Not only did she take on the role of principal at Oamaru North School during Alert Level 4 lockdown, the school she was leading was under limited statutory management.
But she has navigated both challenges successfully, and the future is looking bright after the limited statutory management intervention placed on the school last year was revoked this week.
The school was first placed under statutory management in November 2017. That was lifted at the end of the 2018 school year, but in November last year, Cleave Hay was appointed limited statutory manager, at the request of the board of trustees.
Mr Hay, who took on employment and communications-related roles, said he was "very pleased" the school had been restored to a position where the board was able to govern without intervention support.
"This has come through a deliberate working together by the board of trustees, principal Stacey and staff, who have all showed a determination to see Oamaru North School as a strong and attractive school for the students of today and into the future," Mr Hay said.
"I am confident that the school will remain a great place for children to be educated."
Mrs Honeywill, who was principal at Waitati School for five years, replaced acting principal Sam Winterbourne, who took over when Peter Roundhill left last year after several years in charge.
Starting her new role amid a pandemic meant introductions to staff, pupils and families were all virtual — she phoned the families of all 84 pupils to introduce herself and organised a lot of Zoom meetings with staff.
It had been a rewarding experience to lead the school out of statutory management, but it was a "solid team and community effort", she said.
The school’s potential was what attracted her to the role.
"I could see ... lots of room for growth and development.
"I thought I could make a difference," Mrs Honeywill said.
Next year, her focus would be on embedding the new school values and vision — "together growing hearts and minds".
"We’re going to formulate our work around the vision and embed our new values, and ensure the wellbeing of staff and students at the school — academic, emotional and social wellbeing."
Mrs Honeywill lives in Otematata and drives to Oamaru for work every day.
"I just love it up there," she said.
"It’s a lovely drive in the morning — it’s beautiful."
