--- title: 'Founding Principal, Des Mann' url: 'https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/founding-principal-des-mann' markdown: 'https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/founding-principal-des-mann.md' date: '2023-07-29' description: "Green Bay High School's founding Principal (1973 - 1984) Des Mann, challenged many of the standard educational practices of the 1970s... His passion to make Green Bay High School a place where students were empowered to become life long learners, and to seek excellence as a whole person in every as…" --- # Founding Principal, Des Mann Founding Principal, Des Mann Celebrating 50 years (1973-2023) ![des mann](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/images/3/7/0/7/9/37079152c4d80f0283733fdabf81bf3ff43c92af-des-mann-b-block-building.jpg "des mann") Green Bay High School's founding Principal (1973 - 1984) Des Mann, challenged many of the standard educational practices of the 1970s... His passion to make Green Bay High School a place where students were empowered to become life long learners, and to seek excellence as a whole person in every aspect of their lives - whether that be academically, socially or spiritually will not be forgotten. Founding a new school, in 1973, gave Des an opportunity to do things differently. He questioned rigid practices long accepted as part of the regime of secondary education and whether they really served the students best interests. Des was a forward thinker, not only was Green Bay High School one of the very few secondary schools without a uniform, he also banned the use of corporal punishment. During his twelve years at Green Bay High School, Des Mann’s focus was on developing the whole child rather than just an assessment of their academic achievements. Upon his retirement from Green Bay High School in 1984, Des wrote a piece for the School Yearbook aptly named 'End of An Era' where he refers to education as uncovering the 'centre' of each student - that unique combination of talents and potential which define the uniqueness of every person; towards capturing the magic and joy of what it means to be human and whole. "It is exciting, expanding and liberating...this is what education is about." Des wrote a book about his experiences founding a school, entitled Correspondences: The Shaping of a School, where he wrote "Education must enhance self-esteem. There is a feeling of limitlessness and assertive strength when persons feel that they matter… that they are capable and loveable. Through such an education people discover within themselves, the means and the will, to survive and grow." On 20 August 2018, Des Mann died peacefully after a stroke, aged 93 years. A special remembrance was held on Saturday 15th September 2018, in the Green Bay High School staff room. All former and founding students, friends and former colleagues were invited to share with us in celebrating his life. Des will be fondly remembered by former students and peers. There is a very interesting article, written in 2006 'National Standards and What Education is Really About' by Juliet Bonnay, including a podcast interview with Des Mann. Have a listen! [50th EVENT PHOTO GALLERY](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jlm4A-5YFnwvIl09IORz9QFDfo0tKIMg?usp=sharing) [Founding Principal, Des Mann](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/founding-principal-des-mann) [Celebrating 50 Years](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/1973-2023-timeline) [Kākāriki Marae (1976)](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/kakariki-marae) [Whare Akoranga](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/whare-akoranga) [Join Our Alumni](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/share-your-story) [School Yearbook ARCHIVES](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/celebrating-50-years-1973-2023/yearbook-archives-and-alumni) [Class Lists/Alumni](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IJ_PJOeL0myskS1IgDN2uNzrbw5_Juw7_AlrxeGJuj0/edit?usp=sharing) School News Keep up to date with all the latest news from Green Bay High 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us.](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news/term-3-2026/parent-contact-details-2) ![vision west](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/images/2/d/5/b/9/2d5b91dbfe9f215b77f4735452916696255dc85e-vision-west.jpg "vision west") Visionwest Community Support 11th September 2026 at 3:22pm [Visionwest Community Support 11th September 2026 at 3:22pm](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news/term-3-2026/visionwest) ![Student trustee](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/images/f/8/9/1/5/f891577050a67b07fe88531def6993c9e9accfd9-student-trustee-20272x-2.jpg "Student trustee") Student Trustee Voting Results 11th September 2026 at 11:33am [Student