Mr Jenkins (63) attended East Otago High School as a form five (year 11) pupil in 1970, after boarding for two years at Waitaki Boys’ High School, in Oamaru.
His parents had shifted from Nenthorn to Dunback, which allowed him to travel on the school bus to attend East Otago High School.
When he completed his bachelor of science degree in chemistry, together with mathematics and chemical engineering, at the University of Canterbury, he undertook secondary teacher training at the Christchurch Teachers College.
Mr Jenkins then took a few months off from study, during which he
drove a truck for Macraes Transport.He took up his first teaching position at Aparima College, Riverton, in 1979.
His mathematics teacher from Waitaki Boys’ High School, Alex Familton, had been appointed principal at East Otago High School and wanted Mr Jenkins on his staff to teach subjects that included mathematics, economics, technical drawing PE, and even English.
Mr Jenkins said he would teach mathematics and all the other subjects offered, but not English.
The smaller East Otago co-ed high school had a friendly atmosphere where he could get to know all the pupils quickly, which appealed to Mr Jenkins.
He taught mathematics at East Otago for seven years before being appointed head of mathematics at Pleasant Point High School, in 1989.
After that, he went on to become deputy principal at Fairlie High School.
In 1997, when Mr Familton retired, Mr Jenkins was appointed principal of East Otago High School.
He had an "open door" policy as principal and he also had an advantage in the East Otago community that everyone knew him.After 11 years, Mr Jenkins decided to step down as principal, and mathematics came to the fore again. The head of mathematics had moved to another school, and Mr Jenkins applied for and gained the position, classroom teaching being his real love. He also became senior dean, principal’s nominee and teacher in charge of video conferencing, and has been responsible for mentoring senior pupils.
Despite deciding to retire this year, Mr Jenkins is not finding it easy to do so.
As yet, the school has not been able to find a suitable replacement for him, and he has agreed to continue as head of mathematics for term one of 2018.
When he does finally retire, Mr Jenkins plans to go fishing, spend time with his grandchildren, travel with his wife Bernadette and reduce his golf handicap.
