It’s with mixed feelings Sara Jones-Hogan leaves Te Pākihi o Maru School at the end of the year, to take on the principal role at St Joseph’s School.

She likens it to the Winnie the Pooh quote: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Sara, who had moved to Auckland from Wales with her family as a child, knew she did not want to bring her children up in the city.

She moved to Ōamaru almost eight years ago, with husband Chris and their children Indeg and Nye, now 14 and 16.

Her first job in town was with St Joseph’s, where she taught for four years before the deputy principal position became open at Te Pākihi. 

“I went for that because I thought what a great opportunity to go to a school that was going through a bit of a change, and grow my leadership there.”

Sara considers herself lucky to have had the “guidance” of principal Stacey Honeywill. 

“It's been phenomenal working with Stacey. She's been phenomenal . . . And the community at Te Pākihi, like, just huge, just so good. 

“I think I've really grown there through just being in that environment. It's just been amazing,” she said. 

The community, the staff, the leadership and the board are “so supportive”.

“Stacey has great vision, and she's strong, like, so much mana. She can see something, and she's not afraid to do it. And she's driving the school forward, and making some great, great changes. 

“... And just so much love, she's involved in so much. And she gives back to the school, and so I think the board are just so supportive of her. And the staff, the staff are phenomenal. They're like, such a great team to work with.

“I just loved it, and I could have happily stayed there, but when the job came up for St Joe's, it's, sort of, my faith, it's my community, it's where I always saw myself.

“I always said to Stacey, if it came up, I'd go, so she knew that, and she's so supportive of it.”

It is Sara’s strong faith that takes her back to her beloved St Joseph’s, where the education is structured around God and Christian values.

“I think this world is such a confusing place to be at the moment, that I've always had that strong sense of, you know, that faith and values of knowing that God is there with us and walks alongside us.”

Sara has remained present in the Catholic parish, and was looking forward to working with the new priest at St Patrick’s Basilica, Father Fredy Permentilla. 

“He's just got so much energy and he's just lovely.

“So yeah, I'm looking forward to working with him and working with the parish and just connecting more with St Kevin's.” 

Former St Joseph’s principal Lorraine Frances-Rees left in term 2, and since then there has been an acting principal, who will see the school through to the end of the year.

Sara is looking forward to helping the school realise its “huge potential” and help it grow.

She is also looking forward to fostering the ongoing connection with St Kevin’s College, and is grateful to have the support of the parish and board of trustees.

“You really do have this great network of people that support and surround the school. Which is what I loved when I was there, I love that part of it.” 

Outside of school, Sara is a bit of a fitness fanatic. She loves to run, and completed the first Alps 2 Ocean Ultra 300km+ stage race, in 2018. She is also a regular at the 5.15am CrossFit class.

“My kids really love skiing, so we do quite a bit of skiing in the winter, and then in the summer, both my kids now are rowing, so, heavily involved. And it's such a great community. So often I try and help out as much as I can there as well, and be present there.

“That's what I love about Ōamaru, is that you've got all these amazing people who have these amazing talents, and a lot of people are volunteers. 

“My husband and I love being here. We love the vibe, we love the town, we just think it's such a great place. And amazing people that live and work here, and so many, like, so many opportunities for kids. And especially for our kids, like, we've loved them being here and watching them grow.

“And St Kevin's, I think they've just blossomed at St Kevin’s. I've just loved it. It's been great for them.”

St Joseph’s School Board of Trustees chairperson, Sharni Cunningham, said the board is “delighted” Sara has taken up the position of principal.  

“Sara was previously employed as a teacher at St Joseph's but left in 2020 to advance her teaching career at Te Pākihi o Maru as their deputy principal. 

“This has been a wonderful experience for Sara and she speaks very highly of their Principal Stacey Honeywill who has been a great mentor and support to Sara in her current role,” Sharni said in a statement.

“Sara is an active and valued member of St Patrick's parish and is passionate about supporting our tamariki, their whanau and the wider Catholic community in their faith-based journey. We look forward to working alongside her and the rest of our dedicated staff in 2024.”