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We've got spaces available in our highly regarded and successful Primary Teacher Education and Early Childhood Teacher Education programmes to start in February. Play, learn and be creative all while gaining your professional degree.
BTI also now offers a field-based ECE degree where you can work while you study. Study in a caring, supportive, Christian environment where your learning and teaching will be informed by faith, inspired by hope and motivated by love. Our students consistently succeed and tell us that they have made friends for life while studying. ECE student Courtney Stead says “At BTI, you get a sense of belonging”. BTI Teacher training is based on Christian values and creative, person-centred learning, with onsite, field-based and distance learning options. Apply online now at www.bti.ac.nz/apply
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The government has introduced the Covid-19 Protection Framework or “traffic light” system. Tauranga and BTI campus moved into ‘Orange’ level from 11:59pm Thursday, 2 December.
This means campus can remain open, and all students and staff are encouraged to wear masks. You must sign in when you arrive on campus using the Covid Tracer App or manual sign in sheet at reception. If this level changes to Red, then there may be other requirements – see the Framework for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/ 18 November 2021
Kia ora BTI students, On behalf of BTI’s executive leadership team, I want to update you on BTI’s response to Covid-19 and the imminent ‘traffic light’ system under the Covid-19 Protection Framework. We recognise that there may be many reasons why people choose not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 at this time. We also recognise that the majority of BTI students are now fully vaccinated and that there are those who are immuno-compromised who may feel especially vulnerable around those who are unvaccinated, especially with Covid-19 in or near Tauranga and the imminent opening of Auckland’s boundary level from 15 December 2021. As much as is possible we want to hold compassion for all, whether vaccinated or not, immuno-compromised or not, anxious or not. In broader society, the options for accommodating those who are unvaccinated are narrowing day by day. That also impacts BTI in various ways. Now, only fully vaccinated staff and students (i.e. at least two doses) can go onto school grounds and into many health settings. BTI’s leadership are having ongoing discussions around what our obligations are and will be around our own events, like graduation. We will now livestream graduation as a matter of course for those who can’t attend for whatever reason, but we want to be transparent and say there’s a possibility that those who attend graduation in person will be required to be fully vaccinated. The government Health Order mandates that all our current and future Teacher Education students, including those who have already applied for study from 2022 onwards, are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, as that is necessary for practicum teaching experience. For our School of Social Practice students, the Covid-19 vaccine mandate is less clear-cut and is largely determined by locations that placements are performed and if conducted with medical practitioners. Irrespective of the mandate, we note that more and more providers/third parties with whom we work are imposing their own Covid-19 vaccine mandates even if they are not captured under the Health Order ones. So, while we will not require current SoSP students to be vaccinated and will work to accommodate the non-vaccinated with placements not requiring vaccination, we have determined that all new SoSP students who enrol at BTI for study from 2022 onwards will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This is because it is apparent that it is going to become increasingly difficult to accommodate the mandate requirements otherwise. As our Masters’ and Level 4 students can study entirely online, at this stage they will not necessarily need to be fully vaccinated unless their own workplaces require it of them. We have been informed today that My Vaccine Pass will be the only permitted way of verifying students’ vaccination status under the Covid-19 Protection Framework. We will request this once our student management system has been updated, and details of how we will do this will be communicated to you at a later date. We expect the traffic light system, also known as the Covid-19 Protection Framework, to be formally confirmed as commencing by 15 December 2021, and the framework operational by the end of November (such as vaccine passports). Once in place, we will be obligated to apply the conditions it places upon us. Under each ‘traffic light’ it is possible for tertiary education facilities to remain open, though with tighter distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated people across a range of domains, including events, gatherings, and hospitality, to limit virus transmission as we move between the traffic lights. Specifically, in the event of moving into traffic light Red and the strict criteria it imposes, we will move BTI fully online for up to two weeks. However, if ‘Red’ extends beyond those two weeks we will invite and expect fully vaccinated staff and students to return onsite, all other things considered, while unvaccinated staff and