A Balclutha principal has been recognised for more than 30 years' service in the education sector.
Balclutha Primary School principal Paddy Ford was made an associate member of the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF) at its transtasman conference in Melbourne last month.
Mr Ford said it was a "huge honour" as the last associate membership had been given four years ago.
He believed only 15 people were associate members.
Mr Ford (54) was born in Milton and attended St Joseph's School and South Otago High School in Balclutha.
He has been principal at Balclutha Primary School for six years, commuting each day from Dunedin.
He also served as president of the NZPF in 2008, taking a year off from the school to fulfil the role.
"While the award is absolutely wonderful, it also recognises the work of the staff here too, who allowed me to do this."
His family - especially wife Linda - had been very supportive over the years, he said. He had been teaching for almost 35 years, both in Otago and Canterbury.
NZPF executive member Sally Direen said Mr Ford took "great pride" in his leadership role as principal.