Trustee Voting Results 11th September 2026 at 11:33am](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news/term-3-2026/student-trustee) ![old boys](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/images/6/a/2/3/d/6a23d821f3b34fbb3560e5cfdee4f8636b366556-old-boys-photo.jpg "old boys") History Repeats Old Boys V 1st XV 11th September 2026 at 9:45am [History Repeats Old Boys V 1st XV 11th September 2026 at 9:45am](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news/term-3-2026/history-repeats) [Read more news](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news) Calendar Sep 21 Customer Service Superstar (in-school event) 8:40am C3 Sep 21 Customer Service Superstar (in-school event) 8:40am C3 Sep 21 10SPS Squash (EOTC) TT lesson only (Term 3) 12:30pm Titirangi Squash Club Sep 21 10SPS Squash (EOTC) TT lesson only (Term 3) 12:30pm Titirangi Squash Club Sep 23 10SPS Term 3 Squash Tournament (S/E) 11:20am Titirangi Squash Club Sep 23 10SPS Term 3 Squash Tournament (S/E) 11:20am Titirangi Squash Club Sep 24 SPAIN TRIP 2026 overseas (EOTC) 8:00am Seville, Barcelona, Salamanca and Madrid Sep 24 SPAIN TRIP 2026 overseas (EOTC) 8:00am Seville, Barcelona, Salamanca and… Sep 24 BOT Meeting (5pm - 7pm) 5:00pm Sep 24 BOT Meeting (5pm - 7pm) 5:00pm Sep 25 End of Term 3 Sep 25 End of Term 3 Sep 26 EPRO8 Jnrs Semi-Final (EOTC) 9:00am Henderson High School Sep 26 EPRO8 Jnrs Semi-Final (EOTC) 9:00am Henderson High School Oct 12 Start of Term 4 Oct 12 Start of Term 4 Oct 14 10GER Film Fest (EOTC) 9:00am Devonport Oct 14 10GER Film Fest (EOTC) 9:00am Devonport Oct 20 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 9:45am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 20 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 9:45am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #1 11:25am Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #1 11:25am Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #2 12:30pm Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #2 12:30pm Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 22 GBHS Sport Award Evening 6:30pm GBHS Auditorium Oct 22 GBHS Sport Award Evening 6:30pm GBHS Auditorium Oct 23 L2 Folio Exhibition Oct 23 L2 Folio Exhibition Oct 26 Labour Day - public holiday Oct 26 Labour Day - public holiday Oct 27 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 11:05am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 27 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 11:05am Salvation Army, New Lynn Sep 21 Customer Service Superstar (in-school event) 8:40am C3 Sep 21 Customer Service Superstar (in-school event) 8:40am C3 Sep 21 10SPS Squash (EOTC) TT lesson only (Term 3) 12:30pm Titirangi Squash Club Sep 21 10SPS Squash (EOTC) TT lesson only (Term 3) 12:30pm Titirangi Squash Club Sep 23 10SPS Term 3 Squash Tournament (S/E) 11:20am Titirangi Squash Club Sep 23 10SPS Term 3 Squash Tournament (S/E) 11:20am Titirangi Squash Club Sep 24 SPAIN TRIP 2026 overseas (EOTC) 8:00am Seville, Barcelona, Salamanca and Madrid Sep 24 SPAIN TRIP 2026 overseas (EOTC) 8:00am Seville, Barcelona, Salamanca and… Sep 24 BOT Meeting (5pm - 7pm) 5:00pm Sep 24 BOT Meeting (5pm - 7pm) 5:00pm Sep 25 End of Term 3 Sep 25 End of Term 3 Sep 26 EPRO8 Jnrs Semi-Final (EOTC) 9:00am Henderson High School Sep 26 EPRO8 Jnrs Semi-Final (EOTC) 9:00am Henderson High School Oct 12 Start of Term 4 Oct 12 Start of Term 4 Oct 14 10GER Film Fest (EOTC) 9:00am Devonport Oct 14 10GER Film Fest (EOTC) 9:00am Devonport Oct 20 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 9:45am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 20 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 9:45am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #1 11:25am Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #1 11:25am Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #2 12:30pm Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 21 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) #2 12:30pm Kiwi Valley Farm Oct 22 GBHS Sport Award Evening 6:30pm GBHS Auditorium Oct 22 GBHS Sport Award Evening 6:30pm GBHS Auditorium Oct 23 L2 Folio Exhibition Oct 23 L2 Folio Exhibition Oct 26 Labour Day - public holiday Oct 26 Labour Day - public holiday Oct 27 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 11:05am Salvation Army, New Lynn Oct 27 02VOC Volunteering (EOTC) 11:05am Salvation Army, New Lynn [It’s Term 3, Week 10](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/calendar-and-dates) [Term Calendar](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/calendar-and-dates) Community ![be the best](https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/images/b/c/7/2/4/bc7248a73f4b33c551f074a7098607e8241768f2-be-the-best.jpg "be the best") Enrolment School zone, prospectus, enrolment packs, term dates and uniforms. 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