kateedgertrust

UK Donor Funds Master of Music Therapy Award

June 7, 2023

Mr. Ellis Coxon graduated in Chemistry from the University of Durham in 1983 and became a qualified secondary school teacher in 1984. His first teaching assignment involved instructing Chemistry to 300 students aged 11 to 16, some of who were classes of students with special needs.

The UK education system at that time had no special education policies in place and teaching a theoretical subject to students who struggled with basic literacy skills proved challenging.  He describes how their lack of engagement led to them “taking great delight in misusing the acid , glass and fire involved in any practical work”.  The difficulties he encountered in this stressful and under resourced classroom environment took a toll on Mr. Coxon’s mental health, resulting in him eventually leaving the teaching profession altogether.

While employed in the Civil Service during the early 1990s, Mr. Coxon happened upon a special needs school nearby. He subsequently spent the following two years volunteering during his extended lunch breaks, working with young adults facing severe and profound learning difficulties.  This experience reignited his desire to return to teaching and he completed a Master’s degree in Special Education.

Although obtaining his Master’s degree was a significant accomplishment, once back classroom teaching full time, Mr. Coxon found the bureaucratic focus on why the students didn’t conform to an existing curriculum overshadowed the ability to treat each student as an individual with unique needs.

Ultimately, Mr. Coxon found fulfillment as Chemistry tutor, providing personalised instruction to students on a one-on-one basis in their homes.  He retired from full time work in 2016 to care for his elderly mother until her passing in 2021.

As a long-time admirer of the beautiful singing voice of Hayley Westenra, Mr. Coxon discovered that she was a patron of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust in Auckland, NZ.  Learning more about the work of the Trust and the shortage of music therapy teachers, he knew he wanted to help.  These discussions led to Mr Coxon sponsoring a second Master of Music Therapy award in partnership with The Kate Edger Trust and The Raukatari Music Therapy Trust.

It is very fitting that the recipient of his award Sarah Byrne, has a teaching background and has come to Music Therapy through her recognition of the power of music in the classroom environment to support children with emotional and behavioral issues.

Both the Kate Edger Trust and Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust are very grateful to Mr Coxon for his generous donation towards Sarah’s music therapy career and the people she will ultimately help.

MusicHelps funds Master of Music Therapy Award

June 6, 2023

MusicHelps is a registered New Zealand charity governed by a board of music loving professionals who lend their expertise and passion to the cause.

They also provide emergency assistance to thousands of music people experiencing hardship and illness through our suite of music support services, including a world first, professional online, on-the-phone and face-to-face counselling service tailored to people who make music possible.

Collaborating with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust (RMTT) and The Kate Edger Trust to create a special award to support the growth of music therapy practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand was an obvious partnership for the charity.

 

Lorde

This lineup includes NZ music royalty Neil Finn, Lorde, Joel Little and Don McGlashon.

They support hundreds of projects across New Zealand, each using the power of music to change the lives of thousands of New Zealanders in need. This includes music therapy, music programs in respite and palliative care, music education programs (particularly in low decile environments), music programs in prisons and rehabilitation and music in aged care to name but a few initiatives we support.

 

“Music therapy goes to the very heart of what we do at MusicHelps,” says Chair of MusicHelps, Anthony Healey (right) “The need for talented music therapists and the demand for music therapy is unprecedented, so to support and partner with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust and The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust like this is massive.”

RMTT Executive & Clinical Director, Jen Glover, and the Raukatauri Board, including co-founder Dame Hinewehi Mohi, are particularly excited to have MusicHelps join this growing list of funders given its strong connection to the music industry and ability to reach professional musicians who may be looking for another career pathway. In addition to the financial award, scholarship recipients are provided with a clinical placement and a pathway to employment with Raukatauri, a great source of stability for musicians who are often used to having to make their own way in the industry.

Applications for the award are open for full-time wāhine identifying students studying a Master of Music Therapy programme. The recipient of the award will receive an $8,000 scholarship for one year of study, and if they are in their second year of study, a supported student placement with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.

Applications will open on August 1st 2023.

