Hero photograph
 
Photo by Leoni Combrink

Ros’s farewell

Mike Fowler —

A farewell attended by many present and past staff, trustees and Ros’s whānau reflected on her long career at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa.

Ros has successfully led a large portfolio with oversight of staffing in the day school, After Three, Forte, support staff, HALC, Homework Centre, and provisionally certificated teachers, effectively dealing with the employment and development of over 250 people – in short, a huge role and certainly not her only one in the school.

Ros arrived at Hagley from Lincoln High School in 1997, first as careers adviser in a one year relieving position, then was promoted to Assistant Principal and later Deputy Principal. Ros has also been Acting Principal in some testing times at Hagley, most notably during the first major earthquake in September 2010 and did a great job during those very difficult times.

“Ros knows everything and everyone”, according to long time Deputy Principal and friend Christine Doyle who worked with Ros for nearly 20 years. Chris was astounded by Ros’s amazing knack of finding staff to fill all sorts of diverse teaching positions needed at Hagley. Chris set Ros a wero or challenge that they should meet up in the Bay of Islands for eggs benedict and champagne on the first day of the 2021 school year.

Regan Stokes, Hagley’s kaiarahi reo Māori, appreciates Ros’s openness and welcome, someone who is happy to have a kōrero with anyone. Regan used the whakatauki that Ros is “a taniwha of a long tale,” meaning a leader with many followers. He also appreciated how Ros has encouraged the growth of reo Māori department at Hagley and is a keen advocate for all things Ao Māori. He praised Ros’s willingness to learn and her knowledge of both kaiako and ākonga, a valued aspect of her mahi.

Ros’s life has been wrapped up in Hagley and she has given so much of herself. She has been a kaitiaki, a guardian and advocate for this place and that comes at a price. It’s time to have time for herself and for her whānau.

Kia ora e tō mahi, e he piripono ki a Te Puna Wai o Waipapa:

Thank you for your loyalty and commitment to Hagley.

We wish you well - kai kaha, Ros.