Not a dry eye in the house at Graeme Lind's Greenpark School farewell

Graeme Lind, Lornelle Ware and Vicki Lind are treated like royalty at their farewell at Greenpark School. Photo / Amy Diamond

More than 900 pieces of cake were eaten and even more tears were shed at Greenpark School yesterday.

All in a farewell to the long-time and very popular principal, Graeme Lind.

A slide-show presentation tugged at heartstrings as teachers began to wipe their eyes as they watched memories of Mr Lind's time at the school and personal messages from students and staff.

Mr Lind sat next to two other retiring teachers, his wife, Vicki Lind, and Lornelle Ware in front of a packed school hall.

The trio was treated like royalty as they sat on gold and silver hand-crafted thrones with flower crowns on their heads.

Mr Lind has been the leader of the school for the past 15 years and has called time on his 46-year education career.

He struggled to muster up the words to thank his students and staff as he and his wife presented a tree sculpture to the school.

"Thank you to the tremendous staff and lovely students, we will miss you," he said shakily through tears.

"It means a lot to both of us to know we made a difference," Mrs Lind said.

Mrs Ware thanked everyone for her "very special time" at the school.

"Keep learning, keep doing the right thing and keep making good choices," she said.

A surprise haka boomed throughout the school hall in the final stages of the farewell, making those who did not think they needed tissues reach for them.

Mr and Mrs Lind are retiring to travel and to spend more time with grandchildren.

Mr Lind said he was going to miss the daily interactions with students and staff the most.

"It will take a while to get used to ... this school has been such a big part of our lives."

MR LIND'S JOURNEY:

- Teachers College in Palmerston North, 1972
- Greerton Primary School, 1975
- Mangatoki School, 1976
- Was sports master at Francis Douglas College, New Plymouth
- Bell Block Primary School teacher
- District adviser of physical education for the Taranaki Education Board
- Principal of Hurleyville, Patea
- Eltham Primary School for three years
- Served on the Taranaki Primary Schools Rugby Advisory Board
- Wairarapa College cricket and rugby coach
- Manager and Senior A rugby coach of Wairarapa Bush Representative Team
- Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union chairman, six years
- Principal of Masterton Central School, 12 years
- Retired from Hurricanes' foundation board, 2003
- Appointed Greenpark School principal, 2003
- Established a relationship with South Korea sister school