Dedicated to kids on and off field
Maniototo deputy principal has earned a very special nickname thanks to his unwavering commitment Knight in shining armour for fire service
Alec Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award
One-hundred and sixty-five students; 165 nicknames — Alec Campbell, Maniototo Area School’s Deputy Principal, remembers them all. A self-described “ordinary fellow”, Mr Campbell has 47 years of teaching experience and has spent nearly every Saturday morning during that time watching and supporting kids on the sport fields.
“I’m a huge believer of seeing kids outside of the classroom.
“You can’t just measure a child in a classroom situation between 9am-3pm,” he said.
Mr Campbell’s community has nominated him for a Pride of New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award for an unwavering dedication to his students.
“You can ask anyone in the school their thoughts on him and they will be speechless. He keeps the school
Pin motion and keeps its standards high,” said his nominator.
Mr Campbell’s teaching philosophies developed at an early age, mostly in reaction to his own schooling.
While he admits to being occasionally naughty at school, he still experienced some bullying and poor teaching.
This motivated him to to look after kids and do it “properly, without the old ways of control which are sometimes humiliation and degradation”.
“All I do is treat kids with respect. It’s no big deal,” he added.
“A mother or family give [teachers] the most precious thing they have for five hours a day for 15, 16, 17 years, maybe. Teachers have an immense amount of power. If it’s not used wisely and carefully, it can do far more harm.” The students’ career development programme is a significant area of interest for Mr Campbell, with impressive results.
During his 11-year employment at Maniototo Area School, every student has gone on to work or further their training.
“That’s one thing I am very proud about in this school. [It’s] a pretty good record, really.”
Mr Campbell, it would seem, deserves the nickname his students give him — “the legend”. Peter Knight Emergency Services Emergencies and saving lives are all part of the job for Peter Knight — but he goes even further by tackling extra training and duties.
The Pahiatua constable has been nominated for the Pride of New Zealand Awards in the Emergency Services section. Being a policeman for 17 years is not enough for Mr Knight, who is also a volunteer fireman for Pahiatua Fire Brigade, where he has completed six years’ service.
Mr Knight has already been awarded a Police Commissioner’s Bronze Award for Bravery.
During the 2004 February floods, he was on duty and responded to a call out for flooding.
He rescued two people near Woodville, after one had asthma and couldn’t make it to safety.
He has received certificates of merit from the district commander for police work.
The award related to a complex
I’m quite shocked that someone has nominated me — I’m quite humbled. . . . I joined up with the police to keep our commun
ity safe.
Peter Knight
investigation resulting in a successful prosecution. The victim was a young boy and the offender didn’t speak English.
Then the victim’s family moved overseas. It was a satisfying result for the young boy.
Fire service and police work involves teamwork, says Mr Knight.
“We have a good dedicated team with many years’ service. It is a big commitment with training and attendance at calls,” he said.
Mr Knight has completed a pump operator’s and driver’s course.
“I see it as a way of making myself more useful to the brigade.
“The more you can do, the more you can benefit the brigade and ultimately the community.
“I’m quite shocked that someone has nominated me — I’m quite humbled. Like other emergency service people I joined up with the police to keep our community safe.
“Emergency workers take their challenges in their stride.”