Newspaper Article 2012 – Principal motivated youth to succeed

Principal motivated youth to succeed

Obituary

John Nelson (Jock) Morris
July 14, 1924-September 15, 2012

Tributes continue to flow for well-known former Hawke’s Bay school principal Jock Morris, who passed away on September 15, aged 88.

Life-long friend Bob Twaddle said the hundreds attending his funeral were representative of the many members of the community “who valued Jock’s sterling contribution to the lives of so many young New Zealanders”.

Others attested to his “positive personality, full of wonder, wit and energy,” Mr Twaddle said.

Born in Masterton, he was educated at Kotemaori Primary School and Wellington College before entering the education field, but his Wellington Training College years were disrupted during World War II while he served in the armed services.

He played rugby in Wellington and for Dannevirke Old Boys’ Seniors when he took up his first teaching positions in 1947-1949 at Mangatoro and Motea in southern Hawke’s Bay.

He met Daphne Colquhoun, from Otane, at Teachers’ College and the two would become a formidable teaching duo to thousands of Hawke’s Bay children during their respective careers.

After some years teaching in the Waikato, Mr Morris was appointed headmaster of Dannevirke North School (1961-1965), then Bledisloe School (1966) and was founding principal of Taradale Intermediate from 1967 until his retirement in 1986.

Friend Kevyn Moore said: “To Jock, assisting children and serving the community were abiding passions.”

Former Taradale Intermediate colleague Dave Marett said that as a leader Mr Morris’ school spirit was strong.

“He encouraged this feeling of togetherness and loyalty,” Mr Marett said.

He also mentored and guided teachers and students alike, encouraging them to achieve in the classroom and on the sports field.

“He knew every pupil by name and where they were academically at any stage of the year.”

Mr Morris was also, for several decades, a diligent worker for the wider community. He held office in a number of local organisations including chairing the Napier Junior Rugby Advisory Board for 14 years and helping establish the Bay View Bowling Club, of which he was patron.

A member of service organisation Rotary International for over 50 years, he served as president of the Taradale Rotary Club in 1969-1970 and in 1971.

His contributions were recognised when he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship.

After his retirement Mr Morris became the last chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, being elected as parents’ representative for the urban Napier ward after having served as the teachers’ representative since 1980. He was a champion of the teachers’ union, acting as appeal advocate for 16 years.

When he was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Educational Institute in 1985, he was praised for his clear-sightedness, preparation and integrity. The institute said: “He is highly regarded by all with whom he has worked and his skills as a teacher have won him the respect of both colleagues and community throughout Hawke’s Bay.”

He was involved in the establishment of the New Zealand Intermediate Principals’ Association, serving as president for two years, and in 1986 he was awarded the MBE for his services to education and junior rugby.

A long-time resident of Bay View, and more recently of Princess Alexandra Village, Ahuriri, Mr Morris is remembered as being a people person.

Mr Morris was reported in the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune in 1989 as having said of his professional life: “have had a marvellous innings”.

He is survived by his wife Daphne, and daughters Kay Morris Matthews and Joanne Morris.

Picture caption – Jock Morris