This week we bid farewell to TGHS stalwart Mark Houghton who is finishing up this term after 40 years of teaching.

Mark arrived on the Timaru Girls’ High scene in 2003 from the UK and must have loved the place, as he has remained here since. Mark is going to begin his retirement by returning to the UK to visit family and enjoy his passion of the outdoors and fishing.

Mark is a very well respected and passionate member of the teaching staff and has held many roles during his tenure including: Academic Coordinator of Student Achievement Data, Academic Dean, Assistant Learning Area Head of Mathematics and has been Learning Area Head of Mathematics since 2016. Over his years at Timaru Girls’ Mark has taught many students, seen many changes and has positively changed the perception of Mathematics for all of his students. Mark has always put students at the centre of his teaching, and encouraged students to have a growth mindset about Mathematics and all other aspects of their Learning. He has been a fabulous colleague, being very supportive, sharing a wealth of expertise, having his finger on the pulse around tracking NCEA results, and making student achievement and success the forefront of everything he does. He has also attended many school camps and is heavily involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Timaru Girls’ High School. This week Mark is finishing off his career by taking a group of students on one of these very tramps.

When asked what his favourite memory of his time at TGHS was, he smiled and said he had loads of favourite memories and that the best moments were focused around the students. A highlight of his last few weeks have included a special small farewell organised by the Year 13 students. The students had been planning it for weeks in secret, including creating a quote book to reflect on some of the funny lines that have stuck with them, having a shared lunch, a few speeches, and dressing up in brightly coloured floral shirts to show their gratitude to Mark, who often wears one of these shirts on a Friday after having spent a year teaching in the Cook Islands.

Some of the Year 13’s have written a few words that they have mentioned in their speeches to Mark.

“He really noticed when I was struggling and was there to help me manage my workload.

Thank you to you and Mrs Dockrill for the work you put into the Leadership Workshops last year. It has been so beneficial and appreciated by our cohort that you both continued on being our Form Teachers’ this year”.

“Mr Houghton cares a lot about our education and always encourages me to better understand Maths and to pursue Maths further when I finish school”.

“2019 is when I first meet Mr Houghton. I was introduced to him as Head of the Maths Department and my first Form Teacher. His witty manner and love for teaching, made it hard to be mad at him on the days he arrived late to Form. Maths has always been a huge highlight for me when Mr Houghton was teaching, especially this year, as we had good fun throwing smart diggs at each other. Mr Houghton is a motivated teacher who I've been lucky enough to have helped guide me through high school. He has taught me so much more than Algebra. From tramping alongside him for Duke of Edinburgh, to helping put together a Leadership Course to prepare my year group for the role of Year 13. I think I have him to thank for being given the role of Head Girl for 2023, as I found the course really beneficial.

Best of luck for the exciting years to come Mr Houghton, we’re gonna miss you”.

“Mr Houghton has opened up and offered so many opportunities to me since I’ve been at Girls’ High. From taking a maths paper at the University of Canterbury this year to the Duke of Edinburgh tramps he organises and leads. His honesty, patience and humour have made these memorable experiences that have taught me much more than just the Maths curriculum, including the importance of perseverance and taking a break to enjoy learning. His dedication to his students has created an invaluable source of advice and support, which for me will have a withstanding impact as I finish my final year of high school and move on to further study and beyond”.

Thank you, Mark, for all you have done for our school. Enjoy your adventures of your well earned retirement.