Assistant principal ready for top role

Preparations for his first year in charge of Marlborough Boys’ College are well underway for newly announced principal, Jarrod Dunn.

With Jarrod stepping up from the assistant role to start Term 1 2025, he has spent two days on a leadership camp alongside next year’s prefects – and acknowledges the platform that John Kendal has built over his tenure.

“My aim is to prepare students for life after school while driving high standards, whether further education or entering the workforce, so continuing focus on high expectations from our students so they achieve to the best of their ability", he says.

“I felt that I had more to offer - we have a responsibility to work with whānau and the community to develop fine young men, and I want to see the students’ sense of pride in their school continue to develop.

“Whakawhanaungatanga relationships are key to successful institutions, and John has fostered this in senior leadership – his support has been awesome, and hope it continues as we begin new roles in 2025.”

Jarrod felt he could affect more change within the school and is excited to work with next year’s head boy Nathan Brooke-Taylor.

“Nathan has impressive leadership qualities; the students respect him, and he brings a positive and mature attitude to the role, so 2025 is going to be an exciting year”.

“MBC is an amazing school with a fantastic staff and student body, and I am looking forward to the challenge of stepping up into the role,” he says.

As John Kendal approaches his last days at Marlborough Boys’ College, he is proud to have played a part in building the school’s identity.

“I think there are several initiatives that have contributed - improving a sense of belonging in our tuakana-teina house structure, to performing school-wide haka with understanding and purpose.

“I am most proud of the implementation of ‘Niho Taniwha’, which challenged our staff to research and include rich local history into all programmes of learning, increasing student engagement and attendance rates.

“Just like the classroom setting, when you provide support, guidance and encouragement people will step outside their comfort zone and grow in confidence of their own accord.”

As John leaves for alma mater Rotorua Boys’ High School, he says head boy Josiah Lenati has “represented both his faith and education extremely well, leading our student body with respect and an unwavering dedication to our core school values.”

He is eagerly awaiting to see what Jarrod achieves.

“Matua Jarrod has worked extremely hard to secure this pivotal leadership position, and I am delighted for him and the school community.

“Continuity and certainty provide confidence and direction, and I hope we can establish a mutually beneficial exchange programme between our two schools.”