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It was mid-November, the weather hot and the senior school in the middle of the NCEA examinations so Karla didn't have any classes to take, Brandi was slipping into her now permanent principal's position and for the first time in weeks, Karla had time on her hands and was supervising the lunchtime swim for the younger ones. The pool was reasonably large, having been originally built for the Tuckett High School and had had half the floor raised for primary aged children. However, due to overcrowding, the lunch hour was divined into sessions with the seniors having the second half hour.
Karla glanced at her watch and blew her whistle. "Everyone out!" she called.
There were the usual sighs and moans but the children cleared the pool and headed for the changing rooms while the seniors waited impatiently for permission to come in. Most were sneaky, having changed in the nearby gymnasium where there was more room. Nothing had been said and Karla had turned a blind eye to the practice.
Her mobile chirped.
"Roxanne here. That John guy from the Ministry of Education wants to speak with you on line 176."
"Right," Karla replied. "Plug him through."
Ryan had set up her mobile to connect to the school's landline by pressing 17 with the six being the line used for the call.
"Hello John," she said. "Haven't heard from you for a while. What nasty little job have you got for me now?"
"Well, you've straightened out half the schools in Central Otago and with the new principal and deputies there, you're hardly needed for that term next year, are you? I also heard that Tui Park's really ticking over under Gillian's principalship. She could be a great permanent boss, there."
"So I'm redundant in both places? Perhaps I could get a cushy job with the ministry."
"Got the latest Education Gazette there."
"There's one somewhere around. Why?"
"Can you get it and turn to page sixty-seven."
"I guess. Wait a second." She pressed 170 and Roxanne came online. "Hi, I'm at the swimming pool. Can you bring me the latest gazette, please?"
Roxanne arrived a few moments later looking all hot and bothered. "Why do you need it?" she asked.
"No idea," Karl replied and switched back to John. "Hope you enjoyed the background music." As she talked she found the page. It was one of many that advertised teacher vacancies throughout the country; this particular page included a dozen principals' positions in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
"Auckland?" she muttered.
"Position 6973, near the bottom of the page. Reckon it'll suit you down to the ground. Relatively new school only five year's old. The present principal is retiring after doing all the donkey's work getting the school established."
Karla read the advertisement. It was at a Joseph Ward Junior High School. A comment added that this was the first junior high in New Zealand and was named after Joseph Ward, New Zealand's first prime minister after it became a dominion in 1907. It was in one of the newer high-income suburbs on Auckland's north shore and catered for Year 7 to 10 children who would go onto a senior high school for the older students. This was a new concept in New Zealand where most high schools started at Year 9 and drew children from primary or intermediate schools. The school's roll was over nine hundred, twice Tui Park's size.
"Oh come now, John. I'm no high school principal. Almost a thousand students, you must be joking." She frowned. "What's the problem there, anyway?"
"None. Has quite a high Asian roll but two thirds are European kids and about five percent Maori. Very active board of trustees and PTA who want the best for their children and will pay all expenses for any short-listed applicant to fly up to Auckland." He chuckled. "Think of it as an area school with the top and bottom chopped off. The board has told me they were interested in a principal from the primary sector as well as the secondary service."
"And there'll be a hundred intermediate or high school principals from around the country applying."
"Probably. You can be a hundred and one."
"So how are you involved?"
"Indirectly really. Our office in Auckland was approached by their board for help in the selection of a new principal. We can't be directly involved but offered to unofficially tell suitable people about the vacancy. That's what I'm doing. I'll email you the documentation that they brought out for candidates that includes an application form."
"Thanks John. I'll look at it but really think it will be a waste of my time applying."
"You have nothing to lose."
"Guess not. Thanks for your confidence in me, though. Bye for now."
*
RYAN FLIPPED THROUGH the pages of the gazette and glanced up at Karla. "Well, as John said, what have you got to lose?" He slid the magazine over to her. "How about this one as an alternative?"
Karla read the vacancy notice. An intermediate school in Wellington had the principal's position advertised. Wellington North Intermediate was actually the one where the pupils from Tui Park School continued on their education for Years 7 and 8. She knew the principal there through the principal's association but had not had a lot to do with him.
"So where did Brian Wardell go? He'd be too young to retire."
"Remember?" Ryan replied. "He had a heart attack and died a month ago. I thought I told you."
