Why did you decide to study a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary)?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Communication in 2023 and then went on my OE to London. I ended up picking up a casual job as a teacher aide. I really enjoyed being in a classroom. I鈥檇 always thought about becoming a teacher but hadn鈥檛 pursued it until then.
I鈥檝e always wanted to do something that helped people, and once I was in the classroom environment, I felt like I鈥檇 found it. I鈥檇 heard about UC鈥檚 postgrad programme and how great it was, so when I returned to Christchurch, I enrolled.
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What are the placement opportunities like?
We鈥檝e had two placements in the year-long course. My most recent was a 7-week block at Heaton Intermediate in a Year 7 class. I thought I鈥檇 love teaching the younger ones, but I actually really loved that age group. It was beneficial to see a different year level and challenge my assumptions.
Placements start with observation and gradually build to teaching full lessons. My mentor got me teaching in week two, which felt early鈥攂ut honestly, it gave me confidence and got me into the flow quickly. By the end, I was teaching full weeks on my own, with support.
The highlight has definitely been seeing students have 鈥榣ightbulb鈥 moments鈥攅specially in maths, which I struggled with myself growing up. I鈥檝e really tried to make my students feel supported, like mistakes are part of learning. One of the best parts is when a student says, 鈥淚 finally get it!鈥
We also did OSI Week, where we got to know our cohort through an intensive residential experience. It felt like school camp helped me build strong friendships early on.
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What do you like about studying at UC?
I chose UC partly because I live here, but also because I love the campus. It鈥檚 familiar, comforting and not as spread out as some other unis I鈥檝e studied at. It just feels like home.
The academic staff are really approachable and genuinely care. All of them have actual teaching experience, which makes their advice feel real and relevant. They鈥檝e been where we are. We also have a Professional Inquiry course where we鈥檙e placed in small groups, with a lecturer we can go to for help鈥攍ike a homeroom, really.
The course is hands-on. We鈥檙e not just sitting in lectures; we鈥檙e doing science experiments, making mini ovens for s鈥檓ores, playing maths games鈥攑ractical stuff we can take into real classrooms. It makes class something I actually look forward to.
I鈥檝e learned so much鈥攅specially about time management and adapting to different learners. We鈥檝e done a lot around cultural understanding and inclusive teaching, which is so important in New Zealand. All of this has helped shape the kind of teacher I want to be.
The people in postgrad are here with purpose. Everyone鈥檚 motivated, mature, and serious about teaching.
Are you a part of any clubs or extracurriculars on campus?
I鈥檓 not part of any formal clubs, but I do go to a lot of UCSA events. There are heaps of opportunities to connect and the postgrad winter dinner was a great chance to meet postgraduate students outside of education.
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What does a typical week look like for you?
A typical week is pretty packed. I鈥檓 in class most days, and between lectures I try to stay on campus to do assignments and prep for placement or job applications. Then in the evenings, I head to work.
I work as a Residential Assistant at University Hall, which helps me stay connected socially and professionally. The job is super flexible and student-friendly鈥攖hey always remind us that our studies come first. Plus, it鈥檚 literally across the road from campus, which makes it easy to juggle everything.
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How was your experience of returning to study?
Coming back to study after a year off was a bit of an adjustment鈥攅specially jumping from 300-level undergrad to 400-level postgrad鈥攂ut once I got into a routine, I was fine. It鈥檚 busy, and I鈥檝e found time management is everything. I rely on Google Calendar to block out time for lectures, assignments, work, and social life. Having structure helps me stay balanced.
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What are your aspirations when you finish your qualification?
I want to be a confident, inspiring teacher who makes students feel seen and supported. I鈥檇 love to eventually teach overseas鈥攎aybe Australia.
What motivates me is the end goal鈥攂ecoming a qualified teacher. I want to be someone who has a real impact on students, and I love seeing those learning moments in real time.
More student stories
See other postgraduate study experiences from UC students.
