After teaching generations of children at Fiordland Kindergarten, Claire Maley-Shaw is retiring.

She began at the kindergarten in 1978, when she was 21 years old. 

“Fiordland Kindergarten has some of my soul in its walls. I have loved working in such a beautiful place with such a supportive community,” she says. 

“It has been a privilege to work with and then watch the many children I have taught grow into beautiful adults. Then there was the plus side of being the kindergarten ‘Nanni’, teaching some of their children, and in one case a third-generation child.”

Maley-Shaw's year ground at Kindergarten Teacher’s college in Dunedin, 1974. Photo: Supplied

A lot has changed since she took up the role, says Maley-Shaw. 

“I arrived in Te Anau with instruction to go to the Headmaster of the Primary School’s home. I duly arrived to be met by his wife Mrs Richmond who gave me the keys and a lecture about the rules of the teachers’ flats. ‘It is a teachers’ flat with teacher’s rules: no boys allowed, not even cousins, only immediate family. Fathers and brothers allowed’ [she said].”

Maley-Shaw built a close working relationship, and friendship, with Frana Cardno, who was head teacher when Maley-Shaw arrived at Fiordland Kindergarten. 

Cardno went on to become Mayor of Southland, while Maley-Shaw took on the head teacher mantle herself.

“She was an amazing woman and teacher, way ahead of her times. We thought very much alike and made a great team, we had very much the same ideals when it came to teaching.”

Maley-Shaw says she is proud of her and Cardno’s pioneering environmental programme, before it was the done thing.  

“We ran a very environmental programme, an Enviroschool before they were thought of. We had recycling, composting, a worm farm and excursions to farms and into the local National Park on a regular basis.”

“The achievement I am most proud of is starting one of the first, if not the first kindergarten in New Zealand to set up an outdoor programme which we call ‘Nature Discovery’, in 2009, which to my delight has snowballed around the country.”

Shaw was awarded a National Excellence in Teaching (NEITA) award in 2010. Photo: Supplied.

For her efforts, Maley-Shaw has been featured in national news media, run workshops on the ‘Nature Discovery’ programme and spoken at several conferences. 

In 2010 she was awarded a National Leadership in Teaching (NEITA) award at Parliament.

Under her leadership, the kindergarten has received several accolades: 2 Environment South school awards, the Kindergartens’ Presidents Trophy, along with other environmental awards, art awards, and visits from dignitaries, teachers, and academics from around New Zealand and abroad. 

Maley-Shaw also brought her passions for gardening and native plants to the job and has given back to the community of Te Anau. 

“Alongside teaching I have a love of gardening. With the children we have propagated hundreds of native trees over the years, giving them away to families and visitors and making our own native forest at Ivon Wilson Park.” 

Maley-Shaw says she is forever grateful to the senior teachers who guided her as she was starting out, and shaped her into the teacher she became. 

“I have been fortunate to teach with some amazing teachers who have all brought their knowledge and skills to the kindergarten programme, who didn't flinch too much when I said, ‘I have been thinking, what do you think?’” 

She was farewelled by the kindergarten at Ivon Wilson Park in Te Anau on Wednesday in a ceremony that included cake and a tree planting.

"Everyone was gathered around and some of the children were holding up a wooden sign made by a kindy parent with 'Mrs Shaw’s Lane' carved into it, which brought tears to my eyes." 

Maley-Shaw is farewelled by her students with a specially made sign. Photo: Supplied.

She says while she has cherished her role, it is now time to relax and tend to her garden. 

“I will miss my snuggles and the excited voices, but my garden is calling me and it's time to slow down.”

“Thank you to all that have helped me along the way and most of all thank you to all the children who I have had the pleasure to teach.”