Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
42 minutes ago
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduate Steve Burgess is the new principal of Matawai School.
The 30-year-old, who studied at EIT from 2017 to 2019, took up the role at the beginning of this year.
“It’s been a very steep learning curve, understanding school governance, finance, employment matters and all the things that come with the role,” Steve says.
“It’s been a lot to learn in a short space of time, but it’s been really enjoyable and a great learning experience.”
Before moving to Matawai, Steve taught at Gisborne Central School and Gisborne Intermediate.
Teaching had not originally been part of his career plan. After leaving high school, he spent three years working as a teacher aide while considering his next step.
“I wanted to be in the Defence Force, and that didn’t quite pan out. Teacher aiding was sort of a stopgap, but it inspired me to look into teaching.”
After visiting EIT and learning more about the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Steve decided to enrol.
A major drawcard was the practical experience built into the programme.
“What really sold EIT was the fact that you got two days a week of practice-based learning,” he says.
“You got a lot of time in the classroom, hands-on with the kids, rather than sitting in lectures non-stop.”
Born and raised in Gisborne, Steve also valued being able to complete his training and placements locally.
“It was quite special to do my training and placements in Gisborne schools rather than having to move out of town to go to university.”
He says the smaller class sizes and support offered through EIT also made a difference.
“It was a very personal course. The classes were small and there was a lot of support.”
Steve says the lessons he took from EIT have continued to influence his teaching and leadership philosophy.
“Part of my philosophy is based around what I learned from my tutors, around te ao Māori and te reo Māori, student advocacy and things like that.”
“I’ve carried a lot of what I learned at EIT through all the years I’ve been teaching.”
Steve says his focus as principal is on continuing to learn and becoming an approachable and supportive leader.
“You never finish learning. Even teachers, principals and people who have been in education leadership for a long time are always learning.”
“For me, the biggest goal is to keep learning, get a good understanding of principalship and be a supportive leader who is approachable and makes sure staff have what they need.”
His own experience at school, which he did not particularly enjoy and left without University Entrance, has also shaped the kind of educator he wants to be.
“That’s partly what inspired me as a teacher, to make teaching and learning enjoyable for kids and to give them the sort of experience I didn’t always have at school.”
He says that experience has also helped him better understand students who may struggle with school or behaviour.
“That’s driven me a lot as a teacher and now as a principal, just making school an enjoyable experience because it wasn’t always the best for me.”
Steve says his pathway shows that a person’s experience at school does not have to determine what comes next.
“I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about teaching or interested in it to just give it a go.”
Programme Coordinator Kirsty Jones says: “The BTP team and its partners are proud to celebrate their very first graduate to step into a principal role in Tairāwhiti, marking a significant milestone for the programme”.
“With several alumni now serving as principals and senior leaders across the rohe, the team is humbled by how authentic local partnerships and strong connections between schools and EIT support sustained teaching careers. These enduring relationships continue to pave the way for graduates to grow, thrive, and step confidently into educational leadership.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/28/eit-tairawhiti-teaching-graduate-becomes-programmes-first-principal-eit-hawkes-bay-and-tairawhiti/