Small town kids "more genuine"

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 279, 21 March 1989, Page 10

Small town kids "more genuine"

The Bulletin this week profiles Ruapehu College's Deputy Principal Graham Parker and teacher Rick Knight, two new faces in the region's schools.

The role of deputy principal is one that former Paeroa College

teacher Graham Parker takes seriously. Graham, his wife

Judy and their two children Tanya 14 and Vanessa 11, have had little difficulty in settling into the Waimarino since their move from the East Coast two weeks ago.

Says Mr Parker: "It's very important to get to know your community - get to know the kids. I'm not the sort of person who moves around a lot. I like to settle down in one area and do a job properly." Since 1972 Mr Parker has done just that, originally at Otorohanga College, then on to Paeroa where he held the position of Dean of the senior school and head of social studies, with the title 'Head PR3 Administration.' While at Paeroa he was involved with teaching senior geography and history, health education and life skills.

His responsibilities at Ruapehu College include taking life skills classes, teaching junior school social studies and form seven geography. According to Mr Parker, a "firm but fair" approach to teaching is essential for establishing a rapport with students. "Kids like to know where they stand - where the bottom line is," he said. His first contact with

Ruapehu College was through sporting links between Paeroa and the Waimarino. The behaviour of visiting teams left him with a very favourable impression of the school. Mr Parker says he has not been disappointed since taking up the position, with the standard of behaviour "impressive." "With the isolation of the region the kids here tend

to be more genuine," he said, "unlike the pseudo-sophistication of teeenagers living in Paeroa who have access to large cities like Auckland." Both he and his wife Judy, who is also a qualified secondary school geography teacher, have a keen interest in the geography and history of the Waimarino. Mr Parker is keen to see a greater local area component taught at the college. He is also endeavouring to establish a life skills programme aimed at form six students not planning to enter tertiary education. Mr Parker was responsible for establishing such a programme at Paeroa College that has proved highly successful. While teaching was incentive enough for the family to move to the Waimarino, both Graham and Judy Parker are enthusiastic about the potential of the area. They are presently looking to buy a home or if necessary, build one. The couple are avid car restorers and are currently involved with the restoration of a Turnpage 10

Small town kids

Frompage 10 '70's model Coupe that is being freighted in pieces from Paeroa. Judy, a competent landscape architect with a diploma in art is taking a "well-earned" break from teaching. She was a teacher's aide at Paeroa College for four years, taught full-time for three years and was lab technician at Otorohanga College for over a year. Rick Knight New teacher Rick Knight is also a former East Coaster. He and his wife Judy with their two year old son Rufus moved to the Waimarino from Opotiki in January. Mr Knight owned and operated a Kiwifruit orchard in Opotiki for ten years, interspersed with teaching as a full-time reliever at Opotiki College. The downturn in the economy coupled with the effects of Cyclone Bola last year resulted in the forced sale of the business and the need for the couple to look elsewhere. The Waimarino's potential for skiing was an incentive for the couple who visited the area on previous occasions as winter tourists. Both however admit to holding a preference for "small town New Zealand." Rick, and Judy Knight - a secondary school english teacher and piano tutor - both taught at Waikohu College near Tekaraka before teaching at Opotiki. Mr Knight teaches form five and six geography and junior school science at Ruapehu College. A skilled rugby player and one-time All

Black trialist, he is now using his skills to train local youngsters in the sport. Mrs Knight, a highly qualified piano tutor, is keen to instruct children and adults from hex home next term. The couple were impressed by the warm

reception they received from the community. Says Rick: "The community is very much like our old community of Opotiki. Generally people from small towns are very supportive and friendly. It already feels like home."