Board Member to Teach

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 2, 9 June 1987, Page 2

Board Member to Teach

Ohakune resident Mrs Peggy Frew has served on the Wanganui Education Board and Ruapehu College Education Boara for the last seven years and next month sees her retirement from both Boards. Mrs Frew gave as her reason for resigning from the Wanganui Education Board her keeness to get back into teaching. While she is a member of the Board she is unable to become actively involved with a particular school. Mrs Frew plans to take on part-time teaching

at the Ohakune Primary School after she resigns next month. She said there were many enjoyable aspects of the position she would miss, especially the involvement with the many different children and school committees in her ward. Mrs Frew said she attended numerous prizegivings and official openings of buildings, as well being involved in some administration during her time with the Wanganui Education Board. She described the position as that of a counsellor or diplomat - having to know the right

answers to the many and varied questions and complaints she constantly received from parents. Queries would range from the running of the school to complaints about teachers. "The Board's office in Wanganui was tremendously helpful in these instances," she said. She was also on the finance committee of the Education Board. Mrs Frew served on the Palmerston North Teacher's College selection committee for four years. Marian Cleaver Her replacement is Mrs Marian Cleaver from Continued on pg.4

Board Member to Teach. Continued from page 2

Mataroa, north-west of Taihape. Mrs Cleaver said she has always followed rural education closely and is interested in the progress of country schools. She herself went to a sole charge school and her three children have followed suit. Mrs Cleaver was secretary on the Mataroa School committee for eight years and was the regular bus driver for the school for 10 years. She was interested in the position left vacant by Mrs Frew as she says she now has more time to spare with her youngest of three children being in the 7th form at Palmerston North Boy's High School. Mrs Cleaver is involved with several organisations in Taihape. She is the chairperson of the area's Citizen's Advice Bureau and is also on the duty roster

as well as being a budgeter with the Taihape Budget Service. She and her husband run a 1100 acre sheep farm. Mrs Cleaver's responsibilities as a member of the Wanganui Education Board involves being one of two representatives of the northern ward. Her area of responsibility covers as far north as Manunui, near Taumarunui, to north of Waiouru. The southern area of the ward, from Waiouru to Hunterville is covered by the second ward representative Mr Les Frank. The position involves a great deal of travelling. The northern half of the ward encompasses 15 country schools. Mrs Cleaver's new office automatically gives her a position on the Ruapehu College Board of Governors as well as being

on a sub-committee of the Wanganui Education Board. But she is still to make up her mind as to whether she will accept the college position. She will also be required to serve on the TaihapeRuapehu R.E.A.P committee which meets about six times a year. Although she is not yet officially on the Board Mrs Cleaver said she has already been approached by several individuals who have queries about the school system. She won the seat in a by-election held in May and though the term of office is four years she will be making herself available for re-election next July when the Board's election of members is held. Mrs Cleaver officially takes over the position in July and said she can be contacted by phone for any queries people may have.