Robyn Irvine

Social Studies Online

Robyn Irvine was a gifted teacher and teacher educator who inspired many and made a significant contribution to education in New Zealand.

Robyn's energy and love of learning were apparent at every level of social science education. She promoted both geography and social studies wherever she went. She was a mover and shaker in social studies, a subject she loved, because it is about people

She challenged and inspired people to focus on issues that really matter in education. Students, teaching colleagues, researchers and writers, teacher educators, curriculum developers and policy makers relied on her for advice, guidance and her prodigious knowledge of social studies.

Robyn's students knew that she was a teacher who made a difference. She taught for 25 years at Papatoetoe High School, and immersed herself in the school community. She organised, coached and encouraged tirelessly - field trips, photography, sports teams, school events and publications. On leaving Papatoetoe she continued teaching at the Auckland College of Education.

Teaching was only one aspect of her educational involvement. She was a past president of the Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Social Studies Associations and the current chairperson of the Auckland Social Studies Association. She set papers for School Certificate Geography (South Pacific option), led panels of markers for School Certificate and was a member of an NCEA expert panel. She was deeply excited at the prospect of developing social studies as a subject for senior secondary students. She authored social studies texts and teaching materials, and ran local and national conferences and teachers' refresher courses. This year she has been involved in the development of national exemplars of student learning for primary and junior secondary schools in social studies.

She relished her work during 2000 and 2001 - leading the development of Social Studies Online. She often remarked she couldn't believe she was being paid to do something she enjoyed so much. She was able to combine her fascination with information communication technologies with her desire to enhance teaching and learning in social studies classrooms.

Friend to many, Robyn's enthusiasms infected those around her: especially her strong sense of belonging to Mangere, Mangere Mountain and her great love of animals.

By Christina Ward

Robyn was my only sister who was born four years before me. My father was in practice as a dentist in Newmarket and my mother stayed at home as a house mum. Robyn was a wonderful person. She was also a wonderful sister who took care of me right from my earliest recollections.

She was so careful with me and our black spaniel dog Rexy as she wheeled us round the garden in the wheelbarrow. She taught me to ride our first bike "Bluebird" and was supportive as I crashed time and time again into the hedge.

I must have been of real concern to her when in Standard 4 she was in charge of the school crossing and was presented with a whining little sister who would only cross at "Robyn's crossing". (It didn't matter that the one I should have been crossing at was some 400-500 metres further down the road!) I trusted no-one else.

She made sure that we arrived safely at Grandma's after cycling from Mangere East to Papatoetoe. I had to cycle directly behind her and never stray - and of course, never overtake!

We both attended the same schools - Mangere East Primary, Papatoetoe Intermediate and then Otahuhu College where I was proud to be known as Robyn Irvine's sister. (To this day, I am not sure that any of her previous teachers knew my name!)

From 1967-1969 Robyn attended Auckland University where she graduated with a B.A. in 1970.

The highlight of my school years came in 1970 when Robyn was at Training College. I was in the 6th form and had the "pleasure" of having my sister as a student teacher in a geography class. It was an exhiliarating experience and I could see, even then, what a wonderful teacher she was going to be. Later while teaching she continued with further study completing a Dip.Ed and then a M.Ed with first class honours.

Our joint love of animals always got us into trouble. We nagged and nagged and finally got our first cat - her name was Princess and she was beautiful. We managed to get a budgie too and he took pleasure, not only in talking, but diving into Robyn's goldfish bowl! This love of animals got us both in trouble in later years with multiples appearing……

She was also responsible for my love of hockey but not for me getting into trouble for refusing to play basketball (now known as netball) at Intermediate because I didn't think it was of the calibre of that stick game I was hankering to play.

I guess Robyn got her revenge on me for that school crossing episode when I was convalescing in hospital with a broken ankle (and was helpless). Here she was in charge of a wheelchair down a very steep slope. We both screamed with laughter as she negotiated a safe route - I would have been terrorised but she forgot one thing - I trusted her implicitly because she was my big sister.

Robyn was a fighter. She never gave in, but that was probably due to the worms and dirt she ate as a youngster.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!

Robyn did not just say these words, and think them, she based all that she did on them. Her commitment and amazing contribution to Social Science education, in particular to Social Studies, was based and built on her passion for kids, for learning, and for people.

