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It was cold with an air temperature of minus five Celsius for the opening of Tuckett Area School ice skating season. Karla had declared that between eleven and twelve thirty, every pupil who wanted to skate could do so. There were several provisos, parents had to sign a permission slip and every student in the senior school who was going to bring their skates was assigned two or three younger pupils to oversee. The class teachers had sorted it out.
Also every child in the school had made a flag to fly with the seniors helping their younger charges. These now flew or hung frozen from wires that Brody had erected across the tennis court. Most of the seniors had screen printed their flags or had sewn collages in the art or technology rooms while the little children had cloth flags cut out and drawn on with special crayons that melted into the cloth. Even young Lionel who had only been at school for three weeks had a flag flying.
Now it was in full swing after fifteen minutes with music picked by the students blaring out. Almost every pupil in the school was on skates and twirling around in all manner of bright attire. Clouds of condensation rose from a hundred and fifty mouths or noses. The few timid ones were helped or pushed in special skate equipped carts and everyone co-operated to the extent that when one little fellow crashed down on his bottom, three seniors rushed across to help him up.
Karla was amazed that some of the five year olds could skate better than many of the high school students while some of the older girls tore around in their leotards on one leg extend behind or made professional looking spins. The boys were actually less capable than the girls as they zigzagged around by and through youngsters on the rink.
"So this is your idea of how the school should operate?"
Karla turned and smiled at Sonya who stood there puffing out clouds of condensation from her mouth as she spoke.
"It's even better than I imagined," she replied. "Look at those little ones... they're fearless and, My God did you see that girl and her triple twirl... looks as good as the Winter Olympics."
"Yes, some started skating at three." Sonya laughed and pointed at three children, two boys and a girl who were hanging onto a side rail that Brody had also erected. "You can tell the new kids from the locals can't you?"
"That's about my skill," Karla replied. "I did a bit of skating in Canada on an overseas trip a few years back but could barely keep to my feet."
"So have a shot now," Sonya replied.
"Me! I haven't any skates."
"I have and your size wouldn't be a lot different than mine."
Karla stared at her, back at the throngs of children twirling around, pushing little carts or helping less confident pupils and grinned. "Why not! I'll probably end up on my bum ..."
*
FIVE MINUTES LATER she somewhat nervously made her way out onto the ice. The skill came back to her a little and she managed to skate reasonably well across the rink. Suddenly, she was surrounded by half a dozen senior pupils who skated with her and encouraged her stilted efforts.
"For a North Islander you're not bad," a familiar voice came up behind her. It was Rita dressed in a red leotard under a Scottish tartan kilt, long tartan scarf, knitted woollen hat and upmarket white skates. She circled around Karla in a graceful movement and grinned. "Thanks!"
"What for?" Karla puffed.
"Us girls won the wager. The boys reckoned you'd never have the guts to get out here on the ice with us."
"Wager!" Karla retorted with faked annoyance. "School students should not be gambling on school property." She broke into a grin. "So it was all set up?"
"Yeah," Helen laughed. "We persuaded Sonya to bring her skates along and ask you to have a go."
"I see," Karla replied and tried to skate in a circle on one leg. She almost did but would have fallen if a male hand hadn't seized her arm and helped steady her. "Thanks Brian," she said to the Year 12 boy grinning at her.
"No problem Mrs Spicer." He nodded and skated away while she watched.
He was one of the seniors that she had had trouble relating to and had barely spoken more than a few words to her in class or the common room. If talked to, he usually just shrugged or muttered something under his breath. But now... she waved as he turned around and skated backwards for several metres. He waved back, turned and disappeared around a group of ten-year-olds holding hands as they skated along.
A few moments later as she made her way back to the assembly hall and gymnasium that opened out to the end of the rink and provided changing rooms for the skaters, she noticed Don Trow standing to the side glowering. Her euphoria of the occasion plummeted like a balloon that had burst. He hadn't really changed at all! Carrying the skates that she had just taken off, she walked directly up to him.
"Oh lighten up, Don," she said in firm voice that reflected her new emotion, glowered at the man and walked away without looking back.
She glanced sideways and saw his reflection in a tall wall mirror. Don was staring at her with the strangest expression on his face. It wasn't of anger or even surprised; he just looked like a little old man with sad eyes of one who was utterly depressed. Perhaps she had been too tough on him.
*
"KARLA," RYAN YELLED from the sitting room while she was putting the finishing touches to their evening meal "Come and look at the news. Quick!"
She rushed in to watch the weather lady who was speaking.
"And now to conclude this evening's weather report, have a look at what they do in the Deep South when the temperature drops below zero. Here is a clip sent to us. The entire school at Tuckett Area School in Central Otago are using their very own ice skating rink."
The scene changed and there for the whole country to see, was them all skating around to the music with big and little children zigzagging around each other.
"Those flags you see were all made by the pupils," said the anchorman's voiceover. "Wow, look at that young lady doing that twirl. Oh oh! Now who can this be?"
Karla gasped for she saw herself skating clumsily out onto the rink, surrounded by the seniors and even her fall being stopped by Brian.
