Bay Harbour: September 06, 2017

Wednesday September 6 2017
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
BAY HARBOUR
of service to Lyttelton schools
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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