Welcomes

FAREWELLS

Michael Leitch

Michael came to Karamu in 2015 to be Deputy Principal, and it wasn’t long after that he made the move on to be our Principal, for the next four years. Mr. Leitch kept the momentum of the school going, which has then contributed to Karamu continuing to be the school of choice. Mr. Leitch has now headed back teaching and leading Physical education with the students at Napier Boys’ High School, looking for new challenges, achieving his vision, and striving to do his best for all his students. The Staff and students of Karamu High School have enjoyed working with you and I have appreciated the care and respect you have given us.

Murray Jamieson

Murray Jamieson announced his retirement after 45 years of dedicated service to teaching. Murray has taught at Karamu High School for the past ten years. He has been an integral part of the Enhanced Learning, English and Mathematics Faculty. Murray was the Special Needs Coordinator for many years working with and advocating for students who required extra assistance with their learning. Apart from his work in special education, Murray has also contributed to the co-curricular life of the school and is known for his shining and charismatic personality both as a teacher, sportsman and with all the coaching that he did, cricket mainly, but also hockey, rugby and cycling. Murray was often asked by other teachers to accompany them on school trips such as Geography, Physical Education and EOTC. In 1973 Murray graduated from Ardmore Teachers Training and his first year of teaching was in 1974 at Hastings Intermediate School. Throughout his career he also taught at Waimea Intermediate, Central Hawkes Bay College, Terrace School, Springhill Primary, Wallingford School (Principal), Taradale Intermediate (Deputy Principal), Mangateretere School (Principal), Rural Education Advisor, Heretaunga Intermediate (Deputy Principal), RTLB, Karamu High School. For the past 45 years Murray has been getting out of the house in the morning to teach, or be involved in education in some capacity, it has been part of his DNA. Throughout his career Murray has been passionate about serving the community and the learning and teaching of children and young people. Murray often recounts stories of past pupils that have approached him the community, on the streets or whilst he was shopping at the supermarket and tell him about their lives and what they were now doing. Murray can remember every single student he has ever taught. Murray is a proud grandfather, and, in his retirement, he aims to spend more time with his grandchildren, children and his wife Lynne who he credits as being the backbone and foundation of the family throughout his teaching career. He will love getting out on his bike more, spending time adventuring with his old teaching friends, reading, and travelling. Murray has been a much-loved colleague and teacher who will long be remembered for his friendly banter, practical jokes, sense of humour, and for wearing his heart on his sleeve. Karamu High School wishes Murray and his family all the best for an enjoyable and much deserved retirement. Thank you Mr Jamieson.

Dave Taylor

This year Karamu High Schoolsaid farewll to Mr. Dave Taylor who was assistant HOF Mathematics. Mr. Taylor had several different roles in his time at Karamu High Schoolincluding Year 12 Dean, Year 11 Dean, Junior and Senior Cricket Coach and at one time shared the Head of Department of Mathematics before the re-aligment of the school into Faculties. Hewas an avid supporter of Kawekahouse, any XV Rugby and happy to help any students who asked for extra assistance. But now Mr. Taylor has decided to hand in his whiteboard marker and take early retirement. We wish Mr. Taylor all the best for his future endeavours.

Vicky Peffer

Mrs. Vicky Peffer taught at Karamu High School13 years andwatched all her children come through the doors of the school. Mrs. Peffer started her teaching career in the Technology Faculty before migrating full-time to Mathematics and was a senior Statistics teacher.Sheseveral differet roles in her time at Karamu High Schoolincluding Girls Senior Football Coach and within School Co-ordinator for the Community of Schools to which KHS is a part of. She was an avid supporter of Te Mata house, proudly supported the students in their endeavours and gave up countless hours of her free time helping students in their journey through high school. Mrs. Peffer has taken up a new position as a senior mathematician for Hasting Girls High School and although we are sad to see her leave, we are happy to know that there will be many more young woman who will benefit from her teaching. We wish Mrs. Peffer all the best for her furture endeavours.

Craig Thompson

Mr. Craig Thompson was a member of the Mathematics Faculty and started with us for 12 years.

He was a key teacher in the area of Calculus and initiated a two-year Scholarship program for strongest mathematicians. He had several different roles in his time at Karamu High School including running both the tennis and chess clubs. Craig will always be remembered for the minibus accident on his way to a chess competition in Napier in which everyone walked away safely. Mr. Thompson has taken up a new position as a senior mathematician for Havelock North High School where he will be able to watch his children progress through school. We wish him all the best and hope that he continues to develop as a successful teacher of mathematics.

Philip Chamberlain

Mr. Philip Chamberlain and his family emigrated from England and joined Karamu High School in 2010. As an experienced Chemistry teacher and previous Head of Faculty, he immediately brought to bear his considerable expertise and enthusiasm for teaching Science. His classes very much appreciated his dry sense of humour and his unfailing passion for helping them develop their learning potential.

Mr. Chamberlain was a keen user of new technologies in the classroom and frequently drove the development of digital applications within the faculty. Colleagues appreciated his sage advice and the thoughtful contributions he made to helping implement the many changes to the curriculum in the past decade.

The school was also very lucky to have Mrs. Chamberlain join the Karamu staff for a time as a learning support assistant. Their twin sons attended Karamu, leaving in 2017 to attend the Auckland University School of Engineering. We wish him and his family well for 2020 as he takes up his new position as Head of Science at Hastings Girls High School.