On Saturday evening 12 April, Geoff Lovegrove and his and a true gentleman.’ Other speakers, notably Kelvin Squire, wife Sue were piped into Lytton Street School hall to a standing focussed on Geoff ’s sense of humour and love of language. ‘We ovation. This would be Geoff ’s last official occasion as principal, both subscribed to the notion that the most wasted day of all was after more than forty-two years of serving New Zealand’s the day on which you have not laughed,’ he said. ‘We also shared children. a love of language,’ said Kelvin, ‘and none was as quick-witted as He was led to his ‘big softie armchair’ which could easily have Geoff.’ Kelvin told his captivated audience that Geoff was once been borrowed from the comedy chat show host Graham Norton asked how to change centimetres into metres. The answer came (only without the ejection lever and the bright orange covering). in a flash. ‘Remove the centi . . . ’ The jokes aside, Kelvin moved There he would sit, centre stage on his elevated platform for on to give us a list of words he would use to describe his friend the rest of the evening, whilst and colleague. They included: current and former colleagues, A favourite maxim of Geoff’s was ‘none possessing good judgement, school parents and family compassionate, understanding, honoured him and regaled the of us is as good as all of us’. It is a honest, trustworthy, principled, considerable audience with maxim which he lived by, taught by reliable, loyal and witty. their stories and reflections of Ian Roberts, a colleague and a friend, a father, a colleague and led by. friend with some thirty years’ and a true professional. experience in the teaching profession, took the role of MC for Former President of NZPF Nola Hambleton set the tone. ‘Very the evening. Pacing an evening to honour such an outstanding few times in your career do you meet a colleague who personifies leader would always be challenging, as speakers lined up from professionalism, passion for education and the unending pursuit near and far to share their experiences of Geoff, reflect on what of advocacy for fellow principals whilst remaining humble, caring they had learned from the great man and above all tell us how thousands of New Zealand children were advantaged by his choice to join the teaching profession. We heard of his great love and empathy for the children he taught, and especially his ability to connect with them. We learned of his extraordinary leadership capabilities not just to lead New Zealand schools, big and small, rural and urban, but to lead his own colleagues regionally and nationally, advocate for them and support them. His international profile was also acknowledged particularly through his membership of the International Council for Principals where he had gained the highest respect from school leaders world-wide. A favourite maxim of Geoff ’s was ‘none of us is as good as all
Geoff Lovegrove, centre stage in his ‘big softie’ chair
The farewell cake with its many school related symbols
Cutting the farewell cake is a family affair
of us’. It is a maxim which he lived by, taught by and led by. We learned throughout the night that he adopted this principle as his own motivating force and it governed the way he operated and interacted with people be it the children, their parents, his teachers or principal colleagues. I recall speaking to one of his Deputies, Sarah McCord, some years ago, who described him as empowering, confidence building, a great leader and mentor, with an open and supportive style of leadership. ‘It’s a bit like working for your own Dad, really,’ she said. ‘You’re encouraged and pushed but never given responsibilities you can’t manage and he’s always there to pick up the pieces.’ Geoff never saw himself as the colossus of the profession as so many did. He was always quick to credit those around him for any successes. He spoke highly of his dedicated teaching teams who, in his view, were the ones responsible for his well- run schools, and his achieving children. His role was to lead the teachers and he spoke of them as his biggest class. In his tongue in cheek way he would also say they were the most difficult class because they were challenging, assertive, stroppy and strong. Then he would add that it is through them that he got to continue learning
himself because they always had something new to teach him. Julie Hepburn, a current NZPF executive member, spoke of her early days as a principal and the way in which Geoff, as a senior principal in her region, went out of his way to support and encourage her in her new leadership role. ‘He was a true mentor who gave me courage and confidence to lead my new school,’ she said, ‘ and I always knew if I picked up the phone, Geoff would give me the best advice, whatever the situation.’ Julie also credited Geoff for inspiring her to stand for the executive of the NZPF. As a long term member himself, and former President, Geoff understood the significance of having an independent voice for New Zealand principals and building the all-important connections with Ministers and sector heads in Wellington. Without those relationships, it is nigh impossible to have any influence over a Government’s direction for education and during his years of NZPF service, Geoff Lovegrove used those relationships well. It was no surprise that four former presidents and the current NZPF President were present at his official farewell ceremony. Every one of them knew the influence that he had wielded in his time as their national leader.
