The headmaster who had 23 ‘fantastic’ years at Waihi

A former Waihi School headmaster is remembered for his influence on the education sector.

Peter Prosser, 86, who led the exclusive boys’ school north of Winchester for 23 years before his retirement at the end of 1993, died on July 11 at his home in Peel Forest surrounded by family and close friends.

All 80 pupils at the school were boarders when he became the headmaster in 1971 and he fostered a family atmosphere for them.

He is remembered by his daughter Sally Park as a ‘‘patient, logical and laid-back personality who loved sport, especially cricket’’.

Prosser was born in England to Welsh parents and grew up mostly in Windsor with his brother David, four years his junior.

He met, and after two years, married English woman Carol Hartley, an assistant matron at the school where he worked. Being unqualified, his role was dormitory duty and coaching sport.

To get a promotion he embarked on a geography degree, majoring in geology, graduating with honours in 1964. He completed a teaching diploma while working at Waihi.

The couple emigrated to New Zealand in January 1966 with their three primary school-aged children, Chris, Nick and Sally.

He worked for five years as a teacher in Hamilton before becoming headmaster of Waihi in 1971.

In author Oliver Riddell’s school centennial book Behind the Hedge, Prosser said that his time at the school was ‘‘fantastic’’.

‘‘[It was] a very happy and wonderful 23 years.’’

The family lived on the school grounds but their spare time was spent at their Peel Forest bach.

Health issues towards the end of his time at Waihi School were tough for Prosser, Park said.

‘‘It affected everything but he carried on the best he could.’’ He reluctantly retired in 1993. Once retired he and Carol moved to Peel Forest but instead of putting his feet up, Prosser was active on the church vestry, continued coaching cricket for a number of years, spent time gardening, playing golf and bridge, singing in a choir and reading to pupils at various schools as well as serving on the Peel Forest School board. He also proposed and funded a music scholarship at Waihi School. Carol died in May 2000.

He is survived by his three children and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

■ A memorial service to honour the former headmaster, the fourth principal of Waihi School, is planned at the school for November 9 at 3pm, and a cricket game will be played in his honour the following day.