BLOGGER - LEISHA FERGUSON

Kia ora!

My name is Leisha Ferguson. This is my first year with the Summer Learning Journey and I am very excited to be a part of the Toki Pounamu (West Coast area) team.

I am a third-year Bachelor of Education student at the University of Auckland, finishing my primary school teacher training this year. Next year I will be working as a year 3 and 4 teacher at Rutherford Primary School, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland.

I was born and raised in Otorohanga (a small country town in the King Country region), which is where most of my family still live, however I lived in Australia for four years and then travelled through Europe and the United Kingdom, working on a cruise ship for a few months, before moving back to New Zealand and settling in Auckland. I have now been living in Auckland for the last five years.

For fun, I love to cook, getting my hands into anything creative from crafts to cake decorating and spending quality time with friends and family. I also enjoy being active, with bush walks and yoga being at the top of my favourite activities.

I am really looking forward to being a part of the Summer Learning Journey over this summer break. I cannot wait to connect with you, getting to know you and reading your blogs.

Leisha

BLOGGER - MATILDA HEWETT

Hi there!

My name is Matilda. This is my first year doing the Summer Learning Journey and I am so excited to read all of your blogs! I have just finished my first year studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching).

I have lived in New Zealand my whole life and am currently living in Auckland with five of my best friends. I have two little dogs and heaps of cats! Some of my favourite things to do are baking, walking the dogs, snowboarding, reading, and spending time at the beach.

I am so excited to be part of the Toki Pounamu team and hear of all the fun things you'll be writing about!

Matilda

BLOGGER - BEREN ALLEN

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Beren Allen and this is my first year with the ‘Summer Learning Journey’ programme. I’m currently in my 2^nd year of study towards completing my Bachelor of Education at the University of Auckland.

I love learning, travelling, and connecting with people through stories. I grew up in Auckland and consider myself very lucky to be a New Zealander. Both my parents are writers, and through their influence I have developed a strong passion for literature, movies, and music.

Before I decided to become a teacher, I spent several years working in the film and television industry. It wasn’t as glamorous as you might think, but I did get to work on some exciting music videos and even a feature film! Although this was sometimes scary and challenging work, I learned a lot about myself and how to inspire others. Through these experiences I decided I wanted to retrain as a teacher so I could help others discover their passions.

I’m really looking forward to reading all your blogs and learning a little bit more about you, it’s going to be epic!

Beren