Learning Support News
Term 1 reflections
WOW, the end of the first term is upon us (hurrah) and we here in the Ngati Whakaue Learning Support Centre
are celebrating a successful term. So much has been happening across the school in terms of inclusive
education we wanted to share with you all some of the great successes.
EARLY WORDS PROGRAM
The Early Words program has been a huge success with Whaea Michelle, Raewyn and myself working alongside
children to boost their sight word recognition 4 days a week here in the nest. We are so excited about the results
that we will be continuing the program again in Term 2 and looking to purchase Early Words 2 which covers the
next 64 high frequency words! The aim is to move our year 2-3 children away from 6year old reading level and
boost them to 7.5-8 by the end of the year! Fingers crossed we are approved for the purchase.
TOE X TOE
Again, this program has been lead by Whaea Raewyn who has done an exceptional job with consistently
meeting with a small cluster of 8-10 year olds with this reading support program. In Week 11 we will conducting a
final running record to check decoding skills (comprehension is not covered in Toe X Toe) and we now have two
more spaces for Toe X Toe in Term 2.
KORERO KIA MOHIO
Whaea Chrissy has worked with 4 students from the Rumaki class diligently meeting with them 4 days a week. It
has been impressive the level of preparation that goes into delivering this program to a very high standard and
Whaea Chrissy can be thanked very much for his commitment to these children. They still have 6 more weeks of
this program to go. Nanny Hiro has provided our learning centre with some good feedback about the programs
being run in the classroom in regards to boosting the children’s red! We invite teachers to now submit the names
of
Support in the classroom
The Language Learning intervention PLD was attended by Whaea Margie, Whaea Raewyn and Whaea Kristina.
The teachers have noticed that their learning at this course has helped them to respond to the child’s needs in a
junior classroom, extend their language and as a result are noticing that the child is engaging in longer
conversations, following instructions well, improved handwriting, attention to phonics, improved fine motor skills.
Raewyn: "I learnt how to extend their language and the different stages of communication. So now when I speak
with Courtney I can extend her language skills.”
Whaea Cheryl is learning how to support her learner using assistive technology and a mini task board. She
reports that while there have been challenges she is noticing small improvements. The assistive technology is a
tablet with a program called “Clicker 7” which predicts the words a child would like to use to record their ideas
taking the cognitive load out of searching for the next word and more impetus being placed on the generation and
communication of a child’s idea. It’s just a trial at the moment and we are all getting our heads around it but she
is doing a great job alongside Matua Hemi!
A variety of learning support tools have been going out to different classes this term with Whaea Missy making
good use of the smart trays in her classroom and we’ve blown the dust off the tape decks and children are
enjoying a listening post in their classrooms.
Mini task boards have been shared with a few teachers at their request to help students sequence their tasks
visually helping them to manage their behaviour.
Laminating A reminder that laminating is on a Thursday morning. Please have it to Raewyn’s work space
by Wednesday after school in your cardboard folder.
GATE - gifted and talented program(s)
Kristina will work with a group of students from Te Kura Pukaki throughout Term 2 using an art curriculum to
extend their learning. The students have been identified by their classroom teachers as having a talent for art and
exceeding expectations across the literacy learning areas. We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to
some of learners next term. A note will go home with these students in Week 1 of Term 2 and classes will begin
in Week 3. Teachers of these students will be notified closer to the term.
PB4L - THE CLASSROOM MAUNGA
Thanks to the enthusiastic teachers who have already made a start on the construction of their classroom
maunga. Our first phase is to have a maunga developed in each classroom by the end of Term 1. At the start of
Term 2 we will take a tiki tour around our school as a team to see the creations in your classrooms. Your maunga
may not be being used yet, that’s fine but we look forward to the attractive display you will have giving our 4Rs
pride of place within our school’s classrooms.
THANKS TO THE TEACHERS FOR MARKING THEIR ROLL SO QUICKLY! RAEWYN HAS NOTICED A
MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT WITH GETTING YOUR ROLL DONE ON TIME. YEEHAA.