St Leonard's Road School

Darren Smith

Principal, St Leonard's Road School

Everyone who has met Darren knows that he’s a real enthusiast! And it was a pleasure to visit his school and hear his story. Though born in Takapuna all of Darren’s education has been in the West - in Avondale. Training was at North Shore Teacher’s College and then his first school was Fruitvale Primary in New Lynn. After a year he moved to Kelston Primary where he continued to develop his skills and then for five years he was assistant principal in the senior school at Chaucer School. Deputy Principal at Glendene Primary was next and then eleven years ago he took up the role of principal at St Leonard’s Rd School. “During my time at Kelston Primary with Kelston School for the Deaf next door I seriously considered deaf education. It’s quite ironic that now we have a very close association with the deaf community and deaf education. We’re a school founded on fundamental traditional values that cut across all cultures – we major on the things we all have in common and delight in the differences.” Passionate about helping local families led Darren to establish the Kelston Community Trust eight years ago with whom they provide parenting programmes under the Kelston HIPPY banner – Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters. Over the years hundreds of parents and children have been helped and several other initiatives have been established. These include a community-based Pre-School which now has a growing waiting list; a Proud-to-be-Kelston concert for all Kelston schools in September; and Proud-to-be-Kelston Awards – through the community trust, to recognise people who have built positive relationships and engendered pride in Kelston. The awards are open to individuals, families, businesses and organisations. This year Darren is the president of the Waitakere Area Principal’s Association (WAPA) the educational voice and professional body for primary and secondary principals in West Auckland. Sporting-wise Darren has been heavily involved in soccer, cricket and athletics as a contributing player, coach and administrator. One of these days he will slow down but in the meantime he’s leading one of the best keep secrets in West Auckland schools! Darren is married to Gillian and they have two teenage children.