Deputy Principal Takes on New Challenge
Posted on September 23, 2016
Jim Lonergan was appointed as a science teacher at Macleans College at the start of 1983. Jim had come from Hutt Valley High School where he started his teaching career.
Jim went into Rutherford House and taught senior chemistry and physics and junior science. He quickly involved himself in a wide range of co-curricular activities particularly in the sporting arena.
Over his time at Macleans he coached athletics, cross country, cricket, rugby, tennis, touch rugby and triathlon. For a number of years he organised the Auckland secondary schools road race which was hosted at Macleans College and the surrounding area.
Rugby was one of Jim’s passions and he has been heavily involved in both coaching and administration of the game at school, provincial and national level. He organised 14 overseas 1st XV trips and was coach or manager of the Macleans 1st XV for nearly 30 years.
On the rugby administration side Jim has been on the Auckland Schools Executive for 32 years and has served both as Secretary and Chairman of this organisation. He is currently Deputy Chairman of the NZ Schools Rugby Board. Jim has been recognised with awards by both the Auckland and New Zealand Rugby Union.
In 1988 Jim was appointed Head of Chemistry at Macleans. His work in Chemistry saw him recognised with a Woolf Fisher Fellowship to Australia in 1992. Jim was also awarded a second Woolf Fisher to Europe in 2009.
Jim was appointed House Leader of Rutherford House in 1988. “This was a job I really loved. Rutherford was a great community. It really did offer a safe family environment. I believe the House system is the real strength of Macleans College. It is a pity it has not been replicated in more schools around the country.”
In 1994 Jim was appointed to the senior management team and in that time he has overseen a range of portfolios which included; NZQA and MOE liaison, Teaching and Learning, IT, Staffing, Student Leadership and Oversight of Co-curricular activities. During this period the school built three new houses and the school roll doubled.
Jim has always been passionate about education and lifelong learning. He has upskilled himself with many professional development opportunities which included gaining a Business Master degree.
Jim is really looking forward to his new challenge as CEO of College Sport Auckland. College Sport looks after sporting activities in the 105 secondary schools in Auckland. There are over 60,000 students involved in College Sport activities. The wider Auckland City is a huge area that has significant transport issues. His challenge over the next few years is to increase the participation rate and manage equitable competitions while keeping sports costs affordable for all Auckland students.