Susan Hassall
Dame Susan Hassall | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hassall in 2022 | |
| 13th Chancellor of the University of Waikato | |
| Assumed office 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Anand Satyanand |
| 7th Headmaster of Hamilton Boys' High School | |
| In office 1999–2024 | |
| Preceded by | James Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Jarred Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Susan Jean Ross 1954 or 1955 |
| Spouse |
James Hassall
(m. 1985; died 2023) |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Dame Susan Jean Hassall DNZM JP (née Ross; born 1954 or 1955) is a New Zealand educator and university governor. She served as headmaster of Hamilton Boys' High School from 1999 to 2024 and was the first woman appointed to lead a boys' state secondary school in New Zealand. Since 2025, she has served as chancellor of the University of Waikato.
Early life and education
Hassall was born in 1954 or 1955.[1] She was educated at Manurewa High School in South Auckland, and studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Master of Arts (Honours) degree.[2][3] During her teacher training she completed section training at Cambridge High School.[2]
Teaching career
Hassall spent all of her teaching career at Hamilton Boys' High School, initially joining the school under her maiden name, Susan Ross, as an English teacher.[3][4][5] In 1985, she married James Hassall, also an English teacher at the school, and the couple went on to have three children.[6]
In 1999, Hassall was appointed headmaster of Hamilton Boys' High, becoming the first woman to lead a boys' state secondary school in New Zealand.[7][5] During her tenure, the school increased its reputation for academic and sporting achievement and its roll increased from 1250 students in 1990 to 2300 in 2020.[5][8]
Hassall was a founding member of the Association of Boys' Schools of New Zealand in 2001 and subsequently held several executive offices within the organisation.[9] She also contributed to gifted education through giftEDnz and service on the ministerial advisory group.[8]
After serving as headmaster for 25 years, Hassall retired from Hamilton Boys' High School in 2024.[1] Her husband had died the previous year, having retired from full-time teaching in 2016.[6][10]
University governance
Hassall was first appointed to the University of Waikato Council in March 2016. She served as pro-chancellor from 2017 until 2025. In 2025, she succeeded Anand Satyanand as chancellor of the university.[11] During her period in university governance, she has contributed to the development of a kawenata (covenant) between Waikato Tainui and the University of Waikato, signed in 2025 to support shared strategic objectives and programmes.[9]
Community service
Hassall has been involved in a number of community organisations in the Waikato region. She served on the board of Hospice Waikato from 2018 and later became chair of the trust. Between 2024 and 2025, she served as acting chief executive of the organisation for ten months.[9]
In 2025, Hassall joined the board of Momentum Waikato and became deputy chair the following year.[9] She has also served as a justice of the peace since 2001, and is a wedding and special occasion celebrant.[3][12]
Honours and awards
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hassall was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), for services to education.[13] In 2024, she received the Hamilton Kirikiriroa Medal from Hamilton City Council, in recognition of her contribution to education and the Hamilton community.[5]
In the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, Hassall was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM), for services to education.[14]
References
- 1 2 Gill, Mary Anne (1 June 2026). "New dame eyes historic milestone". Cambridge News. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 Gill, Mary Anne (11 June 2021). "'Our' headmaster merits birthday honour". Cambridge News. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "University council members". University of Waikato. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ Holloway, Bruce (7 April 2009). "The days of the old schoolyard". Waikato Times. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Education trailblazer recognised with civic honour". Hamilton City Council. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 Moffitt, Wendy (15 November 2023). "In memoriam". Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "New Zealand's first female principal of all-boys school honoured in Queen's Birthday list". 1News. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Queen's Birthday honours 2021 – citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "King's Birthday honours 2026 – citations for Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "James Hassall obituary". Waikato Times. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "New chancellor appointed as Waikato enters next chapter". University of Waikato. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "Justices of the peace appointed". New Zealand Gazette. 13 December 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2021". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "King's Birthday Honours List 2026". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.