EDUCATION: WESTLAKE BOYS
Train to be a teacher with us! Deciding to leave your current career and embark on a new one is a big decision – particularly when you factor in retraining in your chosen new field. This leap of faith has been made easier for those wanting to train as a teacher thanks to the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Programme for teacher training (ASSP). The ASSP offers a brilliant solution for new graduates and career changers – on-site teacher training at a local high school with your university fees paid for and a $10,000 stipend paid to you while you train. David Ferguson, Headmaster of Westlake Boys’ High School says, "This programme offers a pathway for people who have always considered teaching as a career possibility but weren’t sure how they could make the move. We're really interested in people who have worked in other jobs and are looking to change careers, as well as graduates from a wide range of disciplines.” Twenty-three teacher trainees, aged from mid-20s to over 50, are taking part in the scheme this year, with 21 participating Auckland schools. The ASSP model gives teacher trainees the advantage of training on-the-job, alongside outstanding teachers and mentors, giving them first-hand experience of the full breadth of school life. While training, they complete their post-graduate teacher’s diploma online through the University of Waikato. If you would like to find out more, visit www.schoolbasedtraining.org Sidah Russell – teacher trainee 2022 I am halfway through the ASSP Programme, which is a partnership between 21 Auckland secondary schools and Waikato University. It is unique because you are embedded 2022 Teacher Trainee Sidah Russell. full-time in your school, while also studying full-time online. Being immersed in school life at Westlake Boys has brought so many advantages. At the end of this year, I know I will be a better, more confident firstyear teacher than I could ever have been doing a more traditional postgrad teaching qualification. Making the decision to shelve a 20-year career in journalism, corporate and government communications was a huge decision. At a recent catch-up with old colleagues, I mused that teaching is not actually that different from communications – but now I only ask myself one question - “How can I best communicate this concept in a way my students will understand and find interesting?” Trust me, that is a breath of fresh air after juggling the politics of diplomacy at my last job with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. At the halfway point, I am really happy with my decision to retrain. I know I have been enormously lucky to be based at Westlake Boys where they absolutely wrap their new teachers in support. I learn so much from being in the school full-time, and that’s the best thing about becoming a teacher – every day is a day to learn something new.
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Issue 132 - July 2022 www.channelmag.co.nz
Lance Dunne – First-year teacher 2022 and teacher trainee 2021 I was a radio announcer for 15 years and a tutor at the New Zealand Radio Training School when I saw the opportunity to join the schoolbased teacher trainee programme. I thoroughly enjoyed the full-immersion experience and First-year teacher Lance Dunne, who trained at the daily classroom Westlake Boys last year. interaction at Westlake Boys. It provided me the opportunity to be in classrooms from day one observing and learning from an amazing mentor and other experienced teachers. I believe the programme gave me a well-rounded and full learning experience in the teaching profession. These are skills that I am now happy to be putting into practice as a first-year teacher at Westlake Boys. I would thoroughly recommend the programme to anyone thinking of a career change to the teaching profession. Keryn McAlpine – First-year teacher 2022 and teacher trainee 2021 Before embarking on a teaching career, my professional background was varied - I dabbled in banking, broadcasting, fitness coaching, and small business ownership whilst raising my two First-year teacher Keryn McAlpine, who trained children. Whilst at Westlake Boys last year. studying for a Masters in Philosophy, I took on a contracting role teaching a healthy relationships programme in secondary schools across Auckland. It was during this time that I discovered a love for teaching and decided to take the next step in my career. I stumbled upon an article advertising the Auckland Schools Partnership Programme and the rest, as they say, is history. Being fully immersed at Westlake Boys has given me the opportunity to ground my learning in a practical setting. Coming into my first official teaching year after completing this course I feel ahead of the game in some ways. Established in a supportive school community from day one enabled me to hit the ground running with confidence as a first-year teacher. It is a privilege to have had this opportunity and I recommend this course to anyone considering a career change or looking to explore teaching in a way that extends theory into practice throughout the study process. It has been a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience and one of the best decisions I have ever made.
