I left the Open Polytechnic | Te Pukenga

As the old phrase goes, all good things must come to an end

Today was my last proper day working at the Open Polytechnic | Te Pukenga and it was more emotional than I thought it would be! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I knew that i’d feel a bit sad about moving on, but I was actually totes emosh.

A morning tea was organised for me, and to be honest I was petrified that no-one would turn up! Thankfully people did turn up. It was lovely! A few of the managers and some of my coworkers said a few words and they were just so sweet. Everyone that spoke said something nice, which was really sweet of them, and made me so happy 🙂

My manager said that I had clearly got better at snowboarding as the broken limbs and bruises had stopped happening! And a few of my colleagues spoke about how supportive I have been and how happy and positive and lively. Which was nice.

Having worked there for 9 years and 3 months, I had a lot of memories. Obviously, being me, I couldn’t NOT say something. But I couldn’t think of a good way to put my thoughts down on paper, so I just wrote what I had:

“I have tried to write something coherent and quirky, but for once, words fail me so I’ll just go with the things that I have written down.

I started working here a lifetime ago and since then you have all become my family because with no actual family here, I have had the unique chance to pick mine.

As my OP family, you have seen me through a lot, so here are a few facts in numbers:

7 managers…i think
A number of different hair colours
3 OP staff courses featuring my acting skills…
2 Learning Management Systems
2 major breakups followed by quite a few frogs…and eventually 1 Prince Charming
2 broken wrists…thankfully not at the same time!
2 cats, 2 dogs and 4 chickens
2 sets of mountain-bike gymnastics resulting in hospital visits and stitches
1 shaved head for ShaveForACure
1 stress fracture from running a 10km without any training whatsoever
1 sprained ankle
1 horribly timed bout of appendicitis
So many snowboarding ailments that I’ve actually lost count… 

And I don’t think I’m far off when I say…some kind of input on almost every programme that we run…I think maybe flower arranging and funeral care might be two of the only ones that I haven’t worked on.

It’s been 9 and a bit years of fun and to say I will miss you all is a HUGE understatement. I don’t think people stay in a role if they’re not happy with who they work alongside, and you have all been the best people to work with. 

Rebecca Hall (2023)

Everyone seemed to agree that it’s been a bit of a wild ride. And that the place was going to be a bit quiet without me.

I will definitely be sad to go to work everyday and NOT see all of the same friendly faces that I have been working with for so long. But it’s time for a change and it’ll be good for me. And hopefully for my professional development too.

So that is that.