NorthTec graduation celebrates student success

NorthTec graduation celebrates student success

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NorthTec celebrated the success of more students than ever before at two graduation ceremonies last week (subs 2 and 3 March).

More than 1400 graduands, their whānau and friends, guests of honour and staff attended the events at Forum North in Whangarei.

251 NorthTec students graduated with a certificate, diploma or degree with a total of 75 degrees being conferred by the NorthTec council.

The graduation ceremonies provided an opportunity for the hard work of NorthTec’s students to be recognised and for their proud whānau, friends and supporters to tautoko their achievements.

For Rawene’s Bernice Matenga graduation was the culmination of three years of study in Te Reo with her fellow graduates from the Hokianga. “I turned 60 just before completing Te Pōkairua Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu,” she said.

Several students from Whangarei Boys High School performed a haka in support of Beauty Therapy graduate Zensharr La’Paix Waetford. “She’s my cousin,” said Kodi Herewini, “so we are here to tautoko her.”

Similar support came from a proud husband at the back of the auditorium when Kuini Matene received her Te Pōkairua Ngāpuhi-Nui-Tonu qualification. “Good on you Mum,” yelled Mr Matene. “Your second time up on that stage! Good on you, you’re still trying!”

Those on stage also shared in the exuberance of the day. Student representative on the NorthTec Council and student mentor Leeann Emtage grabbed Council Chairman Vern Dark for an impromptu hug after her New Zealand Diploma in Business was conferred.

Kerry Bradly received her Diploma in Beauty Therapy and a very large teddy bear from her proud father. Kerry is now living and working in Hamilton and contemplating further study.

The student speaker on 2 March was Ian Pritchard who graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts. Ian spoke about how lifelong learning has never been as important as it is today. “With the economic recession creating insecurity and uncertainty across many sectors, the ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment and to meet the needs of new employment trends is now more vital than ever... In both secondary schools and tertiary institutions, we are training people for jobs that simply haven’t been invented yet. ”

Ian paid tribute to all those who had supported students in their learning journey – teachers, support staff, fellow students, family and friends.

He also spoke of the importance of being able to pursue tertiary education in his own community. “Whangarei is my home, Whangarei is my community – what I learn here, I want to use here, I want it to be about here and I want it to make a difference here. So for me, I simply had to study here – why would I go anywhere else?”

Ian was the recipient of a Ministry of Education Study Award in 2009 which allowed him to pursue his studies. “To be given the luxury of time and to be able to create art-works in response to local and personal issues that I care deeply about was a wonderful experience.”

The second day of graduation was marked by several outbursts of support for new graduates as they were capped by Council Chair Vern Dark. Bachelor of Applied Social Services (Counselling) graduate Patricia Heperi and Bachelor of Applied Social Services (Social Work) graduate Glenis Davidson both received stirring recognition from the audience for their achievements.

Bachelor of Applied Information Systems graduate Bernd Martin even had a large banner made in his honour. In addition to receiving his degree Bernd also won the Applied Information Systems Prize and the Computer Society Industry Project Prize. He is now studying part-time for a master’s degree in computing in Auckland and continues to live in Whangarei.

Bachelor of Nursing graduate Kimiora Hawkins was supported by whānau and friends from the Far North. Kimiora has commuted to Whangarei from her home in Matauri Bay during her three years of study. She now works in the general ward at Kaitaia Hospital. Kimiora said that gaining a nursing degree had been a long-term dream and that she was drawn to the work by the love she has for caring for others and contact with people.

Kimiora’s 13-year old neighbour Tegan Liddington attended the graduation ceremony to support Kimiora. Tegan explained that Kimiora has been taking her to all of her graduation ceremonies “to show me what it’s going to be like when I grow up.”

Fellow nursing graduate Sophie Adamson was the student speaker on 3 March.

Sophie said that it was thrilling to know that so many people graduate from NorthTec and graduate well.

“A large part of our success is down to the support, friendship, patience and encouragement of those around us - family, classmates and tutors - all of whom at some point or other we also call friends,” she said. “Without this support our journeys may well have been far harder and our progression and achievement far less rewarding.”

Sophie acknowledged those who were about to graduate for their shared the desire to change direction, enhance themselves and their lives and the lives of those they love. “We have chosen to embark on new challenges, to contribute to society and to ‘help people’.“

Having chosen NorthTec based on a Google search Sophie said that her learning experience had surpassed her expectations.

“If help was needed, help was there, if flexibility was needed, flexibility was there, if reassurance was needed, that was there too, and the same with independence and choice.

“One way or another, with the help of fabulous tutors, I have been able to work in clinical placement areas that cater for my experiences and interests. I am convinced that if I had been studying elsewhere, I would not have been able to do this.”

NorthTec staff formed a guard of honour and applauded as NorthTec’s new graduates made their way through to meet their families for afternoon tea following the ceremony.

ENDS