"That's the school principal, you guys," the anchorman continued. "We never had principals like that when I went to school."
The scene faded and the weather woman reappeared. "That was a while ago Doug." She giggled. "Times have changed, you know." She turned to face the viewers. "It will be fine and frosty at Tuckett tomorrow with the maximum predicted to be hovering around zero. But as you just saw, they bred them tough down there..."
"Oh, My God," Karla muttered. "But who?"
"Sonya sent me a text a few moments ago telling me to make sure that you were watching."
Karla grinned. "I should have guessed."
"And think what it's done for our public relations. That three minute clip is worth more than a twenty-thousand word report."
"I wonder if Don Trow saw it," she whispered. "He won't like me being called the principal."
"Who cares," Ryan replied. "I'd say we have many more friends than enemies at the school now."
"I hope so. The rumour that Sonya circulated that the Minister of Education herself, called Don at your board meeting and told him to cooperate or have the school's high school section closed seemed to have squashed the other rumours that started up."
"She made it all up but the idea is not far from the truth. That Minister of Education bit was pretty good, I thought." Karla laughed. "But come on, our meal's served and is getting cold. I think I heard Alexis calling out, too. The little monkey hates going to bed"
She grabbed his hand and led him back to the kitchen.
*
KARLA WAS IN HER OFFICE the following morning well before any children and most of the teachers arrived. She had dropped Alexis off at Little Hands and had chatted to the supervisor Janet Schnell for a few moments before coming across to school. She had just brought her computer on line and was about to begin writing a report for John Cosgrove when her mobile phone rang.
Expecting it to be Ryan for no locals knew her number she answered it with a cherry, "Hi."
"Mrs Karla Spicer, Senior Principal at Tuckett Area School?" asked an upmarket woman's voice that made her think of some of the parents back in Wellington.
"Sorry, I was expecting a call from my husband on this phone but yes, I am Karla Spicer."
"It is I who should apologise for using a private line but I didn't want to go though the school switchboard. My name is Beth Boyle and I live on Boyle Station on Upper Ridge Road." Karla knew that a station was a large farm that usually ran sheep or cattle "You may have heard of us."
"Sorry but I haven't but there are so many names and places that have been mentioned to me I could have missed it."
"It doesn't matter Karla, can I call you that?"
"Please do," Karla replied cautiously.
"I would like to meet you when it is convenient but away from the school and suggest a small coffee bar near the old primary school called Coffee Explore."
"And the reason for wanting to meet me?" Karla replied.
"I am the chairperson of The Tuckett Home Schooling Group."
Karla frowned. She had heard about them. The government allowed home schooling but those involved were still subject to visits by the Education Review Office to see that the children were being adequately taught. In fact though, unless there were complaints made by the public the home schoolers were just left alone.
The woman continued talking. "Several families in the Tuckett outlying district withdrew their children from the school a couple of years ago and now home school them," she said.
"I have heard of your group but how does it affect me?"
Beth Boyle coughed. "The snippet on last night's news motivated me in making this call though we had been thinking about contacting you since we heard of your arrival."
"Your husband and yourself?"
"Yes as well as four families home schooling up here from our station and Blue Ridge Station opposite us."
Karla frowned for she felt this woman could be dominating if allowed to be. She had plenty of time available that day but was not about to be manipulated. "I'm afraid I have no time to meet you today, Beth but could squeeze you in tomorrow afternoon, if you wish," she said, purposely used the woman's first name. "Can you make it at... now let me see... one thirty at that coffee bar you spoke of?"
"That'll be fine. I'll see you then." The voice sounded more natural.
Karla clicked off and wandered out to find that Roxanne had arrived at the main office. "What can you tell me about Beth Boyle and The Tuckett Home School Association?" she asked.
Roxanne glanced at her. "I wondered when she'd come out of the woodwork. Saw her at the skating rink yesterday. She was obviously sizing you up." She grinned. "What do you want to know?"
Karla sat down in one of the swivel chairs beside Roxanne. "Anything you think may be important. She wants to meet me but not at school."
"That figures. A couple of years back Ronald, that's her husband, almost came to blows with Don. He withdrew his four children from the school and four other families followed. They formed an informal group to cooperate at home schooling their kids. I've heard..."
Karla grinned. Roxanne knew just about everything that happened within fifty kilometres of Tuckett. "Go on," she encouraged.
"They have a small schoolroom set up on Boyle Station in a converted shearers quarters. All the children come there and Beth and several other women take turns in being amateur teachers. They use the Internet and are connected to other groups throughout the country as well as some overseas groups, I heard."
"Is there anything else?'
Roxanne shrugged. "Last year they applied for a licence to operate a private school but it was turned down flat."
"Why?"
"No registered teacher, a lack of clear goals, no adequate building... need I go on?"
"No. I get the picture but can you guess why she wants to meet me?"
"She's found out about you and that you come from being a principal of a school in an upmarket suburb in Wellington so socially you might be good for her children."
"Socially not academically?"
