For Sandra Dentice, the realisation it was time to retire came at the Canterbury Primary Principals Association annual getaway weekend in Hanmer Springs last November.
“It was an ‘aha’ moment. Looking around and seeing a lot of young faces, I thought, ‘this is time’,” Dentice said.
Her teaching journey began in 1975 and after more than four decades in education, Dentice will retire at the end of term 3.
She leaves Whītau School (formerly Linwood North) where she has been part of the team since 1999 and principal since 2003.
“I’m leaving the school in great heart. It has been an arduous decision to make because it’s about me and not others,” she said.
“I have learned a lot. The love of learning has kept me going. Always wanting to improve and the drive to think ‘how can I champion this kid?’”
Dentice chose to retire in term 3 rather than term 4 to give the new principal a smoother transition.
“Term 4 is a crazy time with it being the end of the school year and preparing for the next year so that is why I am leaving at the end of term 3 to give the incoming principal time to get their feet under the desk.”
When asked how she has done it all, Dentice credits her upbringing.
“My parents valued education, and the need for firmness, fairness and consistency.
“My father didn’t have much schooling, but he would sit at night and learn maths alongside me.”
Born and raised in Rangiora by parents Jack and Lois Smith, Dentice attended Rangiora Borough and Rangiora High School.
“I always wanted to be a teacher. I would get home (from school) and play ‘schools’ with my younger brother Michael in the garage where we had a blackboard.”
Named dux in sixth form, Dentice opted to go straight to Teachers College rather than complete year 13.
“I saw no purpose to year 13.
“1975 was my first year as a teacher, and my first teaching jobs were at Southbrook and Rangiora Borough. Back then, teaching appointments and placements were decided by the Canterbury Board of Education.
“Teachers College teachers were paid $24 a fortnight, so I worked at Greig’s Jewellers on Friday nights and during the school holidays.”
In the 1980s, Dentice stepped back from full-time teaching to raise her three children – Matthew, Sarah Jane, and Daniel – with her first husband Richard.
She continued relief teaching between 1982 and 1988 before returning full-time to Rangiora Borough School in 1998.
She joined Medbury School in 1991 as a year 3 and music teacher and later became junior school dean.
“We started and ended the day with music on the recorder and glockenspiel.
“I had no aspiration to be a principal, but with that role (junior school dean), the next step was to be a deputy principal – you have the toes still in the pool.”
In 1999, she moved to Whītau School as deputy to principal Basil Shead. When he retired in 2002, Dentice was among five shortlisted for the principal role – and the only woman.
“In my interview, I offered my head, heart and hands.
“The head to think strategically, hands for practical work, and heart because you have to love children and see their potential.”
Dentice brought a service-minded approach to leadership.
“I’ve loved this job with a passion. Leadership is about serving the community – being empathetic, courageous, and making sure children have the best learning experiences. That means removing barriers, providing uniforms or food if needed, and ensuring consistency and stability.
“It is not my school but our school. With the team working together, everyone achieves more.
“I’m passionate about kids coming to primary school and being carefree – it is meant to be the best years of their lives.
“Principalship is not about popularity stakes – it’s about earning respect and having an open-door policy for parents and families to voice their concerns.”
“I’ll never forget the earthquake. Parents were running in to find their kids. I had to show a lot of courage and resilience,” she said.
Despite the challenges, there were many high points.
“Travelling overseas to see how other countries educate, mentoring four future principals, our school’s centennial in 2008, and the completion of our new build in 2018 – those are some of my proudest moments.”
Technology also transformed the classroom during her time, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
“When I started, you needed a licence to operate a projector. Now it’s about finding the right balance – making sure technology enhances learning and doesn’t become a barrier.
“Covid was hard to engage as the kids could not be face-to-face with each other, and the varying access to technology for learning.”
Founded in 1908, today Whītau has a roll of 315, with about 40% Māori and 20% Pasifika pupils. At its peak, the school served more than 1000 pupils.
“The vision has always been ‘learning to take us places’. We’ve shown kids the possibilities that education brings,” she said.
Under her leadership, the school introduced an honours board, end-of-year awards, a house system (Woodham, Wilding, Porritt, Ngarimu), and a buddy system to encourage older pupils to mentor younger ones. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) has also become a foundation of the school culture.
In Dentice’s view, children haven’t changed, life has.
“Life today for a child is far more complex and challenging.
“We know more about neurodiversity, behaviour and mental health. But at their core, kids are the same – kind and appreciative.”
“New Zealand is renowned worldwide for the creative way we deliver curriculum with the inquiry-based learning approach.
“Now it’s becoming so structured that teachers will struggle to adapt – and more children could fall through the cracks.
“On the one hand, we know more about how children learn and on the other hand, we’re being told to give a prescriptive back-to-basics approach.
“It is like cooking a recipe with bland flavours when you want something that will be delicious.”
At 70, Dentice is ready to enjoy retirement with husband Garry and their two dogs, Dougal (a scottish terrier) and Moragh (a west highland terrier).
“We’ve bought a caravan and plan to travel New Zealand,” she said.
“I’ll play more golf and bridge, stay involved as a Justice of the Peace and a funeral celebrant, and enjoy good health while I have it.
“I have no regrets. If I had my life over again, I would still be a teacher.”
