Massey music maestro NZ’s Most Inspiring Teacher

Massey music maestro takes title of NZ’s Most Inspiring Teacher

Massey High School’s “crazy” head of music, Robert Loretz, has been named New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher for 2011.

He was chosen following a month-long search in which more than 1,100 teachers from all over the country were nominated by their devoted students and parents.

Organised by Warehouse Stationery, and with judging help from mother-of-three Mary Lambie, the quest was an opportunity to say thank you to the many deserving teachers who go above and beyond to make school time special.

Warehouse Stationery spokesperson Anna Campbell said the response to the search was overwhelming.

“The judges looked for inspirational, innovative teachers who are committed to the learning process and do things in an engaging way to help make the school experience the best it can be.

“It is very rewarding to see the number of amazing teachers we have here in New Zealand – they are so passionate and committed and go way beyond the call of duty, none more so than Robert. He is truly an inspiration to his pupils and absolutely deserves to win this award.”

Mr Loretz was nominated multiple times with all the nominators loudly singing his praises. They said he sometimes used hilarious and unorthodox methods, played a key role in the success of the school production, choir, annual talent quest, musical soiree, and also provided school assemblies with musical entertainment every day of the week.

Not only that, he spent $1,000 of his own money to buy musical equipment and was instrumental in the school being donated an $180,000 brand new Fazioli grand piano. Mr Loretz is now working hard to take the school’s band and choir on a musical trip to Europe next year.

As well as the title of New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher, Mr Loretz wins a $5,000 holiday, a smartphone and $1,000 worth of supplies for his school. Another 29 top teachers also each receive a prize pack valued at $1,000.

Mr Loretz’s chosen nominator Josh Tagaloa, who also wins a smartphone, said his “crazy” teacher “goes out of his way to ensure that all students achieve no less than excellence”.

The other top 29 inspiring teachers were:

• Phillipa Wintle, Westlake Girls’ High School, North Shore, Auckland
• Kahli Oliviera, Gladtone Primary School, Mt Albert, Auckland
• Stu Green, Hauraki Plains College, Ngatea
• Kate McGrath, Ngaio School, Wellington
• Judy Armstrong, Puketapu School, Bell Block, New Plymouth
• Natalie Baker, Pakuranga Intermediate, Auckland
• Liz Harrison, Kimi Ora Special Needs School, Naenae, Lower Hutt
• Deborah Keep, Te Aroha College, Te Aroha
• Joanna Sheridan, Tararua College, Pahiatua
• Lisa Dovey, Halswell School, Christchurch
• Lucy Anderson, Ilam School, Christchurch
• Deborah Barnden, Tui Glen School, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt
• Ichiro Harada, Howick College, Auckland
• Melissa Moore, Diocesan School for Girls, Fairfield, Hamilton
• Leonia Ocheduszko, Redcliffs School, Christchurch
• Vicky Billing, Avondale Primary School, Auckland
• Elizabeth Hassan, Hamilton North School, St Andrews, Hamilton
• Kyra Rusten, Green Bay Primary School, Auckland
• Nathan Maclennan, Breens Intermediate, Harewood, Christchurch
• Theo Ariaens, Otahuhu College, Auckland
• Bruce Stare, Motueka High School, Motueka
• Nic Mason, Russell Street School, Palmerston North
• Rae Parker, East Taieri School, Dunedin
• Desiree Pole, Kedgley Intermediate, Papatoetoe, Auckland
• Mr Pat Swanson, St Pius X Primary School, New Plymouth
• Nick Gardner, Hamilton West School, Hamilton
• Judi Parker, St Anne’s Catholic School, Woolston, Christchurch
• Anne O'Flaherty, Mayfair School, Hastings
• Halina Szymanik, Stella Maris Primary School, Silverdale, Auckland

ENDS

© Scoop Media