Ponsonby Intermediate School will reopen after principal Nick Wilson died suddenly. Photo / Google
An Auckland intermediate school is preparing to reopen tomorrow after the sudden death of its principal, as support services are put in place for grieving students and staff.
The beloved leader of Ponsonby Intermediate School, Nick Wilson, died on Saturday evening after a sudden medical event, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the wider community.
A full school hui will take place tomorrow morning, where the assistant principals will address the school. Counselling services will be operating from the school’s library.
An email sent to parents today from the school’s assistant principals described Wilson’s death as a “devastating loss”.
They thanked the community for its wrap-around support while the school navigated heartbreak and grief.
“As a school we know the news of Nick Wilson’s passing will hit differently across the community.
“As a staff we are heartbroken and appreciate the wrap-around support we are receiving at this time.”
News of Wilson’s death was announced yesterday afternoon in an email to parents from board of trustees chairman Hamish Hopkinson.
“It is with enormous sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved principal Nick Wilson,” the email said.
“He passed away on Saturday evening due to a sudden medical event.”
Tributes to Wilson online said the death of the “great man” was an “enormous shock”.
“I’m incredibly saddened by [Wilson]’s sudden passing,” one person wrote.
“Nick was a dear long-time friend and someone connected to so many happy memories growing up.”
Another said Wilson “cared about his school very much”.
Auckland-based Labour list MP Camilla Belich wrote:
“Devastating news for the Ponsonby Intermediate and wider Auckland school community. Nick was a fantastic principal and will be sorely missed.
“Thinking of his family, friends and the staff and students of Ponsonby Intermediate. Moe mai rā e te rangatira.”
Approached today, Hopkinson said the school board was preparing a tribute to Wilson, which would be released soon.
Today’s email to parents and caregivers said counselling support services would be available all week, which students could refer themselves to or parents could apply for their child to attend.
Details for a celebration of Wilson’s life were still being finalised, and the school was working closely with his family.
The assistant principals asked parents to ensure their child knew what tomorrow entailed so they could be prepared “for the many types of emotions that may arise over the day and weeks ahead”.
At least two other schools have shared tributes to Wilson, with one offering support to its own students due to Wilson’s close connection.
The principal of nearby Richmond Road School, Jacqui Yearsley, said former students “thrived” at Ponsonby Intermediate under Wilson’s leadership.
In a letter sent to parents today, Yearsley said staff were aware of Wilson’s passing and prepared to help students with the loss.
“Two of our principals from the Inner City Principals group are supporting at Ponsonby Intermediate today and will let us know how else we can support.”
Further north, Tinopai School said it had a “long-standing connection” to Wilson’s whānau and was flying its school flag at half mast today.
A Ministry of Education statement said its traumatic incident team would be supporting the school for as long as needed.
“Our thoughts are with the family, staff, students and wider community at this very difficult time,” a ministry spokesperson said.
The ministry’s traumatic incident team supports schools and early learning services to respond to serious events, helping ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff while returning operations to normal as quickly as possible.
It also provides advice on managing the emotional impacts of traumatic incidents, communicating with families, communities and the media, and connecting schools with other support services where needed.
The Year 7 and 8 school has a roll of about 580 students.
An earlier “principal’s message” on the school’s website from Wilson said the school offered a personalised approach to middle school teaching, designed to give children a wide variety of opportunities across the curriculum using the school’s specialist teaching model.
“The students at Ponsonby Intermediate always come first. You can expect your child to be well taught, well looked after and, in partnership with you, they will receive the best possible education over their two years with us.
“At Ponsonby Intermediate, we ensure our students enter the next stage of their lives with a positive self-image and that they look back on their time with us as an important and engaging one.”
Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.
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