Queen's Birthday Honours: Robyn Rosemary Rosie

Robyn Rosemary Rosie - Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Queen's Birthday Honours List

Robyn Rosemary Rosie has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her 50-year contribution to education, sport, health and welfare.

The 71-year-old started teacher training college in 1962 and has never looked back in the profession - teaching throughout New Zealand and overseas, and was a principal for 20 years.

Mrs Rosie established some of the earliest reading recovery programmes at Te Wharau Primary School for disadvantaged youth.

She led and scripted school and community musicals and theatre productions and started the first rhythmic gymnastics club in Gisborne.

As principal of Elgin Primary School for 15 years, she led several initiatives, including the first school breakfast programme in Gisborne and an award-winning healthy lunch menu, a school vegetable garden, and Tu Tangata and other programmes to strengthen Maori students' achievement.

She established the Safe, Enjoyable, non-Violent School Environment programme, the Kids at Home Reading Programme and the first Gisborne School Duffy Books in Homes programme.

She was the Gisborne Jump Rope for Heart co-ordinator with a special focus on Maori and Pacific Island health.

Still teaching part-time at Otamarakau School in the Bay of Plenty, Mrs Rosie continues to teach and support children with programmes including healthy eating, Irlen's eye screening and prevention of bullying.

Mrs Rosie said seeing how a child progressed in the first few years of schooling was one of her favourite aspects of the job.

"That is where all the foundations are set for the child's future education."

Some of her most memorable experiences teaching have been when she has been able to do it overseas, she said.

She has been on five different year-long teaching experiences to England, Canada, the Arctic, Korea and the US.