Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Education)

What you will Learn

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• apply an in-depth understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te Reo Māori and tikanga Māori in a secondary education context to support Māori learners to enjoy educational success as Māori;
• utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with young people/rangatahi, their parents, families and whānau, as well as colleagues, stakeholder professionals and external organisations;
• utilise current research and critical reflection to analyse effective practices to continually improve design for learning and teaching during practicum in a secondary education context;
• apply professional learning and collaboration within and beyond their secondary education context.

Partner School

Ākonga require the support of an approved partner school in order to enter this programme. Open Polytechnic can assist with acquiring this support.

Full time ākonga will spend two full days in a partner school each week while part-time ākonga will spend one full day in a partner school each week (in addition to practicum). These days are decided between the ākonga and the school, and ākonga are expected to attend between 9am and 3pm as a minimum. There are 40 days in total across this programme.

A Mentor Teacher will guide you in a range of learning experiences and school-based tasks designed to develop your teaching practice alongside qualified kaiako. This time in school ensures you have the opportunity to directly connect theory (online learning) with practice (what you experience in schools). You are expected to contribute to the mahi of your partner school, based on your areas of skill or interest.

If you have an existing relationship with a school (you already work there, or are well known to them), please approach them to seek candidate support for your application. Schools are busy places, so please contact them first to make an appointment. When you are in discussions with the school, please email or bring them a copy of this School Placement Information. This document includes the following:

• Partner School Letter: This letter explains why you are approaching the school for support.
• Programme Leaflet: This gives the school an overview of the programme and details the responsibilities required by the school.
• Candidate Support Form: Schools should complete and return this form to confirm their support.

We suggest you give yourself plenty of time to do this before the application close-off date.

If you do not have an existing relationship with the school, please do not approach a school directly, rather indicate this on the pre-enrolment check (also linked in the ‘Choose courses and apply’ tab).

Programme delivery

You will access courses online with academic support from academic staff members. Contact with academic staff and other students will occur via iQualify talk channels, at noho marae and during practicums over the course of your study.   

You will also engage in separate online tutorials delivered by educators who are experienced secondary subject specialists. These group tutorials ensure you are able are to develop the teaching skills and pedagogy related to your specific subject areas.  

Noho marae

Ākonga participate in one compulsory noho marae (overnight stay) during the programme. Noho are held in 4 or 5 centres across the country. Ākonga will have an opportunity to connect with local tikanga and kawa (marae protocols and Māori practices), and te reo Māori.

Please complete this form to select your preferred location:

Noho Marae  2024 April/May

For ākonga enrolled in Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Education, below are the dates and locations of the noho marae offered in the first half of 2024 (details for noho marae offered in the second half of 2024 will be posted once confirmed). Please note that while these dates and venues are as confirmed as they can be, a change might occasionally be required.

• Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta/Upper Hutt: 13-14 April 2024, Ōrongomai Marae
• Ōtautahi/Christchurch: 4-5 May 2024, Ōnuku Marae
• Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland: 11-12 May 2024, Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, MIT
• Rotorua: 18-19 May 2024, Tangatarua Marae
• Ōtepoti/Dunedin: 25-26 May 2024, Puketeraki Marae

Practicum

During this programme you will complete two full-time 8-week practicums. At these times, you are expected to be at school before 8:30am and to be available until 4pm each day. Only one of these may be completed at your partner school. You will be guided by an Associate Teacher as you engage with tamariki, whānau, and the wider school community.

During practicum, you will be supported to make progress towards specific Key Teaching Tasks. Towards the end of your practicum, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your progress and ability to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession (in a supported environment).

Learner Story