ADULT STUDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 39, 20 March 1984, Page 4

ADULT STUDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL

One of the more singular students enrolled at Ruapehu College this year is Caroline Poka of Goldfinch Street, a registered adult student. Caroline is returning for her second year at the College and has undertaken a gruelling schedule which includes Biology, History, Geography and English for University Entrance and a Computer Data course. The daughter of a New Zealand Army soldier, Caroline left school at the age of 17 having passed two S.C. subjects. Her father had been transferred to Singapore when she was only 13. This subsequently disrupted Caroline's education as the schools there operated under the English education system of 'O' and 'A' level studies which were not recognised upon the family's return to New Zealand. After leaving school, Caroline continued her association with the army by. working for the Ministry of Defence in a variety of duties, including telephone operator, accounts clerk, receivers pay clerk and in the supply department at Waiouru. She then transferred to Wellington as a tax officer for the services. In the next few years Caroline drifted from job to job both here and in Australia before she returned to Ohakune to live with her sister and brother-in-law. Strongly motivated by her father, who had attended college to study for School Certificate and University Entrance and who is now undertaking a degree in anthropology at Auckland University, Caroline decided to return to school to complete her education. This is her second year at Ruapehu College but found that she was unable to perform well due to her extensive sporting commitments. This year, she assures us, will be different as she intends to spend all her time studying for the examinations.

It takes a great deal of courage to return to school as an adult but Carolihe insists that the children at the school have been marvellous to her and she in turn is there to help any of them with problems that may arise. Her sister Jefferine O'Sullivan is also attending the college. However, she has not undertaken quite the schedule Caroline has. The progress of both these adult students will be followed with keen interest and support.