Newsletter - WE 26/03/2021

Thank you to you all for your support over the last week as we come to terms with the loss of Penny. Thank you to those that helped on Saturday in particular the members of our PTA who prepared such a feast that fed not only the funeral attendees but also the Christchurch City Mission with the leftovers. Below you will find the full text of Neil Wilkinson’s Eulogy and our thoughts remain with Michael, Pru, Sam and the wider family as they work through this difficult time.

Kia ora koutou Back in April 2005, Rachel and I arrived in Culverden to take up the role of principal at this fabulous school. We knew nothing of the area and the people and many thought we were heading to a desert on the way to more exotic places. But we soon discovered we had in fact arrived in an oasis. An oasis because the people of the area were warm, welcoming, hospitable, friendly, caring and supportive. And none more so than Penny Mossman.

The first person to turn up at our doorstep at the house down the laneway was Penny who to be fair took a risk and invited Rachel and I to come out to Achray for a meal with her and Michael – and of course a glass of her favourite sav served in a proper wine glass with a stem – does that ring a bell Sam. I seem to remember a butterflied leg of lamb that had been boned out by Penny and was given to Michael to cook – under close observation though. After 20 minutes, have you turned the meat Michael, after another 20, have you taken it off Michael and after another 20, you can carve it now Michael. Giving directions came easily to Penny.

Ten years later after generally enjoying the company of the Mossmans and others here today, Penny farewelled us in this gym as we moved off to live in Rangiora and semi-retirement. Now six years later we’re back again and it’s our turn to farewell a special person who came to be much more than an amazing colleague in the leadership team here. The friendship that Penny offered to us typified her approach and there are many people in this gym who have known her a lot longer than I who would say the same thing. So I’m truly honoured and humbled to be asked to say a few words today as we say goodbye to Penny and offer Mike, Prue, Sam and the wider family our support and comfort at this difficult time.

A few words – something that didn’t fit in Penny’s vocabulary. She knew how to talk but when she spoke it was always considered and appropriate. Others who have contributed to these thoughts today – and thanks to you all – described her as an orator. She could hold a crowds attention and meet the expectations of any audience. Whether it was at the school prize-giving where she MC’d the event, leading a staff or syndicate meeting, the Amuri Show where she roved around with the microphone embarassing people she knew on the public address system or at the table over a meal with friends, you could always rely on Penny to make the conversation. Someone said that when doing staff farewells she could make a silk purse out of a sows ear and at times, staff wondered who she might be talking about. But one thing always struck me about these conversations – Penny would ask questions of you rather than talk about herself. She wanted to know your news, your family happenings, your interests. You didn’t hear her use I and me much.

Amuri Area School was the centre of her life for 30 years. After time at Cheviot Area School, Rangiora High and the Dept of Statistics as a census superviser, she started here in 1987 teaching Year 9 Science, PE, Sports Administration and doing day relief. After spells in transition education, work exploration and more Science she eventually became the permanent Deputy Principal, the long term Acting Principal at least twice, the staff rep on the Board, the Careers Adviser, the instigator of the Academy building you passed as you walked in, the Principals Nominee dealing with all the NCEA matters, the Rural Skills teacher, the chief organiser of the Canterbury Area Schools DP’s and AP’s group and for a number of years between 2011 and 2015 she was a special member of the Canterbury West Coast Secondary Principals group, a number of whom have sent messages acknowledging her contributions and commitment to education. If you wanted a job done efficiently and effectively, you asked Penny and then you could rest assured it would be done with the double D’s that guided her and were passed on to others - dignity and decorum – two words that she used a lot and advocated to all.

She was more than happy to have conversations with students in her role as DP. Back in 2011 when we enrolled a number of students from Christchurch after the earthquakes, Penny sensed the uniform standards she enforced with enthusiasm were slipping so she called all the female students into the community room next door. The theme of the message was – ‘You can’t wear it if I can see up it, down it or through it! Being a lover of poetry as she was, she adopted a mantra – Bend your knees and touch your toes, if anything shows, go and change your clothes’.

Being so close to the students in all ways also enabled her to be a highly proactive DP. Unlike most schools, her office is not in the administration area and she had a small space beside the senior common room in the Academy building. This meant that she was able to pick up the ‘social information of interest’ coming from the senior students which often proved highly valuable in heading things off before they got away on us. It also helped her build very close and special relationships with the Year 13’s who had absolute respect for every thing she said or did. This respect was seen when they left - her car would be wrapped in glad wrap, her office filled with balloons or some such similar fun pranks that she laughed about.

Penny has been described as professional, trusted, grounded, respected by all, passionate, effervescent, astute, objective, personal, caring and a person with integrity. She tracked the students of the senior school relentlessly and knew where every student was at. There was nowhere to hide when she was on a mission to address any lack of effort, provide a helping hand if it was needed or correct a mistake made. The support she gave to the students – and at times staff - was second to none and there are many past and present students and staff from Amuri and colleagues from other schools here today to recognise that. I was one of those on a couple of occasions. She was our rock.

She was a real creature of habit and parked her car in the same park every day. It was touching on Wednesday this week when caretaker Tony attached a name plate ‘Penny’ to the railing and the students had drawn some chalk acknowledgements as pavement art within the car park – you might have seen this in the slide show. Her other habit was lunch!

