Waitaki Boys’ High School deputy rector Roger van Booma is departing Oamaru for the warmer weather of Mooloolaba, Australia.
He has been at Waitaki Boys’ since 2015, when he was hired as assistant rector.
The decision to move to the Sunshine Coast was not taken lightly.
Mr van Booma wants to spend more time with his three children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren in Australia.
His wife has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
"The urge to be back with my own family is overpowering," he said.
He also hoped to spend time golfing and fishing before returning to work with young people, possibly teaching or helping children with challenges.
Eight years and eight months on, Mr van Booma still remembered his interview for the assistant rector position.
The fire alarm had gone off due to one of the boys setting toilet paper on fire.
The interview was delayed and the interviewing staff were embarrassed but he was not put off.
During his time at Waitaki Boys’, Mr van Booma became known as "VB".
He said it was "quite a privilege" to get a nickname as it showed the boys felt respected and comfortable around him.
"Gee, it’s a hard job so if you’re not up for a bit of banter, you’re in the wrong job."
Mr van Booma has been associated with many Waitaki Boys’ projects and community initiatives but did not view any of those as his accomplishments.
Being deputy rector was a lovely title but there was a lot at stake with other people’s feelings, he said.
He had received many leaving cards from parents and children and kept one in his back pocket.
It had a quote from Maya Angelou: "I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel".
"If I made a few kids feel like that, I’m a winner," he said.
There were many things Mr van Booma would remember from his time, one being the two times he had been pranked by staff.
The first time, his office walls were painted pink and a sign saying ‘Dr Love’ was left on the door.
The second time, his office was filled with hay bales and balloons.
His scheduled meeting had to be held elsewhere.
Mr van Booma has previously taught in Mooloolaba and was looking forward to reconnecting with some of his former pupils.
However, he would still miss his lifelong friends in New Zealand and the drive to work along Beach Rd.
The boys’ haka performed at last week’s assembly and all the boys saying how much they would miss him would be remembered.
Mr van Booma intended to keep an eye on the school from afar.
