Farewell to Deputy Rector

31/3/2010

Otago Boys’ will lose a long-serving friend tomorrow as the first term draws to an end.

Deputy Rector John Middlemiss retires after almost 15 years in the role and his absence will be keenly felt.

John Middlemiss

John grew up in Invercargill living at Otatara and attending Southland Boys’ High School before gaining a Mathematics degree and attending Dunedin Teachers' College for his Division C year.

He taught mainly in Christchurch with a stint in Wellington before being appointed Deputy Rector at Timaru Boys’ High School in 1990. After five years there he was appointed Deputy Rector at Otago Boys’ in 1995, following the resignation of Des Smith, and joined the staff after Queen’s Birthday weekend that year.

Senior management note John’s reputation for ‘putting in the hours’ and always acting in the best interests of the school. They also applaud his achievement in ‘getting rid of our pencils and rubbers and introducing a very good computer system for timetables and administration’. Apparently this was not an easy task with many of ‘the oldies’ clinging to what they knew and being reluctant to progress.

John has served for just a few weeks short of 15 years and during this time staff have described him as the “glue” which holds Otago Boys' together. During some difficult times at the school he was certainly “the rock”, giving strong support to many of his colleagues.

The school management and staff wish John and Wendy a very long and happy retirement together travelling in their mobile home and during their upcoming foray to the home of Wendy’s ancestors, the Orkney Islands, alongside their visit to the United Kingdom where John was born.