The Teachers’ Refresher Course Committee (TRCC) was established by Dr Clarence Beeby, Director General of Education, in 1946. It was funded by a Government grant that was intended to give teachers a sense of responsibility for their own professional development. The courses were to be held in a teacher’s own time with funding to assist with travel costs.
The TRCC was established on the premise that the responsibility for educational standards is not the prerogative of the state alone, but one that needs to be shared between teachers and state.
As part of the restructuring of education the TRCC became an incorporated society in 1989, and in 1992 became a stand-alone organisation on contract to the Ministry of Education to provide refresher courses for teachers.
- 3 early childhood representatives (NZEI)
- 3 primary representatives (NZEI)
- 3 secondary representatives (PPTA)
- 3 tertiary representatives (ASTE)
- other members may be co-opted on
- Single sector or cross sector.
- Local, regional or national courses.
- Between 1-3 days in length.
- Usually run in the school holidays.
- Place value on participants having the opportunity to network.
- Are usually national but regional courses are considered also.
- Subsidized travel available.
- Offer early bird registration fees.
- Utilize credible external and internal expertise.
- Engage teachers and encourage questions to be asked.
- Challenge current learning and thinking teaching.
- Offer the chance to take part in a community of learning.
- Integrate practice and theory with respect to pedagogy, curriculum content and knowledge, assessment and how students learn.
- They are for teachers, by teachers
- They can be cross-sector
- They offer a refreshing balance of practical and theoretical perspectives
- We develop nationwide education networks among teachers so that common curriculum, interest and expertise can be shared.
- We develop leadership capacity within teaching communities
