Rarotonga’s Apii St Joseph’s Primary has advertised a full time position for the school’s principal.

The application deadline is September 29 and all reports will be processed to Bishop Paul Donoghue, the chairman of Catholic Education Trust.

Cook Islands News contacted current principal Savenaca Tukitoba who clarified, that at the moment, they were following formalities.

Tukitoba’s contract ends at the end of the year, and he said it needed to be advertised since the Education Trust had rolled over his contract twice.

Therefore, it had to be advertised.

Tukitoba said: “My heart is still here to teach at St Joseph's and I am more than happy to take up any role in the school.”

He said he has not thought of leaving the school, as he is still enjoying his time with the teachers and students of St Joseph's.

“So I am happy to lead and also grateful if I’m going back to teach as that is where my passion is.”

Tukitoba taught in five schools in Fiji before joining St Joseph’s in 2016.

He has had more than 16 years of experience in the teaching profession.

The position was advertised on Thursday last week, where it called on a “dynamic, visionary and mission-aligned leader to serve as principal of the school.”

Qualifications must include a Diploma in Teaching and Bachelor’s Degree in Education, or equivalent discipline, and must have had seven years of teaching experience, and at least three years in middle or senior management experience.

Meanwhile, the school in 2020 confirmed Tukitoba as the first male principal since it had first opened over 100 years ago.

He had taken over the role since then principal Shelley Berry left the Cook Islands in July, 2020.