New head for Warkworth school

Warkworth Primary School will start the school year with a new principal at the helm.

Former Red Beach School deputy principal Karney Dawson has replaced Cynthia Holden, who stepped down at the end of last year after 13 years in the role.

Dawson, who has been involved in education his entire working life, says he is looking forward to getting to know the Warkworth school community, especially the students.

“Teaching provides an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life,” he says.

“My definition of success is seeing kids achieving and learning. There’s a real joy in being part of this process, especially with students who are perhaps a little more challenging.”

Dawson grew up in Avondale, in Auckland, and taught at Northcross Intermediate, Kristen and Whenuapai, before joining Red Beach nine years ago.

He also spent two years on his OE teaching in London. Firstly, at Broadwater Farm, which catered for a lot of refugee families, and then relief teaching.

He says in terms of his family life, the timing is right for the shift to Warkworth. Daughter Zoe is about to start at Waikato University and son Jayden is in Year 11 at Westlake.

“I’ve loved Red Beach, but becoming a principal has always been a goal.

“Julie [Red Beach principal Julie Hepburn] has provided a strong leadership model over the years and I feel I now have the confidence and knowledge for the role.”

Dawson says he will be taking a softly, softly approach, devoting his energies to connecting with the school community, staff and students.

“There’s a lot of great things happening at the school and, as time goes by, it will be up to me to identify what adaptions might be appropriate to maintain this high standard.

“I certainly don’t want to be a bomb that walks through the door!”