February 03, 2016
Last Queen Vic principal will be remembered
Another wahine toa has passed way.
Tuwharetoa is mourning the death of educationalist Hera Johns, the principal of Queen Victoria Maori Girl’s Boarding School for the decade up to its closure in 2000.
She had previously lead the transition of Bernard Fergusson School in Ngaruawahia into a bilingual school, and then worked for the Education Ministry advising on the transition to Tomorrow’s Schools.
Anglican Bishop Kito Pikaahu says as recently as this week Mrs Johns was discussing the prospects of Queen Victoria reopening.
He says she came to the school with strong support, being brought on by her uncle Sir Hepi Te Heuheu and Sir Kingi Ihaka, and she provided strong leadership.
Hera Johns’ tangi is at Waitahanui Marae on the shore of Lake Taupo.
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