Schools of Thought

Auckland’s Macleans College was “a world apart” from Westmont Hilltop High School in the US for trainee teacher Leah Fuller who spent seven weeks on an internship at the Bucklands Beach high school. Many British traditions were evident Fuller said, including a 2-minute break in the class schedule for morning tea. She noted the school placed an emphasis on outdoor athletics, with cricket and rugby being favourite pursuits. New Zealand can boast of a world-class educational system which has helped the nation rank third in the world in both reading and math literacy. “It’s no wonder their system is ranked so high,” Fuller said of New Zealand’s educational ranking. “I can see how their focus and structure would pay off.” The teaching program is offered through an agreement between the University of Pittsburgh at Jonestown and Junior Class Learning Education Ltd. of New Zealand.