Our students benefit and grow immensely from the quality learning that our local employers enable them. Every week I am astounded by the amazing opportunities and investment these employers place into our students. I would like to thank them for the amazing experiences they provide and the time and energy they give to helping our students become more employable and ultimately better people. 

Nic Kelly (Transition/Gateway Co-ordinator)

Kowhai - Dunstan Educare Work Placement

Kowhai Riwhi, a Year 13 student, has been on work placement one day a week this year with Dunstan Educare. She has been studying alongside this placement with the Open Polytechnic working towards her Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care. When she completes this study Kowhai will have gained 60 credits and be one year into 3 years of workplace training towards being a fully qualified Early Childhood Teacher. We are extremely impressed with the self management and passion she has shown to work towards her learning goals. Educare value Kowhai's contributions greatly as do the tamariki at their centre. Feedback from the staff at Educare has included how impressed they are with the rapport she builds with the tamariki, through her kind and caring nature. And that Kowhai is able to build their confidence within themselves, open and extend their natural desire to learn, ultimately setting them up to become

lifelong lovers of learning. The growth they have seen in Kowhai over her work placement includes her increased confidence, ability to think outside the box, initiative and strength as a team player.