Waimarino teacher picks Pipiriki School

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 250, 12 July 1988, Page 12

Waimarino teacher picks Pipiriki School

From caring for hundreds of children to just 10 - that is the situation that faces Judy Doyle when she takes up the position of sole charge teacher at Pipiriki School on July 11. Mrs Doyle has held the position of visiting teacher in the Waimarino since 1982. While interesting and varied, the job has resulted in emotional burnout for Mrs Doyle who now feels frus-

trated in her attempts to make a positive change in the field of child welfare. The position was part-time but involved long hours travelling between schools i n Taihape, Waiouru, Ohakune and Raetihi, encouraging co-opera-tion and communication between parents children and teachers. With an increasing work load and feelings of frustration at not being able to be totally effective due to circum-

stances beyond her control, Mrs Doyle decided it was time for a change. Since her appointment there has been a marked improvement in attendance figures at all schools under her jurisdiction. Increasingly, children's behavioural problems show up as an area of concern within the Waimarino. And increasingly Mrs Doyle has been involved with family crises - between 20-30

families a week on average. On a more positive

BXHSSSK V- -i jg 'v «« A .'.-Spye ■JWMWSWCOJ-'WSWN s oacrest note, she has seen a number of support services and resources es-

tablished in the Waimarino in recent years, including highly spccessful positive parenting courses. "There is no doubt that rural people are disadvantaged, especially in the area o f family counselling and practical day to day help for teachers and parents." Mrs Doyle is looking forward to the new position which she says will be something of a challenge. She admits to having learned Maori only spasmodically for the last 10 years but will now be calling upon

her skill to teach a t Pipiriki School which has bi-lingual status. While teaching primary school i n Whangarei, she established a strong Maori language programme. Most of Pipiriki School's lessons are conducted in Maori and Mrs Doyle said pupils are quick to correct her. She has made several visits to the school to familiarise herself with the routine and get to know the pupils. Mrs Doyle will have the assistance o f Kaiarahi Reo Natalie TeHuia for three hours a day for help with language.