My name is Les Gates and I’m living in New Zealand. I’m a newbie here and quite new to writing, but really an oldie. I was born in, England in 1949 and graduated from Keble College, Oxford University in 1972 with an Honours degree in Mathematics. The following year I completed a Post-graduate Certificate in Education at Exeter University. I have toured the world extensively and lived for more than twelve years in the Solomon Islands and ten years in New Zealand. For most of my working life I have been a High School teacher of mathematics in New Zealand, England and the Solomon Islands. In 1998, I was appointed Principal of King George VI National Secondary School, Honiara, Solomon Islands. I moved back to New Zealand in 2001. I am now pursuing a new career as an author and freelance writer. My first novel, ‘Windows on Our World, Part 1: Hope’ was published last year. I married Sarah in 1986 and we have three children and two grandchildren.
Welcome to the site Les, from someone who was meant to be a fellow newzealander but isn't. I'm Heather and can normally be found around here and if you would ever like a review, need any help of just wanna chat then send a PM my way and I'll see what I can do. Hope to see you around more Heather
Hello Les, Welcome to the Writing Forums. I plan to teach undergraduate mathematics when I "retire" from the software industry. Good Mathematics teachers are a badly needed commodity. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well! As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize reviewing as a critical writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
His Les! New Zealand is a good place. No, never been there but that is what makes it fun Stick around and have fun with us. If you need any assistance you can count on cookie woman.
Welcome to WF.org I hope that you have a most wonderful and pleasant time here with all of us. Torana
