We have a number of staff who are retiring or moving onto other opportunities. We would like to wish them all the best and thank them for their contributions to the college during their time with us.  Here is a small farewell note from them.

Miss Claire Griffiths - After teaching Textiles at the College for the past 5 years I have decided to move onto my next adventure. Ryan and I purchased Sloans Party Hire in 2022 and we have rebranded and relocated it to our own property at Ongaonga. When I leave College, I am going to be spending my time working full-time for Event Hire CHB as well as taking on some relief work as and when I can. 

Ms Delwyn Eason - I have been teaching Science and Biology for 27 years, starting my teaching career at CHBC with a four year stint in 1995. I returned to CHBC to take up the Assistant Head of Faculty position in 2010, after teaching in other HB schools as well as Nischimachi International School in Tokyo. I particularly enjoy working with teenagers, being their classroom teacher, providing them with opportunities for new experiences and to develop skills.  I also enjoy meeting former students' years on and hearing their stories about where they have been and what they have done.  2023 brought a change in plan so I took the year off fulltime teaching, doing some relief work and train for the Lake Taupo Enduro Cycle Challenge. 

Mr Chris Habberton - I started teaching Digital Technology at Central Hawke's Bay College in 2019 and I have enjoyed contributing to the school community over the past 5 years. I would like to thank the Board of Trusties, staff and students for all the opportunities presented to me. Next year, my family and I will be moving into our newly purchased home in Hastings and with that my sons and I will be starting our new adventure at Saint John's College. I wish the College all the best for its future as it continues to serve this lovely community. 

Mrs Ruth Van Leeuwen  - After 20 years away, I will be returning to the city I grew up in, taking up a one-year contract with the Mathematics department at Wellington High School.

Mrs Mandy Kelly - After 17 years working at Mangaorapa School, I started at CHB College in 2015, working three days a week while still doing one day a week for two terms at Mangaorapa School, which was in the process of merging with Porangahau School.  In 2019, I became full-time after our third office member left the college. 

I have enjoyed my time here – very rarely is there a dull moment, and there are often some interesting ones.  I have found all the staff to be very friendly, helpful and accommodating, and a great source of amusement at times.  It has also been rewarding to watch the growth of timid Year 9’s into confident Year 13’s – five times over to date. 

I have now reached the quarter century milestone, so feel it’s time for a bit of rest and recreation – namely traveling the country in our caravan, while my husband and I are still fit enough to be able to enjoy it. 

I wish the school and staff all the best for the future in these challenging times.

Ms Tess Tobin - It is time for me to move my career onto Napier Girls High School as the Head of Music and Performing Arts. The decision to do this did not come easily and it purely came down to a personal one. I have been here at CHBC for the past 5 years as TIC of Drama and thoroughly enjoyed working with our amazing staff and students. What our school and students have achieved, supersedes any expectations I arrived with. The stamina they have shown in the extremely diverse and challenging past 5 years has been nothing less than remarkable. Our community is a resilient one and I intend to stay local for now.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all I those have been privileged to work with and know that our paths will continue to cross.

Nga mea pai katoa mo te heke mai.

Article added: Tuesday 05 December 2023