The St Hilda’s Collegiate deputy principal and science teacher has retired after 23 years at the school, and at age 63, she has mixed feelings about leaving.
"St Hilda’s has been such a big part of my life and I have enjoyed my job.
"I have loved working with the energy and enthusiasm of young people. My year 7 science classes have been absolutely delightful, and my year 13 biology classes have been a great academic challenge."
She had also taken immense pleasure in helping pupils with their Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards, working with Maori and Pasifika pupils and their communities, and being involved in the arts at St Hilda’s.
"They have been very satisfying and I have learned a lot along the way.
"I will miss the collective collegial experience of teaching as it can be enormous fun working together towards a common set of values and goals.
"So there is a mix of sadness and excitement about what the next stage of my life will bring."
The only thing she would not miss was the "massive amount" of administration and compliance to do with the running of a school.
"I know I also won’t miss all the NCEA marking that teachers have to do these days."
Ms Corkery began her teaching career at Menzies College, in Southland, where she taught for 16 years before moving to St Hilda’s.
In her retirement, she hoped to do some more travel — "assuming the Covid-19 situation improves".
"The first trip I would like to do is to the subantarctic islands to see the amazing plants and animals that are not seen anywhere else in the world.
"Apart from that, I might involve myself in some kind of volunteer work once I’ve had a bit of time to relax and read a few novels."
Like most educators, it would be difficult to cut herself off completely from school life, she said.
"I will always be interested in education. At the moment, St Hilda’s is preparing for its 125th anniversary in March 2021.
"So I am coming back to help with the preparation of archival materials for this celebration."
Principal Jackie Barron said Ms Corkery was a tireless worker behind the scenes.
"Most of Ms Corkery’s work is invisible. We have a well-run, organised and high functioning school — but that is never taken for granted.
"She has been incredibly loyal to this school and its students. She has worked to ensure St Hilda’s was the best school it could be, and has always had what is best for the girls at the heart of everything she has done."
