"Because I lived in South Dunedin as a child, attended South Dunedin schools, and then with the experience as principal at Kings High School, I feel I know and understand the community, its strengths, its needs and its aspirations."
Mr Simpson (68) was appointed principal of the school for a short time and later became a member of its board of trustees, after the Ministry of Education sacked his predecessors.
At the time, he had recently retired as principal of Kings High School and was asked by the ministry to help get the school "back on its feet".
Mr Simpson recalled his first few weeks in the job well.
"Morale was very low . . . among the children, the staff and the parents in the community," he said.
"But now, I see the school flourishing. It has gone from strength to strength and the school has some of the very best teachers in New Zealand, in my view.
"[Forbury School principal] Janice Tofia is an exceptional leader. At a time when rolls are dropping in Dunedin, Forbury's is settled."
Mr Simpson retired from the Forbury School board of trustees last week.
"It is a quiet feeling of satisfaction, watching the school grow and mature. It's been a privilege to be associated with the school.
"But I have mixed feelings about stepping away now. It's a statement about how well the school is run - the school is strong and it's the right time to move on."
Mr Simpson taught geography, social studies, history and English at Kaikorai Valley High School, Cromwell District High School and Logan Park High School, before becoming rector at Kings High School.
He retired in 1997.
During his 45-year career he has also been president of the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, a founding member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council, has held several positions in the Otago Secondary Principals Association, has been an Otago Rugby Football Union board member and was winner of the Woolf Fisher Fellowship in 1992.
He will continue his role as chairman of Foundation Studies at the University of Otago and to provide leadership support to schools in Dunedin.
