With Cavalli College Graduation just one week away on 6 May 2026, excitement is building as learners prepare to celebrate their hard work, dedication, and achievements. Graduation is always a special milestone, but it is also a time to reflect on the powerful difference education can make in people’s lives.
Among this year’s inspiring graduates is Angela Bieleski, whose journey through the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support) programme is a moving reminder of how learning can create hope, healing, and new opportunities.
Before beginning her studies, Angela was navigating her own recovery journey after struggling with addiction. Determined to create a better future, she chose to study Peer Support because of her lived experience and her desire to help others facing similar challenges.
“I want to be there for others so their journey is easier than mine was,” Angela shares.
Angela chose Cavalli College after witnessing the life-changing impact the programme was having on others in recovery around her. Through flexible online study, she was able to balance learning with family commitments and continue building her own future.
During her studies, Angela says she gained invaluable skills in boundaries, communication, self-care, and supporting whānau through recovery journeys. Just as importantly, the programme helped rebuild her confidence.
“It made a massive difference first in my self-esteem and belief in myself that I am employable and have something to offer others,” she says.
Angela has already seen how these new skills can make a difference in real-life situations. During her 200 hours of programme placement, she supported a woman in distress, drawing on what she had learned to respond calmly, without judgement, and with empathy. That approach helped build trust and opened the door for meaningful support.
For Angela, studying Peer Support has not only prepared her for a career but also deepened her understanding of her own recovery.
“It helped me understand that the techniques of non-judgement, compassion, and support are also what I need to be providing myself.”
Looking ahead, Angela hopes to work directly with people recovering from addiction and to support families who are often deeply affected too.
Her message to anyone considering study is simple:
As Graduation Day draws closer, Angela’s story is a powerful reflection of what Cavalli College is all about, creating opportunities, empowering learners, and helping people turn life experience into meaningful careers that make a difference.
On 6 May, we celebrate not only qualifications gained, but futures transformed for learners in our Health and Wellbeing and Foundation Skills programmes.
Ready to find your purpose? Apply today.