New Master of Music Therapy Award collaboration of The KEECT, Gattung Foundation & Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust

December 20, 2022

We are thrilled to announce a new award “The KEECT Master of Music Therapy Award” sponsored by Gattung Foundation and supported by the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust (RMTT). The purpose of the award is to improve diversity within the music therapy profession by opening doors for Māori and Pasifika women.

Music Therapy is the planned use of music to assist in the healing and growth of people with emotional, intellectual, physical or social challenges.   A career in Music Therapy offers challenge, opportunity, and distinctive rewards to those with a strong musical background interested in working with people of all ages with various disabilities.  Music therapists have extensive training in music, psychology and human development.

The recipient of The KEECT Master of Music Therapy Award will receive $8,000 for one year of full-time study, and if they are in their second year of study, it will also include a minimum 750 hour placement with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.  Raukatauri is committed to supporting students on placement into employment and intends to extend that commitment to recipients of this award.

RMTT Clinical and Centre Director Jen Glover (left) said she has been disheartened by the lack of Māori music therapists working in Aotearoa.

“Our experience in expanding to areas such as the Far North and the Eastern Bay of Plenty in recent years has made it clear to us that there are passionate wāhine musicians living around the country who would make amazing music therapists if they could be supported in their studies,” she said.
“We’re confident that the award will make a real difference in increasing the diversity of our field, and improving access to music therapy services around the country.”

Gattung Foundation spokeswoman Angela Gattung (pictured below left with her sister and co-founder Theresa Gattung) said the foundation was born out of a shared spirit to enable others and make real change.

“We support causes that touch us deeply and make a tangible difference – especially for Māori and Pasifika women,” she said.
“The aim of the scholarship is to inspire Māori and Pasifika wāhine musicians to consider taking up a career in music therapy, filling the need for more music therapists, whilst increasing diversity in the profession.”

The Kate Edger Trust feels this award aligns beautifully with namesake Kate Edger’s own skill and passion for music.  She was a gifted singer and played the piano and violin, performing publically at concerts with her siblings.  Her own children were also noted for their ‘gifted musical abilities’.

Full-time wāhine students, preferably of Māori and Pasifika ethnicity, studying a Master of Music Therapy can apply for the scholarship.

Applications for the award close on January 31, 2023.

Women in Science Award in memory of Sylvia Tredwell

November 22, 2022

Born in Northampton, England in 1931 to a ‘lower middle-class family’, Sylvia Tredwell pictured aged 29 with her eldest son Stephen, followed the social norms of the time which included leaving school at 16 to work as a shorthand secretary and later giving up work when she married to become a homemaker and mother to her 3 children Stephen, Susan and Michael.

While Sylvia later went on to have a successful and rewarding administration career where she was highly regarded, her family has often wondered if she had been born into different circumstances with the opportunity to attend university and gain formally recognised qualifications, how much more she might have achieved in her career.  They believe she would have most certainly ended up in a senior management role suited to her high level of intelligence and capability.

Sylvia’s return to the workforce and ensuing career began in 1973 when the young family emigrated to New Zealand and set up home in Hamilton. As the children were now all school-age, she worked in a number of administrative and reception roles for several years before the family moved back to Northampton in 1979.

Once back in England, Sylvia continued to work in administration, eventually ending up at British Gas where her common sense and no-nonsense approach to work and life prevailed over her lack of engineering experience and formal qualifications.  Her time there culminated in her managing a large team of Gas Engineers and their workload – a role that would have required a high level of specialised knowledge that she had gained over the years.

Even after her retirement from British Gas in the 1990s, she continued to enjoy working part-time for many years as an exam invigilator at several nearby tertiary institutions, something which gave her enjoyment and a continued purpose.

When Sylvia died in 2013 aged 82 years, she left a legacy her family is very proud of.  She displayed great resilience, tenacity, and an inherent level of practicality in her approach to her professional career and in overcoming the barriers and social preconceptions of the time.

It is with this in mind, that Sylvia’s family is offering the Women in Science Award in her memory so that someone else may be afforded the opportunities their mother didn’t, to pursue a career path of their choosing and reach their full potential.

 

New Award in memory of Elizabeth Crannigan

Elizabeth Crannigan was born in 1927 in Warr犀利士
ington Lancashire.  Her parents were a WWI veteran and a housewife.  Tragically, both parents had died by the time she was 10 years old, and she and her 3 brothers were raised by their spinster Aunt Clara who undoubtedly would have struggled with the responsibility of caring for 4 orphaned children.

