Toko farewells a friend

1st July 2010

AFTER thirteen-and-a-half years at the school helm, Toko School principal Richard Bradley is heading south for new challenges and new experiences.
Arriving at Toko in 1997, Richard already had a taste for school management, having been a principal at Rangiwahia School in the Rangitikei, and a sole charge principal at Pukeokahu School prior to that.
“When I came out of training in my twenties, my first role was at Rangeview Intermediate in Auckland,” says Richard.
“And while I enjoyed that, I always felt I wanted to be a principal and so the small school option seemed to suit me really well.”
His appointments in the Rangitikei were also enjoyable for him, but he admits to having felt really at home in Toko – by far the role he has held for the longest time of all of them.
“When I got here, it was already a wonderful school, was well thought-of, and was well-supported by its community. It has remained that way ever since.”
Growing and changing
Of course, anyone who knows anything about schools knows that things are always changing, and almost always for the better.
For Richard, one of the most important changes at the school that he has had a hand in has been the introduction of the ‘Learning Stars’ programme; a programme largely based on principles of student self-management.
“Self management is a key competency in the new curriculum.

It’s all about students setting their own learning and behaviour goals, working out the best ways to achieve them, and celebrating their success when they do.”
The growth of information technology at the school has also been a key feature during Richard’s time at Toko, and is another thing he is pleased to have been involved with.
“We’ve worked really hard to stay up to speed with regard to IT technologies in school and Toko has established a great reputation with regard to it. We are now part of an ITC professional development contract; this a great achievement for us.”
Moving forward
With advancements in the school’s music programme, huge and popular annual school productions and annual school camps, things have developed rather nicely at the school and Richard has enjoyed watching things grow and develop.
Professionally, Richard’s time at Toko has been especially satisfying and he feels very much a part of the wider community of principals in Taranaki.
“I think I know every principal from New Plymouth to Hawera, and have got to know a little something about each of them.”
This collegial knowledge is set to serve Richard well in his new role as principal of Turuturu School in Hawera.
“Toko has 97 students, and Turuturu has 240. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of leading such a large school.”
When he starts at Turuturu in term 3, Richard’s plan is to observe how the school is run for a little while and then work out where best to channel his enormous energy; right now, he’s enjoying his last days at his beloved Toko.
“I’ve always been lucky to work with competent and committed Boards of Trustees at Toko. I’ve had a really great time here; I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”