Dunstan High School principal Reece Goldsmith will soon be calling it a day after seven years at the helm.

Ending his tenure on July 5, 2024, Reece intends to have a good break before deciding what his next career move will be.

The 56-year-old has taught at seven high schools throughout New Zealand, and has been a principal for 10 of those, formerly at Mackenzie College in Fairlie before he and his family moved to Alexandra.

Reece was raised in Tokoroa and is married to Kira, who is also a teacher at Dunstan High School.

Dunstan has played a pivotal role in his career, being the school he has worked at the longest throughout his 32-year-long career.

“I felt it was time now to look at other opportunities. But, this has been the most rewarding place I have ever worked in.”

Being a high school principal was all consuming, but it was clear his passion for the job was still there - now he feels it’s someone else’s turn.

With eldest son Tom heading off to Waikato University next year and Ollie (17) in his last year at Dunstan in 2024, Reece was also keen to broaden his own horizons and see what else was out there.

He said teenagers were at times emotional and not always rational, but seeing some of his students grow and change throughout their secondary years was immensely satisfying.

“It has been such a privileged profession to be in, and I will miss that part of it hugely,” he said.

The reactions from teachers have been mixed, some obviously were sad while others have given him acknowledgement of a job “reasonably well done,” which was nice, he said.

The couple don’t plan to move anywhere just yet - Reece and Kira have found Alexandra the best place to bring up kids and would love to stay living here.

The huge sense of community and ‘hands on’ role that parents/grandparents/caregivers and wider family play in children’s lives in Alexandra was particularly noticeable, compared to other areas they have lived, he said.

Challenges as a principal over the years have included finding the balance with technology, “and dealing with that trial by social media,” where young ones were constantly interacting with each other online, more than ever.

He’s proud of how far Dunstan High School has come in terms of catering for the diverse needs of all students, and being more adaptable and flexible to their demands.

Reece believes New Zealand has a world-class assessment system for education and with such a wide range of subjects within the curriculum nowadays, it was a whole different world than when he was at school.

“If I started now I would be way more engaged than in the 1980s.”

Reece started out with a Physical Education Degree alongside a Bachelor of Arts in History at Otago University, then followed a stint as a ski guide in Switzerland and Colorado.

Those who follow national rugby may remember his brother Jasin Goldsmith, who was once the country’s youngest All Black at 18. Unfortunately, a broken leg ended his career.

Both of Reece’s sons are national level kayakers and compete overseas, so there is still hope in his family for more New Zealand champions. 

And, as for Reece himself, his future plans are still unknown, but for now the last few weeks of the school year are his focus.