This is reflected in the people who have come here today to cherish Robyn's life and the wonderful things she has given us all. I want to talk about the impact Robyn made and makes on education at a regional and national level.

All of us were special to Robyn, and she was special to all of us:

• the students at Papatoetoe HS and at ACE whom she taught and inspired,
• teaching colleagues whom she supported and challenged in her school and in schools across Auckland and at national conferences,
• teacher educators who shared and learned from her understanding and wisdom at ACE and at UNITEC,
• researchers and writers who valued her very robust and rigorous critique, they knew if Robyn said it was ok, it really really was
• and curriculum developers, policy makers and implementers who sought and relied on her advice, guidance and huge depth of both theoretical and practical understanding of Social Studies education.

People from all of those parts of Robyn's life are here today because they know that Robyn was special, unique, a taonga, a treasure. Her impact is illustrated movingly on the range of messages contributed from across the country in the past few days since her death to Social Studies Online, a project which she was the lifeblood of throughout 2000 and 2001.

She loved working on Social Studies Online, and could not believe that she could be paid to do work she absolutely relished. She commented several times that she felt privileged to be included in national projects like the development of the NCEA , the new national senior secondary qualification. In fact we are privileged to have her work in front of us each time we open up the social studies kete on-line. And we have loved having her warmth and intelligence, her passion, expertise and zest for learning, upon which to build the new senior school quals in Social Studies. More recently she has been a significant driver in the beginnings of development of national exemplars of student learning in social studies for primary and junior secondary schools. We were looking forward to her insightful contribution to the development of this project, her curly questions, and the "but hang on a minutes"...

I hope, and in fact I am sure that Robyn did know that she was utterly essential to the successful outcomes of projects such as these, she was a mover and shaker of Social Studies, she would challenge others and herself fiercely at times, and then celebrate quietly but with gusto when successful outcomes were achieved. At the heart of all of this was her determination to make a difference for kids, particularly those from communities such as the one where she taught and lived. Her sense of fairness, justice and fair play are evident in the nature of how she helped shape the curriculum, and in the work she developed for Social Studies. Her goals were that from students learning about these things would come a commitment to social action to make all communities the best, fairest and most equitable places for people to live in. Her immense interest in the "mud and blood" of Gallipoli for example came from the understanding she had of the impact of the injustice and inhumanity of war. She was excited by the ways that students could identify with the emotions and perspectives of people in different times and places, and learn from others experiences how to make their own lives rich and meaningful.

Robyn, you gave meaning to the social in social studies. We will miss your intense loyalty, total commitment to quality teaching and learning, passion for kids and support for teachers. We will miss the e-mails signed Robyn Irvine of Mangere, home of Mangere Mountain, Villa Maria, the airport and awesome people. And the phone calls. . I will still think I will ring Robyn, you will know... I've done it already in thinking about this sevice! You wove us all together in those meetings you organised to ensure we all kept in touch, and that the ASSA would deliver stunning smorgsbords of workshops. You ensured that Social Studies stood tall through the Changes magazine to provide ideas and inspiration for teachers. Despite your illness the successful 2000 FSSA conference was testament to the determination and gutsiness you had to follow through every commitment. Your willingness to accept new tasks and challenges, including your own personal battle with illness, have amazed us all.

We will miss you. Friend, mentor, sounding board, thinker, keeper and purveyor of wisdom, challenger and constant reminder of what is really important in our work and in our lives.

We will also smile about your love of Mangere when we land at Auckland airport and pass by your mountain. We will celebrate you when we share a bottle of Villa Maria wine, and cherish you when we meet the people with whom you shared your awesome life. Especially we will think of you when children in Social Studies classrooms all over the country to whom you have given so much, celebrate their achievement and love of learning, as you have helped to make that possible.

Rogan, thank you for your care and love of Robyn during all those times she needed you.

Carol, thank you for sharing your awesome sister with us. We share your pride and your loss.

Haere ra e hoa no te whanau o Tikanga a iwi

Arohanui Robyn

We love you heaps.

In Robyn's words - it's all bit of a Toyota!

I have struggled with what to say today - Robyn would have been impressed that I even picked up the last think book she sent me, and started making a mind map of possible words.

I want to share with you what I know of Robyn's life, her passions, and her thoughts.

Robyn was a very private and shy person. She didn't always find it easy to share her feelings. She didn't rate herself - and she lacked confidence.