Two slices of wholegrain bread, marmite added to the lettuce, cucumber, tomato, sprouts and anything else handy, compressed on the bench at home with both hands, wrapped in glad wrap and then taken to school along with her apple which got cut the same way every day in the staffroom as she sat with a cup of tea. You can only imagine the concern after the earthquakes when the Sanitarium factory closed and stopped making marmite – but nothing would stop the determined DP - she raided the school camp supplies and the problem was averted.

There are so many other highlights of our time with Penny. Performances in A Hard Days Night and SOS, timekeeping at the swimming and athletic sports, smooth and safely run formals that were a pleasure to attend, the Zoom drinks sessions during lockdown, early morning coffee meetings with Kylie where the problems of the world were solved, the asparagus rolls at morning teas, arranging social functions with Chrystal and others, an obsession with Mitchell house, her ability to get to the front of the queue when the the army, navy or airforce arrived or issued an invitation, her wingmen, the quizacal look she gave to myself and latterly James when she didn’t quite see the point, last minute NCEA data entering with Melanie, patrolling the hedge boundary looking for the smoke signals, pruning the roses and much much more. Penny learnt from her parents the importance of giving back to the community and she gave. A member of the Rotherham players where she was more than happy to play the lead when actors were in short supply, a councillor on the Amuri County Council in the mid 1980’s – her name is on a plaque marking the opening of the bridge on the Top Pahau Ford Road, a number of years on the Medical Centre Board where Chairman Dick Davidson appreciated the rigour and discipline she brought along with an understanding of governance. The Amuri Show, church cleaning and flowers, Culverden township working bees and again, more. The size of this gathering today is a reflection of Penny’s influence and involvement in the Amuri district and the huge respect and esteem she was held in by so many.

She enjoyed her trips. Sri Lanka with Sam, to Melbourne to see Sam, the UK and Europe with Sam and Michael where she met nieces and nephews based in the UK who are watching this live feed today along with one in Perth, a Vietnam trip with Clare and past colleague Lee Cleeve who we sadly farewelled here two years ago – imagine when Lee and Penny meet up and look down on us. Trips to Okiwi Bay, Mistletow Bay and Cissy Bay with Norm and Sandra, Dick and Liz. She seemed to connect with Doctors so trips to Karitane to catch up with Jan Bills, trips to Woollongong to see Penny Croker who is also watching the live feed and latterly trips to Christchurch to see Tessa Ryder. Perhaps though these last ones weren’t so enjoyable.

Penny was an incredibly empathetic and loyal friend who taught me and I’m sure many others a lot about the values of life. A typical text that I’m sure many of you have received the morning after hosting her and Michael for a meal – Thank you both for a most beautiful meal, great hospitality and enjoyable company. She appreciated anything you did for her. She was fun to be with. She related to anyone and everyone. She was an asset at a dinner party with her ability to talk to anyone about anything. She was proud of her family and her family should have an absolute pride in her.

There’s so much more that could be said and everyone with us today will remember her with admiration, respect and for many affection. We too can and should be proud of Penny. What she taught us, what she gave us, how she did it, why she did it. Always with decorum and dignity. Always with the hand of help extended, always with time for you.

All of us here today are with you Michael, Sam, Prue and the family as you go forward from here. It’s incumbent on us to play our part in that future as best we can to acknowledge and remember a very special lady.

Penny would be disappointed if I didn’t work something musical into her farewell, so to finish I’d like to play a short piece of a song that started Sir Elton John’s career off and the words just seem so appropriate for today.To a special friend, a special colleague and a very special person in the lives of so many here today, how wonderful life’s been, while you’ve been in the world.

Rest in peace Penny, You will never be forgotten.  

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School Nurse

Hello EveryoneMy name is Mischa and over the last few weeks I have started as the School Nurse at Amuri Area School. It has been a real delight to set up my space in the Squash Club and head along to many of the health classes to meet some of the students. It was a pleasure to meet the Head Students Hannah and Celine and together with them, alongside Mr Griggs and Miss Teulon, we are excited about collaborating together to ensure the health and wellbeing of the school community remains strong and cared for.

My family and I are farming over the hill in Cheviot, and I am also now a practice nurse in Rotherham, so I may meet many of you through those connections also. Please feel free to say hello anytime, I look forward to meeting you all.

I hope to bring plenty of health promotion, competitions, fun and good health/wellbeing support to you all over the terms ahead.

To the students, please make sure you call past the clinic to say hi, come in and see what it is like and help foster a relaxed and approachable path for you to come and see me for any health questions or support. I want to be someone you can trust, approach and connect with during your school years.To the parents, I encourage you to contact me to let me know if there is anything at all that I can support your children with on their health journey. Your enrolment details in terms of medical or health needs will be reviewed over the coming weeks to ensure no stones are left unturned and we are up to date with the needs of your children. Please send me an email or call anytime if there is anything else I can be made aware of or support you with.

I will be available every Wednesday during both the morning and lunch breaks for “Drop-in clinics”, and happy also to schedule set appointments with any of you in conjunction with the teacher’s permission.

My details are 027 808 7105, mischa@amuri.school.nz.

Yours in Good Health,Mischa

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On Wednesday 16 students from Years 5-8 participated in the Hanmer Duathlon. The sun came out for the competitors who all had amazing races through the Hanmer Forest. A special thank you to all the wonderful parents who helped transport competitors and bikes to the event – we couldn’t have done it without you!A big congratulations to these students who were awarded placings:Alex Shaw – 1st place Year 6 boysZoe Bailey – 2nd place Year 7 girlsMax Kinney – 2nd place Year 7 boysBlake Clisby – 3rd place Year 7 boys

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