Conrad KELLY Obituary

Tracy. Just heard that Conrad had died. I was stunned by this news. I can´t say anything to console you but he was a person who I had great respect for. He was also a very gregarious except when it was his round to shout but he made up for that in his sharp sense of humour as I was sometimes the point of it. I hope you can get through this and Tracy and in time find happiness

I was a pupil in Conrad's very first class when he was a beginning teacher at Wainuiomata Primary. I have many fond memories of that year, including building a huge Egyptian pyramid out of boxes in the classroom, and taking Ralph the class rat home for the holidays. Mr Kelly was my favourite teacher of all time, and my parents grew sick of me hanging on his every word and coming home every day saying "Mr Kelly says...' while revoicing his words like they were gospel! He was particularly supportive of my love of writing and poetry and used to set little writing challenges for me to do at home then bring back to school for him to read. I remember him swimming in the school pool at lunchtime on hot days, and many times I used to trot down down the local dairy to buy him his lunch, which was a can of coke and a mince pie! I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing - much aroha to his beautiful family.

I was very fortunate to get to know Conrad over a number of years. Dating back to when he was principal of my son´s school. As a leader he was exemplary, willing to share, keen to learn and committed to building leadership capabilities of others. Conrad´s values always guided his decisions and ensured every student received the best education possible. I valued his friendship and guidance. Conrad, I mourn your passing and miss you more than I thought possible. Aroha nui

So sad to hear this Tracey. Such a kind gentle person and a great colleague. Arohanui Judith Wootton(formerly Kuiti).

I met Conrad when he took part in one of my Media Training for School Leaders workshops about 5 years ago. I was taken by how amazingly friendly he was and how encouraging he was to his other staff in the same workshop. From that day on, our paths crossed every 12 months or so. He was always so supportive of my work, and would do anything to promote what I did to other school leaders. He would also contact me whenever he had a media issue to deal with. He's someone I will never forget because of his warmth, support and positive attitude. My sincere condolences to the family and school community.

Very sad to hear of Conrad's passing. My heart aches for his family, friends, colleagues and students. RIP

Te mamae me te pouri nui e ngau kino nei. My sibling and I were so sad to hear of Conrad´s passing - truly the best principle any child could´ve had. I still talk about Mr Kelly in reference to those few adults who paved a way of light for me through a dark childhood. He was one of those people who injected his heart and soul into every interaction, no matter how small the problem or tiny the person, he treated everything with love, empathy, and respect. Mr Kelly taught me the meaning of integrity and graceful leadership - and I am certain that my experience sits among the hundreds at least. Aroha nui ki te Kelly whanau. Conrad´s legacy lives on in the lives of those he made better.

Mr Kelly was the main reason my kids went to Discovery School. On arriving in NZ in 2004, Discovery was one of the schools on our list for them to attend it was because of Conrad's persona, his warmth, compassion, how proud he was of the place we were in, the love of what he did all shone through when showing us around the school. We knew we had made the right decision in choosing Discovery as a place to educate my 2 kids. He was totally inspirational, showing my kids warmth and compassion and making them feel at home and at ease in getting through their life changing experience.

Engulfing them in the right amount culture, nurturing and moulding them into the young children and now adults they have become. He was someone to admire and look upto, the way his leadership shone through this rubbed off on his pupils despite them not realising this came from their teachers and head teachers.

School becomes a Whanau and Conrad was the head of that Whanau.

Not only did Conrad know each child´s name but their siblings and parents also, remembering them even years later once he had left Discovery School and bumped into old pupils and their families, eager to know how his former pupils were doing and remembering us by name still. What an incredible memory he had. Without fail, you would find him standing outside to greet all the pupils and their Whanau each morning and at the end of the day also come rain or shine. He made Discovery School, when he left Discovery School wasn't the same without him. Mr D did an incredible job in continuing what Conrad had left behind. Discovery had incredible teachers and a great team, with a great leader.

You felt at ease with Conrad as he was so approachable, kind, caring, very knowledgable, a good listener and able to resolve issues for the good of the school in a fair and positive way, not just showing good leadership but also showing a caring side. His values showed in almost everything he did for the school he was in and the time he spent making sure all his pupil enjoyed their schooling and felt comfortable, he tried his very best for each child, not treating them as a number but as an important individual. In his opinion what he felt would be beneficial not just the school but the children themselves.

This is from the eyes of a parent of former students on the time he and us were at Discovery he made a huge impact in so many children´s lives, who some are now adult including my children.

We are eternally grateful for Conrad in our opinion is the best Principal ever in my lifetime and in my kids life so far. His standard is what I look for, for future generations in a standard I want my grandkids to have the same as what their parents had. He set the bar high, and as some words stated today he was a head of his time.

