Annual Report 2007
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Annual Report 2007
Overview
BTI has pressed on with its mission in the past year, living out a vision of biblically-based Christ-centred education. As I observed in the last year, the pressured tertiary operating environment and political machinations continue to have a dampening effect. However, God’s hand on the Institute, committed staff and enthusiastic students are just some of the many blessings of 2007.
There are a number of things that I wish to highlight in my report this year as follows:
We thank God for the students who respond to the call to commit themselves to qualifications shaped by iblical principles and Christian commitment. In 2007 approximately 400 students enrolled across all programmes. The number of part-time students increased, mainly through enrolments in counselling programmes. Students increasingly are interested in flexible web-supported or web-based delivery of programmes and considerable investments have been made by BTI to meet this demand.
Our graduates continue to be sought-after. Our employment rate for students in teacher education within three months of qualifying (over all programmes - primary, secondary and early childhood) continues to be considerably higher than the national average, ranging from 82% in Primary to 100% in Early Childhood Education. In counselling the story is similar with 88% of students being employed within three months of qualifying.
In 2007 the Institute gained approval to offer the Bachelor of Counselling by flexi-delivery. We also now offer the web-based Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Christian Education specifically for teachers in Christian schools. This is an exciting programme with courses such as ‘Biblical Mandate for Social Concern in Education’, ‘Teachers as Mentors’, ‘Biblical Thinking Across the Curriculum’ and ‘Curriculum Development to maximise the New Zealand Curriculum’. Within the teacher education cluster, the highest level of growth in 2007 was in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) which is a one-year programme for primary teachers who wish to work in the early childhood education sector.
Research is a fundamental component of what we do. In 2007 BTI gained "research active" recognition for three staff from the Ministry of Education’s performance based research fund funding round. In late 2007 Bev Norsworthy submitted her Doctoral thesis ("Being and Becoming Reflexive in Teacher Education") for examination. Marion Sanders was also working throughout 2007 on her Doctoral thesis which focuses on maximising the mentoring role of the associate teacher. As I am writing this report she is due to submit her thesis. We also have Alaster Gibson and James Arkwright working towards concluding their doctoral work in 2009. Several other staff are completing Masters studies. Additionally, staff at the Institute contribute to the research debate from a Christian perspective both nationally and internationally in fields of teaching and learning, teacher education, Christian education, adolescent boys and family studies. In 2007 the range of research projects gained funding from sources such as ASCILITE (e-learning) and the Families Commission (the effect of student exclusion on families).
BTI’s first cohort of Christian teachers from Tonga completed the Diploma of Teaching Studies in 2007. This is an NZQA-approved professional qualification offered in Tonga. Another cohort of 28 teachers has begun the Diploma in 2008. BTI is also blessed with opportunities to be involved in professional development to a growing number of developing nations in the vital area of teacher education. Within New Zealand we continue to seek more ways in which we can support and serve those who teach and lead in Christian schools in New Zealand. Offering the webbased Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Christian Education, that I referred to earlier in this report, is one significant way in which we seek to serve Christian teachers in New Zealand.
We continue to be blessed by the Christian Education Trust with a pleasant environment as part of the much larger Bethlehem Campus. Two major improvements that occurred in 2007 were the completion of the new library (Pataka Pukapuka) and the completion of the Hub (Te Pu Puangi). The Hub has become a focal point for student gathering and interaction. It has also been utilised on a number of occasions for various functions. The library is also serving staff and students particularly well being a vast improvement from the previous library arrangements which became inadequate for the growing student numbers and demands.
All of these factors continue to enhance the reputation of BTI as a respected academic institute of excellence.
To the Executive Dean, Dr Amy Edwards, and the Senior Managers, I say thank you for guiding BTI during this past year. You continue to strive for excellence and the long-term future of BTI while maintaining the Institute’s unique culture and the very best that can be offered for students.
I continue to be amazed at the levels of commitment that staff make to BTI. It is their dedication and belief in the vision that creates the unique environment of BTI.
To the Board of BTI, and my fellow directors, I have enjoyed our meetings and times together including the opportunity for robust debate. Healthy debate on a Board is fundamental to good governance and will assist us as we refine and implement the strategic plan for the next three-year period.
Marcus Wilkins
CHAIRMAN
Board of Directors
Bethlehem Institute Ltd.
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Year 2007
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Annual Report 2007
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