SPREYDON PTA MEETING ENTERS FOURTH HOUR AS WELLINGTON TRANSPLANT REFUSES TO LEAVE
She brought a two-litre thermos. Locals now understand this was a warning.
A Spreydon Primary PTA meeting scheduled to run 45 minutes has entered its fourth hour. Attendees blame a new parent from Island Bay who brought a two-litre thermos and shows no sign of going home.
The parent, named by attendees as Fenella Crouch-Wells, turned up at 6.55pm on Tuesday with a Stanley flask, a keep-cup, and a pad of A4. One witness said she had "very strong views on the sausage sizzle roster."
"She's still going," said PTA treasurer Marlene Whittaker, phoning from the carpark at 10.42pm. "We finished the agenda at 7.30. She's now on what she's calling 'community-led reflections'. My babysitter's on time-and-a-half."
Crouch-Wells, who moved from Island Bay in March, told the meeting she had "a few thoughts" on the sausage supplier, the school zone, the bike rack, and "what we want this school to mean." She then refilled her cup.
Principal Grant Ferrier said the school "values parent engagement" and had asked the caretaker to indicate the hall needed locking. The caretaker, Wayne, said he'd tried twice and been drawn into a conversation about composting.
As of filing, the thermos is understood to be still half full.
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Reader Letters
Trev_Hornby
This Fenella seems to think she's running for PTA president or something. Who brings a two-litre thermos to a 45-minute meeting? That's dedication or madness.
MumOf3_Spreydon
Bloody hell, just shut the doors and go home, she's not going to notice with that much coffee in her system.
couchgremlin
Lol.
Garry (Halswell)
Mate, our PTA meetings were never like this back in the 80s. You showed up, said your piece, and were gone in 20 minutes. This sounds like a hostage situation.
wayne1987
@Garry It's not like that anymore because everyone's got opinions nowadays. Maybe it's time to brew your own thermos, eh?
janet_kaiapoi
Honestly, the school's policy about letting newcomers take over is getting out of hand. People come from Wellington and think they know better than everyone. It's a small school, not parliament.
Sandra McKenzie
@janet_kaiapoi Surely she just wants the best for the kids. Bit hard on her without knowing her side, isn't it?
Tarquin_Wlg
Can confirm, mate, that Island Bay folks are all about their damn discussions. They'll talk the legs off a donkey if you let them. Good luck, Spreydon.