FUTURE GENERATION

STANDOUT ACG PARNELL COLLEGE STUDENT NAMED TOP IN NEW ZEALAND

When it comes to exceptional students, ACG Parnell College’s Rangimarie (Mari) Puttick is a force to be reckoned with.

The dedicated 16-year-old has not only topped her year level for the past three years, but in the 2020 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards she was also named the top IGCSE student in the country. Plus, she received top in New Zealand honours for IGCSE English, Spanish and English literature.

Mari is certainly making her mark as a phenomenal academic talent, but despite her outstanding success, the teen remains remarkably humble and grounded.

“I was very surprised about my results, especially after 2020 was such a challenging year for everyone,” says Mari.

“I hoped that I had done well, but I had no idea that I had achieved so highly. I was particularly pleased and surprised with my English result because all year our teachers had warned us that it was a demanding and intricate set of skills that would be examined.

“I found the English course particularly interesting because it really demonstrates the incredible power of words and all they are capable of.”

Although Mari studied consistently throughout the year, she says she didn’t find the workload overwhelming or all-consuming, thanks to the formidable study skills she has developed at ACG Parnell College.

“I focused on studying effectively rather than for long periods of time. I think that this helped me keep a really good life-work balance, and when I look back on last year the studying aspects are well balanced with the socialising, card playing, reading, music and sport that I did.”

While excellent academic results are a priority, Mari sets great store on pursuits outside of the classroom. She’s been a member of the school’s netball A team for the past four years, used to swim competitively, has been in the school production and the debating team, competed in Mathex twice and co-founded the Christian Union. She also has a diploma in piano and is currently working towards her Grade 8 organ qualification.

A student at ACG Parnell College since Year 8, Mari believes the support and opportunities the school has provided have empowered her success.

“The wonderful thing about ACG is that as well as having amazing teachers who encourage you to challenge your limits, as a student I always feel that if I have any questions or worries, there’s always someone to go to. I love studying at ACG because of the wonderful academic opportunities offered, and the support given to all students.”

Kerri McKay is the principal at Bayfield Primary School, and a co-lead of Te Kāhui Ako o Waitematā (Community of Learning).

What made you want to take on the co-lead role for the Kahui Ako?

I believe in the strength of collaboration, using the skills and resources of the 12 schools within our Kahui Ako. I feel this is the best way to ensure a consistency of teaching practice so that all the children in the inner city are given every opportunity to succeed. We have some very successful and high performing schools in our Kahui and it is fantastic to work with a group of engaged and passionate principals.

How does this fit with your role as Principal of Bayfield Primary School?

It deepens our school’s relationship with other schools in our area. It is also an excellent opportunity to support the success of the Kahui Ako by offering the leadership skills, systems and processes around change leadership and planning of a principal.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I feel very lucky to be leading Bayfield School and I love the challenges and problem solving that comes with being a principal, growing leadership and capability in teachers and watching our children learn and grow. My daily walks around the school to see the children are always a highlight of my day. I really enjoy them sharing their learning with me and I relish the time that I get to spend with them in the learning spaces.

How did you get into teaching?

Actually, I was not planning on being a teacher. As a child I always wanted to be a doctor, then an anthropologist, and then a police officer/pathologist, but during my final year at school I decided to apply to be a teacher. Despite completing some other papers at university, I found I was born to be a teacher and have never looked back.

Have you got a favourite local spot?

I am very fortunate to have JUK right across the road. I also really like Bread & Butter in West Lynn, and I often frequent Dear Jervois. There are so many choices around here.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Dunedin, and my entire immediate family is still in Dunedin, apart from one sister who lives in Christchurch. It was a great place to live as a child; lots of outdoor adventures.

What keeps you occupied when you aren’t teaching?

I am still that adventurous child. I love running and mountain biking, and spend a lot of time away on the trails, mostly in Rotorua. In 2019, I was privileged to ride in Whistler, Canada which is a mountain bikers dream.

I also really enjoy documentaries and love learning about people, places and history. There is still a budding anthropologist in me.  PN

I LOVE LUCY BOOK REVIEW:

THE OUTSIDERS - S.E. HINTON - 12+

“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren’t looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.”

This book follows the life of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year old boy trying to find his place in a society in which he believes he is an outsider living on the poor side of town as a Greaser. Ponyboy and his two older brothers, Darrel and Sodapop, have lost their parents to a car crash, leaving the older brothers to care for Ponyboy and earn a living.

Rivaling the Greasers are the Socs, those who grew up and live on the more privileged side of town, driving around their fancy cars looking for a fight with Greasers. Ponyboy is used to the Socs taking advantage of their privilege and he knows what to expect. He also knows that he can count on his friends and his brothers to stand up for him - but one night things get taken too far.

Something incredibly impressive about this book is that when S.E. Hinton wrote it, she was only 17 years old. Although it was written in 1976, and while some things have changed since then (such as EVERYONE smoking), I still think that this book’s message, that social conflict is pointless and destructive, is entirely relevant in this modern age.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 cats. (LUCY KENNEDY)  PN

Available at www.dorothybutlerbookshop.co.nz www.lucykennedywriter.wixsite.com/reviews instagram @ilovelucybooks out of 5!