Farewell Ms. Eastmure
Earlier this term we farewelled Ms Senia Eastmure, who has left to further her teaching career as the Teacher in Charge of Art at Saint Mary Star of the Sea College in Carnavon, north of Perth.
Ms. Eastmure joined the PNBHS teaching staff in 2012 in a maternity leave position in the Art department, teaching Photography, and Visual Art to Yr 9 - 11. She then moved to Oamaru and Waitaki Boys’ High School in 2013 and 2014, where she taught Art and Social Studies. Ms. Eastmure also had the role as the House Matron at their boarding hostel in 2013 and was appointed as the Teacher in Charge of Pacifika Students, a new role at the school.
Ms. Eastmure returned to Palmy Boys in 2015 in a full-time capacity to teach Photography, Visual Art and Yr 9 English. During this time, she also became part of the Pasifika student leadership team and was appointed as the Dean of Pasifika Students in 2016.
Ms. Eastmure took maternity leave during 2019 before returning to PNBHS in 2020 as the Teacher in Charge of Photography, a role she has fulfilled since that time.
Head of Visual Art Mrs Pfeffer-Marshall notes that "Ms Eastmure has made a huge contribution to the Art Department during her time here. She is adaptable to change and takes on any challenge head-on. She is passionate about teaching, and this is reflected in her relational teaching approach. The boys in her care are guided yet given the freedom to explore their own ideas and ways of working. She has created such a positive and welcoming environment that F2 has become a safe haven for many students over the years."
Ms. Eastmure's role with our Pasifika Students has seen her working closely with both young men and their families to remove barriers to education and lift student achievement. She has had a significant impact in our school community raising the profile of our Pasifika students both within the school and in the wider community. She has been instrumental in supporting the students studying Samoan as a language at NCEA and this has helped grow these numbers over the last few years. The annual Pasifika Fusion festival is an eagerly anticipated highlight for both students and staff and Ms. Eastmure has played a significant role in helping and supporting the young men with their organisation for the cultural item as well as the numerous art categories.
Ms. Eastmure has also worked with many of our staff to assist them with strategies to develop their relationships with both our Pasifika students and their families.
Throughout her time at Palmy Boys Ms. Eastmure has been a keen and enthusiastic supporter of our co-curricular programme. She has been involved with the Year 10 Kawhatau and Mountain to Sea camps and has managed a range of Touch and Basketball teams as well as the Senior A and Junior A and B Volleyball teams.
We thank Ms. Eastmure for her significant contributions to Palmerston North Boys' High School - her passion for her teaching, her genuine care and concern for all young men, especially our Pasifika students and for her collegiality in the staff room. We wish her all the best for the next challenge in her teaching career.