The difficulties young Elizabeth Crannigan faced in her early life shaped her for a lifetime of wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who were marginalised in some way.

On finishing school, Elizabeth went to London to study Art.  Her early art and design career included designing the artwork for well-known British chocolatiers Beeches Chocolates who recently celebrated over 100 years in business and for Sandersons, renowned wallpaper manufacturers.

In the late 1960’s, now a mother herself and with a passion for children and education, Elizabeth returned to study at Ilkley College of Further Education and gained a teaching qualification.  She was a passionate and creative art and remedial English teacher with a natural talent for hands-on craftwork, no doubt inherited from her carpenter father.

Challenging the gender myths of the time, she went on to teach metalwork and woodwork, eventually becoming the Head of the Craft Department at Ilkley School.  Mrs Crannigan used her classroom as an opportunity for students who struggled with mainstream subjects to discover their passion and strengths through creative work.

Outside the classroom, Mrs Crannigan continued to express her own creativity through watercolour painting and was an active and engaged member of the Ilkley Art Club.  During a trip to New York, she was invited to exhibit later that year in Philadelphia where her watercolours exhibition was a great success.  This was a special highlight in her artistic career.

After her retirement from teaching, Mrs Crannigan enjoyed travelling and had many happy trips to The States, Australia and New Zealand to visit friends and family.

She was widowed in 1998 with the death of her husband Tony, and 8 years later experienced further untimely grief with the death of her son Nicholas from cancer.  For someone who lost their parents at a very young age, to also lose a child seems very unjust.  But Elizabeth Crannigan had a special resilience and fortitude that she is especially remembered for.

In 2016 she suffered a debilitating fall which she wasn’t expected to recover from and was taken to the Gables Nursing Home to be cared for in her ‘last weeks’.  However, she confounded the experts by living and enjoying special times with her family for another 5 years before eventually passing away on September the 8th 2021.

The impact of education comes in many forms, including the teachers at school who leave a lasting imprint.  Mrs Crannigan’s students will no doubt remember her as the teacher that made them feel seen and valued.  She in turn greatly admired those students who, despite their difficult life circumstances, used her classroom to discover their creative passions, purpose and hands-on skills they could take with them in life.

It is with this in mind, that her daughter Margaret and family have chosen to honour her memory with a Kate Edger Trust Award recognising the resilience and achievement of a Kate Edger Awardee who has overcome adversity to achieve their education goals.

 

 

Janet Xuccoa: leaving a ‘gift into the future’ for Education

March 29, 2022

When Janet Xuccoa was admitted to the Bar in an online ceremony on Friday 29th October 2021 in the midst of a Covid lockdown, it was not the High Court occasion and celebration she had envisaged.  After an education journey of almost 30 years studying part time for two degrees whilst working full time and writing 3 bestselling books, she had planned to throw a party!  However, this was just another obstacle that by now, Janet was well versed in overcoming. 

Janet is a successful businesswoman, author, public speaker and Trusts Specialist who has a passion for sharing her knowledge, based on the principle of ‘paying it forward’.  This comes from a place of knowing what it feels like to be given a helping hand when all other doors have closed which is why she has decided to leave a generous gift in her Will to The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust (KEECT).  At face value, she has it all, but what is most interesting is the lengths she went to achieve her goals, the sacrifices she made, and the obstacles she overcame on the way. 

Janet was born in England to a British mother and an Arabian father.  The family moved to New Zealand when Janet was very young.  She had a difficult family upbringing, particularly with her dominant father who placed no value on education, especially for women, so as soon as she finished school, she left her home and began her quest to gain further education.

She began working as a receptionist while attending night school studying basic accounting.  She then took a job in a law firm as a legal secretary and studied for a Legal Executive qualification.  Janet soon began working as a Legal Executive, quickly proving her sharp intellect and astute work ethic.  This is when she commenced studying part time for a BCom degree, attending one lecture a day around her full time work schedule. 

Janet lived paycheck to paycheck on a tight budget for many years, supporting herself and paying for her university fees.  Unexpected expenses required thinking outside the square.  She tells of the time she and a friend set up a car washing station on a busy street corner with buckets of soapy water to earn the immediate cash she needed to fix her broken down car and pay her university fees.

