Mrs Karen Gilbert Smith – 2015 to date

Mrs Karen Gilbert Smith – 2015 to date

Originally from Scotland, Mrs Gilbert Smith attended Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, then left to teach in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates at an International School where she stayed for 4 years.
 
She arrived in New Zealand in 1996 and taught at Palmerston North Girls' High for 7 years. In 2003 she moved to Waiheke High School, as head of faculty for health & PE for 4 years, and then on to Nelson in 2007, where she was appointed assistant principal at Nayland College.

Two years later in 2009, Mrs Gilbert Smith was then appointed the deputy principal at Epsom Girls Grammar, and was acting principal in term 2, 2015 when she successfully procured the principal’s role at Whangārei Boys High School.
 
Mrs Gilbert Smith since arriving in New Zealand, also gained her Masters degree from the University of Auckland.

Mrs Karen Gilbert Smith, was appointed as Principal from 20 July 2015 (the third term of the year) and is the first female principal of WBHS in its 134-year history.

"The board were delighted to have attracted high calibre applicants to the role, and Mrs Gilbert Smith stood out as the best candidate to deliver the aspirational goals that the board have set for the school," Mr Robinson said.

Mrs Gilbert Smith’s emphasis is to focus on the individual needs of students to help them achieve and reach their potential.