NorthTec graduate a powerful role model

Media release: NorthTec graduate a powerful role model for getting life back on track

Awanui’s Richard Hape (Ngati Kahu ki Whaingaroa) confesses that he was on the wrong track when an encounter with NorthTec tutor and friend John Hill re-focused his life.

“I’d always wanted to be a primary school teacher but I was going down the wrong track. John’s programme helped me to re-focus and encouraged me to keep doing what I had dreamt of doing since I left school.

“It took a while to get back into studying. John kept me on task. He was a good tutor, very encouraging. He was a good friend.”

After completing two Sustainable Rural Development programmes with John, Richard has now applied to teacher’s college and is working as a teacher aide for 15 hours per week at Awanui Primary School.

“I hope to study by distance and Awanui School have agreed that I can do my placements with them. They’re pushing me to further my training.”

Richard started working as a teacher aide at the school a year ago while he was still studying at NorthTec.

He provides a powerful role model for the children at Awanui Primary School and it’s clear that the children look up to him and respect his gentle but firm approach.

“I love sharing learning and learning from the kids too,” said Richard. “Teaching them what I know and helping them out is great because you can see that you’ve helped them to finish whatever they’ve done.”

Richard’s passion for teaching was ignited when he was coaching rugby. “I enjoyed teaching the team new things and starting getting the idea that I’d like to be a teacher – but not a college teacher, not after what we put those teachers through!”

Richard’s role involves assisting a child with special needs, helping several young boys with their language skills and working in the classrooms as and when he is needed.

Awanui Primary School principal Delwynne Stevenson says that Richard is good for the kids and good for the school. “He has natural empathy and he knows what’s needed at the right time. He can read people and read the moment.

“We’ve seen a real change in Richard over the past year. He now has focus and self-belief. We’re happy to show our faith and confidence in him by offering him the opportunity to do his placements here. We take a team approach at the school. We’re all working towards the same goal and believe in building everyone up – Richard is a part of that too. There’s a Ngai Takoto whakatauki that says ‘even the smallest sand shark in Rangaunu Harbour leaves a wake’. We’re all on the same path.”

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

ENDS

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