Retirements and re-locations have characterised staff movements in 2016.

· HOD Mathematics Pete Buyers was appointed a member of the Senior Leadership Team at New Zealand’s newest school, Rolleston College and took up the position at the beginning of Term 3. Opening in 2017, this will be a ‘Public Private Partnership’ and built in line with Modern Learning Environment principles.

· Also joining the Rolleston College staff is Shirley BHS Old Boy and English teacher Adam Smith who is setting up an English and Japanese programme.

· In mid-June, Chris Ryan departed to teach Secondary Physical Education at an English Modern School in Doha, Qatar.

· Physical Education teacher Gwilym Richards is also travelling overseas.

· Mathematics teacher Ricki Galway moves to Hillmorton High School in 2017 with Physical Education teacher Ian Johnson going to Rangiora High School.

· Mike Cavanagh retires at the end of this year and explains, “I began at Shirley BHS in January 1980 as a school technician as well as teaching Technical and Economic Studies part time. I have worked with several Headmasters and Heads of Departments. It’s now time for me to leave. Most satisfying has been watching Year 9s arrive and then see them leave in Year 13 as well-rounded young men. Often you meet them years later and have a good catch-up.

· After 22 years’ service to Shirley BHS in Physical education, ESOL and latterly as Sports Assistant, Stephanie McMillan is planning to teach Pilates at Ryman villages in Christchurch and Rangiora next year. However, she will also been seen back at Shirley from time to time.

· Heather Ronald joined Shirley BHS in 2002 as a School Secretary typing for the teaching staff and has also decided to retire at the end of this year. A particular memory for Heather is the earthquake period of 2011.

This is an important reminder of what the staff endured at that time.

‘Straight after the 22 February 2011 earthquake when electricity died, English teacher Angee Robertson showed her ballerina training by directing the traffic at the intersection of Marshland Road/North Parade, Shirley Road/New Brighton Road. She pirouetted with flair, her hand signals were beautiful to watch, her poise as she stood alone in the midst of very agitated drivers was an inspiration. She managed to captivate the drivers, and everyone followed her instructions.

The Headmaster’s PA, Carmel Ellis, backed her car out of the North Parade car park which was covered in water, and dropped her back wheel into a sink hole. That required lots of us holding up the back of her car so she could get some three-wheel grip on the tarmac.

Deputy-Principal Sue Nesbit offered her house as headquarters where we set up and had the school running again.

Shirley shared Papanui HS and we used the Assembly Hall as our base. Only once did I set off the Fire Alarms by not disconnecting the Hall quickly enough and Papanui turned out for an emergency fire drill.’

· Derek Hay, after more than two decades at Shirley BHS, will also retire at the end of the year. Originally from Saltcoats in North Ayrshire, Scotland, Derek Hay taught Physical Education and Mathematics in four Melbourne schools before joining the Shirley staff in 1993. An established connoisseur of New Zealand wines and respected Football coach, he will not be in the classroom but will still be seen coaching ‘the beautiful game’ at Shirley in 2017.