Well, I have spent the last 2 days at home in Dunedin surrounded by Robyn's emails. Robyn and I had this understanding since her illness. She had to email me every day so I knew she was up and about and okay.

They have made me laugh and cry. I could hear her enthusiasm, sense her frustration and pain, share her excitement, work and ideas, and I just loved her humour. These emails tell the story of an amazing woman. So I want to share some of it with you. She was one amazing educator and friend. And it is time to reflect and celebrate her contribution to education and our lives.

So here we go, her story………

ASSA

Just before her second operation in August 2001 she emailed me:

Just had a lovely evening at the Pearl Garden with Alison and most of the ASSA committee- plus Gordon Chandler and Colleen Fleming. We gave the new principal a standing ovation upon her majestic arrival.
Diana she was so proud of you.

Afterwards Sue M and I sat in the car and discussed the affairs of the world for a while. You know that before the operation I can still dream its something else...
She gave me a detailed description of what was to happen then writes -
cash register rings by the minute.

Robyn was totally dedicated to the Auckland Social Studies Association. She was the ASSA and as many of us moved on, she kept it going. She has organised many workshops, conferences, smorgasbords. She worked tirelessly as its leader to support teachers. She loved the social contact with members of the ASSA. And when the last smorgasbord was cancelled 2 weeks ago she told me how much she enjoyed just having brunch with the committee and Alison instead.

Sue - she often gave you a hard time but was so very fond of you, Dave, Kurt and Brontee. I know all about the walks up her beloved Mangere Mountain with Kurt and Brontee, the trips to MacDonald's, the birthdays. She took a great interest in the children's development, was very protective of them and fiercely proud.

Her Animals

About to take Red the Ted to vet for blood tests - Depending on what they decide I will either have coffee with the Hardipersons (Margaret, Mary and Trevor Hardiman she always referred to as the Hardipersons) or go home and do the vacuuming - he (Red the Ted) is a bit distressed by vacuuming - but then so am I. He is non vacuum ready.
Did send off my SC marking claim - they have upped the pay since I last did it - should pay for the cats bills.

A few emails later:
I gag at the cost (for Red the Ted) but don't think I could have not fought for him if you know what I mean. And now he is too well to even consider giving up on him.

Robyn loved her animals and they dominated the bed. Rogan was telling me last Sunday how worried she was because Robyn was finding the bed uncomfortable with all the animals on it. Most of us would have got rid of the animals - not Robyn. She left the cats and dog on the bed and slept when she could on the lazaboy.

Her work

Over the last few days messages have appeared on the social studies forum from educators like Chris Davidson who wrote that he had worked with Robyn for the last twenty years, at first in geography and then more recently they worked together helping to support the new social studies curriculum. Chris sums it up: She made a major contribution to the teaching of geography but her recent work in social studies will ensure the success of social studies in secondary schools, especially at Years 10-13. Her most tangible legacy is Social Studies Online.

And in the words of Sue Tetley: Thank you Robyn for making a difference. Thank you for caring for all students and your insistence that the Maori voice be heard in Social studies. Thank you for being an invaluable friend and colleague and thank you for supporting Pippi as her form teacher for her years at Papatoetoe High school.

From Karyn Wilson, the chairperson of the New Zealand Federation of Social Studies we received this message to read:
Social Studies rocks and the loss of a diamond

My lasting memory I have of Robyn is of her eyes.
Robyn's eyes drew you towards her.
They were her diamonds.
They delivered open inquiring almost quisical looks.
They shared warmth, passion and commitment.
They challenged you to question your views and use their strength
to reflect and gain new insight.
Such was the power that Robyn conveyed through her eyes.
Such was the power of Robyn's commitment to all she did.

She was our diamond and social studies rocks on because of people like Robyn.

Ask me what is the greatest thing in the world.
I will reply
It is people, it is people.
God keep you safe on your last journey, Robyn.

Through Social Studies Online and the book, Top Tools, and the ASSA magazine Changes, Robyn achieved one of her life's goals - to support teachers in delivering social studies. She hoped that by focusing on providing this support the students would be turned onto social studies, experience the magic of learning.

