Principal has resigned

[bloomfieldtj]

Hello Mumsnetters,

My 11 year old DD has completed her first term as a boarder at Hockerill Anglo European College. She is really enjoying it and has settled well, which is relief to us as we're based overseas. However, we have just received an email stating the principal has resigned to take up headship of an overseas school in Jakata.

Feel quite shocked by this development given we're only a term in, and wonder whether I should be worried about this. Has anybody else experienced a strong head resigning at their child's school and are there any matters going forward I should be looking out for? He leaves next summer but we don't know who will be replacing him yet.

Hopefully the transition from this head to the new will be a smooth one, but would welcome any insight from wise Mumsnetters, who have shared this experience whilst their child was at school.

Many thanks and Merry Christmas to all!

[BadgerB]

This happened to us at a younger age, Y4. The Head left at the end of DS's first year and the new one has just finished his first term, so it's early days. So far- we get fewer reports, Head not seen at events, some extras removed to make time for yet more sport. On the other hand the staff love him, the previous Head was something of an autocrat. DS and his friends seem to like him too. We wait to see how things will go. Some parents are complaining, though not us because we have a big bursary and another DS coming up a few years behind DS1!

[complexnumber]

I don't think you need to worry at all. Heads and Principals at international schools will often leave after 5+ year.

The school you mentioned has a sound base and a good reputation, these things are not created by one person alone. I would imagine there is enough momentum withhin the staff to keep things ticking over for quite a while.

I would imagine the school had been informed of his decision some time ago, and the the process of replacing him will be in full swing now.. There will be many excellent principals around the world who would love the opportunity to work in a school such as your DD's.

Exciting times!

[bloomfieldtj]

Thanks for your kind responses. Hopefully it won't make a great difference, but I will obviously have to keep an eye on things. As Complexnumber says, HAEC is a popular school, so one hopes its reputation will attract good candidates for the new headship.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!