Principal retires after 26 years in charge

Bernard Fitzgibbon’s quarter of a century plus as principal of St John’s School, Mairangi
Bay, concluded at the end of the third school term. 

Mr Fitzgibbon’s 26 years of service and leadership of the school has been acknowledged
with a week of celebrations including a school Mass, children’s concert, cocktail evening
and a final assembly.

He became principal at St John’s in 1991 when the school roll was 261, and now it is 337.

“My first St John’s school meeting of 1991 was PTFA meeting held in the old staffroom.

“It was a small committed group of parents and has generally helping us to prosper,” Mr
Fitzgibbon said.

Delivering new libraries, computer suites and computer infrastructure has been a significant
investment for the school during Mr Fitzgibbon’s time as principal.

Another major investment was a large adventure playground dubbed “The Gully” commissioned by Mr Fitzgibbon not long after he started in his role.

This was given a facelift in 2013.

More recently a two court all weather sports turf has been installed to support year round
outdoor sports and PE activities — this took another major school community effort and
was the result of three years of gala days and fundraising.

Mr Fitzgibbon was proud that in 2007 St John’s was the first school in New Zealand to
be accredited with an Investor In People international award for effective people and business practices.

This was confirmed with another accreditation in 2010 and in 2013 an added Silver
Award status.