She also remembers the tea lady who would quietly give her the leftover sandwiches after in-house lunches citing they would just go to waste otherwise, but knowing that Janet had little money for food.  These small acts of kindness made a huge difference when she needed it most and are what fuels her desire to do the same for others now. 

When Janet learned about The KEECT and the financial support it offers students, she wondered how differently her path would have played out if she had had access to something similar when she was putting herself through university.  It would have at the very minimum alleviated the financial strain she was constantly under, and may well have afforded her the option to study full time and complete her qualifications sooner.  But it would have also validated and encouraged her decision to study. 

After a series of jobs that got bigger each time enabling her financial situation to steadily improve, she was headhunted to work for the senior legal counsel and corporate secretary of a large banking institution.  It was while working there that she decided she wanted to go to Law School.   She applied but missed out on the first round by 0.4% of the required GPA.  She was accepted a year later and quickly mastered the art of balancing the papers to ensure a more manageable workload (while still working full time).  Overall, Janet found the learning relatively easy as she had so much practical industry knowledge from working far above her Legal Secretary pay grade for many years already.  

Several years later Janet graduated with her Law degree.  By now she had been working with a prominent accounting firm for 3 years where she had been made a partner in the first 9 months.  During her 16 years there, she ‘shook the tiger by the tail’ and became an expert on Trusts, alongside publishing 3 books; Family Trust 101, Money Secrets 101, and Women & Money: Mastering the Struggle

During this time, Janet also traveled the country extensively educating businesses and individuals on setting up and managing trusts.  She remembers one year where she took 82 flights and gave 109 presentations – all water off a duck’s back for this dynamic woman who only needs 5 hours sleep and in her own words, ‘gets bored easily’.  She is currently the In-House Legal Counsel and Trust Advisor at Greenlion Limited, and in her ‘spare time’ she is working on the premise for her 4th book. 

Janet has spent a total of 24 years studying part-time alongside a demanding career, graduating from the University of Auckland with a BCom in 2001 and her LLB in 2008, culminating with her admission to the Bar in 2021.  She knows that it was this education alongside sheer grit, determination and hard work that has paved the way to her success and financial stability.   

She is a firm believer in education as a tool for building a more ‘ably equipped, stronger person’ and her books optimise this belief that education drives better outcomes for people and society as a whole.  This is why she hopes her bequest as a ‘gift into the future’ will help The KEECT to support students to have equal access to education despite their circumstances.  Janet cares deeply about people and as such, being remembered for her ‘kindness in words, deeds and actions’ is more important to her than her many successes and achievements.  

We are delighted that Janet has chosen The KEECT to leave a lasting legacy of her passion for people and education, and thank her for her generosity and kindness.

Gifts in a Will (a bequest), whether big or small, are a very special way to assist a charity into the future, at no cost to you now.  If you would like to find out more about leaving a Gift in your Will, please contact Nina Tomaszyk, General Manager, for a confidential discussion.

Nina.tomaszyk@kateedgertrust.org.nz
021 376 411

Women in Fine Arts Award in memory of Carol Schofield

December 17, 2021

Carol Schofield was a gentle, kind and creative soul who was taken from her family and friends too soon following a short illness aged 49.  She formed a hub that friends, family, customers (both artists and gallery owners) circled around.

Carol was born in Napier and spent her early childhood there.  Her parents moved to Auckland to allow her to attend secondary school, firstly at Kristen and then at Rangitoto College.

Art, photography and creativity were central to her studies. On finishing school, she took an apprenticeship as a picture framer and, at 21 she became the owner of framing business, Sharp Frames.  With a strong reputation of being able to recommend the right frame to make artwork shine and her quality work, she became the framer of choice for many Auckland gallerists and artists.

Art work by Carol Schofield

She was passionate about local artworks.  She was a regular attending at Auckland theatre, film and writers festivals, she supported New Zealand fashion designers and the walls of her home were covered with local artworks.  Carol knew the challenges faced by local artists to make a living from their work.

