Introducing new college staff

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 372, 5 February 1991, Page 4

Introducing new college staff

BY

JULEE

NATION

Ruapehu College s multi-cultural standing within the Waimarino was recently enhanced with the appointment of two new teachers - one all the way from West Germany. Phys-ed and 3rd Form maths teacher Kai Hagener, arrived in New Zealand six months previous with his wife to take up permanent residence. With the option of four various secondary school positions the couple settled upon Ruapehu College, due chiefly to the school's high reputation of being well equipped and run by a "good team." Mr Hagener trained and worked as a social therapist and certified educator in Northern Germany for six years prior to teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary levels - a position he has occupied for the past 13 years. Two of his four children are currently in New Zealand on work permits as 'Woofers' (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), while the other two live and work in Germany. Mr Hagener is enthusiastic about his newfound residence and the relaxed, friendly attitude of the majority of New Zealanders he has encountered.

Another new-comer to the region is Carol Chapman, a former teacher at Otumoetai College near Tauranga. Mrs Chapman, a qualified commerce studies teacher, also held a position at Tauranga Girls College, and for a

period the mother of two co-ordinated Tauranga's Budget Advisory Service while re-entering the workforce. Mrs Chapman teaches Forms 3-6 full-time while her husband cares for their two children, aged four and two years.