NEWS & EVENTS Nurse Kaye tees up for the golf course
A paracetamol, a Band- Aid, a chat and listening ear and some water – being a Registered Nurse at the College Health Centre calls for the dispensing of all of those, and sometimes a lot more.
While a lot of the work is with boarders, they also see their share of dayboys. “I like to think we make a difference. We aim to teach the boys that you don’t always need medication to deal with a headache. Sometimes water, fresh air and rest work just as well. “Sometimes it all gets a bit much for the wee Year 9 students, adjusting to the College routine, finding their way around the place. A rewarding part of our job is to watch the boys grow from shy and timid Year 9 students to confident young men in Year 13. “One of the funniest moments was being told ‘You make the best peanut butter toast Ma’am, and could I have the recipe’.” An Australian who trained at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Kaye spent 34 years in Invercargill, then went to Timaru, Palmerston North and Christchurch, where she worked in orthopaedics, theatre recovery and paediatrics within hospital settings. Four daughters kept her busy for a time and then she began working at Medbury School as a teacher aide, taking on the College role in 2010. On the day of the earthquakes, the Health Centre was situated in the Tower. “We shook and the building made terrible noises, but we survived.” The Health Centre was relocated to the Chapman Block until July
2011, then into Condell’s House, and finally to its present location in Selwyn. “I thought I would come to College for five years, and I’ve stayed for 10. I’ve really enjoyed it and the challenges that come from caring for boys, but now it’s time for some ‘me’ time.” Already a marriage celebrant, Kaye is looking forward to further training courses and refining her skills as a cake decorator while continuing her work with charity Look Good Feel Better. Kaye and her husband Neil have travelled extensively and very much look forward to the day the borders reopen. However, most importantly, she will be hitting the golf course, getting lessons and developing the skills to ensure she can navigate an enjoyable round. “ We aim to teach the boys that
“A day can be anything from sports injuries to boarders feeling unwell. We play ‘Mum’ to them. Sometimes it’s a case of mother love, and sometimes it’s tough love … I like to think if boys are in trouble, we’re a safe place for them to come,” says Kaye McKenzie, who left the Health Centre team at the end of 2020 after 10 years of caring for College boys. “No two days are ever the same. They just appear at the door! We encourage them to come at morning break or at lunchtimes. It can be everything from a safety pin for ripped trousers, to the feeling that they’re at death’s door, when actually they’re not.”
you don’t always need medication
to deal with a headache.
Sometimes water, fresh air and rest work just as well. ” Kaye McKenzie
Christ’s College Canterbury
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