Marcus Hodgkinson

The education of children has been a lifelong passion that began with the work that I did for the Crippled Children Society during my High School days. Doing my Bachelor of Teaching in ECE has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have enjoyed this career; in particular supporting children to grow and flourish through play and interpersonal development.

This past year at Te Mata Primary School has been a fantastic step in my journey of supporting and enhancing children's learning and I have really enjoyed the challenge and experience that this opportunity has given me.

I have a passion for sport and have been involved in many over the years, this has included both as a player and as a coach. Surfing has been my greatest sporting interest and began when I was 15 years old. I am a life member of the Raglan Boardriders club and am currently the Vice-President. This role is very important to me as I have the opportunity to nurture the younger generations and provide support and encouragement for those that are just beginning their journey. I have been a surf lifesaver in Raglan and have been in the Raglan volunteer coast guard where I have been involved in rescue and saving lives.

I captained my High School First IV rugby team and the volleyball team. Once leaving school I played senior rugby for Raglan where we reached the first division in the Waikato, a highlight of my life. I also played soccer on Sundays for Raglan. I love sharing my knowledge and seeing the vast benefits that team sports have for children’s wellbeing and personal/social development.

I have coached my daughter’s soccer team since 2015 and am currently the coach of the Raglan Area School Senior Girls team – undefeated champions of the 2nd division in Waikato in 2024. I have also coached the Raglan Area School senior girls volleyball team.

The arts are also of particular interest, having been bought up in a creative home; my father is an artist and a former High School and Tertiary art teacher. Together we created many murals around the country.

I was involved in the construction of surfboards and my role was the air brushing and spray designs on the boards as well as the graphic designs for the Raglan Surf Co T-shirts. I still do artwork for Camenzind surfboards and do custom art works on his surfboards, as well as my own t-shirt designs.

MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

‘Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu’ ‘Adorn the bird with feathers, and it will fly.’

Through life experience, the values that make up my teaching philosophy are -
● Respect. It is critical as a teacher to model the respect, care and support for others, ourselves,
and our environment that we expect of our students.
● Whanaungatanga. Supportive relationships with learners, parents, whānau and community,
working together to make decisions.
● Authenticity. Students need to be able to connect their learning to everyday life situations to
provide meaningful and authentic experiences.
● Hauora. All children have the right to mental and emotional, social and physical well-being,
which is essential for successful learning.

I am a team player and love to get involved with the wider school whaanau and community.

Building relationships and nurturing each child’s belief in their ability to learn is fundamental to the way that I teach.

I bring humour and love to see children enjoying their learning journey.

I would love to have the opportunity to join your team.