students remain working remotely until such time as the traffic light system changes. At BTI, we have deliberately adopted a compassionate and flexible stance in response to these Covid-19 vaccine mandates. We recognise that getting a Covid-19 vaccine is a matter of personal choice and that not everyone is able to be vaccinated, for many reasons. While we want to maintain this stance as long as we can, we feel it is wise to also review our position as we go. If, having considered the trajectory of Covid-19 in the community, assessed the risk to BTI, looked at the ongoing health and safety of our BTI staff and students, and listened to feedback, we could decide to move toward a mandated approach. If this occurs, we will let you know in good time and work with you as and if it affects you. We appreciate the uncertainty and fear around what it will mean when Covid-19 is in our community. There is much conflicting information and limited legislation in place. We are committed to meeting our legal requirements, while also ensuring we take into account the interests of our staff and students. We have great assurance of the sovereignty of God at all times and in all places. God has led BTI this far by his grace, sustains us still and will lead us on. As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to get in touch. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/ Principal of BTI “Pāpaki tū ana ngā tai ki Mauao
I nukunukuhia, I nekenekehia, I whiua reretia ko tō wairua ki te wai tipua, ki tai wīwī, ki tai wāwā, Ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama E oki!” Aue, taukiri e, he karere tino pouri tenei. 'Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne' (the tōtara in the great forest of Tāne has fallen). Kua mate to tatou kaumatua rangatira i tenei ata. BTI is today mourning our beloved and esteemed kaumatua Huikākahu Kawe. Matua Huikākahu and his wife Jan have been kaumatua at BTI for many, many years and their influence and impact are wide and deep. May God’s korowai of aroha, grace, peace and compassion fall upon the whānau and friends of Huikākahu. Psalm 73:26: "Hemo iho oku kikokiko me toku ngakau: ko te Atua ia te kaha o toku ngakau, toku wahi ake ake./My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Kia ora koutou,
In these strained and strange times, we find ourselves in what are certainly unprecedented, even impossible, situations for most of us. Having thought that the worst of Covid was behind us, we are – as a country – facing the virulent Delta variant, and with that all the restrictions it brings to what we do and how we do it. Earlier this week, the government announced that from 1 January 2022, primary and secondary schools and early learning services will need to maintain a register and ensure only vaccinated staff and support people have contact with children and students. And anyone carrying out high-risk work in the health and disability sector must now be fully vaccinated by 1 December 2021. As the BTI leadership, we: Affirm that our identity is in Christ. Vaccination status is showing all the hallmarks of an identity-defining practice and with it the taking of sides, one against another. At BTI, we want to be a community where we work to resist this divisiveness; dependent on Jesus to be the One who holds us, in our difference, together. There are many reasons and motivations behind people’s choices in this space – we must be careful with our attitudes, language, and assumptions. We recognise there are those who are anxious about catching Covid-19, and those who are equally anxious about the vaccine; there are those who support mandates and those who oppose them. Through Christ, we must be people who can feel, act, and speak with compassion – recognising the stress that is inevitably experienced when well-motivated and conscientious people come to different conclusions while seeking to remain in one community of fellowship. Find our certainty in Christ We are still waiting to see further detailed policy and advice on how vaccine mandates may be implemented. We are working closely with government agencies and others to clarify what is and what is not required. We appreciate that in the absence of more detail there is quite a lot of confusion. We want you to know that once things become clearer, we will send you more information as it relates to BTI. We also know that in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world we can find certainty in Christ alone – and that is our prayer for you. Point you to Christ We want to point you towards our ultimate guide and leader, Jesus, who asks all who seek to follow him to love God first and to love their neighbour as themselves. From John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends/ E karangatia ana ahau e koutou, ‘E te Kaiwhakaako, E te Ariki,’ ā, he tika tā koutou kōrero, ko ahau hoki ia." As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, “God has put the body together... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” Together we pray for God’s peace in these troubled times, in our hearts, in our whānau, in our fellowship with one another, in our nation, and in our world. We affirm our identity is in Christ, we find our certainty in Christ, and we point to Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher and the BTI Executive Leadership Team Our annual BTI Online Information Evening is coming up this Thursday, 14 October at 7pm. Register now to attend.
