It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the passing of Helen Wrightson, a much-loved long-time Unitec kaimahi. Helen has walked a long and arduous battle with cancer over the past few years.
Helen has been a valued leader and Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) team at Unitec for many years. As an experienced Kaiako, she had a passion for creating quality learning experiences for all learners from tamariki through to tertiary students and many past students have spoken of the difference she made to their careers as early childhood educators.
Helen’s teaching and research interests focused on the visual arts and incorporating kaupapa Māori perspectives into early childhood education.
On Wednesday, our Unitec early childhood kaimahi and members of the senior leadership team gathered at Noho Kotahitanga for karakia, to support one another and to share memories of a treasured colleague and friend.
Lee- Anne Turton, Academic Programme Manager for Early Childhood Education commented “Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane, rest now your work is done. Our dear friend, colleague and mentor lived by the principles of Te Noho Kotahitanga. Students recall her inspiring lessons and passion for excellence in ECE”
Sue Emerson, Head of School added “Helen’s bravery, tenacity and strength of character shone through in everything she did. She was the epitome of Te Tiriti-based partnership and Helen carried these qualities into her teaching and life”
The team are grateful that Helen was able to teach and mentor students until very recently and remarkably she submitted her PhD thesis only 10 days before her passing. A true credit to her courage.
“Helen was truly committed to scholarship, research and teaching the teachers who begin the educational journeys of children who in turn go on to become the future of Aotearoa,” says Te Pūkenga Region 1 executive director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
“We pass on our condolences to her whānau, and friends and thank them for sharing her with us for many years,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
We invite you to share a message of condolence https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/k9L2UwiF
Out thoughts and prays are with you all. This is truly sad. She clearly wanted to achieve that PhD. What passion! Amazing