NEW ZEALAND HONOURS - REFLECTIONS AND APPRECIATION OF THE JOURNEY

NEW ZEALAND HONOURS

REFLECTIONS AND APPRECIATION OF THE JOURNEY

Since moving into level one and post Covid lockdown, my husband Philip and myself have been on a road trip and spending time with family and friends, This has been an opportunity for reflection and time has been spent thinking about those I would like to acknowledge since I received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

My first thought and indeed that of Philip’s and my sister Rhonda was of my parents who would have been delighted by this award and recognition. Mum and Dad were born in 1930 and 1931. Mum was unable to complete primary school as she was ill for quite some time with pernicious anemia. Getting to school was also difficult as she lived with her mother and sisters in a boarded tent on the banks for the Waipoa River in Gisborne during the depression years while her father was away working on building railways. Mum, was one of the youngest of ten girls and became an accomplished seamstress, making tailored clothing for the upper crust of Hawkes Bay community. She was both creative and determined, instilling values of diligence and hard work to achieve your goals. Dad, the youngest  of eight children worked as a farm labourer and became a self taught builder who eventually specialised in designing and building woolsheds in New Zealand. He had many passions, including hunting, fishing, flying and a love of the outdoors. He was incredibly creative and competitive. He had an uncanny ability to calculate complex mathematical problems in his head, and able to beat those doing the same on a calculator!  He became a self made millionaire and sold up his business at the age of 40 to pursue his passions. The values Mum and Dad gifted us was the drive to continue to strive, to be determined, work hard, focused and to take on new learning and challenges. My parents also enjoy family and friends and offered support to others where they could. I know that my parents would have been very proud that one of their daughters had appeared on the New Zealand Queens Birthday honours list. Particularly as I had not been a successful student at school!

My own education was not an easy journey. At aged 14, my Colenso HighSchool form teacher wrote on my school report that “Sandra should leave school as soon as she turned 15 as school certificate was beyond her ability!” I was determined to prove her wrong, and sort tuition from Clark Nicol who was a neighbour and taught special needs students at Napier Boys Highschool. I babysat for him and his wife in exchange for tuition and just scraped through school certificate with 3 marks to spare!

I was a rebellious student who didn’t really fit the education system. I was often in trouble and got through to becoming a teacher by the skin of my teeth. However my own experience in education made me determined to support those students who were defined as at risk and disengaged, to ensure that learning was relevant and authentic for them.

While at Ardmore Training College in Papakura, I met and had many discussions with an education lecturer called John Wood, who was a friend of A S Neil who had started Summerhill School in UK.  John was involved with establishing Bedales School which also had a philosophy of developing curriculum based on student interests. We had many discussions, often held sitting on his verandah at the teachers village, drinking Spanish Sherry, considering the merits and constraints of education policy and practice. This fueled my desire to one day build my own school.

Although I never have had the priviledge of building a school from scratch, while principal at Freemans Bay Primary I did lead the demolish and rebuild of this education facility. This gave me the opportunity to influence the design of a school that was future focused and to develop a curriculum that did allow the learners to develop and explore their own passions.

In the 1970s I was seconded to the Auckland Advisory Team, working in the field of Māori and Pasifika education. This exposed me to many amazing leaders in education who were challenging the system that was essentially racist and victimised the poor. I started my post grad study with Professor Bray’s papers on issues of Māori and Pasific Education, and a journey advocating for policy change in education. When I completed my Masters in Education Leadership, I was the first person in my family to have a Uni degree at this level. The fact that it was awarded with first class honours is something that I am very proud of, given my own shakey journey at school.

It is very humbling experience to be recommended for such an award by your peers. On receiving the news of the “Royal” honour I did struggle with the fact that I had been chosen when I know there are many who have demonstrated far greater services to education in New Zealand.  When you are following your passions you don’t do it looking for awards, however when such a award is given, it is very special. A special thanks to those who nominated me for this honour and wrote letters of support.

It would like to acknowledge and thank those who have supported my journey in education – and who have challenged the system and stood up for those most at risk in our education system.

I have to say it was very difficult for me to keep the announcement secret, and did let my immediate family know over Queens Birthday weekend. My two youngest girls here in New Zealand put on a great party, with a mad hatter tea party theme, complete with British bunting and cocktails served in royal china. I was invited to make some royal decrees to the family with the odd pardon issued during the fun filled evening.

Since retiring from principalship in January 2020, I have set up my own consultancy specialising in linking school design with future focused curriculum and supporting schools to achieve their vision, ensuring that the most at risk learners are engaged and empowered. Thanks to those who are supporting this new work and I look forward to the challenges and highlights of this new journey and where it goes.

Thank you to those who have reached out and sent emails, made calls and sent messages. I was amazed by the range of those who made contact, from former pupils, teachers, community members and colleagues. I appreciate every message received and look forward to seeing you again soon.