Fruitvale Primary

The day I met Donal was his first official day as principal of this delightful West Auckland primary school although it certainly wasn’t his first day there.

Donal grew up in the West – in Te Atatu North – and completed his compulsory education at Liston College. From school he became a radio technician with AWA in Wellington, became a management trainee and then like most young kiwis travelled overseas. Returning to New Zealand in 1985 Donal studied at Auckland University and the Auckland College of Education and completed his undergraduate degree in English and Education.

He fi rst taught at North Shore’s Birkdale Primary and then after one year he moved to Freeman’s Bay School. It was there that he was given the opportunity to extend his technology skills by completing a postgraduate diploma of technology through Waikato University. This led to a one year lecturing role at ACE after which he moved to join the staff at Richmond Road Primary, where he stayed for seven years. "Richmond Road is a wonderful school where the curriculum is taught in four different languages. You learn to enjoy the complexity of numerous ethnic backgrounds and value their uniqueness and creativity." During 2005 Donal was acting principal at Richmond Road while the regular principal was away and having enjoyed the experience he was thrilled to secure the Fruitvale position when Noeline Goldie retired.

"I am excited to be coming home to the West – a very multicultural city with an exciting eco-council and to be in such a lovely school as Fruitvale Primary! I’ve been here 3-4 weeks now with a lot of visits late last year. We have a very dedicated staff; very well managed systems, great gardens, an enthusiastic community and refined opportunities to invigorate the children’s learning, within the wide range of cultures that comprise our community. We have received tremendous support from the Portage Licensing Trust which has enabled one ICT lab and up to two computers in every classroom. I am looking to further integrate the IT within a vision of the School as a community of learners and look forward to the challenges of the coming years."

Donal is married to Vivienne. They have four daughters.