Chemistry Teacher Wins ASG National Award
St Cuthbert’s College Head of Chemistry, Ian Torrie has received an ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA),
making him one of New Zealand’s top educators.
Mr Torrie is one of five teachers to receive the prestigious ASG teaching award across early childhood, primary,
intermediate and secondary schools from more than 600 nominations.
ASG NEiTA chief executive officer, John Velegrinis, says Mr Torrie is an outstanding educator.
Mr Torrie has proven himself to be a teacher of the highest calibre. It is very heartening to meet a teaching
professional so committed to bringing out the best in our students and his record of achievement is outstanding”.
ASG NEiTA recipients go through a rigorous selection process to reach the national awards. They are first nominated by a
parent, board member, trustee, parent or community organisation, which is then followed by the teacher submitting a
comprehensive self-portrait and teaching background. From the 600 nominations, regional recipients are selected who then
give a five-minute oral presentation to the judging panel and submit a paper on a topic of their interest to be
considered for a national award in the Excellence in Teaching and Leadership categories.
ASG NEiTA Chairman Allen Blewitt says Mr Torrie is making a substantial and positive impact in secondary education.
“Mr Torrie’s paper titled ‘Improving the Quality of Chemistry Teaching by Personalising Learning’ was comprehensive,
thoroughly researched and highly relevant in content.
“His knowledge, passion and contribution is deeply appreciated and valued by the community,” added Mr Blewitt.
Mr Torrie has presided over an uplift in the number of students taking Chemistry at all-girls school, St Cuthbert’s
College. More than 40 percent of senior students at the school take chemistry, with a similar number going on to study
science related subjects at tertiary level.
Traditionally viewed by some as a male-dominated subject, Mr Torrie’s enthusiastic style of teaching has made the
subject of Chemistry and its resulting career possibilities accessible and enjoyable for his students.
Mr Torrie says he will put the $5,000 prize money towards attending the next International Conference on Chemical
Education in Sydney.
ASG NEiTA was established by ASG Education Programmes in New Zealand 18 years ago to promote excellence in teaching.
They are open to all qualified and registered full-time teachers and school leaders in primary, intermediate and
secondary schools, and to qualified and registered early childhood educators.
Since 1996, more than $185,000 has been distributed to ASG NEiTA recipients in grants for professional development,
prizes and endowments.
In addition to the five ASG recipients, another five teachers will be presented with Excellence in Leadership awards by
The Cognition Education Trust. The NEiTA awards are jointly sponsored by ASG Education Programs New Zealand, which
assists parents to plan for their children’s future education, and Cognition Education, a leading independent
educational services company whose mission is to enhance lives through education.
Applications for ASG NEiTA open in April 2015. Go to www.asg.co.nz for more information on entering the awards.
ENDS