WelCom November 2018:
Annette Scullion
Mrs Jo Louden with her new entrants’ class. Photo: WelCom
After 29 years at Our Lady of the Rosary School, Waiwhetū, Lower Hutt, much-loved teacher Mrs Jo Louden is retiring at the end of this year. Jo joined the school in 1990 and has been new entrants’ teacher for the last 24 years and deputy principal for several years.
Jo says teaching is about people, the teachers, staff and building relationships with families. ‘I enjoy seeing the children learning like sponges and having fun with it. For example, on book character day the staff and children come as a book character for the day, which is a lot of fun.
‘I also love teaching students to have respect for themselves and respect for how life can and should be. It’s a real pleasure to bump into past students and see them doing so well. A number have done well in academics and sporting. I just heard about one former new entrant who has been made an All Black.
Principal Karolina Surynt-Tapiki says, ‘Jo is a born teacher and a really special person who everyone loves. Jo is just one of those wonderful people that needs to be celebrated for what she offers Our Lady of the Rosary School.
A whole day is dedicated to Jo on Wednesday 5 December, starting with Mass, a performance by the children and a staff morning tea.
Karolina says, ‘Everyone in our community, students, families, past staff and students, friends as well as official guests have been invited to join us for afternoon tea at the school at 3.30pm. We want to reach out to everyone who knows and loves Jo to come along and celebrate Jo’s years of commitment and contributions’.
Jo says she is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, more travelling and ‘being able to go on holiday not in school holidays time’.
‘Children have enriched my life in so much and I hope I have enriched their lives.’
For details about the afternoon tea event email principal@olr.school.nz or ph (04) 566-3258.