12 Nov 2012

Christchurch Boys High head moves to ministry

9:49 pm on 12 November 2012

The principal of Christchurch Boys High School, who has resigned to go to an advisory role in the Ministry of Education, says the region's education system cannot go back to what it was.

Trevor McIntyre was a vocal critic of ministry proposals to merge his school with Shirley Boys High.

Education Minister Hekia Parata last week backed down on the merger proposal, along with a number of other controversial ideas.

Schools have until 7 December to make submissions on the plans.

Mr McIntyre sees his new position as liaising between schools and the ministry.

His 12-month contract aims to ensure that the sector, parents and school communities have one of their own monitoring the programme, as well as liaise between the parties.

"The point at which it starts to affect individual schools and individuals, then it becomes extremely challenging, so I would like to think that I can work in that space.

"I relish the opportunity of being involved to make sure that some of the heat is taken out of it, in that we can find some really smart and really successful solutions to the challenges that the Christchurch network's facing."

Mr McIntyre says he was approached by the ministry for the role.

He chairs the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority community forum and has been principal of Christchurch Boys' High School since 2003.

Mr McIntyre begins his new job next month.