It’s with quite a bit of sadness that I write my last post to send out to the Rangi Ruru community today. Over the past 2+ years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with, teaching, and learning from some of the best students I ever could have asked for. I’ve celebrated their wins, championed their pathways, and been touched each and every day by the light these students shine from within. Sticking with this year’s theme, I’ve been humbled to be surrounded by all of the heroes here at this school, from the administration to the faculty and staff, and to each of the students I’ve been blessed to encounter. 

It’s a rare thing to feel so very welcomed by an entire community, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that experience here at Rangi Ruru. As I pack up my office and prepare to return to the US to be closer to the family and friends we’d grown accustomed to seeing only through Zoom and FaceTime these last few years, I can’t help but feel the sadness of having to leave this community behind. With my best foot forward, though, I’ll turn to one of my son’s favourite writers, Dr. Seuss, to remember “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” As I leave Rangi Ruru’s campus for the last time, I’ll do so smiling as I remember the wonderful time I’ve had here, and for that I’d like to thank all of you for making me feel so welcome.

As Paulo Coelho put it, though, “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello,” and I feel so very lucky to know that Rangi Ruru will be able to say hello to our new Careers & University Strategist, Alexis Rose, who’s spent this past week here feeling that same warmth of welcome. Alexis will begin working with our students and the wider Rangi Ruru community in earnest at the start of next term, and I have no doubt in my mind that she’ll continue to grow upon the work we’ve done together to assure that every Rangi Ruru student has the best opportunity to shine bright both here at Rangi Ruru and after. I can’t wait to hear from her of all of our school and our students’ successes in the coming years.

With that, I wish the very best for both Alexis and the students, faculty, and staff of Rangi Ruru. Thank you for everything.

Krissi Schumacher
Careers & Pathways Strategist (Crimson Education)