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Vol 47, No 14
General 271 8000 ■ Classified 271 8055 ■ Delivery Enquiries 271 8000 ■ Website www.times.co.nz
Vester bids farewell By FARIDA MASTER
At Edgewater College everyone cares about each other, says Principal Allan Vester who is ready to hang up his boots.
Times Photo Wayne Martin
Trial by fire aptly describes Allan Vester’s appointment as principal of Edgewater College 23 years ago. The entire Nelson Block was ablaze and he was called in to handle a major crisis even before he officially took over the hot seat at the principal’s office. “Technically I wasn’t the principal then but had to make some quick decision,” Mr Vester recollects as his long run as principal of Edgewater College draws to an end. “It was not the kind of start you anticipate,” he says. Anyone who has seen Mr Vester, 65, literally jump hoops whilst doing the sound and lighting for any of the college productions knows that he is not the sort who sits behind a desk. Known to roll up his sleeves and get jobs done, he readily helps a cluster of primary and intermediate schools in the area with the sound and lights at their events. Reflecting on his tenure as principal, he says that maintaining the roll of a low-decile school located in a high socio-economic area has been the biggest challenge over the years. ➤ Turn to Page 3
Two charged after baby badly beaten in Howick By THERESE HENKIN
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Medical staff alerted police to the girl’s injuries, describing them as being of varying stages and classically associated with nonaccidental injury, suggesting she had been deliberately harmed on a number of occasions. The infant was immediately taken into the care of Oranga Tamariki and police launched an investigation. While the child is expected to make a full
recovery, Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Sutherland said last week that police were “extremely concerned” by the injuries and looking for anyone with information. The NZ Herald reported that the family of the girl “closed ranks” when they were questioned by police and refused to give information. The pair have since been remanded on bail and are next due to appear in the Manukau District Court later this month.
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wo people have been charged in relation to a case in which a baby was beaten. The case involves a 4-month-old girl who was badly beaten and suffered significant injuries. The Howick infant had 16 fractures to her skull, arms and legs in what was believed to be a domestic violence incident. Last week a 28-year-old man was charged
with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and appeared in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday. A 30-year-old woman was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and appeared in court on Thursday. The infant was first admitted to Middlemore Hospital on February 18, after her family took her to the doctors and the child was referred on to the hospital.