Starting life as a student can be exciting as well as challenging. Central’s Student Success team will help you through any issues that might arise, and make sure your time here is rewarding and fun!
At Central, we encourage you to study at your pace – in our space. We give you the support and guidance you need to make the most of your time here. We offer support to all students, as well as career guidance and work placement opportunities.
Student Success team
Here at Central, Jo-Anne Brun is the student support person. She can help you with any personal problems and study issues as you settle in to life at Central. Jo-Anne also offers continued assistance throughout the academic year.
Contact Jo-Anne:joanne.brun@op.ac.nz
Kitty Keogh and Sheena Roy are Student Advisors based at the Dunedin Campus – and they are also available to talk via phone or email, anytime.
Contact Student Success: studentsuccess@op.ac.nz
International student support
The staff at Central are committed to making sure your stay with us is wonderful experience. All staff and New Zealand 'Kiwi ' students at Central look forward to meeting you. Jo-Anne Brun is the support person for all of our students at Central, including our international students.
Contact Jo-Anne: Joanne.brun@op.ac.nz
Kaiarahi support
Tena ra koutou katoa kua tae mai ki te Kura Matatini o Otago mo tou haerenga. He mihi mahana tenei. Brayden Murray is available to provide guidance and support to Maori students and assist with a range of issues.
Contact Brayden: brayden.murray@op.ac.nz
Pasifika support
Anna Seiuli provides support to Pacific Island students. Those who identify as being of Pacific Islands descent will be contacted by Anna, and regular fono are held during the year. Anna is based in Dunedin, however, she can provide support and advice via phone or email to students on other Campuses.
Contact Anna: anna.seiuli@op.ac.nz
Disability support
We offer support tailored to your individual needs. This may include classroom note-takers, readers and writers, tutors, equipment, adaptive technology, orientation – and liaison with lecturing staff and community agencies.
Contact Disability support: studentsuccess@op.ac.nz
Career services
We offer expert guidance and a ‘friendly ear’ to help you make informed career decisions based on your own personal values, goals and interests. We can discuss career options, a possible course of study, job applications or interviews, or any other career-related topic! We take a holistic approach to career guidance. Reflecting on what is important to you will help you decide on the next step towards your career goals.
- What we offer:
- Individual career guidance and planning
- Drop-in career support
- A broad range of career information
- Employability workshops
Patricia Quensell is a Career Practitioner who can help with career and study planning. Patricia is based on the Dunedin Campus. She visits Central regularly, and is also available via phone or email to provide career and study guidance to our students.
Contact Patricia: patricia.quensell@op.ac.nz
Work placement
Central gets you ‘work ready’. Our programmes are practical – ensuring that you get the skills you need before you graduate.
Central offers an abundance of work placement opportunities as part of our courses:
- Cookery: get valuable work experience at Molyneux, our training restaurant
- Business: undertake work placement in an office, where you can put your business administration skills to the test
- Stonemasonry: gain valuable practical skills through work experience on a range of exciting projects
- Horticulture and viticulture: get paid for work experience locally
- Sports Turf: undertake an internship at a top sporting venue in New Zealand or Australia as part of our National Certificate in Sports Turf Management.
Contact Central to find out more about work placement:
Phone 0800 765 9276
central@op.ac.nz
Counselling
If you’re a student studying at Central, you can book an appointment to see our counsellor, Malcolm Creagh. Malcolm is available by appointment. Please contact him via cellphone message or text on 027 254 9323. Alternatively, make an appointment through the office staff (phone 0800 765 9276 or email central@op.ac.nz) or ask your lecturer. This confidential service is free, funded by Otago Polytechnic Student Health.
Chaplain
Find out about places of worship or talk to someone who can understand your spiritual needs. Mike Wright and Paul Armstrong are experienced Chaplains who can help you with a range of issues, including homesickness, grief and blessing flats. Both Chaplains are based in Dunedin, but are available via phone or email for students that are based at Central.
Chaplain Office, Harbour Terrace, M Block, Dunedin Campus
International +64 3 479 6094New Zealand 0800 762 786
chaplain@op.ac.nz
Corner Erris and Ray Streets
PO Box 16, Cromwell
New Zealand 9342
