Love this Kate, and apart from all the wonder and wonderful places, I remember that feeling of forgeting (2 T's?) you were a teacher. That right there screams 'great' holiday. Being a retired teacher myself, I know this. Yes the windows open, and the bare feet as you descend the ramp into another year............not an easy job, but if you are in an institution that values who a teacher is as a human the most important and influential thing about being a teacher, then your students are in for an excellent year from their gem of a teacher, who we are impacts students more than is given credit for..........you have been alive and learning, and that's what teaching is all about..........and you can hold your breathe and tread the mill until you can top yourself up and do it all again.
Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comment! Ka pai for your years of service as a teacher. And it’s great you say that being a genuine human being makes so much difference — it does, and our school said the same thing just the other day when we started back — you must be on the right track! 😊
Thanks Kate. Funny, I was on the right track. I was a ridiculously loved teacher. Not because I tried to be or needed to be loved. Kids detect fakes, and I was no fake. Kids needed to feel able to be themselves and valued, comfortable, heard and happy...before learning even starts. I was on the right track, and knew it. That stuff is not often valued by management and leadership who struggle to get it. I was a music specialist teacher at an intermediate. It's neat that you have a culture that values that. Akonga need real people to be on the learning journey with. Your thirst for life and adventure will have you also loved dearly........just for being you. Some people get jealous of good relationships that just happen naturally as you are yourself. I loved being a teacher, and what I facilitated in my room. BUt I have paid my dues over and over and 67, nearly 68......this is my time. Teaching is a demanding job, but so very very rewarding making the difference in students lives. :-)
Wow, that is quite a summer Kate! Mine has been spent in Auckland, working and a little chilling, a few swims at Point Chev, up the road, and a hike or two in the Waitākeres. You're giving me a serious case of FOMO 😀
Ah, this was lovely, Kate. The words and the pictures. Yes, like you, I forgot a few things during my midwinter Kiwi summer, and have so many fond memories. I'm so glad we made it to Taranaki. I need to come back to climb that mountain!
Thank you John! Very glad you managed to come to NZ during summer and that we got to meet in person. There are so many hidden gems in NZ you’ll just have to come back ☀️🏔️🇳🇿
What a lovely, lovely letter. It is very early morning here in Wisconsin, deep in a bitter winter with barely a dusting of snow to remind us of the date. The years of generous snowfall seem to fade further and further from my memory. In this cold, your summer warms me. How beautiful are your words, how stunning are your pictures ( the black birds against a blue sky! oh!) and how perfect are the pictures you have created in my mind. Keep writing, Kate. More than that, continue in this joy. It suits you and is a gift to those who you share your world with. Love, Jacqueline
Thank you so very much Jacqueline, your kind words mean so much. These summers and winters are changing times aren’t they, the winters getting cold but snowless, and the summers getting hotter. Sending you a ray of sunshine during your winter days ☀️
Loved this!! An epic summer, and beautifully rendered. Hahei is crazy, look at that island rock thing! Funny, I was wondering what lay just beyond the handwritten Kiwi summer and you've found it: wordless paua shells nailed to a tree. The sound of a sandwich on a mountaintop. Perfect. Best of luck in the school year to come!
Thanks so much Dan! Yes it really is a crazy rock. The kiwi summer just has hidden gem after hidden gem, that’s the exciting beauty — finding all these funny little things 😊
It's been a good summer! It looks like you've visited a lot of the same places as me, I've been going around the country for the past 5 weeks as well 😊 we're pretty lucky to be where we are!
And I love Taranaki, climbed it a few times as well, but it's certainly a tough one!!
Wow it sounds absolutely perfect! Such lovely photos. Love the idea of lingering girlhood.
Just what summers are made for!
Thanks so much Hayley! Very kind 😊
Lovely, especially the photos. G’day from across the ditch.
Thanks! G’day 😊
Beautiful Kate 💛🌿
Thanks so much Jane!
What a great description of your summer. You really packed in a lot!!
