Celliers Verster didn’t expect to have such a positive reaction when he first arrived in New Zealand in mid-2020 to try his hand teaching in a new country.
“My first impression of New Zealand was wow, it’s a beautiful place, everything works and it’s really safe, I’d never experienced anything like it.”
Celliers, who has recently been promoted from Deputy Campus Principal at our Auckland campus to Campus Principal at our Kerikeri campus, says his career at OneSchool Global gives him time to spend with his growing family, as well as opportunities to enjoy fishing and golf in stunning natural environments.
“One of the things I find really attractive about being an educator here is the work-life balance we have, as well as the ability to look after my family financially.”
Celliers says the move has opened a lot of doors that were not available to him in South Africa, helping him progress his career and move into a new role as Principal.
“There’s lots of opportunities here and it’s a real good quality of life. I have had opportunities that I wouldn’t have had back home: professionally, as a person and for my family.”
His OneSchool Global colleagues are supportive and his students highly engaged, which he says has reignited his passion for teaching.
“I’m excited when I come to school. I’m excited to engage with our students. The students are remarkable when it comes to how engaging and open thinking they are. I think they are really self-directed
and working with students with that sense of drive is very validating as an educator.”
Celliers has just one regret about his move to New Zealand: “My one piece of advice would be to move sooner”.
For South African teachers seeking both career advancement, opportunities to progress, and quality family life, Celliers’ experience demonstrates that New Zealand delivers on both fronts.
