Children’s University celebrates record number of graduates across three cities in 2024

Across the three ceremonies, a total of 242 graduates crossed the stage, representing an overall total of 15,562 learning hours for 2024.

Wellington

The first graduation ceremony was Wellington on 4 November, held in the Great Hall on the Pukeahu campus. This year the numbers of graduates rose significantly, from 24 in 2023 to 103 in 2024. Graduates were from five schools from the Wellington region: Taita Central School, St Patrick’s Primary School, Amesbury School, Paremata School and South Wellington Intermediate School. Aside from Taita Central School, all  were new to Children’s University in 2024.

A total of 5,286 cumulative hours of learning amongst the Wellington ākonga were recorded for 2024. The highest award achieved was a silver certificate, earned by a pupil who had accumulated over 165 hours.

Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Maile presented the awards to the eager graduates, who had friends and whānau attend to celebrate alongside them.

Principal of Taita Central School, Michelle Picard, spoke on behalf of all attending kura as part of the proceedings, inspiring many in the audience.

St Patrick’s School teacher Helen Ruhe said, “The kids were so proud to graduate this year.”

Palmerston North

The Manawatū graduation ceremony was held on the evening of 28 November. For the second time, the ceremony took place at the Regent on Broadway, the same location as the university’s bi-yearly graduation ceremonies and in the same week as the university’s November graduation.

Graduates were from six groups in the Manawatū region: Awahou School, Longburn School, Te Kura o Takaro, Te Kura o Wairau, Riverdale School and Te Fatu Learning Hub, an after-school programme, also had ākonga graduating. Awahou School was new to the Children’s University programme in 2024.

A total of 112 graduates crossed the stage to accept their awards. Amongst them, they achieved an impressive 8,636 cumulative hours of learning. The highest award earned was a silver degree, which recognised 374 hours amassed by a single student. The recipient has been taking part in Children’s University since the pilot programme began in 2021 and has worked diligently to achieve the award over her four years of involvement.

Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes presented the awards at  the event, which was attended by several hundred people.

Whaea Katy Sowman of Longburn School spoke on behalf of all participants as part of proceedings. A passionate tangata Tiriti, she addressed the crowd in te reo Māori and te reo Pākehā as she spoke of the value of the programme for all those involved.

Auckland

It was the first year  a graduation ceremony took place in Auckland, where the pilot programme has just been completed. The event was held on 11 December in the Atrium Theatre on the university’s Ōtehā campus.

Twenty-seven graduates from two participating schools, Tirimoana School and Beach Haven Primary School, crossed the stage to receive their awards. A total of 1,640 cumulative learning hours were achieved by the Auckland ākonga. The highest achievement presented was the bronze certificate, which recognises over 100 learning hours by a student.

Tirimoana School Principal Peter Kaiser gave an inspirational speech and spoke of the privilege of being part of the pilot programme, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly presented the awards.

More about Children’s University

Children’s University is a charity programme that supports and encourages young learners to participate in educational experiences outside the classroom. The programme identifies learning destinations where tamariki can explore, gain confidence, and develop a passion for lifelong learning. Massey is the only university in the North Island to offer the Children's University programme, which started in the United Kingdom in the 1990s.

To join the programme, tamariki apply through their participating school and once they’re registered, they receive their Passport to Learning. With their passports, tamariki can visit local learning destinations of their choice. Visits are recorded, and each entry is validated in their passports by the learning destinations.

They also get membership to an online portal with information about local destinations, along with a wealth of online activities for days they can’t get out and about. Once 30 hours or more are earned in their passports, tamariki receive a certificate at a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements. Massey Children’s University Wānanga Nohinohi te Kunenga held its first graduation ceremony in December 2021.