the chairman of the board of trustees at Geraldine High School, Ian Hyslop.
''I feel very humble and very proud to be part of the tradition,'' she said.
Mrs Hayes, who was principal at Geraldine, has succeeded Elizabeth Wilson, who retired at the end of last year, after being in the role since 1980.
She was raised in the High Country of the South Island, and boarded at Nelson College for Girls.
She studied at the University of Canterbury, completed a master's degree at Waikato University, and has been teaching for 20 years.
Mrs Hayes worked as deputy principal at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.
She said last night she arrived in Dunedin just before Christmas.
''I've been in the office for the last three weeks, just finding my way around things and getting to know staff and board members.''
This week, pupils were back for the year.
''It's brought that energy and purpose, so we're under way.''
Mrs Hayes, who had only been in Dunedin for short periods in the past, said she ''always loved visiting'', and had enjoyed spending summer here.
Her focus was on developing of staff and pupils ''to be the best they can be in the organisation''.
She was also keen on collaboration, and had already made connections with health services, and with the Maori community.
''You can't do it all on your own as a school''You have a lot to take, and a lot to learn from others around you.''
