As the Eagle lifted off with Chris Metcalfe on board, the School House boys performed a farewell haka.
Long-time staff member Mr Chris Metcalfe was given a special send-off from his 30 year career at MAGS when the Police Eagle helicopter arrived to take him for a flight over the school and city on Thursday, November 30.
Chris, a teacher and Deputy Principal, and his wife Tami have been managers of the School House boarding hostel for the past eight years, and the house boys performed a haka as the helicopter lifted off. The couple’s son Jayden is a policeman, and together with other Albertian police officers, organised the farewell for his father.
The officers also arranged for a police dog handler, Constable Nathan Kluit and his dog Raja, to give a display. Jayden, wearing a padded armband, learned what it felt like to be on the wrong end of a police dog chase as Raja was released to ‘secure’ him.
Albertian policemen Sergeant Owen Arapai and Constable Pat Papali’i are Pacific Liaison Officers for the Auckland City District, and said the visit was also another step in the partnership they are building between the Police and Mount Albert Grammar School to connect former students with those of today, and promote careers in the Police.