Kia ora, my name is Bailey Stocks. I attended Middleton Grange School from 2015–2017 (Years 11–13) after coming from Hillview. I now teach Year 8 students, and this is my first year in the classroom. During my time at Middleton, I wasn’t a top student by any means. I had reader-writers, worked in the Learning Centre for extra support, and learned to navigate life with dysgraphia and dyscalculia. School was often a struggle, but I always knew I wanted to become a teacher. My goal has always been to help students who, like me, sometimes feel behind or “less than.”
I was blessed with two phenomenal teachers: Alisha Woods and Joanna Bisseker, who inspired me to keep going and are a major reason I’m teaching today. In Year 13, I took the very first Early Childhood Teaching class at Middleton. There were only two of us boys in the course, and both of us have gone on to become teachers! Having that class was instrumental in shaping my passion for education.
After finishing school, I took a few gap years and tried a range of things. At one point, I was even deported from the UK while attempting to intern at a church (a story for another time!). I spent a year and a half working at Gun City, before moving to Redding, California, to study at Bethel Church Ministry School. My time there was cut short by Covid, so I returned home and worked in factories for a while.
Eventually, I pursued my dream and studied Primary School Teaching at the University of Canterbury. During my studies, I also went on a missions trip to Zimbabwe with my church, Restoration Church, where we partnered with local missionaries to build a well. This was my second time in Africa (my first was in 2013), but this trip was especially impactful and deeply shaped my faith and worldview.
God has been faithful through every season of my life. I’ve seen Him open doors and guide me into opportunities I never expected. He’s been with me in the really tough, faith-testing times, as well as the highs. I’ve learned to trust Him more deeply, knowing that even when life doesn’t look like what I imagined, He is always good and always working for my best.
My encouragement to current students would be that Jesus wants a relationship with you, not just your parents. Don’t just inherit it from your parents – Jesus wants a personal relationship with you. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, it took me a long time to realise that, but once you do, you’ll discover a love and closeness like nothing else. Another piece of advice is from a well-known quote: “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” The people you surround yourself with shape the person you become. Choose your friends wisely, be the friend who uplifts and encourages others, and surround yourself with those who do the same for you.