Tai Poutini Polytechnic fuels volunteers
12 Sep 2014
Tai Poutini Polytechnic fuels volunteers Tai Poutini Polytechnic culinary arts students helped kick-start the day for local volunteers by supporting the police at the annual Blue Light Breakfast. Staff and students hosted around 30 volunteers on Thursday 4 September for the annual breakfast in support of police volunteers. TPP has been involved in the event for the past 7 years as a way to support the local community. “These volunteers do a great job in our community, so we want to show our thanks in the best way our culinary arts students know how – through their stomachs. This is a wonderful opportunity for the polytechnic to get involved locally and have our students work directly with the community.” The breakfast hosted at Tutoro Restaurant, Greymouth campus was followed by a day of rafting hosted by TPP Outdoor Education students. IMG 5087
Read the full postThe first cohorts of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s
6 Aug 2014
*The first cohorts of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s* The first cohorts of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s School of Mines have begun graduating this month. Graduates of the National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Mining Administration Surface Extraction B Grade) were presented with their national certificates at a function in Greymouth on 25July. The qualification enables the graduates to apply for their Certificates of Competence as a B Grade Opencast Coal Mine Manager or B Grade Quarry Manager and ensures their sites and employers comply with the changes in mining regulation. Training consisted of block courses led by active industry professionals, seconded from the extractive industry, all with current NZ and international experience. The short concentrated blocks of tutor led training were interactive and built on the skills and knowledge within the groups. They provided not only a strong basis of theory as their foundation but exposure to a wide range of application on differing scales of operation and types of extraction. The School of Mines has received tremendous industry support from both local companies and national and international operations. This included providing resources such as examples of systems, processes and even consents and licences which has enabled TPP to give participants exposure to examples of both large and small operations covering a wide range...
Read the full postTPP recognises MAINZ tutor
1 Aug 2014
The winner of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s (TPP) top teaching accolade for 2013 says helping students find a place in the audio industry is the best reward for his work. Matt Scott, Programme Leader for the Christchurch-based MAINZ Diploma in Audio Engineering and Music Production, was yesterday presented with the 2013 TPP Pounamu Award for Teaching Excellence by the TPP Council Chair, Graeme McNally. The award is given to tutors who have been recognised by their peers and students as going above and beyond to deliver academic programmes for TPP. Matt says it is a great compliment to be chosen for this year’s award. “It is really great to get that recognition; there are a lot of people at Tai Poutini Polytechnic who work hard and go beyond the call of duty so this award really means a lot to me.” Matt completed his training through MAINZ in 2001 and worked in the commercial audio industry until taking a teaching position at TPP almost six years ago. “I love teaching – I get to share my passion and see the students flourish. For me, working with the students one-on-one and helping them with a mix or to compose piece of music: that’s where the magic is. “TPP has given...
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Personal Presentation Course
21 Jul 2014
Tai Poutini Polytechnic Personal Presentation Course A community-focused course at Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) is helping local students gain confidence in their future. TPP recently ran a Personal Presentation course aimed at developing the confidence and communication skills of students. The course was developed by TPP staff working with the community to address local needs. The five-day course covered: personal presentation, communication skills and confidence, computers and beauty. All of the students involved received a certificate of participation and feedback has been positive. Student Melissa Costello is thinking about going on to further study, through the full-time Hair, Beauty and Grooming programme, as a result of the course. “I didn’t have much confidence before I did the course but this course helped me so much,” she says. Vanora Dell, who also took part in the course, says it inspired her to look further into beauty and learn about skin types. “I was thrilled when I heard about the course and thoroughly enjoyed it,” she says. 2014 latestNews PersonalPesentation Photo from bottom: Hannah Grant, Melissa Costello, Vanora Dell, Benz Manumoolat, Iona Wilkinson, Kirby Richardson (Berlin McGregor absent)
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Music Educators’ Conference
10 Jul 2014
*Music Educators’ Conference* *Music matters* A stellar line-up of guests headline the inaugural Music Educators’ Conference being held by Tai Poutini Polytechnic at its MAINZ campus, Auckland, on 10–11 July 2014 and registrations are open now. Independent recording engineer/producer and music educator Roel Verberk, from the Netherlands, will deliver the keynote address. His artist-centred approach to recording has seen him work with some of the biggest names in music, including Willie Nelson, Caro Emerald, Snoop Dogg, Duffy and Enrique Iglesias. In his teaching role at Fontys University, Verberk shares his skills and experience with a new generation of sound engineers. New Zealand industry heavyweights Scott Maclachlan, Victoria Blood and Tama Waipara will participate in panel discussions. Scott Maclachlan, of Saiko Management, has nurtured the talent of a host of artists throughout his career and is a key member of the team behind the phenomenal success of Lorde. Chairperson of the NZ Music Commission, Victoria Blood, is now giving back to industry and mentoring local talent after many years based in the UK. The versatile and multi-talented Tama Waipara is an inspirational role model for music educators and musicians alike. According to convenor Annabel Schuler, it is not often such an event is run in New Zealand for tertiary educators;...
Read the full postOutdoor Education & Wharton School
9 Jul 2014
*Outdoor Education & Wharton School* International experts in leadership and innovation training recently took part in a customised outdoor education programme at Tai Poutini Polytechnic. Dave Ritchie, head of department Outdoor Education, devised a trip designed to showcase different activities. ‘With the sea, mountains and rivers within easy reach of the West Coast, I came up with a journey that’s unique to New Zealand, challenging and inspiring, and demands physical competence in several different disciplines.’ Guests included Preston Cline, associate director of Leadership Ventures at Wharton business school in America, and Rodrigo Jordan, founding director of Instituto Vertical, an adventure education and expeditions company based in Chile. As part of its MBA programme, Wharton offers students the opportunity to participate in handson leadership and team building experiences in various locations around the world. Instituto Vertical delivers such programmes in Chile and, as a result of its connection with Instituto Vertical, TPP has been invited to create a New Zealand experience. TPP has an excellent reputation for its outdoor education programmes and Ritchie is passionate about the value of leadership training delivered outdoors. ‘There are some things you just can’t learn in the classroom. Taking students outdoors takes them out of their comfort zone, creating high levels of uncertainty and...
Read the full postCongratulations
21 May 2014
A South Westland rescue crew has won a top award in the annual New Zealand Search and Rescue Council award ceremony at Parliament. The gold award for 2013 went to four members of South Westland Alpine Cliff Rescue (including TPP's Jonathan Hattrell) for saving a woman in March last year who slipped, fell and broke her arm and ankle, while attempting to climb Glacier Peak. To read more on this incredible story click here.
Read the full postInternational partnerships to grow in 2015
13 Apr 2014
Building international relationships and encouraging overseas investment in local education are key priorities for Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) in 2015. TPP Director International Strategic Development Sue Allard says international partnerships benefit both the Polytechnic and the local economy by introducing overseas institutions, students and their families to the region, as well as creating connections to overseas businesses and partners. “For some years now we have been reaching out to our international partners and we have already built a number of relationships with institutions across mainland China, Hong Kong, the United States and South America. This year, we’re building on our existing relationships in these countries and pursuing opportunities in other countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Korea. “The Government has made the development of international partnerships one of its priorities for polytechnics and universities in New Zealand. Its Tertiary Education Strategy makes it clear that, as one of the country’s biggest export earners, international education helps improve the learning environment at home as well as opening doors to overseas businesses and opportunities for students.” Tai Poutini Polytechnic has a diversified international strategy which aims to increase international student numbers to meet both Government and Polytechnic needs. Its goals are to: increase revenue streams and create additional profit;...
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