MAC Magazine 2015

“MR T “
The end of this term will see the end of an era with the retirement of Mr John Turnbull, affectionately known as “Mr T,”
from the classroom after 38 years of teaching in Wanaka.
John began his teaching career in 1977 when the District High School became the Wanaka Area School. When Mount
Aspiring College was formed in 1988 he was one of the original staff who moved on to teach at the college. Over the years
he has seen many students pass through the college, including his own children and grandchildren.
John’s specialist teaching subjects are Geography, Social Studies and Tourism and there are many past and present students
who now have a far better understanding of the origins of our local Wanaka landscape thanks to his teaching. He brought
physical geography to life with his glacier exploration field trips to the West Coast and his boat trips on Lake Wanaka. An
added bonus is John’s coach driving licence which has been invaluable on many a class trip.
What people may not know however, is the tireless work that John has put into many areas of school life behind the scenes.
In the early days of the college he was the teacher responsible for the library and archive records and he has also been in
charge of audio visual equipment at the college for many years. The hand behind the video camera presenting the live-feed
playback at Prizegiving ceremonies is John’s. It is John who has created the Prizegiving DVD’s and John who has produced
the archive recordings of our college productions for many years.
He is also the steering force behind the success of many a 40 Hour Famine at MAC, offering advice and encouragement to
each year’s organising committee. Over the years he never missed an opportunity to dress up for mufti days (his Bob Marley
dreadlocks and Elton John glitz and glasses spring immediately to mind) and he took an active part in staff skits, often
taking on the role of pianist.
The decision to retire will give John more time to spend with his family, in particular with his wife Cherie, but rumour has it
that he may still drive buses for MAC trips.
Driven by his spiritual beliefs, a man of high moral character, patience and integrity, John can always be counted on to offer
words of support and encouragement at all the right times. Always pleasant in manner, loyal, cheerful, considerate and wellloved
by his whanau, “Mr T” will be missed immensely. We thank him sincerely for everything he has contributed to the
college and wish him well for the next chapter of his life.
STRAIGHT UP
The “Straight Up” Christian group was initiated this year with Josephine
Schafer and Cole Masters leading the group, with the assistance of Miss
Weggery. Team leaders Hannah Davey, Rose-Meri Smith, Sam Sandri, Matt
McLean and Ollie McKenzie assisted in the running of fun fortnightly
events, guest speaker sessions and small discussion groups. It has been
great to have new members come along and we hope this group will
continue to go from strength to strength next year.
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