Lifelong call to the classroom

Teacher’s commitment inspired students to live their best lives

A former student from the Solomon Islands once told Russell Woolley that without the principal’s encouragement, he would never have studied at university. The Betikama graduate became the country’s chief pharmacist. Attending a class reunion at the school, Russell discovered one student had become prime minister and four had become members of parliament. Maintaining contact with students and receiving invitations to their milestone celebrations is one of Russell’s most significant professional achievements.

He would serve for 10 years at the Seventh-day Adventist high school in Auckland and, after six years at Betikama, for 20 in Christchurch, long enough to teach the children of former students. A desire to share the life he found in Christ, one “based on the security of knowing God is in control and wants the best for you,” motivated Russell.

Teaching seemed to be Russell’s calling but because of family circumstances he tried other things, losing all the jobs he landed. A gift, the Jacaranda yearbook, delivered in a paper parcel that Russell did not open for seven years eventually brought him to Avondale.

A gardener, Russell lives with wife Laurel on what used to be an empty cow paddock but is now four-and-a-half acres of lawns, shrubs, flower and vegetable gardens, and fruit trees. He managed the building of their home in the middle of this greenery. Cooking, even for large-scale catering, is also a passion.

The Class of 1970 honours Russell Woolley for a lifelong commitment to the ministry of teaching that inspired his students to live their best lives.