Christine McSporran - BA, DipEd, DipTchg

Christine McSporran (née Davies) graduated from the University with a BA in Education in 1959.

Before gaining her BA, Christine briefly studied sciences at Otago University. When World War II broke out, she entered Auckland Teachers Training College, intending to become a primary school teacher. Instead, her "limited" science background was in demand and she ended up being drawn into teaching at secondary level.

After the war, Christine briefly taught in London, then returned to teach in Auckland, allowing her to attend university part-time. Taking a house mistress job provided her with hard to find lodgings. The days were long - teaching in one school by day, evenings as house mistress in the boarding house of another school, with late afternoon lectures in between. The girls were all senior students who had come up from the country to expand their schooling "…and we studied together".

When she had completed her BA, Christine had already begun work as a careers advisor in one of the girls' schools. She began studying for a Diploma in Education, and investigated factors that limited girls' vocational opportunities.

At the age of 50 and at a different school, Christine was charged with starting a special needs programme. She continued her studies with some advanced education lectures, many of which were taught by University of Auckland alumna Professor Marie Clay.

At 71 Christine retired from teaching, but continued to devote voluntary time to helping struggling readers. At a loose end, she enrolled in secondary school as an adult pupil, and obtained 6th Form Certificate in performance music.

Now in her 80s, Christine's thirst for learning remains undiminished. She is studying towards NCEA credits in computer studies, and takes lessons in piano and music theory.

She attributes much of her lifelong interest in gaining new knowledge to the encouragement and inspiration of great leaders "such as Professor Winterbourne and Dame Marie Clay, as well as many other lecturers and tutors at The University of Auckland."