Our Online Information evening gives you a chance to ask questions of our educators, and also hear testimonies from current students about life at BTI. It will all happen online, so you can join us from wherever you are. Programme leaders and educators will be there to introduce themselves and answer your questions. Plus you can also meet our applications administrator and hear about steps to prepare yourself for study. Register now for our Online Information Evening on Thursday, 14 October at 7pm - we can't wait to meet you! Kia ora koutou,
How are you all? It seems like a while and yet not long at all since we began 2021 classes at BTI in celebration and in hope that we would grow, learn and thrive together. We learnt from the Prime Minister yesterday that Auckland will remain at Alert Level 3, with some easing of restrictions, and parts of the Waikato are also in Level 3 for 5 days from Sunday, 3 October. However for now the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand - including BTI campus - remain at Alert Level 2. This means that BTI's current practices on campus continue - we continue to wear masks in common areas, keeping our distance, signing in using the QR code, practicing good hygiene, and staying home if we’re sick. I appreciate and want to acknowledge all of you practicing these guidelines carefully already. Our online courses will also continue and all resources are available on BTI Online 24/7. While Sunday was officially the last day of Mental Health Awareness week, I think it is just as important now to ‘Mā te Kōrero, ka ora – Take Time to Kōrero’. Amid continuing restrictions and with uncertainty ahead, a short chat can go a long way to improve our wellbeing or to encourage one another. Our God too is a great listener, and so I encourage you all to keep up your kōrero with God and with one another. Please reach out to your course coordinator or another staff member if we can help. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/ Principal Kia ora koutou,
Yesterday the Prime Minister confirmed that Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 at midnight today, Tuesday 21 September, for at least two weeks. The rest of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 2. Level 3 has been dubbed “lockdown with takeaways” – and so for our Auckland-based students and whānau it may mean only a small difference, especially as schools and early learning centres remain largely closed. However, it is a step towards opening up further, and in that sense we all celebrate with Auckland. For us in Tauranga, campus is open with Delta Level 2 restrictions - wearing face masks in shared areas, signing in and keeping our distance, and staying home if you're unwell or need to isolate. Distance learning continues also. See our recent blog post for full details of Level 2 arrangements. As we look ahead to the end of the study year, there is still much uncertainty. While we cannot see how this outbreak will end, we can see excellent progress being made as case numbers reduce and vaccination rates increase. We must also continue to look to our guide and great teacher Jesus, who taught us that our future in Him is certain, forgiven and hopeful. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi, Principal Kia ora koutou,
Today our Prime Minister confirmed that Auckland will continue in Covid-19 Alert Level 4 and the rest of New Zealand in (Delta) Level 2 until at least Tuesday 21 September. For BTI, this means we will continue to teach some classes onsite and some online, as we have started today, with Level 2 restrictions. We must continue to wear masks on campus in shared spaces, maintain at least 1 metre distance, and stay home if unwell or we need to self isolate. See our recent blog post for more details of Level 2 on campus. For those of our community who are in Auckland, we are very grateful for your mahi at Level 4, keeping us all safe and stopping the spread of the virus. Thank you. I'd like to acknowledge that many of us might be thinking, " Kua pau te hau / I’m exhausted" right now. It is hard to juggle the needs of our whānau, our communities, and especially our own needs during this time. Please reach out, to friends or our staff, or check in with each other. We can only get through this by supporting one another, building each other up, and in doing so we show God's love in practical and real ways. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher, Te Taiurungi/ Principal Kia ora koutou,
BTI have received advice from the Ministry of Education around expectations for tertiary institutions during this Covid-19 Alert Level 2, so we can now give you all a bit more detailed information about how being on campus and in class will work. Classes will resume on campus from 13 Sept Classes will resume on campus for those who normally attend on campus from Monday, 13 September. Except for:
Masks should be worn on campus Many of you will know that this time around, Level 2 requires that we wear masks in public spaces, including libraries and museums. When you come onto BTI campus, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask and will have some available from Reception should you require one. Our staff will also be wearing masks. Advice on how to wear a mask safely. Sign in when on campus It is also now required that you record where you have been and when under this Level 2. When you come onto BTI campus, you should sign in using the NZ Covid Tracer app by scanning a QR code or using the manual sign in sheets. To download the Covid Tracer app, go to the your app store or visit the government Covid-19 website. Keep your distance and keep washing your hands We encourage students to maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and other students or staff on campus. This is a time of reconnection and it will be lovely to meet together, but it is still important that we keep physically apart, for now. Coupled with good hand hygiene, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, and staying home if you are unwell, this social distance will help keep our staff and your fellow students safe while we work and study together. We are working hard in the meantime to make sure that extra hygiene measures and sanitiser stations are set up around campus, as well as setting up signing in and distanced teaching areas. We know this can be an unsettling and anxious time, so please reach out to one of our staff if we can help, or your friends and whānau. You can also talk to someone 24/7 by calling 1737. Ngā mihi nui, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/ Principal Kia ora koutou,
BTI are grateful to welcome students and staff back onto campus under government Covid-19 Alert Level 2 guidelines from Thursday, 9 September. Online teaching will continue for the rest of this week. We will be in touch with more details in the next day or two, as these are finalised, about online tutorials, class size restrictions etc. Please read these emails as this is our primary means of keeping in touch with you. Please be aware that there are important things to remember under Level 2 when on campus:
Finally, we would like to celebrate with all of Aotearoa New Zealand that this lockdown period has been working to slow and stop the spread of Covid-19 in our community. Our combined actions of staying home, and Aucklanders continuing to stay home, have saved lives and we can be proud of this. This is good news. We also know that whatever alert level, whatever kind of day we’re having, God, Immanuel, is with us. And that’s good news for all people for all times. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi, Principal Alert Level 3 is in place for BTI, and that means we continue to stay online and offsite until at least Monday 6 September.
