Graduate Diploma
of Teaching (Secondary)

Our Secondary teaching programme has been developed to nurture and equip graduates to enter schools and kura as authentic, agentic and accountable professionals.

Secondary teaching is not just a set of skills. You teach who you are, and use connections to support ākonga/students exploring who they are and what they will become. Our unique blend of Christian worldview, mātauranga Māori, innovative coursework, and professional experience placements will enable you to be responsive, relational and transformative as a secondary teacher/kaiako.

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“Knowing that I have a chance to make a change in the students lives, big or small, is something that drives me” 

Ailine – BTI STudent Graduate Diploma
of Teaching (Secondary)

BTI’s Teacher Education programmes are approved and accredited by the NZQA and can lead to registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why study Secondary Teaching at BTI?

  • Full-time and part-time options 
  • Learn in small groups – onsite in Tauranga and online 
  • Become part of a relational learning community 
  • Staff get to know who you are and offer great learning support 
  • Train to be a teacher within a Christian worldview 
  • A unique practicum model
  • Stakeholder feedback shapes our programmes 
  • Our graduates are in demand – over 80% of students who graduated were already employed as a secondary teacher at the time that they graduated. 

Studying the one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) prepares you to teach in diverse secondary schools and kura contexts. 

This diploma can be completed from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand and is undertaken through an innovative combination of onsite intensive weeks, tutorials, independent learning, web-based learning using resources from our online portal and online classes. 

Programme overview

Our secondary teacher studies combine practice and theory to equip you to nurture and teach adolescent students/ ākonga of Aotearoa New Zealand.

There are two 2-week wānanga courses on campus and two 1-week online wānanga during the year. Our unique professional experience placement model, shaped by student and authentic partner feedback, includes a 5-week and 6-week Noho-a-Kura placements, as well as a further 25-day Kura-Kainga placement spread across the year.

Mid-year intake and part-time options are also available for this programme, please contact us to discuss how this may work for you.

Introduction and Research
Code Course Title NZQA Level Credits
TK 701 Te Kākano: Introduction to Education & Teaching in Aotearoa/New Zealand 7 15
TK 702 Te Kaimāra: The Inquiring Teacher 7 15
Professional Experience Placement
Code Course Title NZQA Level Credits
NK 710 Noho-ā-kura Tuākana: Senior Professional experience Placement. 7 15
NK 720 Noho-ā-Kura Teina: Junior Senior Professional Experience Placement 7 15
Teaching and Learning
Code Course Title NZQA Level Credits
TM 711 Te Māra Tahi: Contextualising Education - Theory & Practice 7 20
TM 721 Te Māra Rua: Contextualising Education - Theory & Practice 7 20
KM 711 Kete Māra Tahi: Becoming a Wise Teacher - Understanding Adolesence 7 15
KM 721 Kete Māra Rua: Becoming an Agentic Teacher - Understanding our Educational Context 7 20

Ko wai mātou, Te māra o te rōpu Kura Tuarua

This artwork is called “Ko wai mātou, Te māra o te rōpu Kura Tuarua”. It is a story of multiple layers and levels that emerged from our current student body, carries the heart of our mission, values and vision, and connects to the stories of our authentic partners.

As part of the redevelopment and renewal of the programme for 2022, this artwork has helped to articulate our programme goals, how we are guided by BTI’s overall vision, mission and values, and how we walk alongside others in our community to create localised and powerful learning experiences for our student teachers. Embedded in the design is our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and preparing teaching professionals who can confidently uphold “Our Code, Our Standards” in their practice.

Ko wai mātou

Secondary Education Team

Gayle Te Kani: Head of School of Teacher Education

Daniela Brown: Secondary Programme Leader

Mary Opie: Secondary Programme Leader

Sahra Swart: Practicum Placement Coordinator