By ANGELA GREGORY
A primary schoolteacher who used magic wands, wishing stones and "fairy dust" to reward her 6-year-old pupils has resigned after complaints from parents.
Parents and staff at Riverview Primary School in Kerikeri said yesterday that the teacher, Linda Stubbing, chopped up lavender and rosemary, called it fairy dust and sprinkled it around the classroom. She also made the children meditate and recite mantras.
Her unorthodox teaching style has divided parents, children and trustees at the school.
Board chairman Rick Mark said members were disappointed when the teacher resigned as she had their support.
He said she had "her own style and reward system," as did other teachers, and it helped with behaviour control. The complaints were not centred on any religious objections.
"It was a question of style and perspective. If you look at it from a certain perspective it was out of line but some [parents] were very happy."
Mr Mark said Linda Stubbing had been hired as a long-term reliever for Year 2 until the year's end. She had left after a complaint to the board, which looked into the matter but had not planned to take any action.
He thought the matter had been resolved after discussions between the teacher and parents.
But the Herald understands that board member Philip Davis-Goff, who recently resigned, had been unhappy with the teacher's practice. He refused to comment yesterday.
Parent Cathy Donadio said her son liked the teacher, who had worked creatively with the children using the fantasy world of fairies and wizards. But Ms Donadio said she supported parents' rights to voice their opinions.
She first saw Linda Stubbing dressed up as a hired fairy at a child's birthday party before she started at the school. "That's obviously her niche."
Another parent said the teacher gave her 6-year-old son a wishing stone when she left.
"He said he was going to put it under his pillow to have nice dreams. That's sweet. I see no harm in that."
The parent, who did not want to be named, said the teacher created a nice environment, allowing "a little fantasy" in the children's lives.
However, 10-year-old Kelly Sinclair said she had not liked it when the teacher took her class for a day and "made us meditate."
Classroom no place for nymph
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.