NICK Norris only spent one year as principal of Mukinbudin High School, but in that short time he changed one student’s outlook on education forever.
Perth woman Anne Carrapiett – who grew up in the small Wheatbelt town – was a Year 10 remedial student in 1984 who hated school until Mr Norris arrived and completely altered how she thought about the classroom.
“I thought I only have one more year left, get it over with, but then he turned it all around because he took the time with me and felt I was important enough to educate,” Ms Carrapiett said.
“I hated school so much and he changed that. He made me love it and made me want to go every day.”
Ms Carrapiett said she was sitting on the lounge with her daughter watching the shocking fallout from the MH17 attack unfold when she heard Mr Norris had been on the flight.
“I thought that can’t be the right person and I went straight onto Google,” she said.
“As soon as they mentioned the military and the army I thought that’s Mr Norris – I was just hoping it wasn’t.”
“It was horrible that it was with his grandchildren – at least he wasn’t alone and I am glad they weren’t alone.”
Mr Norris was Ms Carrapiett’s French teacher that year and she recalled how he went above and beyond the call of duty to give his students an interesting, interactive time in the classroom.
“There were only four or five of us in that class and he personally took us down to a French restaurant in Perth with his wife and two young daughters,” she said.
Living 300 kilometres from Perth meant she and the other students would not have been able to experience something like that without Mr Norris making the effort off his own back.
“He brought us croissants from Perth, he would tell us about his travels around the world and incorporate those experiences into his French lessons. I was like a sponge – I learnt so much,” she said.
Ms Carrapiett said Mr Norris was different because he could relate to students, had a cracking sense of humour, and was never condescending.
“I would say I didn’t understand and he was persistent about wanting to help me,” she said.
“He would turn the question around until I got it and he never made me feel stupid.
“It is hard not being able to tell him. I thought I should try and find him and write a letter to thank him but then you let time go by and it’s too late,” she said.
“I wish I was able to say thank you.”
