The special school offers therapy, support staff and teaching for students aged 5 to 21 with a diverse range of high needs, including autism and physical impairments.
They come from across the western Bay of Plenty, from Katikati to Paengaroa, and are catered to through a specialised curriculum and personalised learning programmes.
Wickens’ resignation marks the end of an era for Tauranga Special School, which he has led since 2002.
“I wouldn’t be here 23 years later if I didn’t love what I do and have empathy with the children that we’ve got.
“You’ve got to just have a big heart, and a sense of humour,” Wickens said.
Originally from Masterton, he started teaching in 1976 at Ngāruawāhia Primary School before becoming the deputy principal of a small intermediate school.
“In those times, male teachers were few and far between. So we were basically given a lot of the challenging boys, but we didn’t call them special needs then.”
He undertook a diploma in special education in 1993.
Tauranga Special School principal Barrie Wickens pictured in 2019. Photo / George Novak
For 20 years, Wickens was the administrator of a Christmas camp near Masterton for children with disabilities.
He also ran special-needs units within mainstream schools.
“I got a senior position running two satellite classes in Masterton Central School, and I ran that for several years.”
In 2002, he applied for the Tauranga Special School principal’s role, moved to the Bay of Plenty, and the rest was history.
“I was a first-time principal in 2002, in my mid-40s, so 23 years later? That’s where I am today.”
When he started, Tauranga Special School had 52 students. Today it has about 120.
He said at times it could be a challenging environment.
“It tests all your fortitude, all your knowledge and experiences, but you learn from it.
“If you look past the disability, they’re human, and we treat them as normally as possible.”
He said during his tenure, there had been a massive number of highs, but some definite lows – especially losing students or staff.
“The sad side of the job is the passing of some students while they’re enrolled with us.
“You have to look at all the wonderful things about those people, and then that boards you up, and you move on, but you don’t forget.”
Tauranga Special School principal Barrie Wickens. Photo / John Borren
He told the Bay of Plenty Times the most important thing about working at Tauranga Special School was to have empathy.
“The nature of the students has changed in 23 years. They are far more challenging, but you build the teams around you, and that’s where you get your strength.”
Wickens said he would have loved to make it to the 25-year mark, but it was his time to step away.
“I’ve been the tumuaki principal and I love it with a passion, but I’ve resigned because it’s time, my wife has retired, so it’s time to spend time with her.”
Wickens said he planned to spend more time play golf, fishing, and touring around New Zealand in his caravan.
“I’ve always wanted to do the big Ninety Mile Beach [Snapper] Bonanza fishing competition. It’s a five-day event, but it’s always during school time. So next year in March, I’m registered.”
He said he couldn’t “walk away” from education completely, however.
He planned to continue working part-time, using his mentoring skills to help other principals, senior leaders, support staff and teachers.
He said he had loved his 23 years at Tauranga Special School “immensely”.
Tauranga Special School deputy principal Dale Megson has worked with Wickens for eight years, and will take over as principal.
“He’s always put students and families first. He’s a problem-solver and he thinks outside the box,” Megson said of Wickens.
He would miss Wickens’ generosity the most.
“He’s had a really long legacy with our school, and he’s been involved in a lot of its progress over the last 23 years. It’s grown so much.
“The whole school community will miss him.”
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.