"I think it's exciting, really exciting," Mrs Duthie said about her new Dunedin appointment, which she will take up in March.
"I loved my time in Dunedin, and my children loved growing up there [where they attended primary school]," she said.
She had earlier spent about nine and a-half years in Dunedin schools: initially for a year (1999) in the English department at Queen's High School, and then at St Hilda's Collegiate School (2000-08) as head of English and, later, assistant principal.
She had found Dunedin and its heritage buildings and community resources "very accessible", and she had "loved the ability to make good relationships".
The Columba College board of governors and board of trustees were yesterday "very pleased" to announce the appointment of Mrs Duthie, who is at present the Christchurch Girls' High School principal.
She is also a former principal of Iona College, a state-integrated school in Hawke's Bay.
"Mrs Duthie brings outstanding leadership qualities as well as in-depth knowledge and experience in both state-integrated and state schools," the boards said.
Asked what her likely priorities would be, she said she really wanted to "get my feet under the desk" and to spend some time with the "school community".
Mrs Duthie had previously highlighted her passion for single-sex education and yesterday reaffirmed her pleasure in pursuing this at Columba College.
A single-sex school allowed young women access to "all of the rewards and responsibility" available there.
"I'm excited about the new challenge."
Pupils at the college had "such amazing opportunities and they need to be able to achieve them".
It was important to maintain Columba College traditions, but also to prepare pupils to meet the challenges of the future, she said.
The college boards also gave "a special thank you" yesterday to Jenness Riethmaier for taking on the acting principal role.
They also expressed their gratitude "for the commitment and support of the school leadership and staff stepping up into acting roles" during the recruitment process.