However, if you need to visit the library, you can now do so under the following conditions:
Access hours for the Library:
If you are struggling, Covid-19 resources are linked from the Covid-19 website and as always, you are encouraged to contact your usual lines of support - your cohort mentors, NMA team, academic support team, or course coordinators. Kia ora koutou,
As you may have heard, while Auckland and Northland will likely remain at Level 4, the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 3 from Wednesday, 1st September until at least Monday, 6 September. While Tauranga remains in Alert Level 3, the BTI campus will remain closed to all staff and students. Classes will continue online, and students can continue to contact educators and support staff through email or via BTI Online. We are aware that this "lockdown" has presented a challenge for many, as some of you were half-way through onsite intensives or about to start practical experience weeks when the Covid Alert Levels changed. The TEC has established a Covid Hardship fund, and BTI encourages students who have suffered hardship through these circumstances to apply. See a recent email with the form to apply for this fund, or check the website: https://www.bti.ac.nz/student-support.html All of the BTI staff team look forward to being back on campus soon when we get to Level 2. In the meantime, please keep in touch with us - through your cohort mentors, NMA team, academic support team, or course coordinators. Together we can get through this challenging time, and maybe we will soon be able to see God's hand in bringing our whānau together, in showing us the power of stillness and silence, and in teaching us to wait on Him. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/ Principal Kia ora koutou,
While we battle this latest community outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, BTI campus will remain closed for all of next week. Classes will continue online, through BTI Online, and our staff will be in touch with those booked to begin practical experience next week to outline what will happen. Please continue to look after each other and to reach out for help or support - our staff are there to help if we can. And please continue to play your part in our "Team of 5 million" as we work to keep our whānau and communities safe. Above all, we know that we can continue to trust in the great sovereignty of God in this world, at BTI, and in our lives. We know God is faithful, gives us strength, and his mercies are new every morning. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/Principal Kia ora koutou,
As we have all heard, the Prime Minister has announced a change to Covid Alert Level 4 from midnight tonight for all of Aotearoa New Zealand. This will apply until midnight on Friday for most, and for 7 days for Auckland and the Coromandel. This means that BTI campus will be closed this week, and in-person intensives will be cancelled. Classes will be moved online and course coordinators will be in touch directly with more details over the next 24-hours. We know that God gives each of us the strength, wisdom and courage for each day. Let us continue to be kind and look after each other as we stay at home to keep our communities safe. And we also know that this change in Covid-19 Alert Levels has significantly raised levels of anxiety and stress for all of us and our whānau. Our staff are here to support you if we can. Please email your course coordinator if you have any study questions or concerns, or call 1737 for mental health support at any time to talk to someone. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki, In God we trust, Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi/ Principal There was news this week about the government's Covid-19 plan including increasing vaccination availability and opening up the border: see https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/latest-updates/government-sets-out-plan-to-reconnect-new-zealanders-to-the-world/
At BTI we also have a plan, that will be implemented if there is any change to Covid-19 Alert levels. We will be in touch with you again as soon as we can should things change. In the meantime, we need to keep on doing all the things that keep us safe together: signing in when you're out and about, staying home if you're sick, wearing a face covering on public transport or planes, and practicing good hand hygiene. Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki (In God we trust) Anxious about whether scheduled intensives will go ahead? At this point BTI campus is operating normally and all scheduled intensives will continue. We will let you know if anything changes.
