“It has all been about relationships, the delightful and gorgeous people I encountered everywhere and who, over time, became friends.” Her four presidents – Johnny Cochrane, Ben Walker, Jeremy Johnson and Geoffrey Sullivan – and their committees led “these lovely connections,” she says. Hers has been a community facing role which has been enhanced, she says, since Garth’s arrival in 2016. “He’s been so embracing of the Old Boys, and recognised immediately the strength of the relationship.” Justine has also brought another perspective to the role, as the parent of a College boy. Henry Wells, now an Old Boy himself, boarded in School House for two years, affording Justine
“ It has all been about relationships, the delightful and gorgeous people I encountered everywhere and who, over time, became friends. ” Justine Nicholl
insights into another aspect of College life and a close association with boarding parents. From part-time to full-time, her role with the CCOBA expanded over the years, until she reached the point of wanting to step aside – to better enjoy reading, cooking, walking the dog, and spending time at the family bach at Wainui. “I’m going to have an extended summer break, and look at the
world with fresh eyes, and some new challenge will present itself,” she says with characteristic positivity.
A rising star After six years at College, Mathematics teacher James Bartlett has been lured to the next level, taking a position in the Mathematics & Statistics department at the University of Canterbury (UC). Although moving to the tertiary sector, James will be teaching mathematics and statistics for the STAR at UC programme, so will maintain close contact with secondary school students. “The STAR courses are for the best and brightest students in Years 12 and 13, allowing high calibre students to enrol for a first year degree-level programme and get a taste for what university life is like.” James has quietly harboured ambitions to teach at tertiary level for some time, but didn’t think it would happen so soon. “While I like working with juniors when they’re eager to learn, and many are, I’ve found in my time here that I’ve had greater rapport and enjoyed working with senior students more. It feels a bit surreal to be moving to something else, but when the opportunity came up I decided to go for it – and it feels pretty exciting to be taking the leap.”
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