South Island graduates honoured in Christchurch graduation ceremony
New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) honoured its South Island based graduates on Wednesday evening with 68 graduands and their supporters gathering at the Northcity Church in Papanui, Christchurch to celebrate their early childhood education achievements.
One of the highlights of the graduation ceremony was the launch of NZTC’s te reo Māori learning resource - Te Reo Māori: He taonga mō ā tātou mokopuna. Each graduand was gifted a copy of the resource upon graduating with Chief Executive Selena Fox noting the significance of the resource in supporting our graduates within the sector.
“Edited by our Roimata Rokx and brought together by our wider NZTC team, this new resource was designed with you, our graduates, in mind, to support you in learning and sharing te reo Māori alongside children.
“Over the years we have often had our students share with us that they would really love to learn te reo Māori more, or would love to use it more with children but they were nervous or needed more support. So as you were the inspiration it is fitting that we share this book with you first,” said Fox.
Nicholas Cane shares his NZTC journey
Another highlight of the evening was graduate representative Nicholas Cane who shared his early childhood education journey and thoughts about the profession after being awarded with a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE).
“Studying this degree has nurtured my natural instinct. I believe the early childhood environment has allowed me to thrive. I have been able to apply all of my skills to many areas of knowledge. Knowledge divided into lenses or perspectives; lenses which for me at times became overlapped, clearer, complex and definitely intriguing,” said Cane.
As the audience reflected on the graduates work with children and families, Chief Executive Fox shared wise words to consider in our commitment to young children and families from Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
“Spread love everywhere you go. First of all, in your own house. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, and kindness in your warm greeting.”
NZTC warmly congratulates all of our 2016 graduates and we look forward to sharing more information about our exciting new resource ‘Te Reo Māori: He taonga mō ā tātou mokopuna’ in the coming days.