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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
Education Matters Online
Feature
Volume 1, Issue 1: April 7, 2003
"Gidday" from New Zealandby Christine Whitlock, Huron Park SS |
 Biking in New Zealand |
 Biking with the cows |
 Kayaking |
 Chris at Raglan Beach |
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 Relaxing |
 Mount Cook |
 Mount Cook |
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Last year after 26 years of teaching, I made a decision to take a leave of absence (LOA) and journey to New Zealand to go hiking (called "tramping" in Kiwi), bicycling and kayaking. It was not an easy decision as I, like most people, was locked into thinking that I must keep working until I retire. Hindsight tells me that choosing a LOA was the best thing I could have done for me and for my career. Last year's experience was so enriching and invigorating that I chose to return to NZ this semester to re-visit friends and discover more of this incredible country downunder.
My home base has been in a beautiful city of one hundred and twenty thousand called Hamilton located one and one half hours south of Auckland. I have access to a car and have mastered the "keep left" rule, round-abouts (NZ's answer to the 4 way stop) and parallel parking.
Hamilton is situated very centrally and I have been able to take day trips to both coasts. Most weekends have been spent touring the North Island with friends. My most memorable drive has been to Lake Waikaremoana, a ninety kilometre ride on a gravel road that twisted and turned and went up and down more than most roller coasters.
As you can see by my photos, I have been doing some tramping, bicycling and kayaking. My next challenge will be surfing lessons. In April, I will be spending two weeks touring the South Island which has very similar scenery to Canada; however it is packaged in a much smaller space. I have included a picture of Mount Cook from last year's travels.
Before returning to Canada, I will be spending eight days in Rarotonga, a South Pacific paradise in the Cook Islands where I hope to get in lots of snorkelling and bicycling.
I have felt truly blessed to have been in a profession that has allowed me the opportunity to take a LOA. If you have ever considered a LOA, my suggestion to you would be, "Don't just watch the river of life go by; pick up a paddle and let the river take you to places unknown."
When I tell my story to Kiwis they are quick to say ..... "Good on you, Chrissy!"
Chris Whitlock is a Guidance Counsellor at Huron Park Secondary School. Click here for information from the TBU collective agreement about various kinds of leaves teachers can apply for.
