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Polytechnic tutors and student scoop annual awards

Friday 19 September 2014, 8:46PM

By Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

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BAY OF PLENTY

A terrific week for Bay of Plenty Polytechnic after the outstanding efforts of three tutors and two students were recognised at the annual Adult Learners’ Week Awards ceremony.

Greg Langford and Mark Wilson both won an Exceptional Adult Educator Award to recognise the quality learning environments they provide for their students. Part-time tutor Sarah Lockwood received the Acorn Foundation Ted Wadsworth Scholarship, earning a $3,000 grant towards her PhD research.

International business student Nirosh Wijesinghe won the Outstanding Adult Learner Award and a $100 prize for being an enthusiastic and determined adult learner who supports and encourages others. Business student Kara Herbert won a commendation in the same category.

Greg Langford works as a construction and quantity surveying tutor and was nominated by a student who described him as “my best teacher ever”. His methods were described as disciplined but fun, with well-planned lessons incorporating group activities to challenge students’ thinking and capture their attention.

Mark Wilson is a business tutor who has a solid record of student success and course completion. He was recognised for being a hard-working and dedicated tutor with the ability to really “connect” with his students. In the classroom Mark set interesting questions for students to ponder on their own or in pairs. He was described as caring, kind and patient - giving freely of his time until a student’s concerns were fully resolved.

Part-time business tutor Sarah Lockwood won a $3,000 scholarship for her PhD research on volunteering during crises. With two more years of part-time study left, Sarah is specifically focusing on the self-organisation of youth volunteers during crisis events, based on the Rena oil spill, and is presenting her research at three international venues this year.

Nirosh Wijesinghe is an international student from Sri Lanka who has earnt an A average in the Bachelor in Business Analysis (Financial) course he is studying, while also offering his knowledge to fellow students through informal peer mentoring. Nirosh works part-time for Bay Venues, volunteers at the Papamoa Community Centre as an OSCAR Coordinator and is planning to cycle 400km around Cambodia next February to raise funds for UNICEF.

Kara Herbert began her tertiary studies in 2011 and is now studying towards a business degree. She was recognised for her focused, positive and fun-loving approach to her studies while also balancing the needs of her young family and working for her father’s business. Her nominator said Kara was respected by her peers and appreciated for her thoughtful contributions during class.

The awards were presented at a special function at the Tauranga City Council chambers last week. It was the thirteenth year the Western Bay of Plenty Adult & Community Education (ACE) Network had held the awards.