This year Nayland College has been lucky to have a fantastic group of new teachers join our whānau. Throughout the year we will be profiling our new recruits in the newsletter so you can get to know them. Today we are saying hello to our new science and primary industries teacher Esther Hancock.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in Suffolk, in the UK. I grew up in East Anglia – a rural area in the East of the UK.

Where else have you lived before coming to Nelson?

I have been in New Zealand since 2005. All of that time I have lived in Auckland in various different suburbs.

What other jobs did you have before becoming a teacher?

Before I was a teacher, I was a lecturer at agricultural colleges in the UK for 12 years. My subject specialty was horses. Prior to that, I spent 8 years in the drinks industry. I started in soft drinks and ending up working for a brewery.

Why did you decide to be a teacher – and what drew towards becoming a Primary Industries teacher specifically?

Becoming a school teacher was actually something I had been carefully avoiding for some time as both my parents were school teachers. Of course, once I got involved, I discovered I enjoyed it. I started out as a biology teacher but primary industries was a natural progression for me considering my tertiary experience. I also enjoy working with students in the outdoors; whether that be with plants, animals or through doing conservation work.

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

I love it when there is a “penny dropping” moment or when students show enthusiasm for a topic. I have taught at three other senior schools in New Zealand and nowhere else have the staff been so collegial, warm and welcoming. The values that are important to staff at Nayland are those I wholeheartedly agree with and our positive approach helps the students to be the best people they can be.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Tramping, skiing, reading, attending live music concerts.

What is one book everyone should read? 

It is very hard to pick just one. There are several I have read to help me to become a Kiwi, including The Bone People, The Luminaries, Once Were Warriors (terribly bleak) and I have really enjoyed the TV series “Outrageous Fortune”.

What were you like as a student at school?

I sat at the back, talked all the time but still got good grades. I was entered for Oxbridge but was too much of a socialite to study hard enough.

When I retire, I want to..

Do more of the stuff I currently do in my spare time, but in the company of my wonderful husband, Guy. Probably minus the skiing, but with the addition of a trip to Nepal.

Question from Lucy (our last interviewee.) Who do you admire in the world and why?

At the moment that is an easy question to answer: Jacinda Ardern. At last a politician that listens to scientists and is not ashamed of showing real compassion!

Give me one question to ask the next teacher we profile…

Assuming reincarnation is a reality, what animal would you like to come back as and why?