Staff and students continue to meet to pray and waiata together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on campus, please join with us! And don't forget: stay home if you're sick, scan in using the Covid Tracer app when out and about, and use good hand hygiene practices. See the Covid19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz BTI is delighted to announce that Gayle Te Kani will be our next Head of School of Teacher Education, from the end of July.
Te Taiurungi Principal of BTI, Dr Andrew Butcher, says, “I am very pleased that Gayle has agreed to be our next Head of School of Teacher Education, as her strengths in forming and developing respectful relationships will be valuable in this role. Her mana in our local community and our learning community is also recognised and welcomed through her contribution to BTI’s leadership.” Gayle has been involved in Christian education for nearly 20 years, starting at Bethlehem College and then as an educator in BTI’s Secondary Teacher Education programme in 2018. Her extensive teaching experience and knowledge give her a unique perspective to enrich BTI’s students’ learning and our wider community. Identifying with Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa ki Waikato, Ngāpuhi me Ngāti Ranginui, Gayle says that her teaching philosophy is underpinned by both a Christian and a Māori world view, which enables her to actively support BTI in expanding our tikanga Māori. “It is important to me that we build strong relationships as reconciled treaty partners, which honours God,” Gayle says. Gayle will start as Head of School of Teacher Education at the end of July, when the current Head of School, Dr Marion Sanders, retires. Gayle acknowledges that following after Dr Sanders will give her “big shoes to fill”. “Marion has been an inspirational mentor, colleague and friend and it is a privilege to follow in her footsteps in preparing student teachers to be relational, responsive and transformational in their teaching practice. I look forward to this new season,” Gayle says. Read more about Teacher Education at BTI. BTI | Te Whare Tauira O Peterehema has once again been given the highest possible rating, Category One, in a recent External Evaluation and Review (EER) by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Based in Tauranga, BTI is one of a few tertiary institutes in the Bay of Plenty rated as Category One.
In its recently released report, the NZQA confirms that they are both “highly confident in Bethlehem Tertiary Institute’s educational performance” and “highly confident in BTI’s self-assessment capability.” These are the highest possible ratings. BTI’s Principal | Te Taiurungi Dr Andrew Butcher welcomed the report’s conclusions. “This report is as good as it gets and is a testament to each of our staff and their mahi, as well as to our students. Above all, this is a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness to us and to BTI,” he said. The review looked at BTI’s Counselling, Primary Teacher Education and Early Childhood Teacher Education programmes. These three programmes were given the highest NZQA rating of excellent. Head of School of Teacher Education at BTI, Dr Marion Sanders was delighted with the results of the review. “Our Teacher Education programmes are shaped by feedback from students, alumni and schools so that we continually improve and ensure courses are fit for purpose,” she said. The NZQA endorsed BTI’s role in supporting and enabling students to succeed: “Most students [at BTI] succeed in their studies and progress into employment at consistently high rates,” they said. Head of School of Social Practice, Dr James Arkwright confirmed that BTI is committed to student success. “Our programmes feature strong work-integrated-learning components, with counselling students engaging in at least 200 hours of practical experience. With increasing demand for qualified counsellors, our graduates are ready for professional practice straight away,” said Dr Arkwright. The EER is conducted every four years by a panel of independent education experts. During the review, the panel examined BTI’s educational performance and capability in self-assessment. The review characterised BTI as “a high performing institution which is meeting the most important needs of learners and stakeholders.” At BTI we're sharpening our safety pins and preparing for our two exciting graduation ceremonies this week!
Tomorrow, Friday 21st, the ceremony starts at 2:30pm. Saturday's celebrations will begin with a procession to Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga. The procession will begin just after 1pm. There will be live streams of each ceremony available for those who cannot attend in person.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @BTIbethlehem for more images of the celebrations. BTI offers students the chance to start your career early by enrolling in social work training or secondary teacher training that starts mid-year. You could also kick-start your study by enrolling in the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation, and be ready to begin your chosen degree programme in 2022.
