Many of the Hawke’s Bay-based secondary school teachers who recently gained full registration found they had a ready-made connection in their association with EIT.

Six of those celebrating at a function hosted by the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Principals’ Association at Napier Girls’ High School did the conjoint Massey University/EIT Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) programme.

Two of the six also gained their first degree from EIT.  Liz McCready (nee Maunder) completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design in 2007 and is now teaching art and graphics at Karamu High School in Hastings.  Paul Konia, who finished study for his Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation in 2002, teaches social studies, health, physical education and drama at Flaxmere College in Hastings. 

Pictured from back left, the ‘EIT-ites’ are Megan Mannering (a teacher at Napier Girls’ High School), Liz McCready, Sharon Rimmer (Napier Girls’ High School) and Julian Lumbreras (St John’s College, Hastings).  From front left are Paul Konia and Damien Hollands (Karamu High School).

Most of the six have children, and the consensus among the parents was that not having to leave their families to study the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) outside Hawke’s Bay was fantastic.

Julian Lumbreras said:  “We all wanted to teach in Hawke’s Bay so it was good being able to do our teaching experience/practicums at Hawke’s Bay schools.  We were known then to the schools in this region, and we got to know the schools as well.”

Just over 200 teachers have graduated with the conjoint Massey/EIT diploma since its inception in 2001.  Interest in doing the qualification continues to be very strong.