Bay Harbour: September 06, 2017

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PAGE 8 Wednesday September 6 2017 BAY HARBOUR Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Our People Lyn Carson Familiar face retires after 32 years After 32 years working in the office at Lyttelton Main and then Lyttelton Primary School, Lyn Carson felt it was the right time to retire. She talks to Sarla Donovan about her long affiliation with the schools Have you always lived in Lyttelton? Almost. I Lived in Lyttelton St, Spreydon, from birth to three months. Then my great grandmother died and we shifted over the hill to Lyttelton to look after my great grandfather. Dad worked on the harbour board and mum was at home looking after us four kids. One brother is still here and I’ve got a sister in Ashburton. When did you start working at Lyttelton Main School? I started in 1985 as a relieving secretary. I was parent helper in the classroom when my youngest child started the year before that. And I was made permanent in 1986. What did your job involve then? Everything – anything the children need, looking after sick kids, the cash coming in, prep for FAMILY: Lyn Carson (right) with her colleagues Rita Norris and Lyttelton Primary School principal Brendan Wright. teachers, banking, lunch orders. Never had two days the same. We had some amazing fundraising ventures at that stage. Our principal at the time, Bryon Porteous, got permission to reproduce an 1886 John Gibb print and several others which we sold as a fundraiser for the school. It bought lots of extra things – music keyboards, some extra reading recovery time. Then we got together with rotary and held classic car racing around the streets and down onto the waterfront. I think we had two or three of those. We bought an old education board bus, which we used to ferry kids, who’d never even been through the tunnel at that stage, into town for different events. We bought tents and yachts and canoes with the funds raised. We built a garage for the bus. I got involved in all those sorts of things. Lots of work but lots of fun. I’m trying to picture a pack of classic cars racing around the streets of Lyttelton. It was just amazing. The cars went down the road from Norwich Quay to the waterfront at the base of No 7 wharf (that road runs over the top of the rail tunnel.) Then along the waterfront, up and over the overhead bridge, up Oxford St, left into London St, left down Canterbury St and along Norwich Quay, before heading back down onto the waterfront. It was a lot of work because we had to get all the safety gear, there were straw bales everywhere, and big crowds of people. You’d never get that now, with the health and safety regulations. There must be a few other things that have changed over the past 32 years? Technology. When I first started we were using Bandas, with methylated spirits printed onto newsprint. And Gesteners – we had an old manual one which used to get black ink under your fingernails. If you made a mistake you had to paint nail polish over it. I remember the fight to get our first photocopier. NEW shOWROOm 13b Parkhouse Rd, Christchurch T005 Now $259 Open 7 Days Mon-Fri 9am - 5.30pm | Sat 9.30am - 4pm | Sun 10am-3pm 0800 MILLEN | www.millen.co.nz | 03 348 8678 Dyers Road Landscape & Garden Supplies • Barks • Peastraw • Composts - we supply the best available • Aggregates - Chip, Round and Basecourse • Pavers & Schist products • Pungas • Decorative Stones & Landscaping Rocks • Trailer Hire first hour free with purchase • Bag & Bulk - pick up or delivered David, Carol & Mike Plywood Laundry Tubs 20% Off Range We will deliver! shower Combo 900x900 mains pressure mixer and slide. Now $699 SOIL AND HARDFILL DUMPING Phone: 03 384 6540 183 Dyers Rd, Bromley • OPEN 7 DAYS Weekdays 7.30am-5pm. Weekends 8.30am-3pm www.dyersroadandlandscapes.co.nz
Wednesday September 6 2017 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi BAY HARBOUR of service to Lyttelton schools Local News Now PAGE 9 Fire rages, homes at risk The school committee chair thought it would make lazy teachers – it was incredible. We raised the funds and managed to get one, it was a very basic little machine, used to be in my office and we just gradually went from there. I remember getting my first electric type writer, I thought it was Christmas. It’s all computers now, which makes the job a lot easier, everything‘s linked. The kids seem to come in more competent now too. They used to be quite timid. Maybe because of better early childhood education, they