Previous examples
2012 Support Staff Scholarship Recipients
Julie Storr, School Library Manager, Waitaki Girls’ High School, Oamaru
Her proposal is entitled ‘Professional Development in Library Management and Digital
Librarianship’ and entails completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies through
Victoria University.
Bonnie Campbell, Library Assistant, Waimea College, Nelson
Her proposal is entitled ‘Exploring new ideas, learning current best practice’ and entails
attending the American Library Association Conference 2013 in Chicago.
2012 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipients
Tere Gilbert, Teacher Te Kōhanga Reo o Nga Kuaka, Hamilton
Her proposal is entitled ‘Pēhea rā e ora ai tōku Reo Māori’ and entails researching and
developing an alternative model of Immersion Máori Early Childhood Education to the
current Kōhanga Reo model.
Sheralee Moore, Teacher, Rotorua School for Young Parents Childcare Centre, Rotorua
Her proposal is entitled ‘Linking the past to the future. How does the world of Te Ao Maori
and modern technology make for successful Maori learners in the 21st century?’. Her
research will be questioning how the world of Te Ao Máori and modern technology make for
successful Máori learners in the 21st century.
2011 Support Staff Scholarship Recipients
Kathleen Van Der Putten, Librarian, Tokoroa Intermediate School, Tokoroa
Her project is entitled ‘Professional Development in the School Library Sector’, Kathleen has
completed a Diploma in Information and Library Studies.
Mahoney Topia, Occupational Therapist, Carlson School for Cerebral Palsy, Auckland
Her project was entitled ‘Pathway to Postgraduate Education’ and entailed completing a
Masters in Health Science (Occupational Therapy).
2011 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipient
Tanya Shorter, Head Teacher, Arataki Kindergarten, Tauranga
Her project was entitled ‘Teacher Appraisal – its relationship to motivation, collegial
relationships and pedagogical change in an early childhood context in Aotearoa, New
Zealand’. Tanya’s research project gathered data that enabled an indepth exploration of
teachers experiences and perceptions of two systems of teacher appraisal.
2010 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipients
Adam Buckingham, Teacher, Sandringham Kindergarten
The focus of Adam Buckingham’s project was to encourage more male teachers into the
profession. He gained new ideas about male participation in early childhood and shared the
New Zealand experience, by attending and participating in a range of early childhood
conferences nationally and internationally.
Joanna Young, Teacher, Brooklands Kindergarten
The focus of Joanna Young’s project was to research how best to ensure
whakawhanaungatanga te reo Māori is integrated into her work as an early childhood
educator, and develop teaching resources to support this in the outdoor environment
learning context.
2010 Support Staff Scholarship Recipients
Helen Tina, Teacher Aide, Rotorua Girls High School
The focus of Helen Tina’s project was to learn New Zealand Sign Language to benefit both
the students she works with, her colleagues, and also the parents of the students who are
hearing impaired. Her focus is on the full participation of hearing impaired students and their
families in the school community.
Karyn Ward, Teacher Aide, Rangiora New Life School
The focus of Karyn Ward’s project was to complete a Master of Arts in History with the aim
of increasing awareness amongst members, of the importance of ongoing learning and in
the importance as educators, in understanding our cultural foundation and history.
2009 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipients
Gail Megaffin, Teacher, Frankton Kindergarten, Hamilton and Trish Walton, Teacher,
Grandview Kindergarten, Hamilton (joint applicants).
The focus of Gail and Trish's project was to look at assessment practices in early childhood
education, particularly in literacy, and develop better links between Te Whāriki and the New
Zealand curriculum, to make the transition between early childhood education and school
easier for children.
Carolyn O'Connor, Teacher, Papamoa Kindergarten, Tauranga
The focus of Carolyn's project was to create a practical resource for the early childhood
sector about Education for Sustainability in a New Zealand context.
2009 Support Staff Scholarship Recipients
Sharon Kerebs, Teacher Aide, Matatoki School, Thames
The focus of Sharon’s project was to consider the extent to which teacher aides support
student learning and participate in school activities.
Ian de Stigter, Science Technician, Mt Albert Grammar School, Auckland
The focus of Ian’s project was to consider gender equity issues relating to school support
staff and produce a practical resource for members.
2008 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipients
Margaret Smith’s project was to research and develop an understanding of the experiences
of late career teachers as they approach retirement and investigate how workplaces manage
and facilitate the process of transition out of full time work to ensure best outcomes for
teachers colleagues and their learners.
Julene Lawton has successfully completed a Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and is working
towards completing a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE). Completing her Diploma
has allowed her to take on a leadership role in her centre.
2008 Support Staff Scholarship Recipients
Wendy Ballard from Tauranga used her scholarship to create a website of online resources
for New Zealand primary schools—a one-stop shop for our kids. Topics include: News Flash
(child friendly sites for current events), Fast Facts, Blitz Your Homework, New Zealand,
Sports, Technology, Arts and Crafts and many more.
The focus of Donna LeMarquand’s project was to work with students in developing
information literacy skills that enable them to locate, evaluate and effectively use information
to create new knowledge, and understanding the development of these skills to enable
students to become lifelong learners.
2007 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipient
Rosemary Searle’s masters thesis is a well-researched report on the perceptions and use
of non-contact time in early education and care centres. Key findings in her report include
the importance of non-contact time in enabling professional development, and the fact that
non-contact time taken individually does not provide the opportunities to collaborate that
teachers need. Rosemary stated that it was crucial having the scholarship to provide
refreshments for the focus groups who gave their time to her report.
2007 Support Staff Scholarship Recipient
Gillian English is a teacher aide at Waimea Intermediate School in Richmond, Nelson. The
focus of Gillian’s research project was investigating the current role of teacher aides and
developing guidelines for a formal training scheme that demonstrates the competence and
professionalism of those staff.
2006 Support Staff Scholarship Recipient
Sue Donnell, Physiotherapist, Auckland. The focus of Sue’s research project was to
develop a ‘sister school’ relationship between two special schools in Fiji and her own school,
Carlson School in Auckland.
2006 Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipient
Ramila Sadikeen, Head Teacher, Brooklands Kindergarten, New Plymouth. The focus of
Ramila's research was strengthening links with local Maori communities to enhance teaching
ideas and bicultural practice within kindergartens.