Leaving Staff
Prior to the Sports and Cultural Prizegiving - the final full school assembly for 2023 - the Rector thanked and farewelled staff members who are leaving PNBHS at the end of the 2023 school year. We thank them for their service to PNBHS and the opportunities that they have provided for our young men.
Mr. Matt Foss
Mr. Foss joined the staff as a Teacher Aide in January this year having completed Year 13 at PNBHS in 2022. He has worked to support a number of young men across the junior school and has impressed with his professional approach and initiative. Mr. Foss has been involved with our co-curricular programme as a basketball coach and we thank him for his commitment to school life.
Mr. Foss will be studying full-time at Massey University in 2024 alongside continuing his involvement with PNBHS basketball. We wish him all the best as he begins student life.
Mrs Mariam Karimee
Mrs Karimee joined the PNBHS Commerce Department in January this year in a fixed-term position after spending time with us in 2022 as a student teacher. She has taught junior commerce and senior business studies. Mrs Karimee has impressed with her reflective approach, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and her desire to ensure the best possible outcomes for the young men in her classes. Alongside her teaching responsibilities Mrs Karimee has managed a senior basketball team and will be involved in the upcoming Year 10 Outdoor Education programme.
Mrs Karimee has been appointed to a full-time Commerce teaching position at Cornerstone School for 2024 and we wish her all the best for the next stage in her teaching career.
Mr. Rhys Harold
Mr. Harold is an Old Boy having attended PNBHS from 2004 to 2007 and was in Gordon Club. He rejoined his old school in January 2018 when he was appointed to a position in the Technology Department teaching metalwork.
After leaving school Mr. Harold completed his General Engineering apprenticeship and then joined the New Zealand Army, moving into a training role with them. Unfortunately, despite his qualifications and experience his qualifications were not recognised by the New Zealand Teaching Council. So, additional to his teaching commitments, Mr. Harold has completed study through Waikato University and has graduated with a Diploma of Technology, a degree equivalent qualification, and a Diploma of Teaching.
When the Head of Metalwork, Mr. Chris Welch, retired at the end of the 2019 school year Mr. Harold was appointed to replace him and lead the department, a role he has successfully filled since then.
Head of Technology, Mr. Fogarty, notes that “Mr. Harold has taught in the areas of DVC, woodwork and metalwork since arriving in 2018. He took on the role of Teacher in Charge-Mechanics in 2020 and has performed this job extremely well. He has developed a number of new initiatives in the department including trailer building and moving to an electric system for minibikes.”
As an Old Boy Mr. Harold understands the importance of our co-curricular programme and has supported this through his involvement with mountain biking, squash, Snow Seekers and the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme.
Mr. Harold leaves us to return to a role with the New Zealand Army and we wish him all the best for this.
Mr. David Hop-Wo
Mr. Hop-Wo joined the PNBHS Science and Physics departments in January 2014. He impressed immediately with his collegial approach in the department and across the wider staff, his subject expertise and willingness to get fully involved in all aspects of school life.
Mr. Hop-Wo has been fully involved in school life managing Football teams, supporting Vex Robotics and playing a central role in the organisation of Debating at the school as well as being involved with the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme. An avid reader, Mr. Hop-Wo has also assisted in the school library, in particular helping drive the growth in offerings of graphic novels, something that has helped to engage many young men.
Mr. Hop-Wo, along with his wife, former PNBHS Science teacher Ms. Jennifer Mann and young son Theo, are returning home to Canada and we wish them all the best for the next stage in their family life.
Mr. Mike Liddicoat
Mr. Liddicoat joined the Palmerston North Boys’ High School Science Department in February 2005 when he was appointed to a part-time, fixed-term position for that year. This position was soon upgraded to full-time and made permanent at the beginning of the 2006 school year. In 2014 Mr. Liddicoat assumed responsibilities as the Teacher in Charge of Level One Science and was appointed as the Assistant Head of Science in 2016, a position he has held since then.
Mr. Liddicoat’s organisational ability and curriculum knowledge, in both general science and biology, have been greatly appreciated by his colleagues. He played a leading role in the introduction of the science course at Year 12 which has provided an opportunity for students to extend their science knowledge outside of the traditional specialist science subjects.
Mr. Liddicoat has impressed with the strong relationships he forms with young men, especially those who might be struggling to fully engage in class. He uses his very dry sense of humour to create a positive environment for all.
Mr. Liddicoat has made a significant contribution to co-curricular activities throughout his time at PNBHS, in particular as the manager of the 1st XI Football team from 2013 – 2020. Involvement with any ‘first team’ is a significant commitment and the role of manager is particularly complex as they have responsibility for all of the team logistics for regular competition games as well as Super Eight and NZSS tournaments. Alongside this, he has also coached and managed rugby and basketball teams and been involved with the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme. Through volunteering his time he has provided opportunities for hundreds of young men.
Mr. Liddicoat has been a popular and well-regarded member of our teaching staff for 20 years. We thank him for his extensive contribution to Palmerston North Boys’ High School and wish him well for his well-deserved retirement. He will certainly be missed by his science colleagues, especially his lighthearted nature and the many laughs that have been had over the years.
Mr. Keith Syme
Mr. Syme attended PNBHS from 1972 – 1974 and was in Kia Ora Club. He rejoined his old school as a member of the teaching staff in January 2002 when he was appointed to the Technology Department as a metalwork teacher. Mr., Syme had extensive industry experience as an Automotive Engineer giving him a wealth of knowledge to share with his students.
Mr. Syme has consistently held high expectations of all young men and this has led to a very high standard of work being produced under his tutelage. He is incredibly organised and always maintained a clean and safe workshop environment. The young men he has taught have developed an excellent skillset to support their continuation in metalwork and transition into related employment.
Head of Technology, Mr. Fogarty, notes that “During his time Mr. Syme has taught DVC (formerly graphics), woodwork and mechanics through to senior level. He is a very well organised and competent teacher who is always meticulous in his preparation and organisation of lessons and assessments.”
Mr. Syme has been involved with our co-curricular programme as the manager of basketball, squash and smallbore shooting teams as well as the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme.
Mr. Syme leaves us to begin a well-deserved retirement and we wish him all the best for this next stage in his life.
