Seven Otumoetai College teachers retiring with 180 years' experience between them

It is the end of an era for seven teachers who are putting down the books after 180 collective years of teaching at Otumoetai College.

Stewart Henderson, who taught under four different principals at the college, spent a massive 45 years teaching Tauranga teens.

"I had a young lady in my Year 9 science class that came up to me at the end of the lesson and said, 'Do you realise, sir, you taught my grandparents?'"

The well-liked and successful volleyball coach remembered the school in 1970, when there were 950 pupils, as "beautiful and green" compared with schools in Britain.

"In secondary, you see such a huge development change in the kids, and to be part of that and to see it happen is just awesome. I think it's the best part of education."

Mr Henderson's advice for new teachers? "Forget the bullsh**t."

"Get on and enjoy the classes, enjoy the teaching, enjoy the students, that's what it's about. Kids only want to realise that you care about them."

In almost four decades, Alan Galletly saw the introduction, development and evolution of IT in the school.

I had a young lady in my Year 9 science class that came up to me at the end of the lesson and said, 'Do you realise, sir, you taught my grandparents?'

Stewart Henderson

His highlight was his involvement with students outside the classroom, especially coaching hockey and seeing four of his hockey players selected for the Black Sticks and two end up at the Olympic Games.

Doreen Swetman was overwhelmed by the size of the school when she first arrived but said she soon found her feet.

Her teaching policy entailed starting each day anew.

"If they've had a rotten day the day before, we don't carry it on, we don't remember it, we learn from it and we don't go back over it. The room has to be a safe place."

"You become that one stable factor for the kid in the classroom."

Social studies head Larry Dixon said one of the most significant moments of his career happened last week when he bumped into two ex-pupils in Wellington.

When they stop and talk to you and tell you how they're doing it makes teaching worthwhile.

Larry Dixon

"The number of kids I've taught in this school is in the thousands. While you don't always remember their names you remember them, and they remember you.

"When they stop and talk to you and tell you how they're doing it makes teaching worthwhile."

Anna Shaw said it had been an interesting journey seeing the changes to the computing department. She said it was the people who made Otumoetai College what it was.

"I always felt really comfortable here. When I first came here for my interview, there was something about it I liked."

Textiles and design teacher Julie Eagle said she enjoyed seeing how her students developed over the four years she spent with them.

"You become really proud of them and really close to them."

Colette Mackenzie started as a relief teacher and ended up in the careers department teaching Gateway. Her highlight was being a form teacher of the Maori students.

"It's been fantastic to watch them grow and develop and leave with some high expectations."

Principal Dave Randall said he had never seen seven permanent staff leave at the same time, let alone retire.

"One fortunate thing is the school has a good reputation, Tauranga attracts people, so it hasn't been that hard to replace, but it's that experience and it's the in-school knowledge."

Service to Otumoetai College

Doreen Swetman: Young Enterprise & computing. 31 years at Otumoetai College

Julie Eagle: Textiles and design. 11 years

Larry Dixon: HOD social science. 28 years

Stewart Henderson: Physics and science. 45 years

Alan Galletly: Assistant head digital business faculty. 37 years

Anna Shaw: Computing and "rowing mistress". 22 years

Colette MacKenzie: Pathways department, Poutama form class. 7 years