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Simon O’Connor / Stuff
Green School principal Stuart MacAlpine is understood to have resigned. (File photo)
Green School New Zealand’s founding principal, Stuart MacAlpine, resigned after less than a year in office.
His resignation came amid political controversy following the Aug. 26 announcement that the Taranaki private school would benefit from an increase in funding of $ 11.7 million.
However, MacAlpine’s decision to resign came after “one of the most prestigious global foundations in the world came after him,” the school said in an emailed statement Thursday.
The statement did not reveal what basis it was.
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He would walk away from the Oakura-based school at the end of the year, he warned, but would remain involved in the future development of the school’s curriculum once he leaves his position.
More information will be announced next week after contract details are finalized.
The school was in the early stages of recruiting a MacAlpine principal to lead, the statement read.
There have been no other personnel changes in the last month.
MacAlpine felt extremely fortunate to have spent time at the school, he said in the statement.
“Although it is premature for the goodbyes, I have learned a lot from the amazing parents, the community and the wonderful people who support the school.”
MacAlpine said it was the “energy and passion” of the GSNZ founders, the Taranaki couple, Michael and Rachel Perrett, that inspired his move to New Zealand to take over.
He moved from Singapore with his wife Francesca and their three children before the school opened in February 2020.
“Great organizations like Green School New Zealand produce leaders and opportunities, so while I was hoping to stay longer, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference on a global scale is a testament to the value of Green School internationally understood.”
MacAlpine had previously worked in UK schools before transferring to the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore, where he was Director of Teaching and Learning.
He was also a Founding Director of Education and a member of the Leadership Team for Sky School, a coeducational high school for refugees that currently operates in six countries.
He remains the director of Hesscairn Learning Design Studio, according to Linkedin.
Chris Edwards, CEO of GSNZ, said MacAlpine was considered one of the best educators and curriculum developers in the world.
“It has been an honor to have him with us to lay the foundation for Green School during our first year and it really validates the strength of the learning program that we now have.”
Two weeks ago, Green Party co-leader James Shaw announced that a plan to expand the school would be supported with $ 11.7 million from the shovel-ready fund to help the nation recover from Covid-19.
The funding decision angered Green Party members and supporters, parents and teachers across the country.
SIMON O’CONNOR / Things
The Green School opened in February 2020 and has a current role of 55.
Marfell Community School Taranaki principal Kealy Warren sent the government a bill for $ 26.9 million in an attempt to obtain the same treatment for her students.
Twenty-eight other directors of Taranaki followed suit.
Later, Shaw publicly apologized for his role in funding the Green School, calling it “an error in judgment.”
But despite the funding furor, the school’s roster has not been affected, it said Wednesday in an emailed statement.
“New registrations have kept coming for the past two weeks.”
The school has a current list of 55 with student fees ranging from $ 16,000 to $ 43,000 a year.
