Clyde Quay School principal Liz Patara is retiring after 26 years in the job.  She spoke to Jane O’Loughlin.

Liz Patara was desperate to get the job of principal at Clyde Quay School, when she applied 26 years ago.

The inner-city school was known for its diversity, and for being a bit activist.

She also loved its attitude to te ao Māori.

“It was probably one of the few schools I've been in where there weren't any institutional barriers in terms of te reo and tikanga, where every teacher, irrespective of their proficiency of the language or whatever, really embraced it and practiced it. They weren’t put off by it.”

But it was a big change.  She had been principal of a school in Huntly where children played on big grassy fields.  At Clyde Quay School, the playgrounds were all asphalt.

In terms of roll size, however, it was perfect – large enough for kids to find friends, but small enough that you can get to know all the students – and she did.  Whaea Liz, as she is affectionately known in the school, knows the name of every single student in the school, although she is modest about that fact.

“To me, it's important we can do it, and so we should, and no child can be invisible.”

She noticed when she arrived that many of the children liked to assert their ‘rights’ – often at the expense of others.  She set to work putting in place a set of values that meant “everyone understands about tolerance, respect, responsibility and accountability.”

The fact the school ‘lives and breathes’ its values has made it is an attractive place for both students and staff.

She has retained was the school’s strong commitment to Māori language, striving to create a place “where te reo and tikanga are very much part and parcel of the ethos of the school.”

She has also celebrated the wider diversity of the school community.  School newsletters opening with greetings in 33 languages are one sign of that respect, and have been a hallmark of Patara’s time at Clyde Quay school.

But overall, her goal has been to make sure all students can do well.

“I'm really, really clear about what the purpose of our staff here is at our school, and that is to provide the best education we can to our children, irrespective of their backgrounds, the socio-economic group, or their political, religious beliefs.”

One thing that fires up the mild-mannered principal is the lack of funding for neuro diverse children.  She is indignant on behalf of those families and also sees that providing extra assistance for those ‘exceptional’ children can mean that others miss out.

“So I get really cross, really angry at the government.”

She’s proud of the fact the school has achieved well academically and in the sporting arena, despite its relatively small size.

Now at 67 she is looking forward to travelling in her retirement but knows what she will miss about the school.

“I'll miss the kids, to see the kids every day. No day is boring in school, you know, and there's always something to see and to appreciate.  I will miss our tamariki, and also just the dynamics between the staff and the children. I think the way our staff treat our children is great.”

Her final day will be at the end of the term, in mid December.