Up for anything - except fishing
Mary O’Regan has been principal of Maidstone Intermediate since mid-2014. She’s proud of where she works and is looking forward to opening the school’s new material technologies and visual arts rooms next month. Recently she took some time out to answer our questions.
IF YOU WERE A PUPIL AT YOUR SCHOOL TODAY WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?
The intermediate experience is a whole new environment for our new students coming in. If I were one of those students today I think I’d find it exciting and stimulating. It is hard to be specific, but for me I think one of the things I would love the most about Maidstone would be the tech/arts programmes. When I was 12, girls couldn’t do materials technology (it was woodwork in those days) so I’d love to be in Ms Watson’s class for that. Being taught by a specialist art teacher, Mr Solia, would be pretty wonderful and the opportunity for performing arts with Mrs McRae would fill me with nervousness but I think I’d love it. I see how much our students love this learning environment, and I know I would have loved it at their age as well. Oh, and the sport - so many opportunities! If I was a student here I think I’d like to have more than two years!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PUBLIC SPACE?
I enjoy walking in the hills and I do that most weekends. The Hutt Valley offers so much to people of all walks of life; from museums to Saturday markets, but for me the bush, the hills and the beaches are definite favourites.
WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TEACHING CAREER?
I took time away from teaching when having a family and when I returned to fulltime teaching our NZ Curriculum had just been introduced and Tomorrow’s Schools had altered the education landscape. While Tomorrow’s Schools and the impact of this legislation will probably always be debated, the new curriculum was without a doubt a game changer. Its possibilities are still highly relevant today and it continues to provide a framework for all aspects of rich and rewarding learning programmes. That class I taught in my first year back was a Year 8 class with some outstanding individuals. We had a great year with lots of learning on their part and mine!
WHERE DO YOU TAKE OUTOF-TOWNERS?
I amfrom a very large family and we often have relations staying with us. Of course, showing off my school is always a priority. It is fantastic to lead this school community and I amvery proud of it. The Hutt Valley and Wellington regions offer so much choice. We often go to the restaurants and cafes in Petone. My out-of-town friends also enjoy the shopping there. The Wellington waterfront can’t be beaten on a fine day and a day trip to the Wairarapa always goes down well.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I could say anything so long as it’s not fishing! My husband is a very keen fisherman, but I get terribly seasick so any alternative is preferred. We do have a highly productive vegetable garden, which we find both relaxing and rewarding, so I spend time there on the weekends. We also keep chickens and we love growing and eating our own food. I do make time to walk on the hill tracks on the weekend as well. Spending time with family and friends is always high on my list, and I do love the Lighthouse Theatre in Petone.