Kelvin Squire, principal of Stratford Primary School, was farewelled last week with emotive and humorous tales and memoirs of the impact he has had during his 24-years at the school.
"He made me feel welcome", "He inspired me", "Heart for Christchurch was his idea - that is the kind of man he is, always thinking of others", "Extensive humour and fun, that is you" and "Mr Squire you are so special to us" were just a few of the thousands of remarks made by students and colleagues, both past and present, and friends at the assembly on Friday and roast on Saturday held in his honour, and on the school's Facebook page, which at going to press was past the 3000-mark.
Kelvin resigned his position in February, effective from May 5, in opposition to changes within the education system, which he then told the Stratford Press did not align with his core beliefs and that while he supports the direction, he does not support the process.
Already offered numerous other positions, Kelvin says he will be taking a "breather", travelling overseas with his wife Carolyn. The itinerary includes St Petersburg, which he says will be one item off his bucket list.
"I have always had a fascination with Russia.
"I am keeping my options open at this point. I resisted offers of work up to now, but it is not ruled out."
An outspoken lobbyist for the right of every child to quality education, he will continue to advocate quality education for all children.
"Education will be part of it (his future). You do not have a passion for many years and then it is just gone."
A few of his favourite sayings were quoted by students and colleagues on Friday and Saturday, including: "Be the best you can be", "On reflection, what can you do better next time?" and "It takes a village to raise a child".
Kelvin will continue to play his part in that village, he says, including as a Stratford councillor, trustee of the Community House and a supporter of the King's Theatre.
"People ask me what I will be doing with my time. That will not be a problem."
Kelvin's career has spanned 42 years. In Taranaki he was at Midhirst Primary before taking the deputy principal's position at Stratford Primary in 1989. He was appointed principal in 1993, a position he had held up to now, bar 2003-2005 when he took leave on being elected president of the New Zealand Principals' Federation.
On Friday Kelvin said his intention originally was to stay at SPS for four years.
"Now it has been 24 years. Carolyn and I had caught the Stratty bug."
Around 1200 to 1500 Year 8s have graduated at SPS during his tenure at the school.
"I have been privileged to be invited into the lives of so many children. We must never forget that a school is not the bricks and mortar, it is the kids.
"We have tried to raise the students up to walk on mountains ... In the end, remember these words: if it is to be, it is up to me."
Board of Trustees chairperson Kelly Marriner says words cannot express their thanks for his passion and leadership, time and energy.
"It (Kelvin's legacy) is remarkable. We cannot really express the thanks we have for the job he has done. It really cannot be put into words."
Here are some of the students' memories of Kelvin Squire:
I remember when Mr. Squire came into Room 14 and he stayed in for feed and read. Poor Mr. Squire had no food for feed and read. - Bailey Sharpe
I remember when Mr. Squire read us a cool book about animals. - Cyanna Rogers
I remember when Mr. Squire gave us some jelly beans and laughed funny. His clothes are like a lovely costume and he has handsome shoes. - Cherish Hauwaho
I remember when Mr. Squire read us a story and we blue tacked a picture of him to the wall. He threw water balloons at the picture. - Ashton Ward
I remember when Mr. Squire came to the class about Floppy Cat and Sloppy Dog - Lani Rover
I remember when Mr. Squire gave the whole class a jelly bean 'cause he was being nice. - Georgia Payne
I remember when Mr. Squire wore a lovely hat and shoes and he was pretty like a star. - Hayley Storer
I remember when Mr. Squire was kind to me. He said hello to me and huggled me. - Alix Rudd
I remember when Mr. Squire came to our playground. - Riley Booker
I remember when I made Mr. Squire a pretending cherry cake. - Danni Terrill
I remember when Mr. Squire came to watch the junior swimming sports. He got splashed. - Jenna Armitstead
I remember when Mr. Squire had a little visit. The hand goes up, the mouth shuts, this is the man in the suit at the back of the hall every Friday. Mr. Squire had such a loud and proud voice, that even at the back of the hall, you can still hear him really well and that's what I have and always will remember about Mr. Squire. - Sarah Bosson
"Hello!" boomed Mr. Squire with his loud, honourable voice. You can hear him one hundred metres away if he's singing, growling or having fun. I am happy to have had the past seven years with him. He will be missed. - Hayden Chittenden
I remember when Mr. Squire came and read us some stories and we laughed at his jokes. - Travis-Ann Samson
I remember when we blue tacked the picture of you into the brick. We threw water balloons at the picture and you came around the corner. We hid the picture. - Ava Hancock
I remember when Mr. Squire came to read us funny stories and he read with a nice voice. - Rhyley Coles
I remember when Room 10 went to Mr. Squire's office and he had a pirate hat on for our P Party. We used to call him Poppa Smurf. He looks just like Poppa Smurf. - Phoenix Raroa
I remember that Mr. Squire is the principal and he goes to the office and it's real far away. His job is look after jelly beans. That's all. - Unnamed
If I could remember one thing about Mr. Squire, it is his singing when he walks down the hallway. If you are lucky he will be singing, and it just fills the room with happy, jolly tunes. I know that is something I'll miss about him. Also, he's very expressive and he uses a deep opera voice. I will really miss him when he leaves. - Alec Barbarics
Kind, happy, cheerful, words that describe Mr. Squire. My first impression of him was "He must love being principal". He immediately brought me into his family and made me feel good about coming to a new school. He is loving and there is no child he does not respect. Mr. Squire is a loving man. Even though I have only been here about half a term, I will miss his kindness the most. - Breana Maniapoto-Erickson
If I could remember one thing about Mr. Squire, that would have to be the part when I approach the pedestrian crossing and he says to me, "Well, it's the remarkable Jakob", that sort of thing. He always says something that includes "remarkable" in what he says to me. He'd put his arm around me when I'm about to cross the road sometimes. Now my good old principal is sadly retiring after 24 years at SPS. I am gonna really miss him. I will still see him around town, I hope. Mr. Squire has been an extremely great principal even since I came to SPS when I was in Year 1 in 2006. I am gonna remember Mr. Squire as principal of SPS for a very long time, possibly until I'm 100 years old! - Jakob Stone
Even though I haven't been here for very long, the first time I saw Mr. Squire, that first facial, that first laugh. I knew he was going to be awesome. I was right. The first handshake he gave me was warm. He had that good feeling. Mr. Squire will be missed not just by me, by everyone. He should be proud of his achievements. - Levi Bunn