Karla nodded. "That's right. He was a large overweight guy." She sighed. "I guess if I go to all the trouble of updating my CV and getting referees again, I might as well do it for two positions as one." She grinned. "Auckland's a pretty expensive city to buy a house in, almost double a comparable place as Wellington."
"So you'll do it then?"
"Might as well..."
*
MUCH TO HER SURPRISE, Karla was short-listed for both positions and had interviews on two consecutive days in Auckland and Wellington. Both were similar in the way they were run, though the Wellington interview committee knew of her position at Tui Park and had actually visited the school to speak to Gillian, her acting principal who was also one of her referees. As with all such interviews, no indication by either selection committee gave any indication of their thoughts but thanked her and said she would be advised of the result within a few days.
Four days later at lunchtime, a nicely written email arrived from Wellington thanking her but stating she had not been selected.
"Oh well," she sighed. "It was too big a step anyway."
"Still not heard from Joseph Ward Junior High?" Ryan, who sat across the kitchen table where they were having lunch asked.
"No, nothing but I'm not optimistic. Probably just waiting for the winner to confirm his appointment." She grimaced. "I was the only short-listed female."
"So you think that will go against you?"
Karla shrugged. "More likely to be my age, even though officially neither should be taken into account. At the afternoon tea they put on for us I saw the other three short-listed candidates and they were all men in their fifties. From what I heard, they were all principals of schools in Auckland."
"What sort of schools?"
"I'm not sure. By the way one was talking, I think he was a principal of an intermediate school close to Ward. I didn't like him. Reminded me of Don Trow, actually. The other two seemed very pleasant." Her mobile chirped. "Hello Roxanne," she said after noticing that it was an internal call.
"Two men and a lady wish to speak to you. Said they were from Joseph Ward Junior High School."
"What?" Karla gasped with adrenaline rushing through her heart. "They're here now?"
"Yes, right outside in the foyer. Came in a rental car, I think it is. Where's that school anyway?"
"Auckland."
"Not one of those schools you flew up to for an interview last week?"
"It was, Roxanne. Take them into the staffroom and offer them a coffee."
"Oh hell!"
Karla grinned. By the time she walked back across the car park half the staff would know who had arrived.
*
WHEN SHE WALKED IN the staffroom a few moments later, she recognised the three as being on the Joseph Ward Junior High School selection committee that interviewed her.
"Welcome to Tuckett Area School," she said and introduced Brandi. "Our newly appointed principal." She smiled. "I'm not really needed around here any more."
"Oh she is," Brandi cut in. "The changes Karla has made here are phenomenal."
Karla glowered at Brandi but switched the topic. "Have you had a meal after your long journey here?"
"Yes, thank you," replied Jon Wong, the Chinese chairperson of the Ward board. "But that coffee offered to us will be most welcome."
The three sat down and conversed with the usual small talk about their flight to Dunedin and car journey up to Tuckett, the weather and so forth before a curious and unexpectedly nervous Karla invited them back to her office.
"This is a pleasant surprise," she said. "It's a long way to come. What can I show you all?"
"Can we have a stroll through this delightful little school?" Jon asked.
"We are particularly interested in your pupils in Year 7 to 10." Janice... Karla had forgotten her surname... added.
Karla glanced at a wall clock. "The bell will be going in five minutes. Now let me see..." She walked across to a timetable on the wall. "Our Year 7 and 8 class will be having wood technology next. Year 9 and 10s are in Room 7 for social studies."
After the bell rang she led the three through the assembly hall and covered walkway to the wood technology room where the students were filing in. Most of them looked at her and said, "Afternoon Karla." before they went into a side room and returned with their almost completed pieces of furniture, mainly bookshelves but also a round table and a tall closet.
Karla introduced the teacher who looked more flustered than she felt and told the visitors to stroll around and chat to any of the students."
"Do all the children call you by your forename?" Jon asked.
"Usually," Karla replied.
"And it doesn't detract from respect?"
Karla frowned. "No. I think respect is something earned, not artificially created by somewhat dated ideology."
"Told you so, Jon," Janice said and smiled at Karla. "Jon is quite a traditionalist, you know!"
Karla nodded but hid a shrug and thought that if such a small thing was important to him, so be it."
He nodded and glanced around. "Nice room tone," he said. "The woodwork teacher at Ward is talented but grumbles too much at the children."
