Maniototo Area School is a combined primary and secondary school at 15 Caulfeild Street in Ranfurly, in Central Otago. The Maniototo is known as big sky country, with mountain ranges around it and wide open plains. We hear the school has a new interim principal. The principal has been a principal for 32 years, from rural primary schools to urban intermediates, and most recently spent 25 years as principal at Balmacewen Intermediate in Dunedin.
The principal says the school's connection to the district goes back several generations, to the Blackstone Hill and Hills Creek area. The principal also coaches rugby at club and provincial level, and lives part-time in Naseby. The school says it wants to build kind, resilient and capable communities, and it describes the district as a place to learn about people and culture.