John Hooper in his happy place, in Borough School’s vege patch, but with retirement he’ll be swapping the school patch for his own large home garden. Photo supplied.John Hooper has made his mark as a teacher who has inspired students with his love of the environment, but he’s calling time on his years in the classroom, signing off from the staff list at Borough School. He talks to reporter Sue Newman about a career that has been filled with highlights.

With close to 45 years in the classroom ticked off, retiring teacher John Hooper says he has never had a moment’s regret about his chosen career.

During a career that’s spanned almost 45 years John has been on a journey from Ashburton to Papua New Guinea, via Central Otago and back.

And now he knows it’s time to stop, call time on that career and head for his favourite fishing spots.

Over those years, John has taken just one break from the classroom, a two-year stint overseas with wife Karen, also a teacher.

As much as they loved the freedom of life as travellers, it was inevitable they’d return home, he said.

“We missed our family so much so we came back and picked up work again in Central Otago.”

He went on to teach at Goldfields, Wilden and Oturehua schools, all at the heart of rural communities that were unfailingly supportive of their school and its staff, before heading back to Ashburton and a deputy principal’s job at Netherby School.

Over the years John’s worked his way around several schools in the Ashburton District – Allenton, Rakaia, Lowcliffe and Netherby – before finally settling at Borough where he became an environmental leader.

One of the high points of those years was a five-year stint in Papua New Guinea.

That, John says, was a defining period in the life of himself, wife Karen and their daughters Kirsten and Jacqui.

He was part of an exodus of local teachers to the Korobosea International School.

“At the time the principals from Lagmhor, Willowby and St Joseph’s were all going to the same school.

“We all went there to make money, but we found a lot more, we got a real appreciation of a new culture,” he said.

Life wasn’t easy for the Hooper family there, but the experience was an enriching one, John said.

“There were real health risks outside the school.

“It was a bit like living in an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, it was so wild, but it was fun though. Not many of the others lasted as long as we did, but we persevered, we didn’t give up because we loved the people.”

With their daughters becoming teenagers, however, the family realised safety had to be the number one priority and they decided to head home, but Papua New Guinea had buried deep in the family’s soul, its impression would be enduring.

“It did take a while for us to get used to being back in a safe place, in Godzone.

“For our girls it shaped who they are today. They accept people of any culture and any skin colour and they love to travel.”

John came home with a large portfolio of photos from his time in Papua New Guinea and they reflected his passion for the environment.

They were part of his CV when he applied for a teaching position at Borough School and caught the eye of principal Sam Winterbourn.

“Sam was keen on establishing something along environmental lines at the school and he saw that I was interested in this, so I guess I arrived there at the right time,” John said.

That was the start of a project that would see Borough become a school environmental leader. He attended a course to learn about an Enviroschools programme and, in 2002, the school became a pilot Enviroschool with the Ministry of Education.

From there the school’s involvement and national recognition continued to grow.

It was accepted as an official Enviroschool and in 2005 achieved a bronze level award, followed two years later by silver level award and in 2009 it was recognised as a green-gold Enviroschool, the first in the South Island.

“It was a programme ahead of its time really and quite an achievement and it’s student led.

“One of our students said that the best part about it was that children got to influence adults. They come up with the ideas, the knowledge and how to make it happen. And coming from the kids, it’s quite meaningful.”

The green/gold award is renewed two yearly through a process of self-evaluation.

John might be retiring, but the environmental programme will continue. It is now very much a part of what the school is about.

The school’s gardens, orchards and chooks will also continue, cared for by the green team.

For John, there are no regrets, no looking back in terms of his decision to retire.

He’s loved every minute of the past 45 years, enjoyed students of all ages, but says if he had to choose, Years 3 and 4 would be his first choice of ages to teach

“The time was right, I was ready. I didn’t want to be a teacher who kept hanging on.

“Young teachers bring a lot of ideas to a school and it’s good to see those new ideas coming through.”

Retirement is likely to include the odd spot of relief teaching, plenty of fishing, more time indulging his passion for gardening, midweek time on Mt Hutt’s slopes and time with his grandchildren.

“For me this is a really positive move.”

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 25 December 2020