Many of us here today have lost our collaborator, the lynch pin of so many social studies projects. She loved working with George Andrews and his film projects. She prepared many trainee students at Auckland College of Education, and got so frustrated when they didn't share her passion for teaching social studies. But she did gain confidence at working with primary trainees and that was a personal achievement for her. She was the South Pacific geography examiner and spent many enjoyable days in Tonga. She participated in NCEA developments. And last year she did her final stint as panel leader for SC Geography

And many of you would have experienced this - Robyn acknowledging - Oh I do so get agitated with social studies developments. A good example of her frustrations is in this one: some interesting stuff here in this unit if only the teacher could use it properly - poor kids - she is assessing their ignorance.

People in her life

She was forever grateful that she shared in so many of your lives. It meant so much to her. She would email me bits like - Christina and I have just harassed each other happily for 3 hours and made progress with the idea of Celebration as a theme. This was when she was at her happiest - working through an idea, letting it play in her head before it surfaced as a unit.

And good ole Raewyn Smith gets married today. Raewyn she so admired your skills. Gosh how we appreciate her expertise and it has made it so much easier for us to do dumb things at times and her retrieve them for us and so on. The Social Studies Online team played a huge role in Robyn's life during her illness. Coming back from being ill that I decided that this was a great project to be on and how much I was enjoying and coming here.

And - it's Margaret's birthday - supposed to be picnicking on the beach at St Heliers - in the rain!

I must have made some reference to motion sickness - back she comes - I suffer from motion sickness too - solved by driving yourself not being driven and avoiding boats. You don't attend many reviews by boat do you? So nothing to worry about then.

But she had some wonderful moments in her last few months

First of January this year she emailed

Eeeeeh ha - made it to 2002 -had a lovely dinner with Rogan and Graham last night. BBQ with fantails and a power cut.

She kept in touch with people in her past - Like when she emailed and said, Going to Cornwall Park to meet the Otahuhu Old Girls. Maintaining contact was very important to Robyn.

And what was she up to when on her own

Can't you just hear her - this was in February this year.
Just mowed my lawns - good ole hand mower - like to get it out once or twice a year to keep it functioning. And I feel so much better when I exercise. Hot though! Drenched in a glow.

And later in the month,

Up to part 90 zillion of tidying up my study. She was forever meaning to tidy her study. She often commented on the news and sport events - Pity about Michael Campbell. Does Tiger have to return at least some of his appearance fee?

And following a rugby match - When I remembered to tune in around half time I got excited - for a while. I was doing my tax return to avoid prosecution etc! so anything was exciting.

I particularly like this one, Ideas I'm full of them - they just don't always emerge like they should from my head. I feel more in control now that I have made a list - seems more manageable on paper than zooming around in my head. Bit like gabbing the Snitch.

And how she played with ideas and words and looked for meaning.
Progression. Now there's a word!
What the Exemplar Project is all about.
What cancer is all about.
In the first we need to develop progression.
In the latter, to stop it!
What does this mean?

And how about this one: I told someone the other day that we were Elizabethans. They just looked blank. I'd rather be Elizabethan than a right Charlean.

Her health

This became a major focus in her life - the frustrations and limitations it imposed, the pain she lived with, the life of Phoebe - who didn't hear about Phoebe and what she got up to. Phoebe was her colostomy bag At one stage she commented, Phoebe should have some sort of degree because she has a lot to say like most teachers.

And of course the ongoing bad news.

August last year she emailed
Bit of a bugger really. The scan results are a bit unpalatable. - the rest of me feels fine.

And when she was trying to get her iron count up -
Just had a nap and a meal of lambs fry and bits - Here's to iron up.

Her last journey

Robyn was a traveller and had visited many places in her life.

On March 14 she set out to visit with her lifelong penfriend Elaenor and her husband Roger and family in England. She returned home April 18. This was the most courageous undertaking Robyn did, revisiting places familiar to her. She coped with an exhausting itinerary and immense pain and discomfort. Some of you know the Royal Mile in Edinburgh - that took Robyn 2 days to walk in between rests.

Among many experiences Robyn explored the battlefields in France and Turkey, caught up with an old social studies friend, Heather Shepherd in Turkey. She wrote, my Brain is full of memorials and gravestones. Got a bit tired some days - hits me quite suddenly -need to be very regular with food and rests.

