Renee Swinbourne - Foundation Studies

“I didn’t get through school. I bunked. I didn’t like the learning there. I didn’t connect with anyone. I had no NZCA.”

“When I looked at the courses here, I could see they were all laid out in steps that I could begin without having to move away from home. So I started with the foundation step.”

“They treat you like adults here and the tutors come to your desk to help. It’s like having an aunty or an uncle. When I got level 3 it was the first thing I had ever achieved. I celebrated like it was Christmas!!”

Maths has been the biggest challenge for Renee. “I’ve always hated it, but I passed. We learnt by getting down on the floor and making pathways. We did the VARK test to see which way we learn best. The class is like a family and we lift each other up.”

Renee randomly picked Social Services as her option paper. “I’ve found out I love it and I want to study more. The next step for me is a level 4 Social Services paper for one semester.”

“I want to master every step that is right in front of me. Then I’ll let my dream find me.”

Find out more about our Foundation Studies courses