Every fortnight we have been profiling our 2022 'New to Nayland' teaching staff. Today we meet the bright and bubbly, Invercargill-born, Otago-graduate Annie Watson-Kidd, who moved to Nelson at the start of the year to join our science learning area.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in Invercargill, Southland and lived there until I was 18 when I moved to go to university.

Where else have you lived besides Nelson?

I have lived in Dunedin for four years while studying until moving to Nelson.

Why did you decide to be a teacher – and what drew towards becoming a Science teacher in particular?

I love learning about how and why the world works, science is a continuing subject, there is always something new and exciting to explore. Science was always my best subject in school, so I decided in year 13 that I wanted to teach this. I have had some amazing teachers that influenced me to teach and to have the impact on others that they had on me. While working on a science camp for year 12 students during university I knew that working with young people was something I really wanted to do.

What do you like about teaching, and teaching at Nayland specifically?

I moved to Nelson not knowing anyone and Nayland has made me feel at home. Everyone is so supportive and the students are a lively and unique group that make coming to work very interesting.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am massively into watching movies, spending hours just watching any kind of movie. I also love travelling; getting away somewhere new and exciting. I recently spent a week of the holidays camping and travelling up the west coast.

What were you like as a student at school?

I was a very quiet introverted student, I spent most of my time studying.

What is the most interesting thing you have done in your life so far?

I have not lived long enough to say I have done anything profoundly cool. I have been bungy jumping, parasailing and traveling on my own. The most interesting might be packing up my whole life and moving to a new city.

Describe yourself with three words:

Optimistic, bubbly, compassionate.

If you could share one piece of wisdom with the students of Nayland College what would it be?

Who you are in high school doesn’t define you, I became a very different person once I left high school.

Question from previous interviewee Colin Frewin: What have you made that you still own/use to this day?

The winters in Dunedin, in a student flat, are very cold, so one year I knitted a massive woollen blanket that I still use today.

What question would you like to ask the next interviewee?

Where is the coolest place you have travelled to and why was it?