"I wonder if Don Trow saw it," she whispered. "He won't like me being called the principal."
"Who cares," Ryan replied. "I'd say we have many more friends than enemies at the school now."
"I hope so. The rumour that Sonya circulated that the Minister of Education herself, called Don at your board meeting and told him to cooperate or have the school's high school section closed seemed to have squashed the other rumours that started up."
"She made it all up but the idea is not far from the truth. That Minister of Education bit was pretty good, I thought." Karla laughed. "But come on, our meal's served and is getting cold. I think I heard Alexis calling out, too. The little monkey hates going to bed"
She grabbed his hand and led him back to the kitchen.
KARLA WAS IN HER OFFICE the following morning well before any children and most of the teachers arrived. She had dropped Alexis off at Little Hands and had chatted to the supervisor Janet Schnell for a few moments before coming across to school. She had just brought her computer on line and was about to begin writing a report for John Cosgrove when her mobile phone rang.
Expecting it to be Ryan for no locals knew her number she answered it with a cherry, "Hi."
"Mrs Karla Spicer, Senior Principal at Tuckett Area School?" asked an upmarket woman's voice that made her think of some of the parents back in Wellington.
"Sorry, I was expecting a call from my husband on this phone but yes, I am Karla Spicer."
"It is I who should apologise for using a private line but I didn't want to go though the school switchboard. My name is Beth Boyle and I live on Boyle Station on Upper Ridge Road." Karla knew that a station was a large farm that usually ran sheep or cattle "You may have heard of us."
"Sorry but I haven't but there are so many names and places that have been mentioned to me I could have missed it."
"It doesn't matter Karla, can I call you that?"
"Please do," Karla replied cautiously.
"I would like to meet you when it is convenient but away from the school and suggest a small coffee bar near the old primary school called Coffee Explore."
"And the reason for wanting to meet me?" Karla replied.
"I am the chairperson of The Tuckett Home Schooling Group."
Karla frowned. She had heard about them. The government allowed home schooling but those involved were still subject to visits by the Education Review Office to see that the children were being adequately taught. In fact though, unless there were complaints made by the public the home schoolers were just left alone.
The woman continued talking. "Several families in the Tuckett outlying district withdrew their children from the school a couple of years ago and now home school them," she said.
"I have heard of your group but how does it affect me?"
Beth Boyle coughed. "The snippet on last night's news motivated me in making this call though we had been thinking about contacting you since we heard of your arrival."
"Your husband and yourself?"
"Yes as well as four families home schooling up here from our station and Blue Ridge Station opposite us."
Karla frowned for she felt this woman could be dominating if allowed to be. She had plenty of time available that day but was not about to be manipulated. "I'm afraid I have no time to meet you today, Beth but could squeeze you in tomorrow afternoon, if you wish," she said, purposely used the woman's first name. "Can you make it at... now let me see... one thirty at that coffee bar you spoke of?"
"That'll be fine. I'll see you then." The voice sounded more natural.
Karla clicked off and wandered out to find that Roxanne had arrived at the main office. "What can you tell me about Beth Boyle and The Tuckett Home School Association?" she asked.
Roxanne glanced at her. "I wondered when she'd come out of the woodwork. Saw her at the skating rink yesterday. She was obviously sizing you up." She grinned. "What do you want to know?"
Karla sat down in one of the swivel chairs beside Roxanne. "Anything you think may be important. She wants to meet me but not at school."
"That figures. A couple of years back Ronald, that's her husband, almost came to blows with Don. He withdrew his four children from the school and four other families followed. They formed an informal group to cooperate at home schooling their kids. I've heard..."
Karla grinned. Roxanne knew just about everything that happened within fifty kilometres of Tuckett. "Go on," she encouraged.
"They have a small schoolroom set up on Boyle Station in a converted shearers quarters. All the children come there and Beth and several other women take turns in being amateur teachers. They use the Internet and are connected to other groups throughout the country as well as some overseas groups, I heard."
"Is there anything else?'
Roxanne shrugged. "Last year they applied for a licence to operate a private school but it was turned down flat."
"Why?"
"No registered teacher, a lack of clear goals, no adequate building... need I go on?"
"No. I get the picture but can you guess why she wants to meet me?"
"She's found out about you and that you come from being a principal of a school in an upmarket suburb in Wellington so socially you might be good for her children."
"Socially not academically?"
Roxanne grinned. "Oh I quite like Beth but she's a snob. The Boyle Station has been in one family for five generations now. It's as close to a Scottish clan that you'll get in New Zealand. It seems that Ronald's great grandfather emigrated to New Zealand in the 1860s after he had a row with his elder brother who became an earl when their father died... something to do with some old castle that the old guy though that, as being the second son he should have inherited. It seems that the older brother, that's the new earl, agreed to give him a generous settlement if he left Scotland. He did, bought this huge station for a song and they've been here ever since."
"And what is Ronald like?"
"A quiet guy. It's Beth who's the snob."
"And their children?
