Hilary Parker

2005 - 2022

Hilary joined Avonside in 2005 as a full time, permanent counsellor. Her original training was as a Teacher and Speech & Language Therapist, she later retrained as a counsellor. In the 80s Hilary and her husband lived in London for 5 years and Hilary fulfilled her dream of teaching on the Isle of Dogs in the East End. The first of her 4 sons was born in London.

Back in New Zealand Hilary worked with Home & Family Society, as a counsellor and fundraiser.Alongside her counselling role, Hilary taught in the Careers department and developed the practice of senior students gifting their uniforms back to the school who then regift them to ākonga and whānau. With the support of Richmond Drycleaners, Hilary was able to ensure that each uniform that was regifted was professionally cleaned and pressed. More recently, Hilary established a fantastic rapport with her Ako class placing a strong emphasis on gratitude, thankfulness and celebrating success. Her Ako class will miss her generosity and enthusiasm.

Her liking of fish and chip lunches, sweets, chocolates, enjoying life, taking photos, organising special events and choosing gifts will be missed. Most of all Hilary will be remembered for her great sense of humour and her passion and commitment to the ākonga and whānau of Avonside.

In retirement Hilary is looking forward to travelling, swimming, spending time with her four grandchildren, developing her calligraphy skills, joining a choir and doing lots of Greek cooking.

Kia hora te marino,
Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,  
Kia tere te karohirohi i mua i tou huarahi 

May the clam be widespread,
May the ocean glisten as greenstone,
May the shimmer of light ever dance across your pathway    

- Nardine Schroder

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Susan Alexander

2005 - 2022

Susan joined Avonside in 2005 as a beginning teacher and soon became an invaluable member of the department. She has experienced the whole rollercoaster of Avonside. Having been in the old School, taught afternoons at Burnside High School following the earthquake and then returned to the prefabs on the old site, finally experiencing the new site at Ōrua Paeroa.

Susan has fully embraced Avonside throwing herself at everything in front of her. Her thirst for solving problems has not only ignited her students’ curiosity and enjoyment for the subject she is so passionate about, but also made her a timetabler extraordinaire. What appeared as a seamless work of art for staff each year was due to hours of work and communication by Susan and her team.

Susan has also been involved in a lot of extracurricular events like maths competitions, table tennis and orienteering to name a few. Whatever she does she gives 100% and “no” is not in her vocabulary.

Susan picked up acting HOLA of mathematics in 2018 and has never looked back taking everything in her stride both efficiently and effectively. As a HOLA of mathematics she has passionately led curriculum changes and has collaboratively developed new programmes of Learning. Her curriculum knowledge is vast, and she will happily share this wealth of knowledge to all. As the leader of the department, she is hugely supportive of staff members and goes out of her way to ensure everyone is happy and well-resourced.

Susan teaches all classes and courses with dedication and enthusiasm, but her true passion is teaching Calculus.

Susan has given so much to the mathematics department and indeed AGHS overall. She has gained respect from all her colleagues by her level-headed and collaborative approach to any given situation small or large. Her tenacity is legendary. It is with much sadness that we see her go off on the next journey of her life, but at the same time we all wish her the best in whatever endeavours she thrusts herself into. You will be deeply missed and extremely hard to replace. All the best!

- Kylie Kissell and Irene Wheal

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Louise Dunn

2015-2022

Louise Dunn has been a Learning Support Assistant with Avonside since the beginning of 2015. In this time, she has made herself invaluable within the English and Pasifika Departments by advising students how best to approach gaining their Literacy credits. Louise loves poetry and literature of all types and has engendered passion in the written text with many a reluctant reader.

Louise is also an extremely artistic individual, spending many years perfecting her assistance for young people with physical disabilities. Caite Mitchell (Yr 13) has hugely benefited from Louise’s artistic passion and, largely due to Louise’s persistence, sold all her art work at a recent Art Exhibition. In conjunction with Art teachers, Louise assisted Caite to squeeze and spread paint with implements, the heel of her hand and her fingers; Caite has only a little control of her arms and hands, relying on Louise’s physical participation to achieve her artistic aims.

Most importantly, Louise’s kindness and generosity of spirit has always guided her work with students. She has high expectations of all people and, in adverse situations, acts with integrity. She prides efficiency and can always be seen darting around the school collecting students to complete their PATOSS testing for SACs; a colleague who is reliable and works with initiative. She is also an excellent critical friend, offering wise perspectives on dilemmas and, consequently, has become a trusted friend for many colleagues and students.

Louise’s passion, integrity, kindness and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed at Avonside. However, her enthusiasm will now be spent on her family and beloved grandchildren in a way that we know will bring great pleasure. Go well and with our best wishes Louise.

- Katrina Boxall

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Ingrid Stringer

Ingrid leaves us at the end of this year to enjoy semi retirement. Ingrid has been an asset to the administration team having many roles in her 6 years at Avonside from enrolments administrator to payroll to the teacher relief coordination. We wish Ingrid well in the next part of her life, which will hopefully include a lot of travel. All the best Ingrid.

- Amanda Wiles

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Anthea Hunt

2019-2022

Anthea joined the Avonside Girls’ High School staff in 2019 coming at an exciting time in our school history as we settled into our new building. She quickly became an invaluable member of our Senior Leadership Team fielding phone calls from our local community, managing our diaries and keeping our meetings on track. Anthea’s calm nature and ‘mum voice’ were vital in supporting the young people who regularly visit the Senior Team office.

Anthea is off on the adventure of a lifetime in Japan and while we will miss her intellect, humour and willingness to go above and beyond, we can’t wait to hear what she gets up to next.

- Tanya Clegg  

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Sharon Emerson

After 28 years of service at Avonside Girls' High Sharon retired at the end of term one 2022, she was a key part of our administration team over these years. Sharon has had numerous roles over her tenure from detentions to bell ringing at the old site, prizegiving's to xylophone compositions. She is an enthusiastic line dancer, and we know she is spending much of her retirement dancing and enjoying herself. Thank you, Sharon, for your many years of service to the school, we wish you well.

- Amanda Wiles

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Sarah Walker

Sarah has achieved and contributed much to Avonside Girls’ in the six years she’s been with us. Arriving in 2017, Sarah has taught English, Social Studies and Pathways, and was one of the first teachers who took part in developing the new Integrated Studies programme.

Sarah has also played a significant role in the mentoring of both ākonga and kaiako. She has held several within-school positions, such as the Māori engagement and cultural responsiveness roles. In addition, Sarah has contributed to a range of areas on numerous occasions, such as the 2017 CACTUS Programme’s Hagley Park early morning run.

Colleagues in both learning areas have thoroughly enjoyed working with Sarah, often in Integrated teams, as she is not only incredibly hard-working, but a great team person. We all enjoy her quick (often wry) sense of humour and practical good sense. Sarah has been generous with the sharing of her awesome resources, where she puts students’ needs and interests at the heart of her planning. Her contribution as Acting HOLA for Social Science this year has also been greatly appreciated.

We wish Sarah all the very best in her future endeavours and adventures.

 - Chris Rayward, HOLA English and Brigid Raymond, HOLA Social Sciences