School farewellsMr Robinson
As an 11-year-old, Graham Robinson wrote his own report card.
More impressively, he wrote the teacher’s note: ‘‘I find it hard to write about Graham’s work without appearing gushing.’’
But it seems there was truth to the words he penned over 50 years ago.
The Hamilton Boys’ High School deputy principal died of a medical event on the school grounds on November 18. He was 64.
Robinson’s family and school have since been overwhelmed with messages from those who knew him.
Students affectionately called him Robocop, a nickname that symbolised his commitment to school rules and traditions, whether it be detention or school uniform – straight socks, tucked in shirts and hair above the shoulders.
But while most students saw him as the disciplinarian, he always spoke to the boys with genuine care and respect.
The deputy principal was fiercely loyal to his school.
There was not a Saturday during term that you wouldn’t find him on the school grounds by 6am, readying soap and cloths for the ‘‘special’’ students chosen to polish furniture and wipe windows.
Duly, it would be Hamilton Boys’ High School – his school – where he lay in state on Thursday.
Mourners spilled out of the school hall, lining the back walls and corridors, preparing to grieve and celebrate the man who served a 27-year tenure. Former student Daniel Ng played the cello as Robinson’s casket was brought in. It was draped with a korowai, gifted by a colleague who said it symbolised his mana. Flowers, picked fresh from Robinson’s garden earlier that morning, adorned the top.
And then the hundreds who packed the hall, were treated to stories of Robinson pre-Robocop.
Ethel Robinson said her son was the fourth of five children. When he was five, he asked for a sibling.
But unbeknown to him, his mum was heavily pregnant with his sister, Gillian. And the two were stuck at the hip, the 101-year-old said.
Principal Susan Hassall said she was grateful to be with her friend when he collapsed.
‘‘He deserves the love shown today. We grieve that we have lost someone so special,’’ she said.