Thanks Dad I really did, I very much enjoyed all our adventures 😊
Love this Kate, and apart from all the wonder and wonderful places, I remember that feeling of forgeting (2 T's?) you were a teacher. That right there screams 'great' holiday. Being a retired teacher myself, I know this. Yes the windows open, and the bare feet as you descend the ramp into another year............not an easy job, but if you are in an institution that values who a teacher is as a human the most important and influential thing about being a teacher, then your students are in for an excellent year from their gem of a teacher, who we are impacts students more than is given credit for..........you have been alive and learning, and that's what teaching is all about..........and you can hold your breathe and tread the mill until you can top yourself up and do it all again.
Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comment! Ka pai for your years of service as a teacher. And it’s great you say that being a genuine human being makes so much difference — it does, and our school said the same thing just the other day when we started back — you must be on the right track! 😊
Thanks Kate. Funny, I was on the right track. I was a ridiculously loved teacher. Not because I tried to be or needed to be loved. Kids detect fakes, and I was no fake. Kids needed to feel able to be themselves and valued, comfortable, heard and happy...before learning even starts. I was on the right track, and knew it. That stuff is not often valued by management and leadership who struggle to get it. I was a music specialist teacher at an intermediate. It's neat that you have a culture that values that. Akonga need real people to be on the learning journey with. Your thirst for life and adventure will have you also loved dearly........just for being you. Some people get jealous of good relationships that just happen naturally as you are yourself. I loved being a teacher, and what I facilitated in my room. BUt I have paid my dues over and over and 67, nearly 68......this is my time. Teaching is a demanding job, but so very very rewarding making the difference in students lives. :-)
You sound like an incredible teacher, thank you for all you have done for ākonga! Thanks for sharing your story 😊☀️
Wow, that is quite a summer Kate! Mine has been spent in Auckland, working and a little chilling, a few swims at Point Chev, up the road, and a hike or two in the Waitākeres. You're giving me a serious case of FOMO 😀
Thanks Vicki! Glad to hear you’ve still been getting out and about over the summer months — swimming and hiking are always so good for the soul 🏔️🌱
Thank you for this very beautiful glimpse of Kiwi Summer, Kate. Much appreciated!
Thank you very much Cherie!
Ah, this was lovely, Kate. The words and the pictures. Yes, like you, I forgot a few things during my midwinter Kiwi summer, and have so many fond memories. I'm so glad we made it to Taranaki. I need to come back to climb that mountain!
Thank you John! Very glad you managed to come to NZ during summer and that we got to meet in person. There are so many hidden gems in NZ you’ll just have to come back ☀️🏔️🇳🇿
We shall! Also, thank you for that little book! Came in handy when reading about togs and jandals.
How very sublime, Kate! I’m wondering how one procures a hand-drawn nap for my next venture outdoors?
Thank you! Hand drawn maps seem to be serendipitous things — cropping up when least expected 🗺️
Dear Kate,
What a lovely, lovely letter. It is very early morning here in Wisconsin, deep in a bitter winter with barely a dusting of snow to remind us of the date. The years of generous snowfall seem to fade further and further from my memory. In this cold, your summer warms me. How beautiful are your words, how stunning are your pictures ( the black birds against a blue sky! oh!) and how perfect are the pictures you have created in my mind. Keep writing, Kate. More than that, continue in this joy. It suits you and is a gift to those who you share your world with. Love, Jacqueline
Thank you so very much Jacqueline, your kind words mean so much. These summers and winters are changing times aren’t they, the winters getting cold but snowless, and the summers getting hotter. Sending you a ray of sunshine during your winter days ☀️
Loved this!! An epic summer, and beautifully rendered. Hahei is crazy, look at that island rock thing! Funny, I was wondering what lay just beyond the handwritten Kiwi summer and you've found it: wordless paua shells nailed to a tree. The sound of a sandwich on a mountaintop. Perfect. Best of luck in the school year to come!
Thanks so much Dan! Yes it really is a crazy rock. The kiwi summer just has hidden gem after hidden gem, that’s the exciting beauty — finding all these funny little things 😊
It's been a good summer! It looks like you've visited a lot of the same places as me, I've been going around the country for the past 5 weeks as well 😊 we're pretty lucky to be where we are!
And I love Taranaki, climbed it a few times as well, but it's certainly a tough one!!