"All teachers are different," Karla said.
"I heard you by-passed the deputy principals to select your AP as principal here," the third visitor, Marion said. "Why was that?'
"It wasn't only me. Our selection committee, like your one, wanted the best candidate. That, in our opinion was Brandi Shellard."
"So you believe in sharing senior responsibilities?" Jon asked.
"Of course."
He caught her eyes but his facial expression gave no indication as to his thoughts.
The afternoon continued with a visit to the Year 9 and 10s who were having a literature lesson about a modern New Zealand author. Again she introduced the teacher and the students to the visitors who watched for a few moments as the lesson continued.
After they walked along the senior block corridor, Jon slipped in beside her. "I notice that there are mainly European children here. Is that unusual?"
"Not in this part of the country," Karla said. "At Tui Park where I am the permanent principal we have a multi-cultural roll similar to the one at Joseph Ward Junior High School."
Jon nodded but added no more as Karla took them through the whole school. They entered a senior room of Year 12 and 13s and later the Year 1 and 2 class. In both, the pupils and students were working quietly at their work. Finally, they returned to her office and accepted her invitation to sit. Karla chose an armchair before them and glanced around.
"So that's our school," she said. "It's a lovely little place and I'm proud of being able to spend my time here. Do you wish to see our school charter and other documents?"
"No, thank you...err... Karla," Jon said in a soft voice. "We arrived without telling you but you have been the perfect host. I hope your normal programme wasn't disrupted too much by our visit."
Karla smiled. "My days rarely fit in exactly how I anticipate. It's all part of the job."
"It is," Jon replied. "We shall leave you now but can we return in an hour or so?"
"Of course." Karla shook hands all around and watched out the window as the rental car drove away.
"Well?" Roxanne almost shouted when she walked in.
Karla rubbed her chin. "I've no idea what they were thinking, Roxanne but the staff and kids were so great I could give them all a hug. The visitors will be back in an hour."
*
AT TEN PAST THREE KARLA strolled up to Ryan's school bus where he was waiting while the bus rolls were being called.
"So what happened, Sweetheart?" he asked.
"They offered me the job as principal at Joseph Ward Junior High and want me to start mid-January next year, two weeks before the students return after the summer vacation."
"You're kidding?"
"No, they went back to the motel where they're staying the night and had a teleconference with the other members of the selection committee." She grinned. "That chairman was so serious I thought I had blown it."
Ryan grinned. "Now what?"
"We start looking at houses in Auckland. There must be oodles on the internet."
Ryan stood, grabbed her in a massive hug and kissed her firmly on the lips. "Better thank John, too."
"Which one; Jon on their school board or John on from the Ministry of Education?"
Ryan laughed. "John Cosgrove, you silly girl."
"I would have liked to see the new buildings started." She grinned. "Oh yes, we just received word that McGee & Sons Construction have won the contract to build the new block here."
"They're the ones that agreed to reseal that tennis court at Honeyburn?'
"Yes, Mia called the other day about coming in on a day's visit and said they've already started doing it."
*
KARLA HAD AN ENJOYABLE end of year at Tuckett Area School and also visited both Honeyburn and Luxton Road Schools. Mia was winding down, too and was excited about coming to Tuckett but said that she'd be disappointed not to have Karla there for a term. She took her out to the new tennis court that now had a black surface and lines painted on for tennis, netball, four square and a variety of other playground markings.
"I persuaded the board not to insist on that new rubberised layer but it was the contractors who helped, too. They said that they did not recommend laying the same surface as the first time and could not guarantee it over winter whereas the hot-mix court had a five-year guarantee. Also, the children can use it for skateboards, rollerblades and such without damaging the surface."
"Great," Karla replied. "Has you replacement been selected yet?"
Mia grinned. "Oh, they're going through the process but can't agree. There were eight applications but they're all young inexperienced teachers. There's even one male who applied but he didn't come across very well at an interview they had. At this time, they're considering re-advertising the position." She laughed. "You'd think they were running a school the size of Tuckett rather than one with a handful of kids."
"It happens," Karla said. "By the way, the schoolhouse at Tuckett is now empty. Don Trow's wife has shifted to Dunedin and all his furniture has gone. You can start putting your things in whenever you like. I've brought a key for you. Don't worry about the lawns and that. Brody, our school caretaker will run the school mower around it."
