Farm life beckons Taupo teacher | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Farm life beckons Taupo teacher
Tauhara College deputy principal Allan Webb.PICTURE: ANDREW WARNER (21104aw2)
By CHRIS BRAMWELL in Taupo
After 18 years as Tauhara College deputy principal Allan Webb is leaving to take up a position at Manawatu College in Foxton at the end of the year.
"I do feel a bit sad about leaving, but this move is really the first step towards retirement for me," he said.
His new position is a mix of teaching and administration which will allow him more flexibility and time to get on with his new interest - farming.
Mr Webb and his wife Yvonne have purchased a 9.3ha block near Foxton and are raising sheep and beef.
Having never farmed before Mr Webb said it is a pretty steep learning curve, but one that he is enjoying.
To help with his transition to life on the farm, the college presented Mr Webb with a chainsaw as a parting gift at the school's prizegiving earlier this month.
Mr Webb said there had been several key changes over his time at the college.
"The school has grown considerably both in size and character, we have become stronger in all areas of the curriculum particularly in the performing arts.
"The change in technology over that time has been staggering as well.
"We used to have one Apple 2E in the office, now we have three computer clusters, two computer rooms and other computers dotted all over the school," he said.
Mr Webb has always had an interest in Information Technology, spearheading several innovations within the college and the region.
With his input and assistance the Volcanics ICT Cluster was set up last year.
The cluster has seen a network of key teachers established in the region's secondary schools to assist the set-up of appropriate computer technology in each subject, ensuring improved teaching and learning occurs in each school.
Mr Webb led Tauhara College in helping eight other secondary schools form a consortium of schools, so that the combined group could utilise their collective strength to gain accreditation in curriculum areas beyond the capacity of individual schools.
Tauhara College Principal Peter Grant said Mr Webb will be hugely missed next year.
After 18 years as Tauhara College deputy principal Allan Webb is leaving to take up a position at Manawatu College in Foxton at the end of the year.
"I do feel a bit sad about leaving, but this move is really the first step towards retirement for me," he said.
His new position is a mix of teaching and administration which will allow him more flexibility and time to get on with his new interest - farming.
Mr Webb and his wife Yvonne have purchased a 9.3ha block near Foxton and are raising sheep and beef.
Having never farmed before Mr Webb said it is a pretty steep learning curve, but one that he is enjoying.
To help with his transition to life on the farm, the college presented Mr Webb with a chainsaw as a parting gift at the school's prizegiving earlier this month.
Mr Webb said there had been several key changes over his time at the college.
"The school has grown considerably both in size and character, we have become stronger in all areas of the curriculum particularly in the performing arts.
"The change in technology over that time has been staggering as well.
"We used to have one Apple 2E in the office, now we have three computer clusters, two computer rooms and other computers dotted all over the school," he said.
Mr Webb has always had an interest in Information Technology, spearheading several innovations within the college and the region.
With his input and assistance the Volcanics ICT Cluster was set up last year.
The cluster has seen a network of key teachers established in the region's secondary schools to assist the set-up of appropriate computer technology in each subject, ensuring improved teaching and learning occurs in each school.
Mr Webb led Tauhara College in helping eight other secondary schools form a consortium of schools, so that the combined group could utilise their collective strength to gain accreditation in curriculum areas beyond the capacity of individual schools.
Tauhara College Principal Peter Grant said Mr Webb will be hugely missed next year.
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