Carol had a generosity of spirit – every call from a charity received a donation; coffee, tea, glasses of wine, lunches with friends and customers on the back deck were regular events; and the odd homeless person dropped in for a shower and a bed for the night.  It is with this spirit, and the understanding of the challenges that up-and-coming artists face, that the Women in Fine Arts Award is offered in Carol’s memory.

For information on eligibility for this award and how to apply, click here

Nursing/Midwifery Award in memory of Ngaire Miller administered by The KEECT

October 4, 2021

Ngaire Miller was a passionate nurse, midwife, academic and nursing pioneer. During her career, she was instrumental in transforming nursing education and practice. In particular, was her work around supporting the move of ‘on the job’ hospital based nursing training to a tertiary based education model. This was a key milestone in the development of nursing as a profession and there are now 17 Nursing Schools in New Zealand where studies comprise of 50% theory and 50% practical experience (hospital placements).

Ngaire became a registered nurse from the Auckland School of Nursing in 1964 and then a midwife at St Helens in 1966.  She then studied at Victoria University in Wellington and gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing in November 1969, a BA in Nursing Education and later, in 1979 a MA in Sociology, titled ‘The problems experienced by graduates of student based comprehensive nursing programmes as they provide nursing care in general hospitals’.  Ngaire published frequently in the NZ Nursing Journal promoting nursing as a profession in the 1970’s and 80’s.

Some of Ngaire’s education roles include being a tutor at the Central School of Nursing, Greenlane Hospital, educator at the Wellington Polytechnic and towards the end of her career, senior lecturer at Auckland Technical Institute.

Ngaire was determined in her approach to life. She remained active and interested in nursing till her death at 84.

When Ngaire passed away, her family decided they would like to honour her memory with something that truly represented her passions in life – nursing and education.  This newly funded award in her memory is to assist students to carry out a 3-5 week practical placement in a rural or provincial location as part of their study for an undergraduate or postgraduate pre-registration degree in Nursing or Midwifery.

Applications are open to students studying at AUT, the University of Auckland, MIT, Unitec, Massey University Auckland & Wellington, Whitireia New Zealand and Victoria University of Wellington.

For regulations and application forms for this award, please click here.

Partner Sponsor Profile | Bed, Bath & Beyond

September 9, 2021

Bed, Bath and Beyond NZ are always looking for ways to support and engage with their staff and communities, so when the opportunity arose to become a sponsor partner with The KEECT, CEO Trevor Brown and his wife Carolyn saw it as a meaningful way they could make a difference in the South Auckland area where many of the Bed, Bath & Beyond staff and families are based.  

“BB&B has always had strong connections with this vibrant part of Tamaki Makaurau, with many of our staff belonging to the community. Our warehouse/support office was originally in Papakura and is now in Manurewa, hence our desire to create scholarships for both Manurewa High School and Manukau Institute of Technology”.

They have established 3 scholarships with The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust:

  • Bed, Bath & Beyond MIT Award – to assist a woman enrolled in the first year of a three-year degree course at Manukau Institute of Technology
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond Staff Award – to assist a child of a Bed Bath & Beyond Employee enrolled in a three or four year degree course at an NZ tertiary institute.
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond Manurewa High School Award – assist a Manurewa High School student who is planning to enroll in a three or four year degree course at a NZ tertiary institute

Carolyn and Trevor say they have been “incredibly impressed with the candidates over the past 2 years, and we really enjoy keeping in touch with our awardees throughout their university journeys”.

One of these awardees is Janny Latthiwan-Jones, pictured with owner and CEO Trevor Brown, who was the inaugural recipient of the BB&B Manurewa High School Award.  

Janny was a standout candidate and tells us how receiving the award has impacted her:

“I am in my first year of studying for a 4 year honours degree in Engineering at the University of Auckland. I’ve decided to pursue engineering to help me achieve my goal in combating global issues such as climate change, poverty, and women’s rights.  

The Bed Bath & Beyond Manurewa High School Award has helped me significantly with my tertiary education.  The money had covered my course books, stationery, and other tertiary essentials. It also covers my commute that consists of a 40-minute train ride one way and costs around $50 per week.  The award had put less pressure on me financially.  Without it, I would have had less time to pursue my education to fit in my part-time job alongside my other commitments.  Overall, the award has benefited me in many ways, and I am very grateful to have received it.  “