2 Takapuna
NEW LEADER FOR HISTORIC SCHOOL In February, Māngere Central School welcomed Jacqualene Maindonald as its new principal. By Toni Helleur A born and raised Cantabrian, and the eldest of four children, Jacqualene completed all her studies in Canterbury – including four years at the University of Canterbury and Christchurch College of Education. She is a former principal of Richmond School in Christchurch and Woodhill School in Helensville. Jaqualene’s husband is also a principal and they have a teenage son who has represented Auckland and Canterbury in football (soccer). Sport is something the Maindonald family enjoys most weekends – either softball, surfing or football. Jacqualene says she is in her new role for the long haul. “I will show you a passion and commitment to match that which is already here,” she says. “Whānau is so important to me, and Māngere Central is my new whānau.” Proud history Māngere Central School was the first public school in the Māngere area and opened on 1 September, 1859. In the early 1880s a new schoolhouse and a “teacher’s dwelling” were built Passion and commitment: Jacqualene Maindonald, Māngere Central School’s new principal. to accommodate the growing community. These buildings still stand on the Old School Reserve at the corner of Kirkbride Road and Naylors Drive. Back in the early days, children had to walk large distances to get to school – although some were lucky enough to travel by pony or donkey. Today children from Makaurau Marae in Ihumātao travel to school on their very own school bus. The school is proud to have produced members of parliament, principals of other early Auckland schools, and famous sportsmen and women, as well as a Crown solicitor and a NZ Director of Education. Many of these early students and their families; the Kirkbrides, Westneys, Rennies, Masseys and Robertsons are remembered today in local street and place names. Part of the community for 136 years: The old school hall at the corner of Kirkbride Rd & Naylors Dr is now a community meeting space. Get set for Neighbours Day 25–26 <strong>March</strong> By Toni Helleur Every connection you have with a neighbour makes your neighbourhood more friendly, fun and safe. That’s the idea behind Neighbours Day Aotearoa, a nationwide event that aims to get neighbours talking to each other. If you want to get involved, the website is a good place to start. You can join for free updates, and while you’re at it, enter your great idea for a Neighbours Day activity. The town and city with the most registered activities will be crowned City and Town of the Year <strong>2017</strong>. There are lots of ideas on the website, but simply knocking on your neighbour’s door to say “Hi!”and introduce yourself is a great first step. Or, if you live in a street where your kids tend to get together and play until you call them in for dinner, why not try organising a street BBQ? I’m the Māngere Area Coordinator for Neighbourhood Support (NS), so this year, I’ll be using Neighbours Day to kick-start the NS movement. NS is free to join, and it’s all about connecting with your neighbours too. I’m also aiming to help my neighbours reduce their household waste by teaching them how to use bokashi (a form of composting) so they’re ready for Māngere’s new red bin roll-out. I think this will be a great start leading up to Neighbours Day Aotearoa. The question is: what will you plan to do? Share your ideas, pics and invites with us on Facebook.com/<strong>275</strong><strong>Times</strong> Neighbours Day Aotearoa is supported by Lifewise, The Mental Health Foundation, Neighbourhood Support NZ, Inspiring Communities, Christchurch Methodist Mission and the Public Libraries of NZ. http://neighboursday.org.nz 3