Roxanne grinned. "Oh I quite like Beth but she's a snob. The Boyle Station has been in one family for five generations now. It's as close to a Scottish clan that you'll get in New Zealand. It seems that Ronald's great grandfather emigrated to New Zealand in the 1860s after he had a row with his elder brother who became an earl when their father died... something to do with some old castle that the old guy though that, as being the second son he should have inherited. It seems that the older brother, that's the new earl, agreed to give him a generous settlement if he left Scotland. He did, bought this huge station for a song and they've been here ever since."
"And what is Ronald like?"
"A quiet guy. It's Beth who's the snob."
"And their children?
"Nice children who are quiet like their father. Now let me see, they'd be about Year 6 or 7 now. The oldest would be high school age. She attends Queen Anne's, a private girls' school in Dunedin." Roxanne screwed her nose up. "Can't see Beth bringing her back here, though."
"So there are three still home schooled."
Roxanne nodded.
"And the other families home schooling up there?"
Roxanne rubbed her chin and gazed at the ceiling. "There are the O'Donnell's from Blue Ridge, the Bonner kids and the Lyons. Could be some workers' children too. There would be about a dozen, enough for their own school if the government had approved it."
"Interesting," Karla said. "Just keep all this confidential for now, please."
"Of course."
Roxanne was a bit of a gossip but Karla had found that she was completely trustworthy when it came to seeing that confidential information remained so. She had never told anyone about Don's outburst at the board meeting and his sudden change of heart.
*
BETH BOYLE WAS ABOUT her own age and wore modern winter clothes that were not too flamboyant, hardly any makeup and had her hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Karla," she said as she extended her hand and introduced herself. She sat down in the chair across the coffee bar table. "Sorry I was late. Had to drive through a mob of sheep."
They chatted for a while about the weather and other things strangers have to start a conversation before Beth said. "That ice skating was a wonderful public relations exercise, wasn't it?"
"I guess but it was planned for the children. I heard that you were there."
Beth nodded but didn't seem a slightest bit embarrassed or put out. "My last chance to be incognito before I approached you. Your reputation for getting things done has swept through the whole district and a little research showed me why you were offered the position."
Karla nodded but just sipped the coffee that a waitress had brought.
"Are you going get Don Trow to retire?"
Karla stared at her. "You know I can't discuss anything about my professional duties here or what I plan to do?"
"Of course not. I apologise."
"I researched the situation that led to your group's establishment and also your failed attempt to register as a private school. I cannot help you there, I'm afraid."
Beth laughed. "One can but try. No, I am here about my children and have also been asked to speak on behalf of the other families in our group. We've tried home schooling with moderate success but with winter-feeding and so forth it is a tremendous tie on our time. Our children are missing out socially, too. That fantastic display yesterday brought it all to the fore."
Karla nodded and thought of Roxanne's comment about Beth being more interested in social life than academic achievements. "You want to bring your children back here but not under the present management?'
"Yes. If I can have a guarantee that your improvements will become permanent, I will recommend to my group that our children all return to Tuckett Area School. We are even prepared to provide a small bus, as I know we are beyond your routes. The original bus was withdrawn after we removed our children."
"I can give no guarantees." Karla grimaced. "I can tell you, though that I am here to help the students. They are my top priority followed by the morale of the staff and finally the school management, both from the academic and administrative point of view. So far, I am encouraged by everything I have seen. I can make changes and recommendations but after a my year's secondment here I'll be returning to Tui Park School in Wellington."
"A year? I heard you were only staying until the end of this year. So you'll be back for a term of next year, too?"
"If it is necessary."
"And in that time you'll be able to achieve quite a lot?"
"Hopefully but I am no miracle worker."
"But if Sharleen were to return, you would see that she is not be teased or picked on by the other students?"
"Is Sharleen your daughter?"
"My eldest."
"Who attends Queen Anne's Girls' School in Dunedin?"
Beth smiled. "So you've been doing your homework, too?"
"Not quite. I heard that you'd never take her out of there."
"I glad the village gossip machine hasn't caught up with it yet. Actually Sharleen is quite miserable there. Poor girl is quite homesick. She's in Year 10 and we thought that after the first year things would improve but they didn't." She shrugged. "Bullying, you know."
"Well, I'll do my best to make her happy but..."
"Yes, I know, there are no guarantees."
"Exactly but I would welcome Sharleen and all your children if you wish to enrol them here. As well, of course any other children from your group who wish to attend our school only need to phone the office to enrol them. As for that mini-bus offer, I'm sure that a government subsidy will be available. I'll check it out if you wish."
Karla found she quite impressed with Beth. Sure, she was upmarket but no-way near as snobby as half the parents back at Tui Park nor as bad as Roxanne portrayed.
"Thank you," Beth replied. "I'll get back to you."
*
A WEEK LATER ALL THE Boyle children plus four others from the two stations arrived at the Tuckett Area School with Sharleen dressed in a crisp new uniform. The other children were all in the junior part of the school. Sharleen was a small girl for her age who knew most of her classmates and immediately settled in well. The only problems as far as Karla could tell were a couple of subjects that Sharleen took at Queen Anne's that weren't available here. However, Clive Mortland said he would enrolled her at the Correspondence School for these subjects and pointed out that there were already several students in the senior school who were taking subjects in this manner.
*