Introducing Kerry!
Kerry Campbell has recently joined us in our Upper North Island Programme Delivery Lead role and is excited to be working with schools and partners in the Auckland and Northland regions! Read on to learn a bit more about Kerry and the fantastic experience she brings to our team.
Tell us about yourself!
Kia ora! Goeie Dag! Hello! My name is Kerry Campbell. I am the new Programme Delivery Lead in the Upper North Island for Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD.
I was born in the heart of Zululand (Vryheid, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa). Vryheid is the Afrikaans word for "Freedom". I spent the first 10 years of my life in Vryheid before my parents decided to move to New Zealand which has become our home for the past 17 years.
I grew up speaking two languages fluently which are English and Afrikaans. Most of my family use both languages in conjunction with each other when we are together. After moving to New Zealand, I started learning Te Reo Māori and can use the language in the majority of my day-to-day conversations. I have used my time in New Zealand education to embrace and learn about Te Reo and Tikanga Māori, so that I can include it within my own teaching and learning.
What did you do before joining SADD?
I was always passionate about working with the younger generations and started in High School where I would babysit outside of school. I then completed my Level 2 and 3 Early Childhood education. I began studying my Bachelor of Education (Teaching) where I worked with all ages up to Intermediate. I graduated in 2018 where I immediately enrolled into my Master of Inclusive Education. I was determined to finish my professional inquiry as quickly as I could. I graduated in 2020 after a year and a half of isolating myself with my studies. After graduating I went to relieving in a range of schools around my area, until I managed to secure a beginning teacher position at a local primary school. I worked there for 3 years before I decided to further my experiences and applied for the job at Kaitiaki o Ara.
What does road safety mean to you?
Road Safety has always been an important focus for me. I grew up spending my time after school at my mom’s work where I was surrounded by many of the road safety aspects. During High School I would use my work experience days in her office helping out with odd jobs.
While I was in High School and trying to find the place that I fit in with I came across our school’s SADD group. I was a part of my High School SADD group from 2011- 2013. When I started teaching, I took on the responsibility of our road patrollers, as well as planning and facilitating our Road Safety Weeks and events.
Road Safety is a very important part of everyone's day to day life and everyone deserves the right to be aware of the dangers of being road users, as pedestrians, cyclists, and transport users.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I love to keep myself busy with art, crafts, and Lego. I love making dreamcatchers, painting/drawing, making things out of Lego or folding origami such as peace cranes. I also love using my art skills to decorate cakes, as who doesn’t love being able to eat the art they make!
I also love spending time with my family whether it’s a day at the beach, going for walks, or around the pool. We can spend hours together building a puzzle or playing board games. We are always somewhere doing something together.
This year I have found a passion for spending time in the gym building my strength and ability. I have focused on pushing myself in the core five compound lifts (bench, squat, deadlift, shoulder press and pull-up). I will be competing in my first novice competition in November for the first three lifts.
What excites you about joining the team at SADD?
I am very excited that Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD is student led and driven. I am a big advocate for student voice and student-led inquiry. Kaitiaki o Ara is all about rangatahi having their voices heard and showing their own ideas and initiatives which is an amazing organisation to be a part of as that aligns with my own values. I love seeing students come through with their own plans and ideas and think it's a great organisation to be a part of in providing rangatahi the support they need in making their aspirations a reality.
If you were on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?
1. A puzzle (whether a puzzle book or pieces that I may lose)
2. My family
3. Food
Where is your favourite place in the whole world?
My favourite place in the world is always anywhere my family is.
My favourite place would be South Africa, only for the wildlife and nature. However, because of my obsession with Lilo & Stitch I would love to visit Hawai’i at least once in my life.
Nau mai, haere mai Kerry, great to have you as part of the team!