Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
2 days ago
EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme has produced its first school principal, with graduate Grace Ropitini appointed to lead one of Hawke’s Bay’s oldest schools.
Grace (Ngāti Kahungunu, Palawa), who graduated from EIT in 2019, was appointed Acting Principal of Te Kura o Mangateretere at the beginning of the year.
“Being a principal, for me, is about service to our tamariki, our whānau, and our wider community. It’s about creating a kura where our kids feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are, every single day.
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduate Grace Ropitini (Ngāti Kahungunu, Palawa) has been appointed Acting Principal of Te Kura o Mangateretere.
“Being the first principal to come through the EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme means a lot. It speaks to the strength of that pathway and what’s possible, and I’m proud to carry that with me and open the door a bit wider for those coming next.”
She began studying at EIT in 2017 while raising two children and balancing multiple jobs, graduating two years later before moving straight into a teaching role.
“EIT was really supportive, and for me, the real learning was being in schools. Being able to go into a range of schools two days a week and build relationships across the education community while studying was huge.”
Her passion for teaching began while at Camberley School, where she says the principal and teachers went well beyond their roles to invest in the children and families, even helping Grace secure a scholarship to Woodford House.
“They really invested in growing really cool humans. From there, I just became really passionate about learning. I love seeing the lights turn on in other people.”
After graduating, she spent five years in the classroom, where she developed a passion not only for teaching but for mentoring and leadership.
Keen to give back to the programme that shaped her, Grace encouraged her school to partner with EIT, mentoring student teachers and helping to create pathways into employment.
“I really loved the programme, so I pushed my school to become a partnership school. We ended up employing two of them, which was really cool. It felt like a full-circle moment.”
Alongside her teaching career she took on leadership development opportunities, including being mentored by former Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst through the Huia Kaimanawa Programme and joining Te Akatea, the Māori Principals Association.
Last year, she was awarded a year of study leave and returned to EIT to study the NZ Diploma in Te Reo Māori (Immersion) (Level 5).
She had not previously learned te reo Māori before enrolling in night classes through EIT, an experience that sparked a deeper commitment to reconnecting with her language.
“I had all the tools, but the inner stuff to activate it and be able to stand strong in who I am, my identity and my language – that came from Te Ūranga Waka.”
She is now working towards the Bachelor of Arts (Māori) at EIT.
Now 29, Grace has taken on the challenge of leading Mangateretere Kura, which currently has about 35 students and strong ties to the surrounding community.
Her connection to the kura runs generations deep.
“My grandmother went here, her name is on the honours board, and many of our whānau have come through this school. It sits in the centre of all four marae of this community, so it means a lot to be here.”
The school, established in 1903, has faced uncertainty about its future, but Grace says the response from students, whānau and the wider community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“From week one, we’ve seen such a shift. The kids are settled, they’re engaged, and the community is really getting behind the school.”
A key focus for her is strengthening those connections and ensuring students see themselves reflected in their learning environment.
“It’s about bringing in people from here, who know our kids and our community, and can pour into them.”
Grace credits both her teaching degree and her te reo Māori study at EIT with preparing her for the role.
“The teaching degree gave me the tools to go into the classroom. But the te reo Māori programme helped me step into who I am and gave me that inner confidence to lead.”
Programme Co-ordinator Kirsty Jones says the EIT team is immensely proud to celebrate Grace’s appointment as the first BTP (Primary) graduate to become a school principal.
“Grace’s journey is a testament to her incredible resilience, having successfully navigated the rigours of academic study while raising a young family and balancing multiple commitments. She is a wahine toa who stands as a powerful role model, proving that with dedication, the path from student to educational leader is achievable.”
Kirsty says EIT is privileged to have provided a unique study pathway where the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Bachelor of Arts (Māori) degrees complemented one another, offering Grace a robust double foundation.
“This education allowed her to develop essential pedagogical skills while also deepening her cultural identity. By applying these skills directly within her local community, Grace has grown into an exemplary leader who now performs with excellence alongside her fellow Hawke’s Bay principals, ensuring a bright future for the next generation of tamariki.”
