Principal's View
Principal: David Graham
Kia ora Koutou, ngā mihi and thank you for your interest in our school.
What makes Goodwood School Stand Out?
Goodwood School stands out for many reasons. We have a wonderful team who come together to achieve great things. Our students are fantastic ‘explorers’ who make the most of every opportunity and who really support each other. We have such a talented team of teachers and support staff who really care, and who strive to make a difference every day. Our very supportive parents, board and community complete an outstanding team!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, who are you?
I have been involved in education for well over 35 years and have been a principal for 25 years. I have worked at six amazing schools, in Auckland and the Waikato, and this is my third principal’s role. I think that I have the best job in the world - working with amazing people and helping them achieve success every day. I am happily married with three wonderful children, a granddaughter, Clara and a chocolate labrador called Harry. I love music and play guitar and cycle most days either on the road or on the trails.
What are you most proud of and what are you hoping to achieve?
I am proud of Goodwood’s excellent reputation for developing successful lifelong learners. Through a quality curriculum, structured approaches to literacy and numeracy and the right balance of direct, explicit instruction, we strive to ensure that all of our explorers annually make at least a year’s progress.
My message for our learners to make the most of every day and every opportunity. Strive to constantly improve, take a new step up with your learning each day. Also to support the learning of others by living our GRIT values.
What makes Goodwood a great place to learn?
Our teachers are outstanding. They engage in high quality professional learning and we are often visited by other schools looking to see outstanding practice in action. Our explorers make remarkable progress and leave us fully equipped to be successful in ongoing studies.
Alongside these high academic standards, we have high standards of care and behaviour. Our GRIT (generosity, respect, integrity and trust) values permeate all that we do. Our explorers know how to behave in ways that promote learning and friendships. We believe that ALL children benefit from learning in calm and dignified spaces. We are unapologetic in insisting upon these high standards.
We welcome your interest in our school - and invite you to visit to see our learning in action.
Every day is open day.
Noho ora mai
David