History of NZGSE
The Origins
During 1995, three teacher educators together decided there was a need for a high quality alternative to the traditional teacher education programmes. Lois Chick, Kevin Knight and John Langley formed a company to become this new enterprise - New Zealand Graduate School of Education.
The vision was that NZGSE would be an exemplar for other training providers: an organisation that would challenge by example the current practices in teacher education. NZGSE was committed from the beginning to preparing teachers who would be academically well qualified, very skilled practitioners, and prepared to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism in schools.
The Model
To achieve this goal, NZGSE chose a training model that was the most effective known. This was a combination of extensive school-based experience coupled with close supervision by teacher educators. Other features were to be a flexible programme length and a strong emphasis on the skills of behaviour management and building relationships with students.
Development Phases
NZGSE’s set-up phase extended from October 1995 to September 1996 during which time the many approval processes were completed. By the end of this development phase, NZGSE had acquired premises and equipment, was registered as a private training establishment, was accredited to work in the field of teacher education, and had a Diploma of Teaching programme recognised by NZQA and the then Teacher Registration Board [now called the Teachers Council of Aotearoa New Zealand]. In 2005, the programme was divided in two programmes and renamed by NZQA as Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) and Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary).
The latest development phase has been to refresh the two programmes as postgraduate qualifications. In 2023, NZGSE received approval from the Teaching Council and from NZQA to deliver these new programmes. The first intakes for the postgraduate diplomas in teaching started in July 2023.
Changes of Directors
A fourth director – Harry Lim – joined NZGSE in October 1996 to provide more business perspective. John Langley and Harry Lim have now both exited the company. Rod Browning – who was formerly NZGSE’s Secondary Programme Leader – was invited to be a Director in 2010 and has now retired from this role.
The Start of the Teacher Training Programme
New Zealand Graduate School of Education’s first teacher training programme began on 1 October 1996 with a small intake of eight students training as primary teachers. They were joined in January 1997 by a further group training to be primary teachers and a new group training to be secondary teachers. Since then new primary and secondary groups have begun in January and July each year. There are typically about 80 teacher interns – NZGSE’s term for its student teachers – on the programmes training as primary teachers or as secondary teachers. NZGSE is committed to keeping its teacher intern numbers low to ensure an individual focus on training needs.
Ceremonies
The Official Opening of New Zealand Graduate School of Education was conducted by Hon Wyatt Creech– then Minister of Education – on 6 June 1997.
NZGSE held its Inaugural Graduation Ceremony in April 1998 when the Rt Hon David Lange presented 26 teachers with their diplomas. Graduations have been held annually since. There were 127 graduate diplomas in teaching presented at our 2011 ceremony.
In 2006, NZGSE celebrated its tenth anniversary with a conference at which Hon Steve Maharey – Minister of Education at the time – was the keynote speaker. In 2021, the 25 year milestone was reached.
Liaison With Schools
NZGSE’s teacher education model fosters strong professional links with participating host schools. This cooperation has benefits for both NZGSE and the schools. NZGSE teacher interns gain from being treated as full members of the schools’ professional teams and NZGSE can contribute to the professional development of the teachers in the schools.
School Improvement Services
In addition to the teacher training programmes, NZGSE provides extensive support to experienced teachers and school managers through professional development courses, mentoring schemes, teacher appraisals and school reviews. This work is managed under the banner of School Improvement Services.
NZGSE Graduates in the Teaching Profession
NZGSE graduates are highly sought after by schools. Our data show that over 97% of our graduates go on to teach. NZGSE graduates often win rapid promotion once they are in teaching jobs.
Honours
Founding Directors – Lois Chick and Kevin Knight – were both appointed as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education, in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.