NZBS puts media teachers in the hot seat

_{Media teachers had the opportunity to perfect a voice break}

Media educators visiting The New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) from secondary schools across New Zealand this week might find themselves doing a live cross or designing a lighting rig.

60 delegates in Ōtautahi for the NAME (National Association of Media Educators) conference will experience two days of activities organised by the NZBS staff at Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Programme organiser Alice Rae-Flick said they can expect industry standard tech, hands-on learning and expert industry intel.

“Our sessions are designed to explore the future of media and ensure educators are familiar with the excellent resources we here,” Rae-Flick said. "Teachers from around the motu will experience for themselves our hands-on approach and our industry connections.”

The conference kicked off on Tuesday 15 April with an NZBS-organised industry panel at Rangi Ruru Girls’ school featuring prominent media professionals. Andrew Szusterman, (South Pacific Pictures), Caitlin Marett (The Girls Uninterrupted Podcast), Clive Antony (Antony and Mates agency), and Adam Percival (The Breeze Radio Host and TV Producer) delved into the future of media and the skills students need to thrive in the field.

On Wednesday the action moves to Ara’s campus, where attendees will be assisted by NZBS students to engage in hands-on activities like news-reading, presenting voice-breaks, using MOJO-kits, creating ads, and podcasting.

“Media teachers from around the motu will get to meet ākonga able to share how small class sizes make a real difference to their learning and share the opportunities they have to connect with industry throughout their degree,” Rae-Flick said. “Our team also plan to present our impressive placement statistics and industry demand for our graduates.”

Thanks to Ara’s relationship with Rubber Monkey, Australasia’s premier supplier of professional video, audio, photographic, and creative technology products, delegates will have the chance to win an $1800 RODEcast kit, including a microphone and stand.

Peter Sawyer, Dean of Education Culture and Services said it was a privilege to host some of New Zealand's top secondary school media educators at Ara.

“Partnering with the NAME Conference is more than a chance to showcase our industry-connected, highly regarded programmes at NZBS, it’s an opportunity to stand alongside the educators shaping the next generation of storytellers and media innovators,” Sawyer said. “We’re looking forward to catching up with them and sharing why NZBS is the launchpad for a future in Broadcasting Communications.”

NAME is the national subject association for Media Studies teachers in New Zealand. Established over 20 years ago, it has more than 200 members.