Last updated13:56, March 28 2017

JIM CHIPP

Wellington High School Adult Community Education director Colin Wharton.

Colin Wharton, Director of the Community Education Centre at Wellington High School, will retire this week after eight years at the helm.

He was previously Director of the Newlands Community Learning Centre and has spent 40 years working ineducation inNew Zealand.

What are you passionate about?

Working with communities of learners who have real need brings great satisfaction. Whether working with children or adults, to see a student arrive with a need [and] then to see that need met and the student leave

better than they arrived, that really sparks my passion!

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What isthe biggest changeyou have seen over your time at the CEC?

The biggest change in Community Education during my time has been the establishment of digital online enrolment and administration systems. This has transformed how community education is managed and run.

What is your best memory from your time at the CEC?

Meeting and working with people where a practical difference can be made and seen. It is exciting to see the language needs of immigrants, refugees and migrants being met and their language and social skills improve.

What do you see as the biggains New Zealand has made in education since you started, what areas need improvement?

The biggest gains New Zealand has made in providing quality education is in the move away from book-based and formal learning to online education and internet based learning. Every classroom at Wellington High now has a data-show projector. Wireless connections are

accessed across the school. Students arrive in year nine with their digital device and this device is central to their learning. Use of digital devices is now stretching right throughout our adult programme in the evenings and weekend as tutors source content and plan

activities using digital media for our community education students. Going forward, the biggest challenge to Community Education I see will be providing the necessary language and social skills for migrants as they are welcomed into New Zealand.

I believe there is a serious disconnect between the desire of government to provide workers for expanding employment opportunities, and the social and practical help those same people need to successfully settle into their new country and culture.

What is on the cards for 2017-2018?

Our next move is to Feilding and back to the rural [life]. There is a house to build, a garden to develop, some native bush needing attention and a few in-lamb ewes to care for.Ahhhhh retirement!

What was the last book you read?

The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins. I love a novel with plenty of action and intrigue.

What are you listening to?

Selah. Selah is an Australian gospel folk group. I love harmony and so love their music! The word 'Selah' is a biblical one meaning 'pause and reflect'. There will no doubt be plenty of time for that in retirement!

What does a perfect day in Wellington look like?

Working in the garden or relaxing with music, an exciting book and a cup of frothy cappuccino. That will make the day a good one for me!

What is something people don't know about where you grew up?

I grew up in Stratford, milked a house cow, spent some years with shearing gangs and much time walking a lambing beat. For 30 years I have greatly enjoyed beekeeping. These days I really enjoy developing gardens and working with wood. Give me a chainsaw and I'mhappy!

-Stuff

Go here to read the rest:

Look who's talking: Colin Wharton - The Press West Coast