Henderson, Sylvia Constance (née Ashton-Warner), 1908-1984 (Person)

SummaryAlso known as Sylvia Ashton-Warner.

Sylvia was a teacher and writer who lived her last 26 years in Tauranga. Born Stratford, 17 December 1908. Trained at Auckland Teachers’ College in the late 1920s. Married Keith Dawson Henderson (1933). They had three children. She developed the “key vocabulary” method in rural Māori schools, including Bethlehem, Tauranga. Although internationally influential she experienced some resistance in New Zealand. Novels and works include Spinster (1958), Teacher (1963), Myself (1967), Teacher in America (1972), I Passed This Way (1983). Awarded M.B.E. 1982.

Subject of 1985 film Sylvia. She died 28 April 1984, age 75.

SourcesMirror (NZ), 1970s (c.): Interview notice on return from VancouverBay of Plenty Times, 1982 (c.): Award of M.B.E., reflections on workBay of Plenty Times, 1983 (c.): Film project announced (Sylvia)NZ Press Association / Bay of Plenty Times, 1984 (c.): Death notice and film announcementBay of Plenty Times, 1984, 07 May: Obituary of Sylvia Ashton-WarnerBay of Plenty Times, 1984 (c.): Funeral report, Holy Trinity Church Tauranga[UK Newspaper], 1984, 28 April (c.): Obituary, international perspectiveTelevision Feature / NZ Press, 1985 (c.): Film Sylvia television release and reviewsBooknotes (NZ Book Council Newsletter), 1989, Feb–Mar: Lynley Hood lecture summaryTe Ara: Biography: Ashton-Warner, Sylvia Constance"Sylvia" (1985)An Interview with Sylvia (1978)WHENUA, the letters of Sylvia Ashton Warner to Ruth GilbertSnapshots of the Century, edited by Alwyn Owen (p138-142): NZR 993.03 SNA

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Sylvia Ashton-Warner (Ōtūmoetai), "in the yellow house". Photo 03-489

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Henderson, Sylvia Constance (née Aston-Warner), 1908-1894 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)Sylvia ConstanceSurnameAshton-WarnerAlso Known asSylvia HendersonDate of Birth17 December, 1908Place of BirthStratford, New ZealandDate of Death28 April, 1984Place of DeathTaurangaOccupationTeacherWriter

Whānau

MotherElizabeth (Lizzie) Ashton-Warner (née Fox)FatherThomas Ashton-WarnerChildrenJasmine (b. 1935)Elliot (b. 1937)Ashton (b. 1938)

Partner

PartnerKeith Dawson HendersonDate Married23 August 1932Place of MarriageWellington

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Henderson, Sylvia Constance (née Ashton-Warner), 1908-1984 (Person)