After almost 20 years of teaching, Mrs Bopp has officially left TCAS. We have tried to sum up the years and asked students past and present to share their class photo and favorite memories that made her a classroom classic.
If The Catlins Area School had a “Longest Serving Legend” award, it would have been handed to Carolyn Bopp years ago. This is possibly during one of the 680 staff meetings she's managed to survive (probably a well-hidden stash of chocolate).
Think back to 2008. Britney was making a comeback, the iPhone 3 had just dropped, and Mamma Mia was playing in theatres. This was also the year Mrs Bopp walked through the doors of The Catlins Area School, bright-eyed, full of enthusiasm, and ready to take on the world of teaching. For 17 years, she has been a steady, smiling constant at TCAS. She has outlasted principals, curriculum changes, building works, and welcomed wave after wave of students through her classroom door. In that time, she's clocked up around 6,800 commutes, tackled 14 school camps, written 700 school reports and built approximately one million memories, give or take.
Caro’s teaching career has mainly seen her teaching Year 5 and 6 learners through long division and persuasive writing. More recently, she’s taken on the task of teaching our tiniest learners, the new entrants, where the math is simpler and every day brings its own mix of wonder. She's worn many hats over the years: SENCO, relief co-ordinator, board staff representative, junior dean, support staff appreciator and snack provider to name a few.
Talk to any former student and possibly their siblings, or parent, because yes, she’s taught whole family trees, and you’ll hear the exact same things: Mrs Bopp was kind. She was patient. She cared deeply. Her math programmes were solid, her reward systems were legendary, and her compassion ran deep. Check out her class photos below and see what past students' favourite memories are. It is a testament to the quiet impact of a teacher who has shaped so many.
We remember her signature phrases like, “You’re a star,” “You’re a treasure,” and simply, “Bless.” A kind soul through and through, Caro has left a lasting impression on all those lucky enough to work beside her or be taught by her. You've been a wonderful teacher, a trusted colleague, a mentor, and a friend to many. As you head off for your next adventure, we hope the locals know just how lucky they are. You leave behind big shoes to fill and even bigger hearts grateful for all you’ve given.
Ka kite anō, Caro, please don’t be a stranger.
“She was one of the kindest teachers I ever had and was extremely tolerant of my shenanigans”. Hunter Cleland
“My favourite memory was school camps when we went to Columba and went kayaking, abseiling, did an orienteering course and went on the big concrete slide. We went to Dunedin on a school camp too where we did a scavenger hunt throughout Dunedin like The Amazing Race. The memory that sticks out the most is all of us gathered round the campfire at Columba eating lollies.
I also really appreciated her teaching structure as a kid who found it hard to focus in class. Mrs Bopp always kept us interested in what we were learning. I remember having bus drivers which was how Mrs Bopp determined the kids that had really learnt that week and improved on something.” Valerie Grant
"The camps and the school trips we did in Year 6 were my highlight.“ Jess Gordon
“My favourite memory of Mrs Bopp is her kind heart and always supporting us through everything. I loved her spelling bees she used to do with us and when we got each spelling word correct out of 50, we would get a lollipop. This was way back when we were in junior school in Year 5-6!” Britney Christensen (nee Brown)
“One of the best camps I went on was with Mrs Bopp at Camp Columba.” Savannah Cleland
“She was my favourite teacher I had at The Catlins! She always made me feel so included and was genuinely so caring to me. Her kindness was something I truly appreciated when I was little, and to this day. I feel so lucky to have reconnected with her recently on placement. Most importantly, I will always remember not to write in the margins as she said it is “no mans land!!” Holly Landreth
“It is so hard to choose just one memory. Mrs Bopp is such a genuine, kind, happy person at all times. Oddly enough I think Math is what I remember most about Mrs Bopp's class. Challenging her at Mathletics on the big screen (Renee M. specifically as she was a fast typer), and those timed math quizzes we would do at the start of each lesson that were numbered by letters. A lot of my current math skills are from doing fun math things with her.” Lauren Grant
