Name: Yvonne Small

Position: Office Manager

Tell us a little about your journey
After a years’ Polytechnic course and 3 years working in Wellington as an EA/Secretary, I travelled to the UK for my OE. Based in London, I ended up staying, working (meeting my future husband) and travelling around Europe for the next 6½ years. Coming home, via Africa and Australia, we ended up in Christchurch for 6 months before deciding that Wellington would be our city of choice to “get a mortgage and raise a family”.  Since then, I’ve always worked part time in administrative roles.

What do you like most about your job?
The variety of duties that comes with the role; everything from being the ’first point of contact’ to communications officer, nurse, financial operator, travel co-ordinator, purchasing & supplies officer, clerk, bookings officer, secretary, etc., etc.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
I received two – “no matter what, keep smiling” and “never look back”. 

If you weren’t in Education administration, what other career would interest you?
Something that involved travel and/or hospitality, whether it be in an organisational capacity or a practical one.

What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
Prioritising – there’s always something to do…..

What do you like most about your job? 

The variety of the job and the different and ever changing relationships between staff, students, parents and community.