Staff Excellence awarded at Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s (TPP) Excellence Awards have recognised staff who go above and beyond thecall of duty in their everyday work life.
From teachers who focus on improving and upskilling, to a group working with second‐chance learners and “the oil that keeps our engine running” ‐ TPP Chief Executive Allan Sargison says this year’s award winners exemplify the dedication and professionalism of TPP staff. “The annual awards recognise the outstanding efforts of staff across Polytechnic disciplines and campuses. Every year colleagues nominate teachers and staff members to be recognised for their excellent efforts. I am consistently impressed with the nominations and what they achieve in their working lives. “All this year’s nominees were worthy and it was difficult selecting the winners, but I am beyond impressed with calibre of our winners. I want to thank the winners and all of our staff for the outstanding efforts they put in every day.”
Tai Poutini Polytechnic Pounamu Award – Supreme Teaching Excellence Award
Phil Johnston‐Coates, Lead Tutor Outdoor Education
Phil was recognised for his efforts to upskill and commitment to professional development outside the
classroom, his focus on delivery and his work on developing relationships with external partners.
Colleagues say Phil “…has a finger on the emotional pulse of the teaching team and the student body.
He is a dynamic teacher both in‐ and outdoors, is appreciated by his students and his peers for his
dedication to the process of education and his relentless focus on ‘what is really important here’”.
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Teaching Excellence Award
Phil Oxenham and the Foundation Sound and Music Team, MAINZ Auckland (Jean McAllister, Jules Taylor‐Reid, Harry Champion, Dan Costello)
The team was recognised for delivering life‐changing education to students who are second‐chance learners – many of whom face a range of issues that impact on their ability to learn. The team plans to use the award to organise a team studio recording project outside MAINZ, with the involvement of recognised industry professionals.
Administration/Support Staff Excellence Award
Catriona Bayliss, West Coast Faculty Administrator
After three‐and‐a‐half years at TPP, Catriona is described by colleagues as "more than simply the oil that keeps our engine running; she is also the oil that smooths our waters when things become turbulent, and she's the one we go to for "the good oil" when no‐one else seems to know the answer." She was recognised for her reliability and being solutions‐focused with an eye on finding betters ways of working.
Chief Executive Award
Michele Cox, Programme Leader ‐ Drilling
Recognises the exceptional contribution that is made towards the overall financial and academic performance of the Institution as a Programme Leader.
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TPP Chief Executive Award for Innovation
Ian Hooker, Lead Tutor – Business and Computing
Recognises the initiative in the development of our first West Coast based Degree – the Bachelor in Business Enterprise.
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