Mrs Lawrence closed the book on her near 17-year tenure as manager of the Timaru vocational tertiary training college on Friday. In that time she has overseen its transformation from a private enterprise called the Aorangi Academy into a charitable company offering NZQA-recognised qualifications.
The job had been highly rewarding and demanding, she said. The rewards had come every day as she watched the confidence and self-belief of students grow.
‘‘You will see a kid come in with their head down and say no more than a grunt, and then a week or two later they're smiling and looking you in the eye,'' Mrs Lawrence said.
‘‘It's a real privilege with people sharing their lives with you, but there's a responsibility that comes with that.
‘‘It's not just a job - you can either do it at 150 per cent or not at all.''
One of the college's strengths was that it took students' differing learning styles into account, enabling young people who had struggled at high school to flourish, and rebuilt their confidence.
She said the college had overcome some early scepticism about its role. When she started the job there were several other training providers in the region, and some people had wondered if another was needed.
‘‘Now it has grown, it's established, and it's respected in the community.
‘‘I think it will be around for a long time - there is a wonderful team of people working there.''
She said she ‘‘loved the college and loved the job'' but needed a break, during which she wanted to make more time for her five children and eight grandchildren.
After that she would think about another, less time-consuming job. Whatever it might be, she hoped it would draw on her hard-earned problem-solving and communication skills.
