Experienced educator to lead innovative school

John Mather.

Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti, the special character state secondary school in central Christchurch, has appointed John Mather as its new director.

Mr Mather will take up this role from the beginning of Term Two.

“John has an extensive background in education administration and leadership. He has been the Southern regional manager for the MoE and recently returned to NZ after four years in a senior leadership role in the New South Wales education system,” said Jane Ellis, Unlimited Board of Trustees chairperson.

Unlimited has grown rapidly in the last six years from 40 students to 400.

The previous director, Vince Dobbs, took up a new role in Victoria, Australia, early this year.

The board is excited to have a new director with a strong empathy for the focus and style of learning that makes Unlimited a unique and wonderful school.

Mr Mather, said he is excited by this new opportunity.

“It will be a great opportunity to work at a school level rather than system level and I believe that Unlimited is charting the way forward in terms of the future of secondary education.”

Mr Mather also noted, “Unlimited is a school that is different in the way it is organised and the way that learning is structured. It is a school that is pioneering new ways of learning for the future.

“I have been impressed by the reports about how students enjoy their learning at Unlimited along with the very committed staff who focus on strong relationships with students as the basis for learning.”