Laingholm Primary

Paul Heffernan

Principal, Laingholm Primary

Paul, or Mr Heff, as he is known in the school community, grew up in Mt Roskill – his first school being Wesley Primary, and then in the normal course of growing, moved on to Wesley Intermediate and Mt Albert Grammar School. On his last day of school, with his school years not having being particularly academically spectacular, a teacher suggested to Paul – ‘Why don’t you become a teacher?’ …And he did! Paul’s teacher training was done at Auckland Teachers College – spending his first year teaching at Paihia Primary School, in the Bay of Islands. Having decided it was time for a move, he spent the following two years teaching at Moerewa School. He then took up a teaching position at Kings Preparatory School in Remuera and after leaving there after three years, taught at Epsom Normal and Richmond Road Schools. His first principal’s position was to the four teacher school of Tomarata, near Wellsford, and here he stayed for four years before becoming the head of the Art Department at Rodney College. Whilst reading the Rodney Times one day, he saw a property for sale, advertised at Mangawhai Heads which he purchased and developed into the Mangawhai Beach Hideaway Motor Camp. After eleven years, Auckland again beckoned! On his return Paul bought a restaurant on the waterfront at St Heliers and for five years basked in the pleasure of meeting and entertaining customers, besides feeding them with his own particular brand of humour. Towards the end of the fi ve-year sojourn at St Heliers, he was appointed to the position of Principal at Laingholm Primary School in 1993. His love of teaching and of children, his strong vision for the school, the support he gives his staff has made him not only a popular Principal but one whose ‘passion’ for the school, its parents and the community, is very infectious. Paul believes that everyone should enjoy coming to school, and that schools should be filled with fun and laughter. They should be happy, caring, safe places that demonstrate clearly that you are entering a child’s place. That is why the main office foyer at Laingholm School is festooned with enormous hanging snakes, revolving planets and you are most likely going to be soaked by Mr Heff and his water pistols. Rocket ships are found in every classroom and on top of the Adventure playground. It’s all part of the school vision statement and theme that children at Laingholm School are reaching for the stars. ”We want everyone to reach their potential and we endeavour to seek out and promote the talents and abilities that lie within everyone.” He said. Paul finished the interview by saying: “We are proud to call our school ‘The Greatest Little School in the Universe’ – because we believe this to be so as we live in an awesome part of the country, have fantastic, passionate staff and wonderful parents and students.” Definitely a school worth a visit – or check out Laingholm School at www.laingholm.school.nz