Rob Donaldson – a principled approach to education A n outstanding teacher and educational leader, Deputy
deeper commitment in various ways, e.g. the teaching of Te Reo, the kapa haka group, and engagement with tikanga and mātauranga Māori. The most rapid phase in this evolution has been since the appointment of Executive Principal Garth Wynne. “Our emphasis on mental health and wellbeing programmes is a significant change in recent years, and our sporting programme has improved for various reasons, including the appointment of specialist coaches.” During the evolution of College over the past 35 years, Rob has remained a steady hand, supporting the many facets of school life through the terms of four principals – Garth Wynne, Simon Leese, Rob Zordan, and Dr MJ Rosser. Rob joined Christ’s College in 1988 – during the time of Dr Rosser – after leaving South Africa to take up a position as an English teacher. In 2000, he was appointed founding Housemaster of Somes House. In September 2004, he accepted the challenging role of Deputy Principal, holding that position until his retirement in December 2023. Rob also continued to enhance his own learning, gaining a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Management) from Massey University in 2018. He also holds a Bachelor of Education from Rhodes University, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the University of Cape Town, and a
Master of Philosophy (History) from the University of Waikato. During his steadfast tenure, Rob navigated the challenging world of social media, the devastating Canterbury earthquakes, and the disruptive impact of Covid-19 on education. Committed to pastoral care and upholding behavioural standards, Rob focused on fairness and integrity, gaining the respect of generations of College boys and families. Powered by Rob, the drive for Christ’s College to become only the second Round Square International member school in New Zealand was realised in March 2018. Round Square links together a network of more than 240 schools worldwide, focusing on the IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. As Round Square Coordinator for College, Rob enabled students and staff to participate in events, service initiatives, and conferences in Africa, China, Canada, and Australia. In his final year at College, he led a contingent to Kenya for the organisation’s international annual conference. Representatives from several schools – both national and international – also spent time at College, drawing on Rob’s extensive Round Square experience to establish their own links to the expanding school network.
Principal Rob Donaldson has retired after a remarkable 35 years of wide-ranging service to Christ’s College. Encompassing pastoral care and Round Square in his multi-layered role, Rob has also set the bar high in his English classes while maintaining day-to-day oversight of the school. As Rob reflects on his lengthy tenure and positive experiences, he also notes significant progress within the school. “The school has become more diverse in its intake, in many ways, such as ethnicity and family backgrounds, and in accommodating boys with particular needs,” he believes. “I think that we have become a more caring place over time and that the boys treat each other with more consideration, compassion, and respect.” Rob also values the “way that the boys are more influential in the school now” and that “the ‘student voice’ is more evident, especially in our assemblies and student committees”. While “there has been remarkable continuity and stability at College”, there have been “some subtly profound changes”. “The biggest of these changes is probably our commitment to Biculturalism, which started with the Rev’d Bosco Peters using Te Reo in Chapel many years ago, and evolved over the years to a
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