The hustle and bustle of city life might be in her blood, but for Natasha Greatorex, a rural setting like that of Whakamarama School is where her heart well and truly lies.

This week Natasha slid her feet under the principal's desk at the rural school, replacing Sue Waitai, who relinquished the post at the end of 2014 after a decade in the role.

Whakamarama School's new principal Natasha Greatorex loves being part of a rural school. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

And while she's yet to face any principal-based challenges and decision making, Natasha says she already feels at home after making the move down the state highway from Pakiri School in Wellsford.

Principal at Pakiri for more than four years, Natasha brings with her a wealth of experience in the education sector – but more importantly a love and a passion for rural communities.

Growing up in and around Auckland, her family eventually settled in Waiuku, Counties Manukau, which is where her love and appreciation for the countryside grew.

'I did five years with Papakura Normal School,” explains Natasha. 'I did six years teaching in England before I went to Mangawhai Beach School, which was my first experience with a rural school where I was associate principal.

'I started in a rural coastal school [in a principal role] and that's where my heart is, in rural teaching.”

Asked why she's made the move to the Bay of Plenty, Natasha says it ultimately came down to wanting to teach alongside growing as a principal – and the size of the school after coming from Pakiri with a roll of about 20.

Whakamarama is slightly bigger with about 37, although it has risen from eight to 10 in decile ratings – something Natasha has quickly been made aware of.

Last year the decile of every school in New Zealand was reassessed, based on new data gathered in last year's census. As result, Whakamarama rose, due to the socioeconomic status of the school's catchment area, meaning less funding is made available.

'I still want to be in a rural school,” she adds. 'I value rural schools and the community spirit that's in them. And I want to work with a larger staff.

'That's something we're going to challenge as a school [the decile rating]; so that's just working through the process at the moment, I understand.”

But she says any school is a treasured resource in the community and as principal she's determined to ensuring children are well equipped once they leave the school - something her teaching style should reflect.

'I pride myself on being a leader that works collaboratively alongside staff and the community,” she says, 'promoting and providing quality teaching and learning within a positive, safe and happy school environment.”