As I enter my 25th year of teaching at Middleton Grange School in 2023, it is a good time to reflect on so many wonderful years at our school. It is with such a grateful heart that I think back on so many of you and the small part that I was privileged enough to play in your lives.

As is the case with most students and ex-students, the times that stand out the most are usually the memories that were made outside the classroom. Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching in my subject areas, but the memorable and often funny times were created on camps, sports trips, while coaching and in the interactions with our students and staff.

Some of those memorable times were the two trips the First XV Rugby team undertook to the Australia to compete in the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival against teams from various countries. Then there was the tour to the United Kingdom and France in 2007 where we played against some schools that had toured NZ and played against us here in Christchurch. We were also privileged enough to attend two RWC matches, All Blacks vs Scotland and the Quarter Final between the All Blacks and France in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. In Cardiff we were staying in a Backpackers type accommodation after that disappointing loss against the French and it was our last night on tour. The boys were quite rowdy that night, so to exact a bit of ‘revenge’, I went into their Bunkroom early the next morning to wake them up with squirts of cold water from a drink bottle. When the angry shouts and protests in French started, I realised that I had entered a room of French supporters and they did not appreciate me waking them with cold water!

Over the years, we had many highlights on the field, winning the Canterbury U17 Division and winning the U18 Section 2 division by beating CBHS and St Bede’s 2nd XV’s.

The many Athletics trips to South Islands and Nationals Championships have also been very memorable. The excitement of watching our athletes competing and doing so well is only superseded by watching our young people’s interactions with each other and their growth in character and faith. We have had so many excellent athletes over the years, but one incident that epitomises the character I mentioned, happened a number of years ago in Timaru when our Intermediate Girls Relay team dropped the baton in the semi-final. The 3rd runner quickly picked it up and continued the race, qualifying for the final by the narrowest of margins. Our team then went on to win the final with some ‘slick’ baton changes.

Many of you will remember Middle School Camps at Mount White and Senior College PE camps and the wonderful memories and friendships built there.

In conclusion, I would like to remark on what a blessing it is for me to attend a number of ex-students’ weddings, see you at Church and to teach so many of our ex-students’ children as they come through the secondary school.

Stand at the crossroads and look,

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

Geoff Steyn

1999 – Present

g.steyn@middleton.school.nz

JJ Manning, Eddie Donaldson and Ben Bellamy with Trophy won in Cardiff

Rannerdale Tennis Court upgrade