Farewell Mr Lance Retemeyer

Mr Retemeyer’s association with Palmerston North Boys’ High School began in 1986 when he joined the school as a Year 9 student. During his time at school, his sporting prowess came to the fore with him going on to be selected to play for both the 1st XI Cricket and the 1st XI Football teams from 1988 – 1990. He captained both teams in 1990, with the 1st XI Cricket team winning the New Zealand Secondary School finals, the Gillette Cup, under his leadership. In 1990 Mr Retemeyer was selected as the Head Prefect of PNBHS, recognition of his all-round commitment to school life, and at the end of the year was named Dux Ludorum, the highest achieving sportsman in the school.

After graduating from Massey University Mr Retemeyer returned to Palmy Boys’ in 1998 when he joined the English and Physical Education Departments. Mr Retemeyer’s strong classroom presence and ability to relate positively to a wide range of students was immediately apparent, as was his collegial approach in the staffroom.

Mr Retemeyer joined College House and Murray Club in August 2001 as a Hostel Master before being appointed to the position of Assistant Hostel Manager in January 2003, a position he held until he left the hostel in July 2005. Upon leaving College House he returned to Kia Ora club, becoming Club Master in 2011, a role he held until the end of the 2017 school year. As an Old Boy Mr Retemeyer understands the important place that the Shand Shield competition holds in school life and he was committed to ensuring high rates of participation and high levels of competition. As Club Master Mr Retemeyer built a significant legacy for Kia Ora, one that included five Shand Shield victories.

In 2004 he was appointed to the position of Year 10 Dean, a role he fulfilled until 2006 when he was appointed as the Dean of International Students. Mr Retemeyer held this role until the end of 2013 and then in January 2014 was appointed to the position of Director of International Students, a new role that reflected the growth in the International Student Department at PNBHS. He has operated in this role since this time. Mr Retemeyer has worked hard to form positive relationships with schools and international agents in an expanding range of countries and has always acted with the best interests of both PNBHS and our international students at the forefront. When COVID-19 forced the closure of New Zealand’s borders in 2020 it is testament to Mr Retemeyer’s initiative that nearly all of our international students remained. He organised and ran many holiday activities, including an extensive South Island tour during the Christmas holidays, to keep these young men engaged while they were unable to return home to their families. His work in maintaining relationships has meant that we are well-placed to begin rebuilding international student numbers now that the borders have reopened.  

Mr Retemeyer’s contribution to our co-curricular programme has been extensive. For many years he coached a range of junior and senior Football teams and was the Teacher in Charge of Football from 1999 - 2003. This is a significant role and includes the organisation of all PNBHS Football teams. However, Mr Retemeyer is perhaps best known for his contribution to Cricket. He coached the Year 9 Specials for several seasons, including taking them to the annual Hawke’s Bay Junior Cricket tournament. He went on to be player/coach of the 1st XI Cricket team from 2003 to 2007, a very successful tenure that included qualifying three times to compete in the Gillette Cup national finals, winning the tournament in 2004. The teams Mr Retemeyer coached included future Black Caps George Worker and Adam Milne and future Welsh Rugby international Hadleigh Parkes.  Alongside his extensive coaching involvement, he was the Teacher in Charge of Cricket from 2014 - 2017.  In more recent years Mr Retemeyer has also been significantly involved in school Golf as the Teacher in Charge since 2011 - the third sporting code in which he has fulfilled the Teacher in Charge role - and has taken teams away to Super Eight and New Zealand Secondary Schools tournaments. 

Mr Retemeyer has also been a regular participant in both the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme, in particular the Anaura Bay camp, and the Year 13 Mountain trip. He has voluntarily given thousands of hours of his time to provide opportunities for the young men of PNBHS over the last 27 years.

Mr Retemeyer is incredibly organised. He has high expectations of all the young men he works with, be that in the classroom, on the sports field, or for those who join us as international students. His dedication, hard work and willingness to put others first have been greatly appreciated by our young men and staff. We sincerely thank him for the significant service that he has provided to Palmerston North Boys’ High School. He leaves behind a considerable legacy in all aspects of school life.

In recognition of his long service at Palmerston North Boys' High School, Mr Retemeyer was given the opportunity to address the school at his final assembly. 

Following Mr Retemeyer's address, the school haka was performed to him by the young men of the school, a fitting acknowledgement of his remarkable contribution to Palmerston North Boys' High School.

Mr Retemeyer is moving on to a new challenge as the Principal of OneSchool Global Palmerston North campus and we wish him all the best for this next stage in his career.

Click below to watch the farewell assembly for Mr Retemeyer.