Retiring principal optimistic after years of challenge
Thirty-one years inside the grounds of one school has given Murray Lucas a life full of surprises.
A troubled teen who arrived after an expulsion is now studying medicine. A young woman determined to study at Harvard is now preparing for her move to America.
And the two cricket-playing brothers, who each scored centuries, walking off the pitch to hug their dying father at his last match.
The Tawa College principal can easily recall moments of triumph, challenge and heartbreak at his ‘‘turangawaewae’’.
He will step down from the role at the end of the year. After 20 years as principal, it was time to give someone else a chance. Andrew Savage will take over in January.
All together Lucas has spent 31 years at the college. He was a high school student there from 1966, and it is where he started his career as a maths teacher in 1976.
‘‘It’s been really unique, some of the people that I taught have become the parents and dare I say – one or two grandparents – of students that are here at the moment. That’s just a real privilege to be part of this community and to see the strengths develop through a family.’’
Lucas has also taught at Naenae College, Hutt Valley High School and was deputy principal then principal at Horowhenua College, before coming back to Tawa College as principal. The 68-yearold will do part-time work.
Tawa College had always had a sense of community, Lucas said, given its geographical position, and the fact it did not cross over with other high schools in its zones.
The roll has stayed between 1100 to 1400 since the 1960s, with a diverse student population.this year, 465 of the 1460 students identify as coming from 75 different countries; 279 identify as Māori and 286 as Pasifika – Lucas believes that is a real strength.
But 45 years on, Lucas still finds the profession incredibly varied, one full of optimism.
‘‘I just taught my year 9 class at the beginning of the day and at the end of it, five or six of them said ‘thank you very much Mr Lucas that was really helpful’, well I never dreamed of that years ago.
‘‘I am incredibly excited about their future.’’