Meet the Team
Phoebe Edwards (Educator):
Ko Piripiri te manga
Ko Waitohi te Awa
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Te Atiawa ki te Tau Ihu te iwi
Ko Phoebe Edwards ahau
Phoebe Edwards is an experienced, registered teacher with over 20 years in early childhood education across the lower North Island. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that spark curiosity, inspire confidence, and remind every child that they belong. Phoebe believes all tamariki deserve equal opportunities to thrive, and loves creating spaces where each child feels seen, celebrated, and empowered to be exactly who they are.
For Phoebe, becoming a Life Education Educator feels like coming full circle. She still remembers the excitement of visiting Harold as a child and leaving each session full of wonder and new ideas. Now, she has the privilege of creating those same memorable experiences for tamariki across Kāpiti–Horowhenua, working alongside kaiako and communities to make learning meaningful, relevant, and fun.
Returning to this role is also a homecoming. Having grown up in Ōtaki, Phoebe is proud to be bringing her mahi back to the community that helped shape her. After teaching throughout the wider Wellington region and Hawke’s Bay, she and her husband are now raising their three tamariki back where it all began.
Phoebe is known for her warm, energetic approach and her ability to build genuine connections with children and adults alike. She believes learning should be engaging, playful, and filled with moments of magic—because those are the moments children remember long after the lesson has ended.
“What I love most about Life Education is the opportunity to ignite curiosity and empower tamariki to understand themselves, their wellbeing, and the incredible potential they each have. Every child brings something unique to the world, and it’s a privilege to help them discover that.”
If you’d like to discuss a booking or any other matter with Phoebe, please get in touch below.
Shirley Sowry (Chairperson):
Shirley Sowry is a former economics and social studies teacher. She has taught in both primary and secondary schools across New Zealand. Over twenty-five years ago, while relief teaching at two local Kāpiti primary schools, she saw the crucial need for Life Education’s teaching programmes.
With hundreds of volunteer hours and a dedicated committee, she established the Life Education/Kāpiti-Horowhenua Trust. Together the Trust raised over $200k for a mobile classroom, the same one you see today visiting primary schools. Shirley chaired the Trust for a few years after its inception and then confidently stepped down as she saw it was in capable hands.
Shirley has been instrumental in founding and supporting many local charities over the years, and because of her passion for education, she has returned to chairing the Life Education Kāpiti/Horowhenua Trust again. Shirley is excited to continue the great work Life Education Trust is doing in schools.
In 2023, Shirley received a Life Education Distinguished Service Award.
Shirley has four adult children and two grandchildren.
If you’d like to contact Shirley, please reach out to her below:
Malcolm Leeming (Sponsorship & Fundraising):
Coming soon.
In 2023, Malcolm was recognised for decades of service, becoming a Life Member of Life Education.
If you’d like to contact Malcolm about sponsoring Life Education Kāpiti/Horowhenua, please reach out to him below:
David McCrae (Grants):
Coming soon.
Kylie Blake (Treasurer):
Coming soon.
Carol Leeming (Secretary):
Coming soon.
Elizabeth Earl (Liaison):
Coming soon.
Sue Whittleston (Liason):
Coming soon.
In 2024, Sue received a Life Education Distinguished Service Award.
Our Sponsors:
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