By Chelsea Boyle
Superman has got nothing on Kevin Mackay.
That was the message that was heard loud and clear at Greytown School yesterday afternoon as the community farewelled their principal of 15 years at his final assembly.
A group of pupils gifted Mr Mackay a superman cape as a testament to the wonderful job he had done at the primary school, and performed a special rendition of Charlie Puth’s One Call Away.
The pupils who spoke at the assembly said Mr Mackay was easy to talk to and was a good listener.
They added that he knew how to make them laugh.
Mr Mackay said it was hard to sit back and listen to such kind words, and said the experience was humbling.
“Walking in to hear the school singing a waiata like that makes me proud,” he said.
“Being proud is one of the best feelings you can have.
“Be proud of yourself, there is only one of you.”
If you couldn’t have some fun in your lives, there was not a lot of point, he said.
“I’ve always been someone who gets out there and does stuff, and yes sometimes I have played a few tricks.”
He wished his pupils all the best, and hoped that when they finished their working careers they too would have people talk about them “the way I have been pleased to see people talk about me today”.
For Mr Mackay retirement will not involve a lot of sitting around on the couch, but rather more time on the golf green and a bit of a holiday.
Mr Mackay was a teacher at Greytown School from 1980 until 1990.
He was then principal for a further 15 years.
A full school hall sang For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow as Mr Mackay left his last assembly.
