LEADING LIGHTS Issue 3 | 2024
Honouring NZEALS members
NZEALS awards 2023-4
NZEALS’ official awards are given for service to the Society and to the wider educational leadership field. They are normally announced and celebrated at the biennial conference. In 2024, we celebrated the life of the late Professor Martin Thrupp, with a posthumous award of Fellow of NZEALS, the Society’s highest honour. This was received by his wife, Marika Karshagen and daughter, Grace Buckland. We also presented Meritorious Service Awards to Dr Anne Malcolm, Pip Wells, Dr Christine Harris, and Dr Ann Briggs, for their commitment and long-term service to NZEALS. The citations for each award are as below, and you can catch some of the celebration in our picture collages of the conference dinner.
Fellow of NZEALS (posthumous)
Martin Thrupp
Nominated by Dr Michele Morrison, seconded by Dr Ann Briggs
We acknowledge the recent passing of renowned New Zealand education leadership and policy leader, Professor Martin Thrupp, and honour both his contribution to education and his humanness in being a kind and generous teacher and colleague.
“While Martin was many things to many people, he will always be a taonga, a special treasure that was taken far too soon. Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne; moe mai rā, e te rangatira.”
Martin’s career spanned over 25 years at the University of Waikato and was a pivotal leader in Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education.
Martin focused on research that made a difference and which challenged the status quo. He demonstrated the strength and courage to challenge policies that may result in any form of inequality.
Martin’s influence extended beyond the academic world, where he was known for the depth of his guidance and support.
Internationally, Martin co-authored works on Finnish education. Including Finland’s Famous Education system- Unvarnished Insights into Finnish Schooling. His authoring of the book ‘The Search for Better Educational Standards- A Cautionary Tale’, a critique of the National Standards policy, was recognised among principals in New Zealand. Martin was widely read by principals with his regular column in the principal magazine for the New Zealand Principals’ Federation.
Martin contributed to NZEALS by serving on the editorial board of JELPP and completed his last article review for this in December of 2023.
Meritorious Service Awards
Dr Anne Malcolm
Nominated by Dr Ann Briggs, seconded by Maggie Ogram
Anne Malcolm was Principal of Ponsonby Primary School, Auckland from 1997 until 2020: 23 years of positive, energetic principalship. During that time she was an NZEALS member, playing an active part in NZEALS Auckland Branch, including the roles of Branch Secretary and Branch President.
Anne joined NZEALS National Council in 2011 as Member at Large, and served on Council continuously until 2023. Between 2015 and 2023, she served as National Vice President, National President and Immediate Past President for two separate terms. This constitutes an impressive and valuable term of service to NZEALS.
During this time, Anne represented NZEALS at ACEL, including the joint NZEALS-ACEL ‘ANZAC’ conference in 2015. She was the tireless convenor of the NZEALS 2018 Reconceptualising Leadership conference in Auckland in 2018. Little did we know when we met in Auckland that we would not meet at Conference again until 2022. However, when meeting face-to-face in Branch meetings and at Conference was not feasible, Anne was a key part of the team that instituted NZEALS online leadership forums, starting in 2020.
This brief outline can only hint at the energy and enthusiasm that Anne Malcolm has gifted to NZEALS over many years. This was acknowledged in 2020 with the award of Fellow of NZEALS, our highest honour. We wish to mark her retirement from National Council with the Meritorious Service Award, with warm thanks for her many years of service.
Pip Wells
Nominated by Dr D Annie Henry, seconded by Doug Milne
Pip has been involved with NZEALS for many years, probably close to over 20.
Having started as a loyal and influential member of the Nelson Branch in the early 2000s, Pip became President of the Branch in 2007. A position she continues to hold. She was a member of the 2006 Local Organising Committee for the Conference held in Nelson.
At the National level Pip has given sterling service to Council. She has held the positions of Vice President, President and is currently the immediate Past President.
Dr Christine Harris
Nominated by Lisa Dillon-Roberts
It is with great pleasure that I nominate Christine Harris for the NZEALS Meritorious Service Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the New Zealand Educational Administration and Leadership Society (NZEALS).
Since joining the Christchurch Branch in 2013, Christine has demonstrated commitment and dedication. Her leadership was such that, in 2016, she became the Presiding Member, a role that she held for five years until 2021. During this time, her guidance and vision boosted the branch’s initiatives and activities, promoting a great sense of teamwork.
During this period, many regional branches were struggling to come together for leadership connection and development. However, with Christine’s leadership Canterbury Branch had a strong membership and many opportunities were provided. During this time, Christine contributed to the publication ‘Leading Lights’, sharing her perspectives on educational leadership.
On top of her Branch leadership, Christine was a valued member of the National Council from 2016 to 2021. She brought a proactive approach, strategic thinking, and a deep dedication to NZEALS’ goals. Her time on the council saw may initiatives that benefited members nationwide, highlighting her impact on the broader educational community.
What’s even more impressive is that Christine earned her Doctorate while serving as a school Principal during this period. This huge achievement shows her exceptional dedication to both personal and professional growth and her commitment to educational leadership. Balancing these demanding roles is a true testament to her perseverance, hard work and passion for education.
Christine’s contributions to NZEALS have created a lasting impact. Her professional achievements and unwavering commitment to NZEALS make her a standout candidate for this award.
It is with great respect and admiration that I submit this nomination for Christine, for the Meritorious Service Award.
Dr Ann Briggs
Nominated by Doug Milne
Ann has been involved with NZEALS for many years. Throughout this time Ann’s leadership, academic rigour and commitment to the organisation has been nothing short of outstanding. This being at the Branch level, National level and Internationally.
Ann took over the role of Secretary in 2011 and still holds that position. Whilst carrying out the demands of this role Ann has also been involved as a contributor to Leading Lights and JELPP, an editor of JELPP, managed the website and database, led the rewrite of the NZEALS constitution, a member of the 2022 Conference Organising Committee, assisted with the leadership forums and refereed conference papers and organised slots for presenters etc. This is just a brief outline of Ann’s contribution and influence on NZEALS and its activities. In my opinion it would be fair to say that if it hadn’t been for Ann’s hours of work and commitment, the Society would probably have folded a number of years ago.