Rangeview Intermediate

David Latimer

Principal, Rangeview Intermediate

David grew up in Wellington and attended St Patrick’s College in Kilbirnie. After one year at Victoria University David joined the Pesticide Board and from there he joined Hansard in the days of the Lange Labour Government. During both roles he continued to study. Going overseas in 1988 David worked in gold mines in Western Australia; then travelled again through SE Asia, China, and the Trans Siberian Railway through the Soviet Union and up to Sweden living briefly in Finland. He did farm work in England, worked his way back to New Zealand and entered Teachers College in Wellington resuming his studies in the background. “While Tomorrow’s Schools was up and running my first school was a sole charge principal’s role at Pipiriki School on the Wanganui River from the end of 1991 to early 1993 where it was a matter of implementing the changes. From there we moved to Raetihi Primary (near Ohakune) for three years and then to the Kapiti Coast – Raumati Beach School where I stayed for three years”. David’s next move was to a Christian school in Murree in North-eastern Pakistan where he and the family (David’s wife is a teacher and they have three children) had two exciting years. “We had a military coup while we were over there!” Returning to New Zealand David taught at a two teacher school at Rangitaiki on the Taupo/Napier highway becoming principal in 2001. After four years the family moved to West Auckland when David became deputy principal at Rangeview Intermediate School in Te Atatu South. That was 2005 and then on the retirement of Tony Jamieson earlier this year (at the time the oldest serving school principal in New Zealand) David won the principal’s role from the commencement of term three. “The purpose of this school is to provide as many varied opportunities for children while preparing them academically and emotionally for secondary education. Rangeview is built on traditional values: ERO called us a ‘safe school’. We have high standards of education, high standards of behaviour and high standards of respect. The children perform well in all of these areas and can hold their heads up high in any company. I want all children when leaving here to believe that these were the two best years they spent in education. We have a modern, up-to-date curriculum, in its content, delivery and assessment and reporting.”