He has been appointed acting principal at Pegasus Bay School until a new principal is appointed next year, following the retirement of founding principal Roger Hornblow.
''It's always exciting times when you put someone new in the role, but it's a credit to Roger that he left the school on a high,'' he says.
Mr Hornblow had been principal at Pegasus Bay School since it opened in May 2014, having been appointed principal at the school's predecessor, Waikuku School, in 2008.
Before retiring, Mr Hornblow received a letter from Education Minister Chris Hipkins ''congratulating us on our ERO (Education Review Office) report'', Mr Kelly says.
''It's a rare occasion for a principal to leave on top of his game. It doesn't happen very often to receive a letter from the Minister after an ERO report has been completed, so it was a real credit to get that before he left.
''It's certainly some big shoes to fill, but it's an exciting opportunity for a new principal to take on a highly innovative school,'' says Mr Kelly, who is hoping to stay in the role next year.
Mr Hornblow has moved on to a community role in the Hurunui district.
Mr Kelly joined the staff at Waikuku School just before the move to Pegasus Bay.
He moved his family to Pegasus three years ago, after commuting out from Christchurch for several years.
He was appointed deputy principal at the beginning of last year, with part of the role being to cover for Mr Hornblow when he was fulfilling his duties as Kahui Ako (community of learning) lead principal, for schools in the Kaiapoi area.
Next term promises to be a busy one, with Mr Kelly and some of his colleagues due to attend an Apple Distinguished Schools conference in Sydney.
''It's pretty exciting and we will be delivering a workshop around our experiential learning practices and how we use IT in school.
''It's a great opportunity to tell our story of what we do on an international stage.''
Pegasus Bay School has a busy end to this term, with an X-Factor competition final being held tomorrow at 1.45pm in the school hall.
Teacher Gina Keating has been busy holding auditions over the last few weeks and the final will feature comedians, musicians, singers, magicians and a Rubik's cube performer.
''It's a pretty intense process and I'm pleased I'm the MC and not having to make the decisions,'' Mr Kelly says.