seem a lot more prepared for school. What qualities have you developed over the years? Just being adaptable probably – no two days are ever alike, you take what’s thrown at you. I’ve grown with the job, I didn’t have any computer skills at all, they weren’t part of my life, but I’ve got a lot more confident. I think my colleagues would describe me as reliable. I try to treat others as I like to be treated. Are there any days that stand out for you? February 22, 2011. That would be the worst day of my whole time at school. I was talking to my mum on the phone at the time – something made me ring – next thing all hell broke loose. You felt like you were climbing out of your office, there were files all over the place. Everyone was in a state of disbelief and shock. The principal, John Thawley, was amazing. He must have been stressed out himself and the teachers, to see them out in the middle of the playground, away from all the danger spots with a guitar and singing, just trying to keep the children going. I really took my hat off to them at that stage; I was a bit worse for wear. It was horrible. You didn’t know what we were going home to – we could see dust coming up the hill from a place down the road where the bricks had gone. You could see the church, Holy Trinity, had gone. It was just horrible, everywhere we went. Tell me about your children; they’ve come through the school as well? My nana was a pupil, then mum, me and three siblings, my husband, my two children Jennifer and Brendon, and my granddaughter, Miranda, is here now in year 7. Hopefully my grandson, Joseph, will come here – he’s only three. My husband, Ken, was at school with me, he always seemed to be behind me in photographs. His father CLASS: Lyn Carson, second row seventh from the left, in 1962. Her future husband Ken is behind her in the striped jersey. Her teacher Bryon Porteous became principal at Lyttelton Main School. went there and before that his grandfather at the Lyttelton Borough School – they’re an old Lyttelton family. We got married in 1973. He made a fateful phone call, asked me out on a date, we went to the movies I think. I’d known him for years, used to tease him when he was at school. We’re still married, still love him to bits. And you’re retiring now, what are your plans? I just want to enjoy time with Ken – he retired a year ago. He was initially a spraypainter and then worked for Bunnings the last seven years. When he was working, we only had Sunday’s so it’ll be nice to be able to enjoy things together. I love my garden, two chickens, my cats. We hope to do a bit of travelling around New Zealand. Just to be able to choose to do things when we want to. We’re going to go away the first week of term 4, just to break away from that routine of ‘now the holidays are over we have to go back to work’. What will you miss about the school? The whole buzz of the place – everyone that’s here, the interactions and routines, being in amongst it all. You move on, a new page opens, another closes – it’s a big decision retiring. I had to re-evaluate my life when I lost my younger brother last year. Sometimes events make you stop and reflect on making the most of what we’ve got. I’ve just turned 65. I can’t believe that much time has gone by. What makes Lyttelton school a special place? It feels like a family – you leave your own in the morning and come to your work family. It’s small enough to know everyone. I feel like we’re forming our own traditions now (since the merger) but it’ll take a while to bed in. It’s like a blended family. I’ve loved everything I’ve done. We’re aiming to settle all contents claims by 30 September. If you have already returned your contents loss schedule, we are currently working through this to settle your claim as quickly as possible. Our team is aiming to settle all contents claims by 30 September 2017. We have now contacted all customers who have lodged a contents claim with us, however if you have not heard from us about your contents claim please contact us as soon as possible. Contact details for the brand you’re insured with: 0800 100 200 ami.co.nz or visit your local AMI store 0800 80 24 24 state.co.nz Call your broker or visit nzi.co.nz Call your broker or visit lumley.co.nz 0800 200 242 asb.co.nz 0800 248 888 bnz.co.nz 0800 425 025 co-operativebank.co.nz 0800 309 378 westpac.co.nz 0800 800 800 lanterninsurance.co.nz IAGSep17 Star
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Bay Harbour: September 06, 2017

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