Rotorua Girls' High School teacher celebrates 30 years at the school

Raewyn Krammer has been teaching at Rotorua Girls' High School for more than 30 years. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua Girls' High School staff member Raewyn Krammer has marked three decades at the school by sharing her memories and looking back at the changes she's seen.

A Rotorua local growing up, Krammer originally studied to be a commerce secondary school teacher because there was a shortage of commerce teachers.

Her first teaching position was in 1981 at James Cook High School in Manurewa, which was the biggest secondary school in the country at the time.

She returned to Rotorua to teach at Girls' High in 1988 in the commerce department.

She taught everything from economics and accounting to typing and legal studies.

Krammer said she and the head of department were at the "cutting edge" of computers.

"We purchased two large box PCs and put them in the back of G5 [classroom]. Ann and I taught ourselves Microsoft Works, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint before teaching the students."

Krammer said they bought computers then laptops, Blackberry cellphones, smart phones and iPads.

She said she had taught hundreds of students over the years, including the principal's current assistant, Kay Asplin.

"I have taught many fabulous students and so admire and am so very proud of those who I teach beside," she said.

Krammer has also seen three principals and four school mottos in her time there.

"I have seen many changes in the school throughout my 30 years; new uniforms, awards, curriculum, many changes at NZQA, buildings have been renamed, removed, upgraded."

When asked why she had stayed at the school for so long, she said there were a few reasons.

"My love for teaching so many talented students in so many arenas at Rotorua Girls' High School and for working alongside such hard working, caring and dedicated staff.

"My love for Rotorua Girls' High School, a school which continues to provide so many excellent academic, sporting, cultural and performing arts opportunities for all students while continuing to raise achievement across the four cornerstones."

Timeline
1977: Graduated from Rotorua Lakes High and went to Auckland Secondary Teachers Training College
1981: First teaching position at James Cook High School
1988: Returned to teach at Rotorua Girls' High School
1990: Appointed Year 9 dean
1991: Appointed Year 10 dean
1993: Appointed assistant head of commerce department
1992-1987: Staff representative on the board of trustees
2000: Awarded inaugural staff scholarship
2000-2002: NCEA facilitator for information management and technology
2001: Appointed head of commerce department
2004-2006: Studied a post graduate diploma in school management and masters in educational management at Unitec
2007: Appointed deputy principal of Hinemoa House
Ongoing: Coached and refereed hockey at the school