This week we welcomed Grant Henderson to Te Kāreti o Tarikākā, Onslow College. Grant is in the role of Assistant Principal – Kaiarahi, leading and driving whānau engagement and Māori achievement. He is teaching Hauora and has a passion for Mathematics, Numeracy and Literacy. Welcome to the Onslow whānau Grant!
Ko Grant Henderson tāku ingoa.
Ko Te Arawa tāku iwi. Ko Ngapuhi tāku iwi. Ko Tainui tāku iwi.
Ko Ngati Rāngiwewehi tāku hapu.
Ko Waiteti taku awa. Ko Awahou taku awa.
Ko Ngongotaha taku māunga.
Ko Ngararanui taku Wharenui.
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
Originally from Rotorua, Grant moved to Whānganui-ā-tara in 2019. He is a proud father of four adult children—Rachel, Matthew, Matariki, and Arapeta—and enjoys living near the Basin Reserve, which supports his lifelong passion for sport.
Grant’s extensive educational career began at age 21 at Malfroy Primary School. Over the decades, he has taught at and held leadership positions across numerous schools, including Kawaha Point, Opotiki, Ngakuru, Sunset, Titahi Bay North, and Northland Primary Schools. His expertise also extends to policy and support roles, having worked with Specialist Education Services (covering Behaviour, Curriculum, and Traumatic Response teams) and the Ministry of Education. Additionally, he has contributed to professional governance, serving as President of the Rotorua Primary Sports Association and the Rotorua Principals Association, as well as Secretary of the Mana Principals Association.
Outside of education, Grant is an avid sports enthusiast. He has participated in rugby, hockey, cricket, touch rugby, indoor cricket, and volleyball, representing in both cricket and hockey. He also brings this competitive and collaborative spirit to coaching, having led a representative team to victory in the Under 11 Central North Island Region Hockey tournament.
Grant looks forward to connecting with the community over the coming months, embracing the whakataukī: “Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi” (With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive).