‘There are a lot of you’: The new hands leading the South Island’s largest school

Thursday, 27 July 2023

New Burnside High School principal Scott Haines says his new role is a “privilege”.

“My goodness there are a lot of you,” Scott Haines thought on his first day at the South Island’s largest secondary school - and that was just while meeting the staff.

Haines has taken over the reins this term at Waimairi-iri Burnside High School, the country’s largest secondary school outside of Auckland with close to 2500 students.

The born and bred Nelsonian has swapped one green blazer for another, moving from leading 1600 students at Waimea College in Nelson to the Christchurch mega school, replacing Phil Holstein.

The magnitude of the task didn’t fully dawn on Haines until 350 pairs of eyes from the staff cohort were on him as he introduced himself on his first day at Burnside.

“Part of the gig as as a principal is speaking to big groups, so that wasn't the issue. But the issue was, ‘my goodness there are a lot of you’. And how do I start to engage with a staff of the size?

“They're talking about the same [education issues], but the context is … different, and the people are different, so I think that'll be the first challenge.”

Phil Holstein, former principal of Burnside High School, stepped down from the roll at the end of 2022. (File photo)

While Burnside’s sheer size was no doubt a challenge, Haines said it was also it’s biggest asset.

“There’s such diversity out there that actually no matter how you identify or what you’re into, or what your interests are, there are other people like you here and you can find your tribe, your people. And I’ve got a keen sense of that already.”

Originally trained as an accountant, Haines started his teaching career in “the deep dark south” at Fiordland College in Te Anau.

“It was magic. It was about two hours to the nearest shops and about 20 minutes to go and shoot a deer or catch a fish, it was perfect,” he said.

“I love provincial New Zealand and love the South Island in particular.”

Haines is a keen hunter, fisher and lover of rugby. He’s a former prop from his first XV playing days.

Haines’ next move took him to Ashburton College, where he progressed from head of business studies to deputy principal. It was then a homecoming of sorts, he said, when he returned to the Nelson region as principal of Motueka High School, before his most recent role leading Waimea College from 2015.

Yet to be hung in his new Burnside office is a frame of Haines as a Waimea student, and a portrait of him leading the same school, notably in similar green plaid to the Burnside uniform.

“Eight years at Waimea and I love the place and the pull to stay there was so strong. It's my old school, it's my home, it’s where my family are … but I believe you can't stay in one place forever.”

Haines had everything “going right” at Waimea, including a record year of student achievement, maintaining good culture and relationships with students, and not recording a single suspension in the previous year.

But “you leave while the party’s pumping”, he said.

Haines’ wife Kelly is also a former Waimea College student and they have three daughters together. The eldest had arguably done more research about Burnside than Haines until recently, he said, and was excited to attend next year.

“The proof in the pudding is how you feel about your own kids coming here, and I feel really happy about having her come here next year.”