Kathryn Whillans

Kathryn Whillans presented by Drama New Zealand President Emma Bishop at 'Invigorate' - 2015 National Conference, Saint Kentigern College, AUCKLAND

This evening's award recipient left school and learnt shorthand so she could try out a few ‘normal’ jobs – accountant’s clerk was one- but she decided there had to be more.

She travelled to England and had the pleasure of working with Dorothy Heathcote for a year before returning to NZ to teach taking up an HOD’s position in Drama at a local Secondary school.

She became part of the first curriculum working group that was established in New Zealand which was later to become the New Zealand Association for Drama in Education or commonly known as NZADIE. She was a Drama NZ executive member and acted as Treasurer for 10 years.

This person was a significant contributor to the Drama course development during the 1980’s which first focused on third and fourth forms, (thirteen and fourteen year olds) within individual schools and sixth form certificate (sixteen and seventeen year olds) within individual schools as well as at a national level. She was one of the advisory writers of 6th certificate and then went onto be a leader within the process of creating unit standards then onto NCEA.

From the onset the person’s influence was in the background as a contractor to NZQA where for years she acted in a number of roles.

As an amazing mentor to many with many of her own students now being Drama teachers themselves, Glenfield College wrote on her retirement last year after 35years of service

“The Legend, that is Kathryn Whillans is retiring at the end of this year after over 35 years of dedicated service to Glenfield College and Drama education nationally. Former students also remembered their involvement with the drama department and the effect Kathryn had on their lives.“

I remember first meeting this person in my first year of teaching at a Kohia course, where she shared her ideas freely. I always found this person to be willing to mentor and guide and on a personal note I thank her for her on-going encouragement support and guidance and belief in me.

It is therefore with great pleasure that I present the 2015 Inaugural Presidents Award to Kathryn Whillans.