John Waters
When John Waters left high school at age 15, he was determined to never again set foot in an educational institution. A local Seventh-day Adventist church screening of The Cry of New Guinea, which showed Pr Len Barnard’s missionary work, changed that determination.
“We decided we needed to do more than grow pineapples and put roofs on houses,” John says. Accompanied by his family—wife Margaret and daughters Beverley and Janette—John returned to and completed high school at age 31. His classmates affectionately referred to him as “Dad.”
John graduated from Avondale’s primary teaching course in 1965. His first appointment was as the head teacher of Invercargill Adventist School in New Zealand. This was followed by a move to Canada and the position of principal in three Adventist academies: Halifax, Sandy Lake and Cariboo. In 1988, he became the director of education for the church’s Trans-Australian Union Conference and received his doctorate from Andrews University. He retired in 1997.
With his background in building and construction, John has continued to include physical labour in his work and home life. He cites a mission trip to Mexico with his students as one of his most interesting experiences—a small building project during which time they lived in the dormitories with the students. It was an experience not unlike the film that had inspired him to become a teacher in the first place. In the years since, John has worked with local communities in the construction of two churches and six schools.
The class of 1965 honours John for his commitment to quality, Christ-focused education within the Adventist Church.
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