Hawera High School principal Paul Ryan

Hawera High School principal Paul Ryan has announced his resignation.

In a shock announcement at the Taranaki Secondary School Association's annual dinner this week Mr Ryan said this year would be his last. He will be the fourth Taranaki principal to leave in 14 months but while the other three will be working overseas, Mr Ryan is going to travel. Quite simply, it's time to see the world with his wife – again – but this time in style. "It's been 20 years since Christine and I have done any decent travelling," he said.

The pair are off on an overseas adventure to visit family and friends and return to places they have wanted to go for years.

It'll be their third overseas experience but with a bit more comfort – there'll be no backpacks and shoe-string budgets.

"I've made a promise to Christine that we'd stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel when we're in Zimbabwe because last time we were in a motor camp."

South America and China are also on the travel plans they never visited the first and second time around. There are no other plans beyond the travelling yet.

When Mr Ryan leaves it will be three years and three terms since he first set foot in the door of Hawera's secondary school and he thinks he's made his mark.

Classrooms have been refurbished, there are plans under way for further improvements to the property and the school is in a financially strong position. "I've been hearing from a few people the school is in better shape now than before I arrived which is nice to hear," he said.

He's also proud the school has improved academically. "The students continue to make positive decisions in relation to their schooling and in setting up the best possible future for the themselves."

Staff had also been amazing to work with. "They are a fantastic group who really focus on the students and have a genuine desire for them to achieve."