// Aircraft Technicians Graduate
Aircraft Technicians Graduate
By F/S Paul Anderson
The latest group of RNZAF Aircraft Technicians graduated from the Senior Technicians Course on 31 July at Base Woodbourne. This course is the completion of four years of formal and on-the-job training, but is just the start of their careers.
The course trophy winners were, Leading Air Craftsman Blake Morris - awarded the Advanced Trade Training Cup for the graduate finishing top of the course, and LAC Phil Boyce - awarded the Instructors’ Trophy, for the graduate who best demonstrates the attitudes of an RNZAF Aircraft Technician, as observed by their trade instructors.
Four of the technicians - LACs Dave Matthews, Blake Morris, Ben Nuralli and Danny Wanoa - choose to undertake additional external study modules and graduated with the National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing. This certificate officially recognises all those skills required to effectively work on a Squadron flight line such as flight line safety, operating level servicing, system replenishments, and aircraft ground handling.
Congratulations and well done to all the graduates!
Dean’s List Award Winners
By FLTLT David Woodroffe
Massey University’s College of Business is the first business school in New Zealand to adopt the American, ‘Dean’s List’ tradition of recognising its best undergraduate students. Established in 2007, students have to achieve a minimum Group Point Average (GPA) of 7.0 (A-) or above within an academic year, after completing a minimum of four papers extramurally or six papers internally, to qualify.
Deans List award winners
For the last academic year, three RNZAF personnel achieved this prestigious award and were placed in the top five percent of students - Sergeant Mark Sloper (BBS), Corporal Philip Dittmer (BAcc) and Leading Air Craftsman Jennifer Barber (GDipBusStuds).
SGT Mark Sloper (GPA 8.38/A) completed a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) with a double major in Management and Marketing, and is currently working at the Structural Repair Section at Whenuapai. SGT Sloper was also awarded the Australia New Zealand Marketing Academic Committee Conference Prize in Third Year Marketing at Massey University’s Albany Campus. Additionally, SGT Sloper was awarded the title of Massey Scholar for being in the top five percent of all graduates. To receive all of these awards requires a significant amount of dedication and was very well deserved.
Both CPL Philip Dittmer and LAC Jennifer Barber are studying through the Air Force’s Voluntary Education Study Allowance (VESA) scheme. CPL Philip Dittmer (GPA 7.0/A-) is in his second year of a Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc). LAC Jennifer Barber (GPA 8.33/A) is in her final year of a Graduate Diploma in Business (GDipBusStuds), majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
All three personnel are extremely grateful to the RNZAF for the opportunities afforded to them by the VESA scheme.
Congratulations to all on your achievements - it proves that hard work and dedication does pay off in the long run.