Nicky making her magic
Tribute paid to Nicky Wise’s role with Life Education
It takes a truly special person to make that classroom into such a magical place and to keep that magic fresh and exciting every time a class of children arrives, every day for 20 years.
Joanne Wansbone
Since 2002 Harold the Giraffe has been visiting schools in the Waipā-King Country area bringing special messages across five key strands: identity and resilience, relationships and communities, food and nutrition, human biology, and substances to students.
Harold is immediately identifiable as the face of the Life Education programme through mobile classrooms, not just in our district, but throughout New Zealand.
As recognisable to our students is Nicky Wise — a passionate educator for Waipā-King Country Life Education Trust for 20 of its 22 years.
For much of that time, she was the sole educator, but increased demand saw a major fundraising programme undertaken and in 2020 a second mobile classroom was added.
Today Abby Miles is the trust’s second educator, enabling the trust to reach over 8000 students annually.
As the school year got under way, Waipā-King Country Life Education Trust celebrated Wise’s 20 years of service with an event at Fahrenheit Restaurant & Bar.
It was attended by 30 current trustees, past trustees, close associates and educators.
Trust chair Joanne Wansbone paid tribute to Nicky’s length of service and dedication to the work of Life Education.
She said the turnout was a great testament to the high regard in which she was held.
“Nicky, we’re all here tonight because you hold a special place in our hearts,” she said.
Wansbone said the trust was blessed to have her on the team for the last 20 years and it was an amazing achievement when the average lifespan of an educator is so much shorter.
“Yours is a unique workplace, moving from school to school and working in a small windowless classroom,” said Wansbone.
“It takes a truly special person to make that classroom into such a magical place and to keep that magic fresh and exciting every time a class of children arrives, every day for 20 years.”
Wansbone said it is thanks to Nicky and her amazing work and relationship with schools that has enabled the trust to thrive and grow.
To mark the occasion she wrote a ‘little ditty’.
Tonight Nicola Wise is the star of our show
She joined forces with Harold twenty short years ago
Forever young, bubbly and beautiful, the years have not dimmed your light
You’re your own special person, and for us you’re just right
So where do I start to reflect on these last twenty years?
You’ve transformed our trust, built relationships, calmed trustee fears
Waipā King Country tamariki are the luckiest ones
They’ve had the best of your magic, your message, your care and your fun.
You’ve woven your own Nicky brand of what an educator should be
Unique, special, one of a kind — you epitomise all three
Never willing to rest on your laurels, or previous lessons
Each day a new day, each class a new blessing
Constantly learning, experimenting, creating, revising
And those lucky children soaking up all the messages you’re devising
And you’ve generously shared your talents over all of these years
So many trainee educators have benefited from your wisdom, kindness and endless ideas
Your influence has spread from the north to the south
“Go and see Nicky, she’s the best”, says educator-word-of-mouth
But you belong here in Waipā, and while we don’t mind some sharing
We’re so grateful you’re ours — our tamariki blessed with your wisdom and caring
Our schools would all claim you as their very own, such an impression you make
But being popular and sought after, never a spare minute, a toll it can take
Pushed to your limit, you needed a helper and her name was Sarah
You found her, you trained her and your workload was fairer
And now we have Abby, you found her as well, she’s a dream
Now Team Nickabby is our own number-one educator team
How many principals have you seen come and go over those brief twenty years?
How many teachers befriended and enriched by the magic you share?
And generations of children, some now with children of their own
Still celebrating Nicky, your message, and the magic for which you’re known
Trustees, chairpersons, you’ve seen a few come and go
You are the one constant, you’re the star of our show
Barely missing a meeting, and never a dinner
Having you on our team has made our team the winner!
But there’s so much more to Nicky than a Life Education view
Your educator magic flows from the person you are, the essence of you
You’re warm and you’re caring, you go the extra mile
For schools, trustees, friends or family, we all love your sparkly smile
Some people say you can, perhaps, be a bit of a drama queen
Well, I’ve searched my Nicky memory — I don’t know what they mean!
You’re passionate, enthusiastic, devoted and maybe theatrical
And that’s just how you should be, you’re perfect, you’re magical
So a huge thank you Nicky for being just who you are
You make it all look easy, that’s why you’re such a star
Behind the scenes your commitment’s unequalled, we acknowledge your sacrifice
You stop at nothing to ensure no child’s left behind, and you pay the price