New principal at Tauhoa helm

Tauhoa School will welcome a new principal, Vivienne Goldsmith, with a Powhiri at Puatahi Marae on February 3.

Vivienne comes from nine years’ teaching at Sunnynook School on the North Shore and replaces the principal for the past six years, Rosie Morton, who has returned to live in her home area of Port Waikato.

A Labour Party candidate for East Coast Bays in 2008 and 2011, Vivienne has also been an active member of the teacher’s professional body and union (NZEI) fronting Auckland’s World Teachers’ Day celebrations in 2010 and 2011.

She has had a long association with Scouting New Zealand, including being area cub leader and now associate leader for Mahurangi, and was North Shore Playcentre Association’s liaison convenor before she started teacher training in 2000.

While she brings plenty of teaching experience, including skills in e-learning and mathematics curriculum leadership, to the new role, she is a confessed “city slicker” who is new to rural life and is looking forward to experiencing her first Calf Club Day.

She and her husband George and 18-year-old son Richard have moved to the Tauhoa school house and she also has two adult daughters.

Tauhoa is a full primary (covering years 1-8) with around 55 students and three teachers. It celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2004 had a major facelift in 2008 and is up-to-date with wireless internet and computer facilities.

“I am lucky to be the principal of a school that boasts strong traditions, park-like grounds and yet has a wonderful, modern learning environment,” she says.

“My hope is to continue Tauhoa School’s strong traditions while maintaining a learning and teaching environment that enables all students to reach their full potential.”


Anyone interested in attending the welcome for Vivienne can contact the school on 422 5722.