But sadly Robyn's next planned trip to Australia on her airpoints won't be happening

Rogan - I would like to thank you on behalf of everyone who loved Robyn for being there for her. It helped me enormously to know you were there for her. She was not always an easy patient and had a tendency to push those trying to help her away at times. But she was so grateful for your support, patience, love and being with her through every step of her illness.

Robyn's last email to me on Wednesday was so positive - Have just let the cats out and I am getting prepared to head out to Tuakau on my first SS Exemplar meeting. Feeling good. Back seems under control at last so I can sit relatively comfortably. Bliss. It's the little things... Now - while you drive merrily to Alexandra, I have to figure out how the hell to get to Tuakau.

I will miss the emails.

Place and people were important to Robyn. She lived in the family home in Massey Rd, Mangere, she walked her beloved Mangere Mt, and her last journey took her to Gallipoli and a place called Irvine in England.

Robyn loved being part of our lives. Although in pain and discomfort she lived a full life right up to the last moment. She would have been so chuffed at this turnout, at the thoughts on the social studies forum, and how much she will be missed.

We thank you, Robyn Irvine of Mangere - home of the mountain, airport, Villa Maria and awesome people.

Catch you.

No friend of Robyn could be ignorant of her great love for animals. Her present dog Tammy and her multitude of cats are the last of many four-legged friends over the years. About five years ago Robyn went to the SPCA to find a small dog to replace Suzy who had receently died. After choosing Tammy she decided she needed a cat as well. She fell in love with Bockles who is a beautiful black and white puss. She didn't have the heart to separate her from her cage-mate, a tabby of uncertain beauty, whom she assumed was a long-time friend. Having decided on them both she later discovered they had been placed together only 20 minutes before. Others quickly followed when they read the notice on the gate saying, "Good home - apply within". George and Harry arrived separately after suffering badly at the hands of other animals, while Hissy Fit was the victim of a car accident who Robyn tended mostly carefully while he recovered from a broken pelvis. Sprocket was the last of a litter of kittens who all had to be treated for ringworm. He was a little slower to throw it off and by that time Robyn had fallen for him and he was never found another home. Red the Ted was another of "Them outdoors" as Robyn called the family of neighbour's cats who looked to her for extra food. He had a stroke while recovering from the cat flu - and has become another of "Them indoors". Anybody interested in acquiring one of Robyn's furry friends could see Rogan - with references, please.

Tributes from the Social Sciences Forum

From: "Sandra & Paul Cubitt"
Subject: Re: [socsci] Robyn Irvine
Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 11:37:38 +1200

Robyn's passion for social studies and learning will be greatly missed by those who had the pleasure to work with her. She was a tireless campaigner for the social sciences and fought to find the essence of social studies. Her death leaves a huge gap in our lives and ongoing developments in the social studies fields.

Sandra Cubitt

Robyn was always so very generous with her ideas and resources. She had an amazing clarity of vision and understanding of the essence of social studies and its effective implementation. She was equally passionate about Geography and made a major contribution to that community also. Her passing leaves a big gap in the social studies exemplar team where she always kept us on track in terms of the finer detail of the document and clear interpretations of it. She gave so much, a true social sciences "guru". Wonderful that she was able to have her trip to Europe and visit places that meant much to her.
Rowena Taylor

I was very saddened by the news of Robyn’s death and as Robyn was always so self-effacing I felt the need to express publicly how great a loss she will be to social studies and geography in New Zealand.

I worked with Robyn for the last twenty years, at first in geography and then more recently we worked together helping to support the new social studies curriculum. She made a major contribution to the teaching of geography but her recent work in social studies will ensure the success of social studies in secondary schools, especially at Years 10-13. Her most tangible legacy is Social Studies Online. Others have made significant contributions to Social Studies Online but it was Robyn through her initial online units who provided us with examples of what could be achieved.

We will all miss her greatly professionally and personally for her hard work, ideas, enthusiasm and humour.

Chris Davidson

Robyn achieved the ultimate for a teacher. She translated her vision for Social Studies into a new curriculum (along with others of like mind) but then into tangible units of work. These not only reflect the soul, spirit and potential of this subject but provide concrete ideas and resources that teachers can immediately integrate into programmes of work. Robyn truly 'walked the talk'. Her work lives on in many sources and publications but Social Studies Online is testament to her tireless efforts to take Social Studies into a new realm. She has shared all that she had, then sought new avenues and options to explore - indeed a prolific creator of quality resources. I will remember Robyn for her inspiration, intellect, integrity and humility but most of all, for her humanity and heart.

