Long-time teacher moving

After 23 years teaching five-year-olds at Karoro School, Liz Doocey will tomorrow say ‘goodbye’ as she heads to Christchurch for semi-retirement.
Born on the West Coast, Mrs Doocey returned when her first child was still young, taught at St Patrick’s Primary School for a couple of years and then took up the position of new entrant teacher and deputy principal at Karoro.
She and her husband John plan to move to the city at the end of the school term tomorrow, but she will not yet be hanging up her teacher’s hat, leaving the option open for relief teaching in Canterbury.
“I don’t think I could leave it completely,” Mrs Doocey said.
There were a lot of rewards teaching new entrants, such as the many learning steps children took.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, they are wonderful children.
“I will definitely miss the children.”
Principal Maureen Truman said Mrs Doocey would leave a big gap.
“She was deputy principal for the whole 23 years.
“The school will miss her experience, expertise and her wisdom.
“A feature of Liz’s teaching career is her strong focus on learning. She sets routines and high expectations from day one.”