Student success inspires
Every week the South Waikato News delves into its archives to see what was making the news 10, 25 and 50 years ago. This week we found stories on dedicated teachers, thousands of eligible voters not on electoral rolls, and a committee taking steps to reli
10 years ago
Student success is main aspect
November 27, 2002
For Forest View High School’s longest- serving teachers, seeing students succeed is one of the most important aspects of their jobs.
Between them, Heather Williamson, Joan Slade and Raylene Sommerville, have had more than 80 years’ service at FVHS and they agree, their role is to help students reach their potential.
‘‘That’s what I’m there for everyday,’’ Dean and special needs teacher Raylene Sommerville said. ‘‘To see kids succeeding.’’ The head of information technology and teacher in charge of netball, Heather Williamson, said she gains a sense of fulfilment when students achieve.
‘‘You gain satisfaction and self belief when you see kids being successful,’’ she said.
‘‘Whether it’s somebody getting a job or somebody being appointed CEO, it’s extremely satisfying when you come across it.’’
Guidance counsellor Joan Slade said helping students make it through difficult times was a great reward of teaching.
‘‘It’s a vocation rather than a job, it’s something we do because it’s important to us,’’ she said.
25 years ago Young voters not on rolls July 21, 1987
A staggering 35 per cent of eligible voters under the age of 30 have still to enrol in the Tongariro electorate.
Registrar of electors Wayne Boyd said that with just over a day left to get on the roll for the August 15 general election, as many as 3000 people had still failed to do so.
But he added that while official records showed that only 65 per cent of eligible voters in Tongariro were on the roll so far, there is no way of knowing how many in the age group had left the elector- ate. ‘‘We are working on the 1986 census figures,’’ he explained.
‘‘ They don’t take into account any population movement since then.’’
It is more likely that people in the 18 to 29 years age group will have reduced in numbers in the South Waikato since the census than increased.
And one of the key reasons would be staffing cuts at the single biggest employer in the electorate, NZ Forest Products td.
50 years ago Steps to be taken to alleviate flooding and dust
March 1, 1962
The Tokoroa Town Committee is to make every endeavour to alleviate the flooding and dust nuisance in Pentland Tce.
This was stated at Tuesday’s meeting when a letter from J C Stutt and seven others was considered.
‘‘ These people have got reasonable grounds for complaint in that area and it is a difficult spot,’’ said Mr H J Spear.
It was considered the main cause was stormwater flowing from the main highway near Roslin St into the drainage system.