The College warmly welcomes Jill Spencer as its new Dean of Students who took up her appointment on 18 October.
Jill joins the College with a wealth of experience in working with adolescents and young adults. For the last nine years she has been employed as a secondary school teacher of History and Social Studies at James Hargest College in Invercargill and is also an Award Leader of the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
In her role as a teacher, she often delivered sessions on study skills, the management of study work-load and preparation for exams, and she has extensive experience in providing pastoral care to older teenagers.
In addition to a BA degree in History, Jill has earned a Master’s in Library and Information Studies, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary Education) and Diplomas in both Comprehensive Nursing and Midwifery.
For 12 years she worked as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife in a variety of positions in New Zealand and Australia. Describing herself as a lifelong learner, Jill also has experience as an Information/Records Advisor (Ministry of Women’s Affairs), a Writer/Researcher and in Reference Services, Māori (National Library of New Zealand). To add to her repertoire of knowledge, she will soon be starting study towards a Graduate Diploma in Religious Studies (on a part-time and distance basis).
Jill’s particular mix of skills, qualifications and work and life experience amongst various cultures make her well-suited to the role of Dean.
Jill’s marae is Te Rau Aroha Marae, in Bluff, with her whakapapa going back to Ōtākou Marae in Otepoti, Dunedin.
The College is very excited to have Jill join our special community and looks forward to her contribution as our Dean of Students.
