Farewell to our ‘Mother of the School’

At the end of term we will farewell Sandra Davidson, the longest-serving staff member at Rosmini College, with an impressive 43-year tenure, and a reputation as a rockstar of reception.

Growing up in Papatoetoe, Sandra began her career as a laboratory technologist at Middlemore Hospital, before marrying Lex in 1972 and having their children Asher in 1976 followed by Madeline 23 months later.

Having moved to the North Shore, she went on to work in the resource room at Glenfield College, before being recruited by a friend to work at Rosmini in 1982 in the lab. By 1984 her talents and hospitable nature were recognised and she was put in charge of the office, and since then has made significant contributions to the school.

She has taken on various roles, from the early days of taking a handwritten roll of the 800+ students every day, plus sorting lost property, and printing, folding and sending the newsletter, to chaperoning the Year 13 ball and overseas school trips, and later organising the archives. One of her main duties was being in charge of the sick bay, where her keen ability to identify faking students became well known! She was also renowned for recognising all the boys by name, having a “good yarn” with students over the front desk, and calling the odd parent when their son missed the bus after school.

Sandra’s legacy at Rosmini is marked not just by her work, but by the profound impact she has had on the school community. Sandra says the highlight from her time at Rosmini has been the memorable connections she has made with families, whether it be helping new parents navigate the school system, or comforting a shy student. A notable occasion was when a 1st XV player asked her: “Would you be my mum on Saturday?” for a special post-match Mother’s Day celebration. His mother was busy working as a nurse, so Sandra went along to the game to support him.

Tributes from past students and parents speak volumes to the immense respect and gratefulness we all share for Sandra. Everyone mentions her warm and welcoming smile, her support, compassion and words of encouragement. Nothing was too much trouble for Sandra, and as one parent said: “You made so many students' lives that much better by being so genuine and caring”. Thank you Sandra, and happy retirement!