“My favourite memory of Mrs Bopp was going on camp to Dunedin and staying in the Otago Museum.” Dannielle Mason
“Mrs Bopp was always cheerful, always reading us stories and letting us draw.” Amelie Magiera
“I used to like it when she would bring in her dogs in to visit. I always liked looking at her fish tank and thought it was funny when Bruce the caretaker put yabbies in the tank and they ate the goldfish.” Ben Williamson
“Thank you for being such an awesome and memorable teacher. You had a way of making learning fun. Your kindness and encouragement has meant a lot to me. In Year 5 & 6 I remember being excited to come to school, and that was definitely thanks to you. Your homework was a creative way to teach us responsibility, and was a great way to get us to help out at home, whilst also appreciating the small things our parents would quite often do for us. It’s also safe to say I’ve never been better at times tables while being in your class!” Olivia Hartvigsen
“My best memories of Mrs Bopp are definitely the Year 6 camp. I also loved the fizzer lollies that she used to give us on Fridays” Jessica Edwards
“Mrs Bopp's class was my absolute favourite class.” Amelia Morrison
“I always loved how she had a fish tank in the classroom.” Natalie Grant
“I always remember her as she was my first teacher at The Catlins. She always had a gift box too” Kaiyo Nakajima
“Mrs Bopp was one of my favourite teachers during my years at The Catlins. She was fun, happy, supportive and always willing and happy to help. I loved having the fish tanks in our classroom and getting to feed the fish. The Catlins Area School won’t be the same without you, you will be missed!” Maia Hartvigsen
"Mrs Bopp made the most delicious spaghetti bolognaise at the CYC camp.” Lana Magiera"
“Mrs Bopp was one of the kindest teachers that I have had.” Anashae Logie
“I liked how she had a paper money system and would get dollars when you did something well. You could buy stationery and stickers with the paper money.” Tom Tyrell
“I really liked how she had folders on the wall so we could put our work in them and find it easily. She was a really great teacher and I liked being in her class.” Austin Morrison
“When I think of Mrs Bopp, I always remember how she played this one song, Havana by Camilla. I will miss not seeing Mrs Bopp at school.” Astrid Morrison
“Mrs Bopp was my first teacher at TCAS. She was so kind and always made homework fun. She had a brag wall that your work would be displayed on if it was the neatest.” Milly Lietze
“Mrs Bopp always had a big mints bag and Friday lunch prizes.” Tim Magiera
“Mrs Bopp is so kind. When my Dad died, Mrs Bopp made lunch for me and my brothers and sisters and we would pick it up every day. She really cared and looked out for us.” Sueloa Tyrell
“I loved having Mrs Bopp as a teacher. When I got told that she was leaving to have an operation on her knee, I cried because I was going to miss her so much.” Khloe Dawkins
“I liked how welcoming and warm Mrs Bopp was to students, especially new ones. I’ll really miss her kind smile at school.” Casey Catherwood
“I liked when she gave us free time after tests.” Graham Twaddle
“She was a really good teacher and she helped me learn my times tables”. Cooper Landreth.
“I remember how Mrs Bopp loves animals. One day she rescued a hedgehog and brought it to class and it bit me!” Indi Hartvigsen
“Mrs Bopp always made her homework fun.” Harry McDougall
"Mrs Bopp was fun!” Willow Harris
“I liked when we had free writing. I would draw a picture and she would write the story under it for me.” George Rowland
“Mrs Bopp was always nice to me when I asked a question.” Lily Dawkins
“Mrs Bopp had the best toys.” Mitchell Landreth
“I like how she cares about everybody.” Piper Povey
“I liked literacy with Mrs Bopp.” Dylan Sellars
“The thing I like about Mrs Bopp is that she would bring Tilly and Ted to visit.” Mackenzie Soar
“She was the best teacher.” Brooke Cullen
“I like Mrs Bopp more than school!” Harriet Morrison
"I like doing numbers with Mrs Bopp." Hunter Grace
"She let us play." Colby Johnston
"I like playtime and music with Mrs Bopp" Sarah Tarbotton
"I like when she makes us popcorn." Maci Smith
"I like playing with Mrs Bopp." Paige Smith
"She helped us learn." Lucy Perrin
"I like having lots of laughs." Janey Blair
