​Congratulations to Soteria Mulipola - Samu who was awarded a KUPE Scholarship (for Māori and Pasifika High Achievers) at a ceremony held in Wellington last week. 30 recipients have been selected to receive this prestigious scholarship which recognises applicants for their accomplishments and for their desire and ability to become outstanding role models in early childhood, primary or secondary education.
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Soteria Mulipola- Samu is currently studying at BTI towards a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary). 

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Yesterday, BTI officially launched the new School of Social Practice. Programmes within this school are professionally recognised and NZQA accredited. Dr. James Arkwright and Dr. Dominic Chilvers have both taken up new roles within the School,  Dr James Arkwright as role as Head of School and Dr Dominic Chilvers as Social Work Professional Leader.  They are supported by a professional team of knowledgeable, skilled and relational educators, whose teaching practice is informed by their previous experience in the field as counsellors or social workers.
 
There was a good mix of staff, students, alumni and special guests present at the launch and the feedback has been very positive. Thank you to all that attended and to those who worked behind the scenes to ensure the event was a success. 

Click on the image to view the latest news update from Graeme and Kendal Cook

Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Andrew Butcher to the role of CEO and Dean with effect from 4th December 2017.

Currently leading the research and evaluation team at the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of International Students of New Zealand, a charity, Dr Butcher was previously Director, Research and Policy at the Asia New Zealand Foundation and President of the Population Association of New Zealand,   Dr Butcher has experience of leading organisations through significant periods of growth.  He brings to BTI a prolific research publication record of over 80 articles and book chapters, success in fundraising, cross-cultural experience and has extensive networks in the education sector and Christian ministries.  He has held visiting fellowships at Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, and was invited onto the International Visitor Leadership Program at the US State Department and the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in Malaysia. Dr Butcher has tertiary teaching experience and a clear understanding of drivers in the tertiary education sector. His research focuses on the church in New Zealand, foreign policy, pastoral care of international students, and migration.

Dr Butcher holds PhD in Sociology, degrees in Criminology and History, and he has almost completed a Bachelor of Theology.  He has served as a member of several research advisory boards, conference organising committees and the departmental review panel for Otago University’s Department of Theology and Religion.  Dr Butcher is on the preaching team at The Anchor Church in Whitby, Wellington and says “I am committed to faith seeking understanding through prayer, Scripture, scholarship, teaching and leadership. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to leading a committed team at BTI.“

Based in Tauranga, BTI delivers a range of NZQA accredited faith-informed certificates, diplomas and degree programmes in Career Preparation, Professional Practice, Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood), Counselling, Family Support and Social Work, and is the only non-university to offer a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary).

NZQA recognises BTI as a category one provider (highly confident in educational performance and highly confident in self-assessment), the highest accolade bestowed upon tertiary providers by NZQA as a measure of quality education.

Dr David Tweed, Chair of BTI’s Board of Directors says of the appointment, ‘Dr Butcher is joining an exceptionally motivated, passionate team led by the current Dean Dr Andrew Smith and, as Directors, we firmly believe that BTI will continue to ‘punch above its weight’ with this next chapter of leadership.”

For those of you who have been following progress, here's the latest newletter from Noh Boh village in Thailand...

Saturday 13th May 2017 is a milestone graduation event for BTI. Three disciplined students who, whilst working in their chosen fields of practice, are the first cohort to graduate with BTI's Master of Professional Practice degree. "They should be very proud indeed", says BTI's Dean, Dr Andrew Smith.

One of the graduating Master's students is Sue Baker. Commencing her life-long learning journey with Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) almost two decades ago, Sue's passion was, and has remained, transforming and enriching the lives of the children in her care.

After finishing her Diploma of Teaching (Primary) with BTI in the late 1990's, Sue's love of teaching found her upskilling and graduating with the Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree in 2012. "I've been teaching in the classroom for sixteen years. Right from the start, I knew that I had found my place and then sixteen years on I started to ask myself again, "Why am I here?" BTI's Master of Professional Practice couldn't have been a better fit.  As a Christian professional, I just knew from my previous study experience that, not only was this qualification right for me, it was also the right place to study!"

The Master of Professional Practice degree is accredited by NZQA and their approval to teach this qualification has been given to just five tertiary providers nationally. As one of those five accredited providers, BTI offers the only faith-informed option for Christian professionals who include teachers, social workers, counsellors, principals, managers, leaders and lawyers as well as other professionals in people-helping roles. Christian professionals, who wish to focus on human flourishing and both strategically and intentionally align their current practice with the biblical narrative, should contact BTI about the Master of Professional Practice degree.

Dr Bev Norsworthy, the Postgraduate Programme Coordinator and BTI's Head of Teaching & Learning explains, "So many Christians find themselves living a life where their Christian lives are vibrant but where their professional practice is 'added on' or 'on the side'. One of the most important things that happens for students in BTI's Master of Professional Practice programme is that they get a much deeper understanding of who they are, how God has made them and how He has equipped them with the passion, skills and personality that are perfect for His work here on earth".

Study is by distance and available throughout New Zealand. Whilst attendance at half yearly 'intensives' is strongly recommended in order to build relationships with others in the programme, only one 3-day onsite 'intensive' is compulsory.
More information about the Master of Professional Practice degree and other BTI qualifications is available at www.bti.ac.nz

Downtown Tauranga shoppers paused to acknowledge a procession of 96 Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) graduates on Saturday as they made their celebratory march from Red Square up to Holy Trinity Church for their graduation ceremony.
 
Onlookers may have spotted five graduates wearing green academic regalia amongst a sea of blue and gold.  Those graduating from BTI’s teaching and counselling degree and diploma programmes wear blue and gold regalia. The new colour represents the very first cohort of students to graduate from BTI’s Bachelor of Social Work degree programme, which began in 2012.
 
The Ministry of Immigration includes social work on the long-term skills shortage list for New Zealand, so social work graduates are in a good position to find employment in a variety of social work roles nationally.
 
Each of the five BTI social work graduates found employment as a social worker immediately after completing their study, most of them with the organisations they did their practicum placements with. Tauranga local, Maylene Jennings, has been employed as a Care and Protection Social Worker at the Open Home Foundation in Tauranga and says she finds the work rewarding. “I had set a goal of one day working for a statutory agency that works with the most at-risk families,” says Maylene. “It is such an awesome privilege to be working alongside families, especially those who may have never felt heard before.”  
 
The BTI social work degree programme is unique in New Zealand in that it includes a spiritual dimension, and encourages students to deeply consider how their own beliefs and values impact on their practice as a social worker.
 
Programme Co-ordinator, Heidi Crawford, says that many people come into social work thinking that they are going to learn how to tell people what to do. “At BTI we continually say that it must start with self,” she says. “Many of our students talk about not only a journey of becoming a social worker, but a journey of personal transformation.” 
 
Maylene Jennings agrees. “I really believe that the social work journey has changed me to be a better version of myself from four years ago,” she says. “I am more empathetic, non-judgmental and inclusive. BTI allows you to be yourself, challenges you and provides a safe place to be honest about your values and beliefs.”

Congratulations to the BTI - Bethlehem College Scholarship recipients for 2016.

BTI Dean, Dr Andrew Smith, presented four awards at last night's Senior Prize Giving ceremony:

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary scholarship awarded to:

Jasmine Marie Turnbull
Emma Joy Lee
Joshua McKenzie

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) ECE scholarship awarded to:

Kaya Van de Meer

Each scholarship covers the recipients full student fees for their 3-year undergraduate programme.  We wish them all well with their study and look forward to welcoming them on to campus early in 2016.