"I am just one of two hundred and ninety-seven new faces here today," she said to the hushed auditorium. "I welcome you all to your new school, our new school and to the eight hundred and eleven students who are returning to school this year, I thank you for this wonderful welcome, the school choir, the musical items ... everything. I am proud to be here and hope that we all have a successful journey throughout our stay at Joseph Ward Junior High. Shortly you senior school students will go to your allocated rooms and the Year 8s to your last year's home room. Year 7s will remain here and be introduced to your new home teacher and told where your new rooms are." She smiled. "Don't worry if you get lost. I've been here two weeks now and still end up in the wrong syndicate building from where I intended to go. It's lucky they have their name on the outside...."
A chuckle went through the audience. She spoke a little longer before she sat down and watched as the syndicate leaders began directing students to the various syndicates. It was quite a moving occasion but she found herself thinking about Brandi Shellard who could be doing something similar a thousand kilometres to the south at Tuckett Area School. It was so far away yet in other ways, so similar. She had had an email from her as well as Sonya saying that the builders had arrived and the new secondary block down there was on its way.
As the students dispersed she glanced up and saw Ryan standing by a side door. He had Alexis in his arms.
"What are you doing here?" she asked after she walked across to the pair.
"Alexis wanted to see Mummy's new school and all the big kids," Ryan replied. "Makayla at the creche said it was okay for her to leave for such an important event."
"Hello girls," said Karla to a group of lingering girls who looked to be about fourteen. "This is my husband Ryan and my little daughter, Alexis."
"Hi Alexis," one of the girls who reminded her of Coira from Ryan's school bus, said. "Welcome to Joseph Ward Junior High. Your mummy is a very important lady here."
The End
See Ross Richdale's catalogue for more of his novels including Wisps of Clouds, the novel about Karla's earlier teaching career.
http://www.rossrichdale.com
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Did you love Wisps of Snow? Then you should read Wisps of Cloud by Ross Richdale!
Karla Spicer finds her position as Senior Teacher at Tui Park Primary School in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is hindered by the Associate Principal Val Cook, who resents her progressive ideas. Principal Murray Norwood, is an easy-going man drifting towards retirement who avoids controversy whenever possible. However, through a conscientious attitude and by supporting junior staff and parents Karla becomes a popular staff member.
She becomes romantically involved with Ryan Purdon, the school's property manager. He tells her about problems back at Top Plateau, a tiny school near his family farm where he grew up. After being approached by the Ministry of Education, Karla agrees to take the acting principal's position there and Ryan goes with her to stay in his farmhouse.
Life in a remote area is different than expected with problems at the school and also on Ryan's family farm where he has problems with his sister, step-father and mother who are all trying to sell the property divided between them by his late father's estate.
Tensions arise in the district with a marijuana plantation discovered near the farm and a local bikie gang being suspected as the growers. However, nothing is as it first seems, potential enemies become friends and the trusted, untrustworthy.
Back in Tui Park, teacher Chrissy Ancell is attacked and turns to Karla for help. As Chrissy's attacker is a respected person, their efforts to get justice seem to be thwarted.
It appears that the problems are intertwined with Karla being the kingpin and more than just a teacher striving to do the best for the children under her care.
This is a modern story with romance, crime and human personalities mixed together to create Ross's exciting novel.
N.B. The tui (pronounced two-ee) is a native New Zealand bird found in the local bush that covers many of the steep hills around Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand.
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
Also by Ross Richdale
Emerald Eyes Trilogy
Emerald Eyes Destiny
Emerald Eyes Mist
Emerald Eyes Pyramid
Our Ancient Ancestors
When the Longships Came
The Druid's Daughter
Meztli - Sacrificial Maiden
Kyla's Fate
Our Romantic Thrillers
Blemished Jewel
Jana Adrift
Broken Silence
Eagle's Claw Lake
Snow Bond
Blossoms in the Wind
Terra Novels
The Truth About Terra
Terra Incognita
Wisps Trilogy
Wisps of Cloud
Wisps of Snow
Wisps of Wisdom
Standalone
Solar Search
Acid Air
Embrace the Fog
Cosmos Quest
Azure Sea Gold
Alien Hybrid
Crystal Souls
Countess In Exile
Anu Factor
Into the Wormhole
Time Portal
Like Twigs in a Storm
Omega Seed
Catalyst
Long Valley Road
Armlet
Claire
Liberty & Opportunity
Transmigration
Shadows Behind
Wind Across the Playground
Arising Magic
Generation 7
The Other Mrs Hayes
Stretched Horizons
Behind the Fire
Watch for more at Ross Richdale’s site.
About the Author
After a career as a teacher and principal of mainly small rural schools, Ross Richdale lives in the small university city of Palmerston North in the North Island of New Zealand where he writes contemporary novels and science fiction. He is married with three adult children and six grandchildren.
His interest in current events and international incidents serve as a backdrop for many of his novels. Ordinary people rather than the super rich super powerful or violent, are the main characters in his stories. His plots also reflect his interest in the rural lifestyle as well as the cross section of personalities encountered during his years as a teacher.
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
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