Celebrating 521 early childhood education graduates

10 April 2019

New Zealand Tertiary College celebrates 521 early childhood education graduates

New Zealand’s largest early childhood teacher education provider is thrilled to announce the sector will be supported with 521 graduates, with 411 eligible to apply for provisional teacher certification.

As qualified child-centred ECE teachers remain sought after across the country, New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) celebrated hundreds of upskilled professionals who graduated with qualifications, ranging from bachelor to master’s level at ceremonies in Auckland and Christchurch in April.

Alongside the conferring of NZQA approved early childhood qualifications, NZTC graduations are a time where the college honours high standards of excellence in a tradition that dates back to 1982.

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) graduate Sophie Leigh Fraser shared her positive study experience stating, “Whenever I needed help there was someone there, and it always felt really genuine and compassionate. This was so important to me because studying at home you can sometimes feel a bit lost, but as soon as I asked for help there was always help there.”

Acknowledging the important role every single college graduate plays as nurturers of our next generation, NZTC Chief Executive Selena Fox encouraged all to take another look and be constantly curious in their ECE practice.

“Graduates, you know to your professional core the importance of observing, really seeing, intentionally noticing, and then acting for children on the basis of your evidence observed, to serve them well. It is your daily early childhood teacher life,” she said.

The importance of appropriate technological use with children was shared and acknowledged at the ceremonies as Dr Chip Donohue, international ECE expert in technology and digital media in the early years, was awarded an NZTC Fellowship of Honour in recognition of his 17 year contribution to the college.

His work began alongside Selena Fox in 2002 as they focused on building and implementing an online learning platform. The platform now known as NZTC Online supports over one thousand students each year to complete their studies online in full or part.

“Chip’s contribution to the early childhood profession is significant. Chip is the leading voice on innovative online teaching and learning and appropriate use of technology with young children. NZTC is who it is today – offering flexible opportunities of learning that every student and each graduate here today has engaged in because of the gift of his contribution,” said Fox.

ENDS

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