BTI’s Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) programme welcomes students to start their qualification from 28 June, thus giving you a chance to begin now and complete earlier in 2022. Our Bachelor of Social Work programme also enables students to begin on 26 July, allowing you to kick-start your career as a social worker. And if you’re unsure about whether you’ve got what you need to start a degree programme in 2022, the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation can give you the knowledge, skills and confidence you need. By starting on 26 July, you can complete the certificate this year. “Coming to BTI to study will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make,” says Dr Andrew Butcher, Te Taiurungi Principal of BTI. “You can start your training to be a social worker or a secondary teacher this winter and complete some courses towards your qualification before the end of the year.” Apply now or find out more through the BTI website. BTI is planning to hold two graduation ceremonies this year to allow students who have completed their qualifications in 2019 or in 2020 to celebrate their achievements with friends and whānau.
The ceremonies will both be held in Tauranga on 21 May and 22 May at the Holy Trinity Church. Te Taiurungi/ Principal of BTI, Dr Andrew Butcher says, “A graduation ceremony is an important occasion of fun and celebration of the hard work of our students, and to be able to share this celebration with their whānau, friends and each other is significant. We are delighted to be planning two ceremonies to enable graduates to take part who missed out on this celebration last year.” The key speaker for both ceremonies will be Chris Clarke. Chris Clarke has over 25 years of leadership experience in NZ and overseas, in public policy, the health sector and currently is CEO of the Wilberforce Foundation. Strongly motivated by purpose and impact, he recently established 'Global Local' - a network of leaders working with people from the for profit, public and for purpose sectors. Details of the Graduation Ceremonies:
To secure your place at the ceremony, you must apply to graduate. You should already have received an email with important information about how to apply. If you haven’t received this email, please get in touch with us as soon as possible on graduation@bti.ac.nz Kia ora,
Welcome to Bethlehem Tertiary Institute Te Whare Tauira O Peterehema. We know that the first 1,000 days in the lives of our tamariki are the most important. And so we welcome those of you with big hearts for shaping little minds, with dreams of getting the best out of young learners, and with a commitment to being gracious, secure and teachable to our School of Teacher Education programmes of early childhood, primary and secondary. In a world still reeling from Covid-19, we welcome those of you who feel called to love mercy, walk humbly and do justly into our School of Social Practice programmes of social work and counselling. If you’re new to academic study, or returning after a long time away, and want back-to-basics practical tools that will give you the confidence and skills you need, we welcome you to our New Zealand Certificate in Career and Study Preparation. And we welcome those of you studying in our postgraduate programmes, especially our brand new Masters of Professional Practice and Leadership, as you seek to integrate your faith and work in your profession. Our 2021 cohort is one of our largest, especially for our counselling, social work and postgraduate programmes. You are joining a learning community of well over 400 students. BTI have taught distance education for almost 20 years and we do it well. You can be confident that whether you’re joining us onsite or online you’re learning from the best educators, from people who have real-world experience, who care for you and for each other, and who love Jesus. And we do what we do because the gracious hand of God is upon us, because we have been called together for such a time as this, and because we confess that for this we have Jesus. Our Christian faith is our foundation stone, prayer is our disposition, Scripture is our lamp, and the love of God compels us. Coming to BTI will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make and we look forward to welcoming you to the BTI whānau this year. Ma te Atua tatou e manaaki Dr Andrew Butcher Te Taiurungi Principal Kia ora koutou,
As many of you know, the government has updated Covid-19 Alert Levels - Auckland is now in Level 3 and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand is in Level 2. At Level 2, as we have done before, all BTI courses will continue to be taught on campus in Tauranga and by distance. However, we are very aware that some School of Social Practice intensives are due to start soon - discussions are underway and a further update will share important information about these in the next day or so. What are we doing to keep you safe?
All students should continue to follow the latest guidance from the government:
Be encouraged by each other and by God's Word As our Dean and CEO Dr Andrew Butcher reminds us, "We know that God gives each of us the strength, wisdom and courage for each day. And, as we have been reminded over the last month: for this we have Jesus. Let us continue to be kind and look after each other as we look forward to moving back down Alert Levels soon." We understand that the unpredictability of the Covid-19 virus can be unsettling and stressful for students and whānau. Our staff are here to support you if we can. Please talk to one of us if you have any study questions or concerns, or call 1737 at any time to talk to someone. Dr Vicki Turner Academic Dean |
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Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) is the trading name of Bethlehem Institute Limited Copyright © 2021 Photos: Copyright © 2021 Sue Hardgrave or Copyright © 2021 BTI |