"Nice children who are quiet like their father. Now let me see, they'd be about Year 6 or 7 now. The oldest would be high school age. She attends Queen Anne's, a private girls' school in Dunedin." Roxanne screwed her nose up. "Can't see Beth bringing her back here, though."
"So there are three still home schooled."
Roxanne nodded.
"And the other families home schooling up there?"
Roxanne rubbed her chin and gazed at the ceiling. "There are the O'Donnell's from Blue Ridge, the Bonner kids and the Lyons. Could be some workers' children too. There would be about a dozen, enough for their own school if the government had approved it."
"Interesting," Karla said. "Just keep all this confidential for now, please."
"Of course."
Roxanne was a bit of a gossip but Karla had found that she was completely trustworthy when it came to seeing that confidential information remained so. She had never told anyone about Don's outburst at the board meeting and his sudden change of heart.
BETH BOYLE WAS ABOUT her own age and wore modern winter clothes that were not too flamboyant, hardly any makeup and had her hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Karla," she said as she extended her hand and introduced herself. She sat down in the chair across the coffee bar table. "Sorry I was late. Had to drive through a mob of sheep."
They chatted for a while about the weather and other things strangers have to start a conversation before Beth said. "That ice skating was a wonderful public relations exercise, wasn't it?"
"I guess but it was planned for the children. I heard that you were there."
Beth nodded but didn't seem a slightest bit embarrassed or put out. "My last chance to be incognito before I approached you. Your reputation for getting things done has swept through the whole district and a little research showed me why you were offered the position."
Karla nodded but just sipped the coffee that a waitress had brought.
"Are you going get Don Trow to retire?"
Karla stared at her. "You know I can't discuss anything about my professional duties here or what I plan to do?"
"Of course not. I apologise."
"I researched the situation that led to your group's establishment and also your failed attempt to register as a private school. I cannot help you there, I'm afraid."
Beth laughed. "One can but try. No, I am here about my children and have also been asked to speak on behalf of the other families in our group. We've tried home schooling with moderate success but with winter-feeding and so forth it is a tremendous tie on our time. Our children are missing out socially, too. That fantastic display yesterday brought it all to the fore."
Karla nodded and thought of Roxanne's comment about Beth being more interested in social life than academic achievements. "You want to bring your children back here but not under the present management?'
"Yes. If I can have a guarantee that your improvements will become permanent, I will recommend to my group that our children all return to Tuckett Area School. We are even prepared to provide a small bus, as I know we are beyond your routes. The original bus was withdrawn after we removed our children."
"I can give no guarantees." Karla grimaced. "I can tell you, though that I am here to help the students. They are my top priority followed by the morale of the staff and finally the school management, both from the academic and administrative point of view. So far, I am encouraged by everything I have seen. I can make changes and recommendations but after a my year's secondment here I'll be returning to Tui Park School in Wellington."
"A year? I heard you were only staying until the end of this year. So you'll be back for a term of next year, too?"
"If it is necessary."
"And in that time you'll be able to achieve quite a lot?"
"Hopefully but I am no miracle worker."
"But if Sharleen were to return, you would see that she is not be teased or picked on by the other students?"
"Is Sharleen your daughter?"
"My eldest."
"Who attends Queen Anne's Girls' School in Dunedin?"
Beth smiled. "So you've been doing your homework, too?"
"Not quite. I heard that you'd never take her out of there."
"I glad the village gossip machine hasn't caught up with it yet. Actually Sharleen is quite miserable there. Poor girl is quite homesick. She's in Year 10 and we thought that after the first year things would improve but they didn't." She shrugged. "Bullying, you know."
"Well, I'll do my best to make her happy but..."
"Yes, I know, there are no guarantees."
"Exactly but I would welcome Sharleen and all your children if you wish to enrol them here. As well, of course any other children from your group who wish to attend our school only need to phone the office to enrol them. As for that mini-bus offer, I'm sure that a government subsidy will be available. I'll check it out if you wish."
Karla found she quite impressed with Beth. Sure, she was upmarket but no-way near as snobby as half the parents back at Tui Park nor as bad as Roxanne portrayed.
"Thank you," Beth replied. "I'll get back to you."
A WEEK LATER ALL THE Boyle children plus four others from the two stations arrived at the Tuckett Area School with Sharleen dressed in a crisp new uniform. The other children were all in the junior part of the school. Sharleen was a small girl for her age who knew most of her classmates and immediately settled in well. The only problems as far as Karla could tell were a couple of subjects that Sharleen took at Queen Anne's that weren't available here. However, Clive Mortland said he would enrolled her at the Correspondence School for these subjects and pointed out that there were already several students in the senior school who were taking subjects in this manner.
CHAPTER 6
Karla recognised the voice on the phone as soon as the man spoke.
"John Cosgrove from the Ministry of Education speaking. Hear you're really stirring things up down there."
Karla grinned. "Hi there, John. What have you got cooked up for me now?"
"Oh come now, can't one just call up for a chat."
"One can but you don't, do you?"
"Well since you brought it up, there is one little job you could do for us since you are already in the area."
