DHOON Primary School has a new headteacher.
David Jenkins, who is currently deputy headteacher at St John's Primary School, will take over from Fran McLean who is retiring at the end of the autumn term.
David said: "I'm so proud and genuinely honoured to be joining the wonderful team at Dhoon. I know that together we can continue to build on the outstanding work that Mrs McLean inspired.
"Naturally I'm sad to be leaving St John's as I have enjoyed every minute of working here and I feel privileged to have worked with such a hard-working, dedicated staff, and such fantastic children."
Fran McLean was headteacher at Dhoon Primary School for 12 years. She said: "The staff at Dhoon are a genuine team and I have always appreciated this as one of the many things that makes Dhoon special.
"There have been many changes during my time as headteacher. The numbers on role have doubled and the facilities have improved greatly but the sense of community and the feel of 'extended family' have remained.
"I feel very privileged to have been part of this and will take away hundreds of happy memories especially those interwoven with the Manx elements of the curriculum."
Martin Barrow, senior adviser for the Department of Education and Children, expressed the department's best wishes to the former headteacher. He said: "Mrs McLean has been an inspirational headteacher for Dhoon school and has led its development into a school which achieves the highest standards through providing exciting and engaging learning experiences for its pupils."
Originally from the Isle of Man David was educated at St Ninian's High School before taking a degree in history with qualified teacher status in 1998.
He took up his first post in the London borough of Redbridge as a newly qualified teacher before moving to a second school in the area as an ICT coordinator. In 2003 he took up a post at Onchan School as literacy coordinator.
Since then he has worked at Ashley Hill School and enjoyed a year as a member of the Island's peripatetic team. He has been deputy headteacher at St John's School since February 2007.
It is hoped that Mr Jenkins can be released from his current post and take up the position as soon as possible after Christmas.
