Mrs. Kathryn Rankin has taught at Palmerston North Boys’ High School since July 1999, when she was appointed to a long-term relieving position as a teacher of English. In January 2000 she was appointed to a full-time position as the Head of Learning Support, a position she has held since that time, alongside her duties as an English teacher.

As the Head of Learning Support Mrs. Rankin worked relentlessly with the best interests of our young men at heart. Frequently this involved drawn-out battles with the bureaucracy controlling access to support for students with additional learning needs, a cause of frustration for both her and the families of these young men. Mrs. Rankin is well known for the high expectations she has for all of the students she teaches and she effectively balances this with genuine empathy and concern for their wellbeing.

As well as her heavy involvement in teaching English to the Learning Support classes, in recent years Mrs. Rankin has also had the responsibility for teaching the Scholarship English class. That she can switch so adeptly and effectively between these roles is a testament to her significant subject knowledge and skill as a teacher.

The growth of the PNBHS International Student Programme has been accompanied by growth in the demand for ESOL programmes at school to support the development of English language skills in our international students, for most of whom English is a second language. Mrs. Rankin’s expertise in this area has been greatly appreciated by both the wider staff and the many young men whom she has taught.

Mrs. Rankin was the Assistant Head of the English Department for a number of years and has made a significant contribution to the organisation of what is the largest curriculum area at PNBHS and one of the largest departments nationally. She has also stepped in as the Acting Head of English on a number of occasions and her professionalism in this role has been greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Rankin has also held a prominent role at Palmy Boys’ as the teacher in charge of Literacy. She was instrumental in the introduction of daily Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), the accompanying SSR audits, where the books young men are reading are checked (and the titles provided to the school library so that popular titles and authors can be ordered), regular vocabulary testing and the weekly book reviews at assembly. Under the NCEA assessment system good literacy skills are fundamental to achievement in all subject areas. She has also worked as the Gifted and Talented student coordinator, working to ensure that young men with abilities in a particular curricular or co-curricular area are provided with opportunities to further their abilities. Consequently, Mrs. Rankin’s work has benefited young men in all subject areas throughout the school.

The current Head of the English Department, Mr. Jack Siebert notes: “Kathryn has been a valued member of the English Department since 1999. She brings a lot of experience and expertise to the department and the classroom. As well as leading the “Learning Assistance” and Literacy programmes, Kathryn also took charge of the PAT testing in the department and made sure all the teachers kept on task.

Latterly, Kathryn took on the Assistant-HOD position and has taught the Scholarship English class since “Doc” O’Connor retired. As usual, she has acquitted herself extremely well in both roles.

The English Department will be poorer for Kathryn’s departure, and her calm efficiency and extensive knowledge will be sorely missed.”

As a high-achieving sportsperson herself, Mrs. Rankin has been heavily involved in school sporting activities. For many years while she taught at PNBHS she was still a highly competitive tennis player involved in the premier Manawatu club competition. Mrs. Rankin has been heavily involved in PNBHS tennis at all levels, from the Senior A team through to the social Saturday morning PNBHS competition. She has also assisted as the manager of rugby teams and in more recent years with squash. As a keen tramper Mrs. Rankin has regularly been involved with the school’s outdoor education programme, attending both the Year 13 ‘Mountain Trip’ and the Year 10 Lake Waikaremoana camp. Mrs. Rankin was instrumental in the introduction of the annual Year 13 Leavers’ Dinner, an event that has become an important part of the school calendar, and she has been heavily involved in the organisation of the dinner each year.

We thank Mrs. Rankin for the very significant contribution she has made to Palmerston North Boys’ High School and wish her all the best for her well-deserved retirement and the opportunity to see more of her growing family.

Mrs. Rankin was presented with a Palmerston North Boys' High School Academic Stole in recognision of her service and commitment to academic excellence.