Helen Towgood
Western Bay of Plenty Social Studies Teachers Association.

Thank you Robyn for making a difference. Thank you for caring for all students and your insistence that the Maori voice be heard in Social studies.
Thank you for being an invaluable friend and colleague and thank you for supporting Pippi as her form teacher for her years at Papatoetoe High school.
Sue Tetley

I will miss Robyn's inspirational good humoured messages. She was an enthusiastic mentor and although there is a huge gap in the social studies family at the present moment I am sure that Robyn's seedlings will grow strong in a testament to her faith and courage. Kia kaha Pauline Farra (Wood)

How sad it is to hear the news about Robyn. She was working with us on Wednesday afternoon on the Social Studies exemplar project, full of vision and enthusiasm as always. I shall always be thankful for the opportunity of participating in the Social Studies on-line project and the understanding of the Social Studies curriculum that I have gained as a result.

Robyn, late of Villa Maria and Mangere Mountain arohanui, haere ra.

Alison Tuck and the Social Studies Department Tuakau College

Robyn had a great passion for not only Social Studies, but educating young people, she believed in the importance in educating young people to be socially aware and critical thinkers. Her drive, humour, intelligence and mana will be missed greatly by teachers and students alike. As we remember her we need to go back to our classrooms determined to make a difference and to carry on teaching to the high standard she expected from us all. Arohanui, Robyn.

Emma Beale

Robyn's death is so sad. She taught me geography in her first years of teaching at Papatoetoe High School, she encouraged me to play hockey - which I loved. I later became a Geography teacher and Social Studies teacher and I am sure it was partly due to her. She was an inspiration, a realist, self-effacing but most of all I loved her humour and that sense of "value" she gave you. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to work on the Social Studies on-line team with Robyn. I feel my contribution to this was only small but I certainly enjoyed having regular contact with her again and those humorous e-mails and countless websites that often made you laugh. Arohanui, you will always have a special place in my heart and that goes for all the Thomas family that you touched. Thank you Robyn

Robyn Irvine

This is a tribute to a great teacher who constantly reminded us that Social Studies rocks. Throughout the time I knew her on the ANZFSSA Executive, and later as its President and as a leader at UNITEC, Robyn kept us all with our feet on the ground in working to put Social Studies in its proper place in the Education system; that is of giving a good broad understanding of our society and wider world to the future citizens we teach. She was also working at developing tools that would assist us to do this job.

Sincere condolences to all who were close to her. She touched the lives of many of us. She will be sadly missed.

George Seconi,

Ex President, Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Social Studies Associations.

As a first year teacher in 1998 I met Robyn at the social studies conference in Dunedin. At the time I was stuck in the rut of turning out lesson after lesson of written overhead activities. Robyn's workshop and her book on top tools for social studies were a breath of fresh air that have made a real difference in my teaching.

In fact, i still have the copy of the book I procured from the school i was teaching at at the time. I'm not teaching at the moment though I know it will be my most valuable tool when I do return to the classroom. Thank you for that Robyn.

Mike

Robyn Irvine of Mangere - home of the mountain, airport, Villa Maria and awesome people.

Its hard to believe that this signature sign off has been written for the last time. For those of us in Social Studies Mangere has yet another reason for being a special place. The home of Robyn Irvine, one who will rightly have a place as a beacon in the development of Social Studies in our region. Farewell Robyn.

Terry Lord

As a non Social Studies person can I also pay tribute to someone who was a thorough professional and an amazing advocate for your subject.

As others have said, Social Studies Online will be her legacy and the quality of that legacy is testament to the person who most influenced its development.

Later today we will have a tribute to Robyn on the homepage (http://tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/index_e.php)

hopefully with a photo - although those of you who know Robyn will know how difficult tracking down one of those has been!

Phil Coogan

It is with great sadness that I learned of this huge loss to Social Studies. Robyn has had a major impact on Social Studies and the lives of many of us involved in the Social Studies and Geography.

I certainly appreciated her no nonsense approach and sense of humour when working on material for Social Studies Online with her. It is difficult to know she will no longer be just an email away.

Thank you Robyn - for everything you have done to help others.

