Rangataua school principal

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 20 October 1987, Page 9

Rangataua school principal

Rangataua School's mobile relieving principal John Rush, is a firm believer in structured learning and promoting creative play, arts and crafts, drama and music, on a par with maths, english and other studies. Mr Rush took up the position as principal/teacher from Peter Millar who has a year's leave of absence from teaching. Rangataua School is his fifth school in the last two years; his position with the Wanganui Education Board takes him to wherever the need for a teacher is greatest. Mr Rush has taught fulltime and in a relieving capacity at a number of schools in the south Auckland area where he lived for 15 years, and in remote country schools. The Waimarino is not new to him; he was born in Taumarunui and lived in National park for some years where his father was policc constable during World War II. He returned to the area to teach two terms at Rangiwaea and Taora Schools. Changes he noted was the introduction of pine tree plantations and the absence of the herds of wild horses that roamed the plateau in earlier years. Mr Rush is a keen tramper and said he will be making use of the many tracks and walks around the area. His enthusiasm for music - 4+

and drama is carried outside of school and he is currently rehearsing a role in a production by Taumarunui's Little Theatre Society that makes its debut in November. Mr Rush is also a keen writer and while he admits to not yet writing "The Kiwi novel", he has produced a large number of tourism oriented brochures and catalogues during his four years as a deputy public relations officer in Rotorua.