Board Chair Keith Dobson presents Geoff with the symbol of chieftainship, the mere pounamu
Geoff’s son honours his father
Six NZPF Presidents: From L to R Paul Drummond, Philip Harding (current), Judy Hannah, Kelvin Squire, Nola Hambleton, Geoff Lovegrove
Kelvin Squire regales the audience with stories of Geoff the humourist
Julie closed her address with the words of the great Nelson Mandela ‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.’ She insisted that Geoff could stand proud knowing he had made a significant difference to the lives of thousands of New Zealand children, their teachers and fellow principals. The accolades did not stop with his colleagues. Geoff ’s son, speaking on behalf of the family, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Seattle, said his father was a remarkable man who despite his demanding professional life, always had time for them as a family. ‘I think he must be the most highly skilled time manager in the world,’ he declared. ‘If you ring Dad and ask to discuss something with him, he immediately sets a time and when I post something up on face book, he is usually the
first to comment.’ An impassioned speech from a parent who later led a rousing haka in Geoff ’s honour, told of his high standing with his Lytton Street School parent community and how much the community appreciated the positive difference Geoff had made to the school, its families and most importantly of all to the children. Board chair Keith Dobson had the last word. He endorsed what the many previous speakers had said and presented Geoff with a mere pounamu, the most revered of all Māori weapons and a symbol of chieftainship. A fitting presentation for the principal of such high mana. A sumptuous supper followed the ‘family’ cutting of the cake, which had been specially decorated with Geoff ’s portrait and numerous artefacts symbolising his long and successful years leading New Zealand schools.
We’ve got all the hot topics covered this year! Auckland • 21 – 22 June • Albany Senior High School Christchurch • 14 – 15 June • CPIT
Principals, do you have staff that are ready for leadership roles ? MAORI LANGUAGE WEEK
2014 GLASGOW GAMES
(or) Are you: an educator ready to take on, or currently in, your first leadership role?
GENERAL ELECTION
Interested in leading education ‘beyond the classroom’
Fairfax Media’s News in Education resources encourage literacy development and inquiry skills while saving time in lesson preparation. Fairfax Media News in Education resources are written by teachers, for teachers and will make it easy for you to cover key competencies and learning area concepts.
All topics include free teacher notes with scaffolding suggestions, curriculum links, and details about how to download free whiteboard extension activities.
To learn more call us on 0800 849 971 email nie@fairfaxmedia.co.nz or visit www.fairfaxnie.co.nz to order online.
Do you: Have at least two years teaching experience? Then this is the best summit you will attend all year!
Curated by Mark Osborne
Join others from across New Zealand for two days of collaboration and leadership development
www.events.core-ed.org/emerging-leaders-summit
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Neil Mackay Total Teaching 2015 Tour After four sell out tours in the last six years, Neil Mackay, the internationally renowned dyslexia expert is returning for a speaking tour in 2015. In the climate of ever reducing support and ever greater pressure on classroom teachers, Neil presents strategies which close the gap between thinking, reading, writing and equips teachers to take “notice and adjust” when students are stuck. Neil will be exploring his concept of Total Teaching, differentiated and accelerated learning for students without formal diagnosis of learning needs, but who will benefit when their specific needs are identified and addressed in the unsupported classroom.
Neil will be holding seminars in:
Information
AUCKLAND 4th and 5th May
Price $250 per head inc GST.
HAMILTON 6th May
Maximum 80 people each
WELLINGTON 7th and 8th May
day. 10% discount for 5
CHRISTCHURCH 12th and 13th May
or more teachers from the
DUNEDIN 14th May
same school or if booking
INVERCARGILL 15th May
before 30th November 2014.
Whole School Events Neil is available to attend schools from 18th to 22nd May to speak to the teachers in your school or group of schools. Price and details on application. www.aquilabooks.co.nz/total-teaching-tour