Chemistry teacher tops NZ

June 19, 2014

Chemistry teacher tops NZ

St Cuthberts College teacher Ian Torrie has been named one of the top teachers in New Zealand.

The Chemistry teacher was honoured at the National Excellence in Teaching Awards last month, where he was the only Auckland recipient of an ASG Excellence in Teaching Award for secondary education.

Ian is one of the finest teachers I have ever encountered, says St Cuthberts Associate Principal and Head of Senior School Helen Robertson.

Student evaluations consistently rank Ian at the top level and every year former students attribute their success in tertiary science studies to him as the teacher that ignited their interest.

As Head of Chemistry, Ian is responsible for an explosion in the number of students choosing to take the subject. Almost half of Year 12 and 13 girls study chemistry, making it in the top three subject choices at the College. Nationally the participation rate is around 20%.

Under Ians guidance the Colleges average NCEA Chemistry results have climbed steadily and are typically at least 50% higher than the national average, showing the strength of his teaching and leadership in the Chemistry department.

He is known to arrive at school at 7am to run student tutorials and also shares his expertise with more than 500 Chemistry teachers nationwide in an email newsletter that provides information, resources and industry discussion.

Ian says he became a teacher by accident but was hooked after witnessing a students light bulb moment during his first practicum.

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Chemistry teacher tops NZ