Long-serving teachers feature in school memories

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 630, 2 April 1996, Page 9

Long-serving teachers feature in school memories

Many teachers have served the Raetihi School in its 100 years. Some have stayed and are now part of the community. The longest serving headmaster was also the school' s first, W E Hird who taught from 1 896 to 1 9 1 5 and completed his Master of Arts degree in that time. The longest serving permanent teacher was Lucy

Legge. One senior citizen remembers her teaching in 1920 and it is recorded that sheretiredin 1955. Many at the centennial will have fond memories of Miss Legge. When Miss Legge was retiring Myra Crowley (nee Brown) was beginning a teaching career which has not yet finished. Mrs Crowley had time out for

her family of five but has been in permanent and, more recently, relieving positions. Mrs J Geraghty was another long serving teacher. Two long serving teachers were ex-pupils of Raetihi school — Lionel West and Jeni Wiggins (nee MacLean). Both have remained in Raetihi. Mr West is now farming and Mrs

Wiggins works part-time at the VetClub when she isn't relieving. Others to have given years of service as teachers are Elizabeth Penny and Jennifer Godfrey. There are at least 12

teachers who were ex-pu-pilsof Raetihi School. They are Nona Scarrow (Winks), Harry Littlewood, Isobel George (MacLean), Joan Brown (Windle), Doug Wright, Josie Mowat Turn page.

Raetihi staff

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE (Grant), Patsy Godfrey, Jeni Wiggins (MacLean), Vida Whale (MacLean), Margaret MacLeod(Brown) Lionel West and Bruce Francis. Joan Brown and Margaret MacLeod must be a very rare pair of mother/daughter combinations who have been ex-pu-pils and teachers at the same school.