21/08/2026
Introducing Sue Furndorfler
Humans of Ōpuke - a Mount Hutt College Project
I grew up here in Methven, and my childhood was very similar to what many students experience today at Methven Primary School. I lived in the township and attended Methven Primary back when it was much smaller. I was born in 1973, which was notable not only for being the year Mt Hutt opened, but also for a massive snowstorm in August that left us without power for about a week. Back then, we had much more snow, heavy frosts, and freezing cold temperatures in town. Walking to school, I loved crunching through frozen puddles and breaking the ice, and I vividly remember coming into the classroom and sitting by the radiator heaters to thaw out.
Sports were a huge part of growing up in Methven. I played plenty of tennis and netball. We played netball outdoors at the domain courts, and on winter mornings, it was always freezing cold. For tennis, traveling all around Mid Canterbury was a highlight. During the summers, my family went camping around the South Island in our caravan, following the tennis tournament circuit, which remains one of my fondest childhood memories. I also fondly remember school teachers who gave us creative, hands-on experiences, like the time a teacher turned our classroom into a darkened Halloween maze where we crawled through boxes and climbed out the window. We didn't get to go skiing with school until secondary school, taking old buses with seats facing each other once or twice a year, which was quite different from how often students head up the mountain today.
I completed my final years of school at Burnside High School in Christchurch. Seeing friends go into teacher training prompted me to look into it as well, and I realized teaching aligned well with my skillset. After training, I began my career at Renwick in Blenheim, spent some time teaching in Christchurch, and eventually found my way back home. While I initially fell into it as a major career path, once you push through the challenging early years, it becomes a deeply rewarding profession that stays with you.
Having played and coached sports throughout my life, I am passionate about teamwork, collaboration, and helping people learn how to work together. That mindset guides how we operate every day, ensuring everyone understands what it means to support others and contribute to something bigger than themselves. Getting to lead Methven Primary School in such a supportive community with an incredible staff is a true highlight of my life. I have also been fortunate to travel to places like Egypt and Africa. I fondly recall working a week at the Queen’s Club in London as a members' stand usher, sitting courtside to watch some of the world’s best tennis players in their pre Wimbledon tournament.
My values and work ethic were strongly shaped by my grandparents. My grandmother from Geraldine raised my Mum and ran a small farmlet with sheep and vegetables on her own after my grandfather died in World War II. Her hard work made her an inspiring role model for me. The best advice I ever received was about maintaining focus and perspective: don't let what you think is important get in the way of what is truly important, stay in your lane, and prioritize. For our local community, my hope is that we let our children simply be children, keeping them active, encouraging them to explore, and protecting them from adult burdens and excess online content.
When dealing with stress, I find solace in stepping outside for a walk around Methven, visiting Awa Awa Rata, or heading away to our family place in the Marlborough Sounds. But right here at school, my favorite way to recharge is visiting a new entrant classroom. The little learners are so open, enthusiastic, and full of funny, heartwarming things to say, they never fail to make my day brighter.