"Thanks but what's going to happen to the house you and Ryan are in?"
"It's been offered to the new AP who's been appointed. I haven't heard any more. I guess you could have it, of you wish. We'll be moving out the week before Christmas."
"No thanks, the other one away from the school sounds better. I'm right on the school grounds here."
*
WHEN KARLA ARRIVED at Luxton Road School on a last visit, she found that Ethan Gibbons had slipped back into his old ways a little but it was nearing the end of the year when all country schools had a traditional end-of-year prize giving tied in with a Christmas concert so she was not really concerned. Nora had to show her a new book she was writing and the children all wanted to demonstrate their swimming skills in the school pool.
"So what are your intentions, Ethan?" she asked as they sat in the sun watching the kids swimming.
"Much the same," he said. "I'll stay here for a couple of years and then try for a bigger school. Couldn't bare the thought of going back to a big school under some principal." He grinned. "It would probably be some bossy female strutting around in a tight skirt."
"Like me?"
He laughed. "You could be the exception. Hear you're going to some flash new school in Auckland." He shrugged and munched on an apple he was eating. "Thanks for finding the time to visit again. The kids like having you here."
"No problem," she replied. "I still love these small country schools."
"Didn't you have one that burnt down a few years back?"
Karla sighed. "That's right. It seems a lifetime ago, now. We had fun with druggies there."
Ethan nodded and blew his whistle. "All out!" he yelled. "The bell will be going in five minutes."
Karla grinned. "So you continue to use the bell?" she asked.
Ethan grinned. "Has its purposes," he replied. "Sometimes I forget, though."
*
KARLA AND RYAN'S SEND off was tied in with the senior prize giving and junior concert that, for the first time, was a combined evening on the second to last evening of the academic year. Rita who was also leaving and going to Otago University in the new year gave a delightful farewell speech but it was the junior room who made a massive Christmas card for her that touched Karla's heart.
She stood and glanced around the assembly hall that just about every parent and many grandparents and locals without even children at the school, sat behind the children and older students. A hush went over the crowd as she stood and approached the podium.
"I came here as a stranger to straighten out a school that, according the Ministry of Education, was on its last legs and if I had recommended it, would have had the high school section closed to become just a primary school." She stopped and glanced around the silent room. "We've had problems and catastrophes but look at us now; we are a vibrant area school with an expanding high school roll that is totally integrated into one school. With next year's building programme we must surely have the best facilities in the country for a school this size..." She continued on for several moments with positive comments about life at the school and some of the amusing events that had happened. Finally she added, "And you seniors. I am proud of your efforts and enjoyed my time taking you for those NCEA subjects. All your marks are better and I'm looking forward in seeing your results when they come out in January. Thank you. This iron blonde as I overheard someone call me not long after my arrival is proud of you all."
The hall broke into more than just polite applause with everyone standing and cheering as Rita and tiny little Jacob, the five-year-old and youngest pupil in the school came up on the stage and presented her with a gift. She opened it and held up a charm bracelet with tiny South Island figurines attached to it, from a Kea bird to a tiny hydro-station, mountain hut, and merino sheep. There was also a necklace was made from greenstone gems that was mined in the South Island and used by the Maoris for weapons over two hundred years earlier.
"It's beautiful," she said as she wiped tears of emotion from her eyes. "They're both beautiful. Thank you everyone!"
Again the hall erupted into shouts, whistles and applause as she returned to her stage seat, sat down and glanced down at Ryan in the front row holding Alexis in his arms. He grinned and gave her a half wave as the lights dimmed and came on again on one side where the school choir began to sing Christmas carols under Deanne's expert conducting. Everyone in the audience joined them, in a fitting climax for the evening.
Afterwards, there was an enormous supper when parents, students and pupils came up to Karla to grip her hand, hug her or just say thanks. It was almost midnight and an hour after the time planned before the evening concluded with Brandi telling parents that the last school day would begin an hour late at ten and the buses would also run an hour later than usual.
Karla carried a sleeping Alexis across the car park as the last cars drove away and Brody turned off the hall lights behind them. She smiled as Ryan placed an arm around her shoulder and hugged her in close.
"Different from our arrival, wasn't it?" he said.
"A little," she replied. "Just a little."
*