In Remembrance
Sadly , in 2021 we farewelled two beloved staff members .
ANDY REEVES Andy Reeves may have been a short man but he was a colossus at Havelock North High School .
After teaching in England for 25 years , Andy , his wife Helen and his four young children moved to New Zealand in 2003 . He taught at Central Hawkes Bay for 6 years , before moving to HNHS , and then running the maths department at Sacred Heart in 2013 to half way through 2015 , before returning to HNHS .
Without striving for titles or extra remuneration , Andy was an important leader amongst our staff .
Andy was a fine teacher , who had clear principles about how to run a classroom ( he often described himself as “ a grumpy old fart ”), and how best to serve his students . He shared these ideas with the staff , once again for everyone ’ s betterment not for a promotion or the raising of his profile .
Andy did have one very important title , Head Choir Master and he conscientiously organised ‘ choir practices ’ at the Rose and Shamrock or Loading Ramp every Friday for many years . He did such a fine job that he was given the title in perpetuity . Andy also organised an annual curry night for the staff . He did not only do these things because he was hungry and thirsty , but because he understood that a happy close knit staff is a good one , and like so many other areas of school life , he took it upon himself to make something happen . Andy was ideally suited to being the person in charge of staff social life because he was such a likeable , approachable and funny man . Andy had a typically English sarcasm and a way of admonishing his friends whilst smiling with his beady eyes and really showing how much he enjoyed what that person was saying . Andy was well known for his ironic statements like “ we are all doing very well ” accompanied by his distinctive cackle . However Andy was a very thoughtful and empathetic person , who advised and mentored a great number of people at work and did his best to include people in the life of the staffroom .
One of Andy ’ s most important contributions was to school sports , A talented cricketer , footballer and squash player , he focussed on cricket at school - coaching the colts teams for six years . His finest achievement was to organise , fundraise for and lead a school cricket trip to England in 2018 . Yet again , he did all of this for no tangible personal gain , but out of his love ( in this case ) for students and cricket .
Andy and Helen ’ s children attended Havelock North School - Matilda , Liam , Jez and Guy , and they were a tribute to what a fine father he was , as they succeeded both academically and in sports , as well as growing up into well mannered , likeable young people .
Andy ’ s outstanding quality was his courage . He spoke out for things he believed in and was an important member of the PPTA , who appeared on 3 News during one strike and also spoke to a large rally on that day . This courage shone through as he battled the disease that killed him for far longer than expected , still enjoying time with his family , gardening , his dogs , watching sport , fishing and eating a hot curry . In short , Andy was a legend .
LINDA MATSON Sadly , Linda passed away after a short period of illness in June this year . During her 14 years of service at Havelock North High School Linda made many friends ; she was a popular member of staff who was always happy to have a chat and a catch up . She cared deeply for people and their families . Linda was a person people found easy to talk to and she enjoyed hearing and sharing stories with them .
Her smiling face and cheery greetings each morning as you came into the staffroom is missed very much .
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