Retirement ends 40 years in education
WHEN Fenwick School principal Lloyd Bokser exited the school gates for the final time this week, it was with sadness but also a sense of achievement.
After 16 years at the Oamaru school, which was opened in 2001 after the amalgamation of South School and Awamoa School on the South School site, his departure yesterday ended a 40year career in education.
Mr Bokser (65), who was Awamoa School principal for 10 years until 2000, said he recalled his first day at Fenwick as being one of mixed feelings given the stressful period of transition that came with the amalgamation.
‘‘We had an assembly out the front here and welcomed everybody in. I remember thinking it will be interesting to see the dynamics of what happens. We all went to our classrooms and within a day or two . . . the school was just humming along.’’
Highlights during his time at Fenwick included working with a strong group of teaching staff, the support of the school board and home and school association throughout his tenure and the school’s hall project.
The original school hall on the site was demolished and a replacement constructed in 2006.
That was after the school raised $350,000 for the $800,000
PHOTO: DANIEL BIRCHFIELD
project, with the balance funded by the Government.
Mr Bokser said his retirement had arrived faster than he anticipated.
‘‘It’s come around really quickly. I keep thinking it’s just going to be the end of the term, then the holidays.’’
It was going to be hard to separate himself from what had been such a big part of his life.
‘‘I think teaching’s always going to be in the blood. You don’t just walk away from it. It’s a time where there’s a genuine sadness about leaving a job you love.’’
As for his retirement, he had enough going on to keep him busy.
He and wife Jill are having a garage built at their new home, plus there are numerous other renovation projects pending.
He most looked forward to spending more time with loved ones, he said.
‘‘It’ll be family time, it’ll be up at the lakes time, it’ll be project time. That doesn’t sound bad does it?’’