3 minute read
International Services
Farewell Jenny Taylor
There is the well-known saying about ‘The Ripple Effect’; “Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget, But there’s little waves a-flowing and there’s ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown; You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.”
For the thousands of pebbles Jenny Taylor has dropped in the water of the Kristin Community, the ripples are endless! She first started teaching at Kristin School as a Japanese and Spanish language teacher but soon after, she took on the role of the Director of International Services and developed the International programme and Dovetail exchange programme.
The International programme benefited students from across the globe and the Kristin Community equally benefited from these programmes in cultural diversity and language exchanges, adding to the international character to the school.
The breadth of the impact she had on the students, their families and the rest of the school community over her 28 years at Kristin is difficult to describe in words but the cards and letters from the students give insight to the impression she made;
“Thank you for helping to make my time at Kristin unforgettable. You are such a lovely person. I’ll never forget you. I’ll come back to visit New Zealand with my family! Lots of love from your Brazilian student.” Barbara Chanin, 2001
“When I came to New Zealand, you took care of not only me but my parents in Japan. You not only helped me academically, but socially as well” Mizuha Hirano, 2021
Also, the words from staff member Gabriela Maldonado: “It is a privilege for me to share these brief words on behalf of the Faculty of Languages in recognition of Jenny’s work as the Director of International Services. Magically weaving together integrity, people skills, sensitivity and open-mindedness, Jenny establishes and maintains strong relationships with people from across the globe, literally. Our International students and their families know that she’s always there, willing to listen, advise and support them. In addition, her vision and leadership in initiatives focused on recognising, developing and strengthening cultural diversity in our community have been fundamental in the steps we have made and continue to make as an IB school. Thanks, Jenny, from the bottom of our hearts, for your leadership of services and love.”
Thank you, Jenny – your students will forever take a part of you into their futures and your colleagues a part of you in our hearts. Your legacy will continue.
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT UPDATE
The class of 2021 graduated with the unique but difficult experience of going through a number of lockdowns and the challenges were especially highlighted for International students who have been stranded in New Zealand for the past two years. However, this did not stop them from achieving examination success in both NCEA and IB. Two students gained IB grades of 40 and above and four attained a score of over 38.
2022 started with 30 students who held out hopes that they might return home for a much-needed family reunion. For those who normally spend the New Year’s celebration with family, it was their second year away from their home country. Instead, International students celebrated the beginning of the new term in each other’s company at a picnic at the Wenderholm Regional Park. For those who missed out on celebrating lunar calendar New Year with their family, food parcels were prepared with some traditional food from their own cultures.
Helen Kim
MANAGER OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
International Peace Night Concert Finale. 2022 New Year's Picnic at Wenderholm Park.
