Canterbury professor remembered as ‘visionary educator, colleague and friend’

A Canterbury school teacher who died suddenly has been remembered as a “visionary educator, colleague and friend.”

Rolleston College announced in a Facebook post Wednesday that teacher and senior leader Brad Milne had died.

“It is with great sadness and great pain that we announce the passing of our incredible leader Brad Milne,” the post read.

He said that Milne was “a visionary educator, colleague and friend.”

“Our thoughts are with his wife, Anna, and his family at this terrible time. Rest easy our dear friend, teacher and leader. ”

READ MORE:
* The loss ends TBHS’s hopes of reaching the top eight playoffs
* Canterbury’s top young athletes make a splash at the Zonta Awards
* Palmerston North Girls’ High takes the title of Pasifika Fusion again

In a statement, Rolleston College Principal Rachel Skelton said Milne’s impact on innovative curriculum at the university and across the country was significant.

“We will miss him sadly,” he said.

Various tributes to Milne had appeared online.

One said, “Although you weren’t with us at Rolleston College for a long time, you have left us the most amazing legacy.

“You were such a calm person and your natural leadership continues to inspire me. I’ve learned a lot just from being in your counseling class and I hope you know how much you meant to each of us. “

Another said: “Rest in peace Mr. Milne, thank you for constantly encouraging students to always do their best and making us believe that we can do whatever we set our minds to. I will always be grateful to have been taught by you. Thanks for everything.”

School Sport Canterbury also posted a tribute, saying that Milne had made a “great contribution” to school sports, particularly basketball.

Milne was previously an assistant principal at St Thomas of Canterbury College and spent eight years at the school before joining Rolleston College in a senior leadership position in July this year.

At St Thomas of Canterbury College, he co-led a project in which he completely transformed the university’s curriculum for students ages 7-9, according to the school’s website.

He had also been a teacher of outdoor education, physical education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

St Thomas of Canterbury College principal Steve Hart said Milne was an “amazing person and leader” who had a great influence on students.

“He was a true innovator, he always wanted to question how we were doing things to improve the school and the education of young people,” Hart said.

“He really believed in a true holistic education, not only did he want to educate the brain, but he wanted to educate the person.

“His legacy will absolutely live on for a long time, such is the influence he has had on so many young people in his time.”

Hart said Milne, who was a former student at the school, was instrumental in starting the school’s basketball program and also played socially.

Leave a wife and two children.