"I knew it. No, I am not going to leave Tuckett and move to some non-functioning intermediate school in Dunedin or Christchurch. I'll finish my contact here and return home to Tui Park in Wellington."
John laughed. "No, it's really just a bit of an add on. How does the handle of Executive Principal sound?"
"Ominous but what is different?"
"You continue at Tuckett Area School but if the need arises you could be called in to help at other Otago rural schools who seek help or are referred onto us by The Education Review Office who consider intervention is necessary."
"And another fifty thousand salary?"
"I'm afraid not but all expenses such as travel or accommodation plus a daily bonus when you're at these schools will be paid."
"I see, and there just happens to be a school not too far from Tuckett that needs this intervention?"
"Actually there is and it's only an hour or so up the road from you. No need to even be away over night. Your time at Top Plateau School makes you just the person who can help."
Top Plateau was the country school where Karla was principal before she won the position at Tui Park. "Go on..." she said.
"Heard of Honeyburn?"
"No."
"It's a sole-charge school tucked away in the hills off the highway between you and Alexandra."
"Lazy principal?"
"No, quite the opposite, I would say. More a conservative board who haven't moved into the twenty-first century yet and personality clashes."
"A bit like the board here?"
"Probably. If you're interested, I'll email your appointment to you."
Karla sighed. She didn't really want more problems. "I'm not keen," she said. "However, give me the details and I'll consider it."
"Thanks Karla. You'll probably get a call from Mia Cowan, that's Honeyburn School's principal. I told her you might help her."
"That's presumptuous of you," Karla muttered. "Okay, I'll hear her out but promise you nothing."
"Fair enough. Give me a call when you decide."
"I shall," Karla replied. She clicked off and grimaced. Was it worthwhile getting involved in more problems?
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY after another stiff frost it was a clear and sunny early afternoon and Karla was enjoying time with Alexis on their tiny front lawn when a car pulled up to the kerb and a woman in her twenties climbed out. She wore a woollen jersey and slacks, was slim and had brunette hair pulled back in a ponytail. It was her manner that made Karla interested for the woman walked up to the gate, hesitated and turned away.
"Lovely winter's day," Karla smiled slightly as she lifted Alexis and stepped towards the front fence.
The woman stopped and turned. "Yes it is." She again looked hesitant and almost embarrassed.
"Can I help you with directions or something?" Karla asked.
"A friend told me that the Tuckett Area School Executive Principal lived here. Can you direct me to her place, please?"
"I'm Karla Spicer and the person you're looking for. How can I help you?"
The woman flushed. "Sorry, I was expecting someone middle-aged not a young mother..."
"This is Alexis, my daughter. And you are?"
"Oh I'm sorry. John Cosgrove from the Ministry of Education recommended that I contact you and I decided to drive here rather than just call on the phone."
Karla smiled. "You're Mia Cowan from Honeyburn School?"
The woman relaxed a little. "I am."
"Come on in Mia. Ryan, that's my husband is out at the moment watching a rugby game down at the local field. I was just about going to put the kettle on and have a coffee so why not join me?"
She escorted the
other teacher indoors and found her initial impression was that of a somewhat proud but uncertain person who had swallowed her pride in coming to her.
Mia chattered with Alexis for a few moments and impressed Karla with her approach of not being gushy but relaxed with the little girl as she asked after her teddy bear. Alexis was shy at first but soon chatted back. After more small talk with the pair of them Mia hesitated again.
"It's okay," Karla said. "You're here and I think that was a big step on your behalf."
"As I said, I expected middle-aged woman but there you were playing with your dear little girl." She sighed. "John did say you'd be different from an old high school ma'am."
Karla laughed. "Sounds like John. Look, have another muffin, Alexis still has a bit of an afternoon nap. I'll put her down and we can chat. How does that sound?" She noticed tears in Mia's eyes.
"The kids at Honeyburn are lovely hard working country types. It's the adults who are the problem.
"That is often the case but start at the beginning and tell me as much as you wish. There's no hurry. We have all afternoon."
"Thanks Karla." Mia blew her nose wiped her eyes and began her account of life at Honeyburn School.
MIA ZIPPED UP HER COAT and pulled on gloves before she stepped out of the schoolhouse and studied the veranda thermometer. The air temperature was five below zero, Celsius so there would be a twelve-degree frost. She turned off the house lights and crunched across the frosty grass with her torch cutting a beam of light through the morning darkness. Though still only a little past seven she liked to get to school early to light the potbellied wood-burner and have the classroom warm by the time the children arrived from eight fifteen on.
At school, she switched on the lights and heater in the tiny staffroom and turned on the water boiler above the kitchen-type sink that boiled hot water for the coffee she would have after lighting the classroom heater. After the fire was lit she returned to the staffroom, took out the toaster and bread she had there and prepared breakfast. It was easier to have it here than at home. Half an hour later the classroom was reasonably warm as she began preparing charts, mark books and change the daily timetable on the whiteboard ready for the fifteen children, aged from five to twelve, to follow. It helped to be organised and have everything ready for the children's day.
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