New year for local schools

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 37, 25 February 1986, Page 12

New year for local schools

This is our final roundup of the state of Waimarino schools at the beginning of term one. Ngamatea The children of Ngamatea School, on Whangaehu Valley Road, have a new principal and teachers' aide this year. They are Nigel Biolettij and his wife Chris. The couple have been living and teaching in Auckland for five years but before that, taught at Ohafkune School. Chris, who teaches several hours a day at Ngamatea, was brought up in Karioi, by her parents, Ian and Betty Strachan. She has been relief teaching since the birth of their son, Samuel, nearly two years ago, and now is glad to be Ijack in this area. "I'd like Samuel to grow up in the country air," she said. Nigel, who is originally from Auckland, plays the saxophone and was previously in a band. He is introducing pupils to musical instruments such as the ukulele and recorder and is helping others with their own instruments at lunchtimes. Fourteen new children started at Ngamatea at the beginning of the term, including three new entrants,' and two more will be starting at the end of this term. This will make the roll the

highest it has been for some time, said Nigel. The school's pool was filled by the Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade several weeks ago but there are now problems with the filter so it can not be used. The children are hoping it will be fixed soon. Ngamatea School will be attending the YMCA Camp at Kakatahi in April with Rangataua and Orautoha Schools. Nigel is hoping to take the school on another camp later this year. Rangiwaea As the roll of Rangiwaea School has dropped a little, to 17 pupils, two teachers were no longer required at j the school. Husband and wife teachers Lance and Barbara Kelly have gone to teach in the South Island and the school is looking for a permanent teacher. Diane Manson, who was relievingat Ngamatea School last year, is now relieving at Rangiwaea for an indefinite period until a permanent teacher can be found. Kakatahi The roll at Kakatahi School is now 22 pupils and two teachers. Principal of the school, Lloyd Buckley, said a new family has moved to the area from Ngamatea, which has kept the roll steady. The school will shortly be

competing in their annual swimming sports in Wanganui East. Waiouru There are approximately 63 new pupils at Waiouru School this year, much more than in recent years, and about 14 of those are new entrants making the school's roll 456. Seven teaching positions have been filled, including one shared by two teachers. Lorraine Akers, a firstyear teacher taking Jl, has moved to Waiouru from Palmerston North. Judith Glennie from Taranaki and living in Ohakune, is teaching J2 in a long-term relieving position.

Mrs Keri Wiki from Waiouru, has a permanent position teaching standard one. Mrs Eileen Salmons and Mrs Wendy Liddell of Waiouru, are teaching a new entrant class, and sharing one position. Anne Fontein from Christchurch, is teaching a standard two class. Christina Lilly from Wanganui, is a long-term reliever with standard two. Mrs Hine Waitere- Ang from Waiouru, is resource teacher. Major construction of linking corridors has recently been completed at the school and ten rooms have been refurbished, said the school's principal, Tauri Morgan.