Debra Tindall

As Debra Tindall approached her 40th birthday and her youngest child was about to start school, she knew it was time to focus on the next stage of her life.

However, she says: “I’d become really lost and confused and I’d lost confidence in myself.”

The turning point came when Debra attended an open day at Ara Institute of Canterbury. “I went along and talked to the tutors who were really encouraging and helpful. That helped me decide to study a certificate in cookery.”

Initially Debra was nervous about returning to study. “I wasn’t academic and worried I couldn’t do it.” She needn’t have. With hard work and commitment, she passed her Certificate in Cookery with excellent grades. She also wasn’t the only mature student or career changer at Ara – far from it.

Although Debra had to juggle her study with family and other commitments - during Covid, no less - she says her year at Ara was ‘fantastic’ and her tutors were ‘amazing’.

“My main tutor Wally was so supportive and had so much industry experience. From day one you could tell it wasn’t just his job; it’s what he truly loves doing. Having a tutor like him really makes a difference. It’s like the schoolteacher you never forget because they were just so awesome.”

Debra says her study success has boosted her confidence and shown her she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. She’s recently been appointed cafe manager at NPD in Geraldine where she oversees a team of staff and is responsible for a range of food-related processes and standards that she learned at Ara.

Having experienced the benefits of studying, Debra is keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. “Believe in yourself – you can achieve anything you want to as long as you’re prepared to put in the hard yards. Take the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride!”