Image: Supplied by PPTA Te Wehengarua.
<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Melanie Webber, senior vice president of PPTA Te Wehengarua, passed away on Wednesday 9 April at Mercy Hospice.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">She was aged 49, and had been living with breast cancer after a diagnosis in 2020.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Webber was the president of the secondary union from 2021 to 2022, through the COVID-19 period. As well as being a leader for educators during the pandemic, Webber was also a passionate educator and advocate throughout her career. As union leader, Webber played an important role in the early stages of the NCEA review and curriculum refresh. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> online HERE.</b></a></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">She began her teaching career later in life after an initial career as a television producer. Webber taught at Western Springs Ngā Puna o Waiōrea. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">She is remembered in Facebook posts by whānau and colleagues as funny, intelligent and courageous. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“She was sharp, funny, opinionated, stylish, and utterly herself to the end,” reads Webber’s obituary. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Chris Abercrombie, current president of PPTA Te Wehengarua says as a leader, Webber had “an amazing grasp of detail and the big strategic picture” which enabled her to build strong working relationships. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Melanie always did secondary teachers proud&#8230;. She was committed to doing everything she could to improve conditions for teachers and students.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Tributes for Webber continue to pour in from educators, who say she will be missed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>

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