Headmaster signing out after quarter-century
When Susan Hassall was young, women did “teaching or nursing“.
Fortunately, she loved teaching. She’s now both sad and excited to retire after a quarter-century as Hamilton Boys’ High School headmaster.
“You gain more than you give. You feel young because you’re surrounded by youth and that joy, and you never feel that same joy unless you have young people in your life.”
Hassall’s worked in education “forever” - headmaster at the school since 1999 and teaching before that.
As the world and education change, Hassall believes it’s important to hold onto traditional values.
It’s not just about teaching calculus, Hassall said. What matters most is helping students to understand their purpose and how they can have a positive influence.
“We’ve got a very strong Leo club here, and they work very hard. The amount of money they raise may not be huge, but it’s symbolic.”
That’s a junior branch of the Lions Club, the Hamilton East branch of which has been very involved in the school since Hassall has worked there.
The club gave an “absolutely honoured” Hassall a community award yesterday for her service to the school, which comes from the Lloyd Morgan charitable trust.
“What matters most to me is very close to what matters to the Lions Club, which is all about being aware of the world around you and doing things for others,” Hassall said. “You teach to make other people’s lives better.”
Hassall acknowledged she’s retiring at a time where the education scene in New Zealand is feeling a little wobbly.
“I think the recent decision to push out NCEA changes is a very good one, very sensible, and the Government has been brave to do it,” she said.
She felt many in education would like the ministry to be more responsive to schools’ needs.
“But I am old enough not to be super critical ... because I think people are doing their best.”
Hassall says it’s time for her to move on now.
“I’ve got five grandsons, and I just want to spend more time with them.
“But I’m also on the university council, and the board of Hospice Waikato, so I do other things that I’ll just carry on doing. I’m also doing some work for the Boys’ School Association around some of the boys’ schools.
“So they’re not going to get rid of me.”
Hamilton Boys’ High School’s new headmaster will be Jarred Williams, who has also taught at the school.