Hamish McMillan (HOD Geography/Social Studies Saint Kentigern College)

It has come as a shock today to read of Robyn's death.

The tributes from colleagues reflect my own warm feelings towards her work, sense of humour, and especially her enthusiasm for life and people. What an example and challenge she has set us all.

In fond memory of Robyn I'd like to celebrate all those in our teaching community who reflect her enthusiasm for social studies, and who share their ideas and encourage others in their endeavours.

Pamela Benson, Massey University College of Education, Palmerston North

When you get to work with one of those heroes in your subject area, you realise just exactly why they are your hero. On behalf of the 15,000 who sat School Certificate Geography each year over the past few years, thank you Robyn for your unfailing determination to see each and every one of them treated fairly.

Andrea Mark Assessment, Secondary Education Group

I, like all in the social studies community, will miss Robyn a great deal. Her commitment to, and enthusiasm for, social studies, and her outstanding personal and professional qualities, have been outlined in the many tributes already posted to this forum.

I would like to add that Robyn was with the NCEA social studies panel throughout the whole of the achievement standards development process. Her expertise, creativity, hardwork and determination are very much reflected in them. Her work to help establish social studies as a subject in the senior secondary school is another of her many significant contributions to social sciences education in New Zealand.

Paul Keown
School of Education
University of Waikato.

Robyn's death has come as such a huge shock to the Social Studies whanau in so many ways. Robyn's support and loyalty are treasured by all of many , so many of her friends, so many of them a part of that whanau. I first knew her as a professional colleage with a passion for kids, teachers, Social Studies and Geography, in more or less that order. Then as we grew to love her as a friend, mentor, sounding board, keeper and purveyor of wisdom, we found out so much about how special she was. Her contrbution to the children and teachers of Social Studies in Aotearoa has been immense, and her friendship and love and the many connections to our lives will continue to inspire and challenge us.

Haere ra e hoa, arohanui.

(... and in the words of Alan Murray, a treasurer of the Auckland Social Studies Assocation whose wonderful sense of humour Robyn shared until his death some years ago - Long live Social Studies!)

Alison Dow

Robyn's passing is so very sad. Her love of friends, colleagues and animals, her generosity of spirit, and her smile that warmed up a room were special qualities that we will deeply miss. Robyn lived and breathed Social Studies and this breath of life enhanced and sustained the implementation of the curriculum and supported the professional development of us all. We are so lucky to have shared friendships with such a special person.

Arohanui Robyn Pip Hunter

Kia ora, There are some of us who will weep with you as you meet at Robyn's funeral. I remember her fondly. Our interactions were actually few but she enthused and supported many of us involved in Social Studies and education. Go well. Special mention and aroha to those of you in Auckland. There is a bit of all of us with you at this sad time. Anne Te Punga Somerville.

My abiding memories of Robyn, as they are for some many others, are of her passion, her enthusiasm, her care and compassion especially for disadvantaged teenagers and animals, and her singular determination to proceed with the task at hand to the best of her ability and then some.

For a person who was so successful at diverting attention from herself, it is fitting that her friends and colleagues now acknowledge her achievement and her legacy.

Farewell Robyn. Thank you for the many ways your work has touched our lives and the lives of our pupils.

Suzanne Smith

Robyn was an inspiration. It wasn't just what she did; it was how and why she did it. Her legacy will not die. David Keen

I just wanted to commend Rogan and the others for organising a very fitting tribute to Robyn yesterday. The well attended service; the full tributes and the lovely balance between sadness and humour perfectly captured Robyn's life.

Thank you so much to Sandra and Alison for speaking on behalf of Social Studies and what it meant to Robyn. Such a hard task and you did it so beautifully and eloquently.

Robyn was a special person in the social studies community. While we feel so much the worse for her passing, what strikes you is that she did so much to develop the potential of others.

Her legacy is there in those she taught, developed and assisted. And what a very rich and precious legacy it is.

Robyn devoted her life to education and we are all so much the better for her work.

Dale Bailey

Nearly 20 family, friends and Social Studies associates gathered on Mangere Mountain to honour Robyn's last wish "to have her ashes scattered on her favourite mountain". This happened on a rather grey Auckland morning. Stories were told and trips to the mountain were relived. Fortunately the rain held off until we had returned to our cars. A fitting end to a life that was centred on Mangere and its mountain.

Terry Lord