Commissioner Nicola Hornsey has announced the appointment of King's High School deputy rector Darryl Paterson to the position of permanent rector at Waitaki Boys'.
Ms Hornsey has been in place since October 2014 after the board of trustees stood down in face of three independent reports that identified serious issues at the school.
Mr Paterson's appointment follows two recruitment drives, in December last year and again in March, to replace former rector Paul Jackson, who held the top job for four years.
Ms Hornsey said in a letter sent to the school community Mr Paterson would begin at the school on January 28, but would visit regularly before that to meet staff and liaise with temporary rector Clive Rennie in preparation for the 2017 school year.
A Waitaki Boys' old boy, Mr Paterson has been the deputy rector at King's for five years.
He was a keen sportsman, playing golf, competitive tennis and formerly playing and now coaching rugby and looked forward to meeting the school community, Ms Hornsey said. She encouraged the school community to support and encourage him "as the revitalisation of the school continues".
Mr Jackson stepped down at the end of the 2015 school year. His departure came after an announcement in October a 12.5% drop in enrolments was predicted at the school this year, which resulted in cuts to funding and three teachers volunteering to have their jobs disestablished.
Former Otago Boys' High School rector Mr Rennie was appointed temporarily as Waitaki rector in December last year.
"I wish to record my sincere gratitude to Mr Rennie for his outstanding contribution to the school throughout 2016 and for his offer to assist with the transition of leadership. The improvement in staff morale and the positivity of the school this year is a real credit to Mr Rennie’s leadership," Ms Hornsey said.
