18 December, 2024

Takapuna Grammar stalwart taught thousands over nearly five decades

Oarsome tribute… Lissette photographed by the Flagstaff on his retirement, with a rowing boat named in his honour

Former Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) teacher Ian Lissette, who was one of New Zealand’s longest-serving teachers, has died aged 88.
Lissette taught History, English and Social Studies to thousands of students at the school between 1964 and 2013.
“Basically I was always happy here,” he told the Devonport Flagstaff in an interview marking his retirement.
“I got different promotions internally that challenged me. I love the Shore. I like the people at the school, and there are always the students,” he said.
Lissette knew he wanted to be a teacher since when he was at Hamilton’s Whitiora School.
He was keen on sports, playing rugby and cricket and swimming, but was also academic and musical. He graduated with an MA in History before heading to Auckland Teachers College.
When he arrived at TGS, the school had more than one thousand pupils.
Corporal punishment was the norm – and was not banned across New Zealand schools until 1990. TGS abolished it in 1981.
Lissette admitted to caning but appeared uncomfortable with the practice, preferring to impose detentions – which became the more acceptable form of student discipline.
Lissette was in charge of TGS swimming for 48 years and was still helping out with the school sports swimming day in 2013, the first year he didn’t take part in the staff relay team.
He also coached rowing, with the TGS Rowing Club naming a skiff Ian Lissette after him in 1992 for his contribution to the sport, which included involvement in numerous North Island regattas and the national Maadi Cup meets.

Retiree’s return… Ian Lissette and wife Pat at the opening of the new TGS main block in 2020, and Lissette in his early years at TGS

Lissette was involved in all aspects of school administration as well: as a dean, staff representative on the school’s board of governors and ex-pupils association and finally as assistant principal.
Lissette oversaw the school’s relief teachers for many years, was a teachers’ librarian and took students on history trips to Waitangi and marae.
He was witness to many historic events at TGS: the start of NCEA and IB assessments and, when the Treaty of Waitangi became part of the curriculum.
He saw the arrival of staff support positions, student counsellors and careers advisors; the launch of the school’s special needs unit, the removal of chalk blackboards and the introduction of computers.
Lissette directed 13 school productions and at various times ran the school choir and chorale.
History, however, was always his first love.
“My belief is that everyone is interested in history. There are good stories in it, interesting people, interesting situations.
“What is the first question everyone asks? ‘Mum, where did I come from?’”
He retired from full-time teaching in 2001, continued teaching part-time and won a Multi-Serve National Education Award.
After his retirement, Lissette and his wife Pat spent much of their time travelling, a passion he enjoyed throughout his life.