Mr IanTorrie with Associate Principal Ms Helen Robertson, Head of the NZ Institute of Chemistry Professor John Spencer and Head of Science Dr Jan Giffney

A Prestigious Chemistry Award

A prestigious award usually reserved for university lecturers has been awarded to Chemistry department head Ian Torrie.
The 2009 ABA Books Denis Hogal Chemical Education Award, from the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, recognises Mr Torrie’s contributions to chemical education in New Zealand.
Mr Torrie could be considered a mentor for his peers due to his commitment to sharing his expertise.
He produces an email newsletter distributed to more than 500 chemistry teachers throughout the country. In it he provides information and resources for Chemistry teachers and discusses a range of issues affecting the industry.
The University of Canterbury’s website www.chemteach.ac.nz archives the newsletters online and hosts a question and answer service run by Mr Torrie which is used as a resource by education professionals.
Mr Torrie, who was nominated for the award by Auckland University, also runs a Chemistry teachers’ support group which regularly invites guest speakers.
He has previously been a national moderator for eight years, New Zealand Science Teacher of the Year and has received a bronze medal from the Royal Society of Science and Technology.