Sherryll's AGM Surprise

While our award winners are always a secret until the night, nobody was more surprised at this year's BetterBecauseValues awards than Kidsfirst Chief Executive. Sherryll Wilson, who received a special award initiated by staff, recognising her guardianship (Mana Tiaki) and the sense of unity she creates in the network. 

Head Teachers Felicity Jenkins (Wigram) and Helen Smith (Parklands) started the ball rolling with an email to staff to gauge the level of support for an award to recognise Sherryll's work over the past 25 years, and they were overwhelmed with responses. 

Felicity presented the award to Sherryll with these comments: 

"Kidsfirst Kindergartens as a whole community is strong in whakawhanaungatanga, which is vital to the development and learning of tamariki, and during this time of a different ways of being this person has endorsed this through her communication with the Kidsfirst Whānau.

2019 was a challenging year for this person and she responded with professionalism, empathy, honesty and sincerity. Her heart is embedded in all that she does and she works tirelessly to make Kidsfirst a better place for children, their families and kaiako. As the government's focus was on well-being, she too had that at the forefront of her mind and actions - demonstrating her passion for kindergarten and leading us with drive and determination, as an inspiration to us all. This person works alongside other leaders to ensure that teachers, children and their families are valued for the work they do and she stands strong on making Kidsfirst, as an organisation, a leader in Early Childhood Education.

There have been several events where this person has advocated for children, their families and kaiako, and she continues to lead and work alongside our professional leaders to ensure we work smarter and not harder. This person is Sherryll Wilson, a great example of what we stand for: Passionate -her continuous ability to advocate for teachers, children and their families, Proud of who we are and what we do for young children's learning, and inspiring to all and as her whānau she truly deserves an award that reflects her guardianship (Mana Tiaki) of us all in bringing us together as one."

Here are just a few of the responses that Felicity and Helen received when they sought staff approval for the award. 

"Sherryll’s heart is embedded in all that she does and she works tirelessly to make Kidsfirst a better place for all."

"Sherryll has certainly done what every great leader should do, especially in such challenging times."

"Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua. Those who lead give sight to those who follow, and those who follow give life to those who lead."

"Sherryll is definitely maternal in her protection of us all, and courageous in her efforts to lead from the frontline."

"Sherryll was so kind, considerate and sincere last year when we addressed some of our mahi problems she allowed us to have a voice and learn more about the ways of being and the running of the organisation-well done."

"We have the upmost admiration and aroha for Sherryll. She is a fantastic advocate for kindergarten, the kaiako who work there and the whanau and tamariki  who attend kindergartens."

"This is fabulous!!!! We totally agree."

"Sherryll's calm and positive attitude during the last year has been much appreciated by our team."

"I have been thinking about this the whole time over lockdown what an amazing CEO we have that thinks about us all as her family, with the support from team at Head Office.  I truly support this nomination for Sherryll."  

"She is so open with communicating with us and I feel comfortable that she has supported us all through some of our darker times in the last few years. As she said in her newsletter last night that Canterbury Kindergarten have gone through more than any other kindergarten association and we have all come through it all as we know that Sherryll has supported us through it."

"We take our hats off to Sherryll for all her hard work and commitment during lockdown and keeping in touch with us and stay connecting during this challenge time.  Mālō 'aupito for showing tauhivā mafana (maintaining warm relationships) and showing 'ofa/love  for the Kidsfirst kainga."

"I  taught and relieved in primary schools for many years, but your organisation care so much, not just for the children, but staff and relievers as well."

"I didn't always feel the same compassion and inclusion during my time in the primary sector. Well done Kidsfirst."