THE governors of Tavistock College were this week interviewing candidates for the post of principal at the school. There are six candidates for the position, all male ? they were all due to give presentations to staff, students, parents and community representatives as part of the interview process yesterday (Wednesday). About 250 people were expected to attend. Alex Wood, chairman of governors, said: ?We have six very strong candidates and we expect to make an appointment, although we are not being pressured into this ? we will only appoint someone who we are confident will take the school through the next ten years.? During the two days the candidates were at Tavistock College, they met students and staff and observed lessons. They also met 15 Japanese students and members of staff from Mumijigawa Senior High School who are in Tavistock on an exchange visit, and attended the school?s Easter Concert on Wednesday night. Mr Wood said: ?Basically, the first day is a question of them getting to know the college. The second day will be entirely interviews. We have involved the whole school in planning this selection, the candidates will be interviewed by staff and by students. We wanted to make the whole process as inclusive as possible.? Mr Wood said the governors would hopefully appoint the new principal at around 6pm today (Thursday). The new principal will take up his position in September 2005. Until then, the school is being led by acting principal Chris Powell, who is headmaster of Okehampton College. The appointment of a new principal follows the retirement of John Simes, who announced his decision to leave last September.
