Farewell to school's 'backbone'

Pamela Head, executive officer of St Francis Xavier Catholic School, centre, at a service in her honour. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The matriarch of St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Whangarei is retiring after 31 busy years.

Executive officer Pamela Head, who has been described as the backbone of the school, said she just knew now was the right time to move on.

"I've got some other things I would like to do," Mrs Head said.

She started at St Mary's Primary School on May 11, 1983 as a receptionist before it amalgamated with St Joseph's School in 1995 to become St Francis Xavier Catholic School.

Principal Craig McKernan said Mrs Head had been an extremely valued employee, the matriarch and backbone of the school.

"She has always made herself available to parents, staff, pupils and members of the wider Whangarei community," he said. "She has been a very loyal and hardworking executive officer who has helped shape our school by modelling the values and work ethic that we strive to achieve at St Francis Xavier."

For Mrs Head the most rewarding part of her time there was being in a team. "You do need to be organised, patient and, I think above all, you have to have a sense of humour," she said.

Naturally, the pupils were also a big part of the reason Mrs Head remained in her position so long. "They are just so spontaneous. You never know what they are going to come out with."

The only blight was the implementation of Novapay, or Novopain, as she calls it. "It's been the most stressful part of the last 31 years."

While Mrs Head said she would miss the staff and pupils, she was not going to miss the work. Retirement would give her more time for gardening, taking long walks and catching up with friends.

Mrs Head's contribution to the school was celebrated at a thanksgiving liturgy last week, although her last official day will be tomorrow.