Justin Bertrand is the new principal at Cambridge Primary School. Photo: Chris Gardner
Justin Bertrand has replaced Mike Pettit as principal of Cambridge Primary School.
Bertrand, who has lived in Cambridge since 2008, applied for the job after Pettit was elected Waipā mayor and handed temporary leadership of the school over to his wife Nic Pettit.
Bertrand said Mike Pettit, who was in the role for 17 years, was a mentor to him.
Justin Bertrand is the new principal at Cambridge Primary School. Photo: Chris Gardner
It’s the fourth school Bertrand has served as principal. He handed in his notice at Te Aroha Primary School late last year to take up the new role. “I have been pinching myself since I got the role here,” Bertrand said.
He previously served as principal of Kaimai Primary School, Motumaoho School near Morrinsville and Whitehall Primary School.
“Over the years we have had friends’ kids go through here. It’s just one of those schools that I have admired from afar and that we thought was wonderful.”
Big kid: School principal Mike Pettit who happily sprayed children on the water slide during a fundraising Colour Run.
Cambridge Primary School has a school therapy dog, a cat that has adopted the school, trees which pupils are allowed to climb, and bush where pupils are encouraged to play and build shelters at break and lunchtime. School houses are named after famous horses, teaching teams are named after famous people.
“It’s such a well-oiled machine, with really high expectations for everybody,” Bertrand said.
He also appreciates the open plan nature of the school, with its low hedges marking the boundary.
“Everyone understands their role and what we are here for. Because of that whole tradition, it’s a matter of seeing where I can add value.”
On the school uniform debate, and whether it’s an unnecessary expense, Bertrand agreed it was not cheap, but it did prevent parents from going overboard on their spend.
The school is Cambridge’s oldest and will celebrate its 160th anniversary later this month. The school is at capacity, starting at 380 pupils at the beginning of the year and growing to 450 by the end.
Bertrand was born in New Plymouth and his dairy farming family moved to Te Aroha in his youth. He went to teacher training college in Wellington where me met his future wife, Claire who is now teaching at Goodwood School in Cambridge. The couple have two daughters, one attending Cambridge High School and the other about to start teacher training at university.
Since his arrival in town the population has grown from 10,000 to 20,000 people and roads have become congested.
“The mornings are not so bad, but it’s that concentrated pick up time at the end of the day that is a problem,” he said.
“We have people parking on the yellow line. That high level bridge is dynamite; you can sit there for ages waiting to cross that.”
Outside of school, Bertrand is involved in netball, both playing the sport and coaching teams He is also a keen cyclist.
Justin Bertrand is the new principal at Cambridge Primary School.
