Children welcome new head

This is because it is believed the new man is the only American primary head teacher across Northern Ireland and more than likely the only whose preferred mode of transport is a 1000cc Kawasaki motorbike. Seattle native Chris Scholes has been in these parts for around 25 years and has a great deal of teaching experience. Mr Scholes began his stint as head teacher at Newbuildings on January 5 and has been busy already tackling the challenges that always come with a new job. Although a proud citizen of the USA, a fact borne out in the fact that his accent bares no traces of the famed 'Norn Iron' inflection even after 25 years in the North West, Chris Scholes trained as a teacher in Canada. He arrived in Londonderry over two decades ago as a Christian worker, a position he maintained for a number of years before utilising his professional qualifications. Teaching jobs followed at Londonderry's Model School and at Sion Mills before being seconded to Newtonstewart Model Primary School as head teacher. Speaking to the sentinel about his first few days at Newbuildings Chris said: "I have hit the ground running and I am getting to know everybody at the minute. This of course will be a challenge for the staff as well because by and large I would not be a run-of-the-mill principal." Amongst his other extra curricular achievement Chris Scholes has appeared twice on the ITV quiz show Who wants to be a Millionaire and says that although he hasn't driven his motorcycle to school as yet he will. "The kids here are very well behaved and seem to be accepting me. But, there again my predecessor was very well organised,"he said. As part of the bedding in process Chris has adopted a hands on approach by taking part in playground supervision, "for the first time in many years," he told the Sentinel. "All-in -all its been very challenging and demanding and I've had to think on my feet. I would to see the school being highlighted much more, especially with regards to the front of the school. The front of the school can be quite deceptive, not many realise how big it actually is. I want to make it so more people know we are here so we are undertaking discussions to provide the school with a facelift. So it will be a case of having a fresh face in charge and a fresh look for the school," Chris concluded.