Lennox Sharp may have joined the teaching profession later in life, but it certainly hasn't slowed his swift rise to the position of principal.
The East Otago High School deputy principal has just been appointed principal of the year 7-13 Palmerston School.
He succeeds Rick Geerlofs, who was recently appointed principal of Dunedin's Kaikorai Valley College.
In a former life, Mr Sharp was head of his family's clothing retail store, J.T. Sharp and Sons Ltd, but the business closed in 1990 after a major fire.
"I did a short stint in sales, and then I decided to go into teaching. My wife thought I would be good at it. That was the catalyst."
He began teaching in 1995 at South Otago High School and, soon after, became head of social science at the school.
Fairness, positiveness and the ability to get on with young people were character traits that later saw him appointed deputy principal at East Otago High School in 2010.
Mr Sharp's appointment was announced yesterday by the chairman of the school's board of trustees, Stefan Witehira.
Mr Sharp was delighted with with the appointment.
"Going into teaching was the best decision I've ever made," he said.
