Graduates weathered Covid and Gabrielle

Te Rito Maioha graduates, from left, Ashleigh Walters (Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education), Erana Ngarewa ( Bachelor of Teaching Primary) and Tamarisk Hawea ( Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education). Picture supplied

by Roimata Rokx

Nine graduates were honoured at the annual Te Rito Maioha graduation in Heretaunga. Among them was Erana Ngarewa who was one of the first graduates to complete her Bachelor of Teaching Primary in Te Tairāwhiti.

Born in Palmerston North, Erana made her journey to the East Coast in 2021 bringing years of experience in teacher aide work in both early childhood education centres and primary schools. On arriving in Tairāwhiti, she made a brave choice to embark on a teacher training journey with Te Rito Maioha, starting her studies a month later. As daunting as it was, she acknowledges the wrap- around support provided by her kaiako at Puhi Kaiti and Te Rito Maioha as key to her settling into not only studies, but also a new community and the difficulties that came with studying during Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Hāpaitia te ara tika pūmau ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu: Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations”

With a mixture of hands-on and online learning, Erana values the experiences working with tamariki, whānau and other kaiako on a similar journey; strengthening a connection between what she was learning and ways she can ensure tamariki succeed in their learning.

Chrissy Matenga (kaiako at Puhi Kaiti) said it was a privilege and honour walking alongside Erana as a student teacher.

“She brings joy and enthusiasm into the classroom every day. We are so lucky to now have her as a kaiako at Kaiti School”.

The Bachelor of Teaching primary Erana has achieved is an acknowledgment of her hard mahi over the past three years. It also recognises the challenges she faced in Tairāwhiti due to Covid- 19, Cyclone Gabrielle and    flooding across the rohe.        Erana attributes her success to perseverance, resilience, commitment, prioritising, and laughter; qualities she wishes to support her ākonga at Kaiti School to develop and succeed. Her journey epitomises the vision of Te Rito Maioha, where she shaped “. . . education so that every child thrives and learns”.