Fond farewell

Rae Sullivan-Brown has spent many years in the classrooms of St Joseph's School, Stratford. Not only has she spent nearly the last 16 years as principal, but she also began her school career there - as a new entrant herself.
Now however, it is the end of an era, as Rae leaves the school to go to Francis Douglas Memorial College to teach senior mathematics.
"It has been a really hard decision, but in my heart, I knew it was time. "
Rae says that since arriving at the school, she has seen it grow from strength to strength, and she is proud of what she and her colleagues have achieved. "When I arrived, the school was at a low point, but over the years it has really changed, we have fantastic ERO reports and the special character of the school has really developed, sitting at the front of all that we do. Everyone at the school helps to make it such a great place, all the staff, teaching and support, the parents, the church and of course, the students themselves."
The special character, says Rae, is something that she has always enjoyed. "Being able to work in a faith environment, to talk about God with the students, that is wonderful. It creates such a positive learning environment."
Rae says while she is looking forward to returning to teaching maths, she will definitely miss the students at St Joseph's. "Every child, every conversation I have with each of them, they all mean so much, and I will certainly miss it. I am not going far, and I will definitely be coming back to visit."
Rae will be missed by the school and wider community, says Lynette Roberts-King, manager of the Catholic Education Office of the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North. "Besides being an extremely capable and effective principal, she's also a woman of deep faith and she has contributed a great amount to the wider educational Catholic community. Rae is viewed with a lot of respect by her colleagues, and all of us, including the Bishop, will be sad to see her go."
Rae says that when it comes to finding her replacement, she has a simple wish. "That the board find someone who will love the children above all else."