I'm immensely proud that my children had such a great opportunity to have had such an incredible person at the start of their schooling, as a mentor and a great educator who cared about his school, the staff and pupils. To this day we're still in touch with many of their teachers and former students and families from Discovery School. In his honour we watched his leaving Haka from Discovery in his memory prior to watching the service which we are grateful to have been able to be apart of such a beautiful send off.

To his Whanau, his School Whanau and his friends, you lost an amazing gentleman who had inspired many a student to be who they are today due to his leadership and compassion in life and those around him.

We are eternally grateful for that.

I know Conrad will be immensely proud of each and every student he had in his care, to me school are the parents of our children during the daytime, our kids Aunts and Uncles, helping nurture, mould and build great children and helping them develop as adults, instilling great morals, culture and being fair in helping them see their future and making them feel at ease. Conrad was in my opinion the best principal ever that I have ever know.

He would have been immensely proud of each and every achievement his former students would have done so far. His Principal achievements awards were something my children still have to this day, this small act, really encouraged those to show their ability.

Sending much Arohanui.

Photo taken Discovery School 2009 (my son David the blond one at the back on the right)

Deeply saddened to hear of Conrad´s passing. I worked at KNS and held a huge amount of respect for him for his quiet leadership and ability to guide his team to their full potential. He was kind, supportive and gave excellent advice. Arohanui xx

Conrad was a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He did all he could to elevate people to be better and do better. He was never one to hog the limelight, but would guide wisely from the side of the stage.
He modelled what leadership could be, while also demonstrating that family must be a priority.
Personally, he saw leadership potential in me and nudged me into syndicate leadership, into becoming an associate principal and ultimately into principalship itself.
I was privileged to be acting principal for a short period after he left Discovery for Karori Normal School and I tried to model my own leadership after him.
Even now, there are a things that I still do that I learnt from Conrad that include the way I label my digital files, including a quote or whakatauki in every newsletter and always greeting and farewelling students at the gate every day.
When I became a principal, I was lucky enough to have Conrad as my mentor principal. He encouraged me, supported me, sagely guided me through tricky situations and provided a voice of calm and reason.
We have lost someone, far too soon, who was not only an amazing husband and father, but also a great friend, professional colleague, mentor, confidant and educational leader.
To Tracey, Matt, Simon and Emma, my deepest condolences at this incredibly sad time.
Arohanui.
Rest in peace, Conrad. Our Rhinestone Cowboy. (IYKYK)

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. My sincere condolences.

I was so enjoying getting to know you Conrad and was looking forward to knowing you a whole bunch more. I will miss you more than I realise, I will remember you every time I make, drink or talk about Gin.

But right now my heart breaks for your family.

Rest in peace. x

Tracey and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of Conrad. Sending thoughts and love as you navigate your way through this.

My very deepest condolences for the loss of Conrad. I will always remember his wisdom as a leader and his immense compassion with great appreciation.

Sending love and prayers to you all at this difficult time.

Rudman Family

On behalf of NZEI Te Riu Roa, our condolences and aroha to all of Conrad´s family. Conrad was an inspiring school leader, highly respected by his colleagues and educators across the motu. He is a huge loss to the teaching profession. Nga mihi aroha, Stephanie Mills and Mark Potter.

I am so sorry and shocked to hear of Conrad's passing. His calm manner and openness to conversations when I worked at KNS was always appreciated. Wishing you peace during this incredibly difficult time.

Conrad has long been a wonderfully supportive and wise colleague, especially to many aspiring and new principals across the Wellington region. He applied a pragmatic, realistic and honest approach to educational leadership and was always keen to learn other peoples´ stories and ideas. He will be a big loss to education in our part of Aotearoa. Most of all though - he loved a good laugh and had a quick sense of humour. It was always great to catch up with him. Sincere condolences to his loved family.

Conrad was the most amazing man!
He was the Principal at Discovery School when my kids started, and he employed me as a Teacher Aide there (and I'm still there, and often think of him!)
He exuded Mana and his ability to remember the names of all students and their parents names at the gate was incredible!
The world has lost an outstanding man! Loving thoughts to all who knew him xxx

Thinking of you all at this time of loss. Mike & Veronica

The Mansell family are very sad to hear of Conrad´s death. We remember him so well as a lively, energetic and sometimes mischievous best friend of our boys Christopher `& Peter during the early 1960s when we lived in Eastbourne. Many years later I respected Conrad as an excellent principal of Karori Normal School.
Eileen - we are thinking of you and your family and grieving at the very sad loss of Conrad. Love to you all.