Celebrating the First Ever Learning Support Awareness Day!

By Kristen Ferguson | Posted: Thursday August 22, 2024

We are excited to announce that on Thursday, 29th August, NZEI Te Riu Roa members will be hosting local activities for the inaugural Learning Support Awareness Day.

This special day is dedicated to raising awareness of the crucial learning support needs of our tamariki and advocating for the Government to make them a top priority.

All tamariki in Aotearoa deserve access to the support they need to thrive in education. However, the demand for learning support currently far exceeds what is available. For every seven children who receive support, three others miss out.

Educators across New Zealand have identified several solutions to address this gap. Two key actions are:

Providing Teacher Aide Support: Ensuring that all tamariki who need it have access to teacher aide support.

Increasing Learning Support Specialists: Expanding the number of specialists working with tamariki and teachers.

We are incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding team of learning support staff here at Kaikorai Primary. A huge shout-out to our dedicated team members:

• Jill

• Kelly

• Renae

• Sue

• Jacinda

• AK

• Margaret

• Alex

• Harry

Their commitment and hard work make a significant difference in the lives of our students every day.

Dunedin Event: On Thursday, 29 August, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM the Edgar Centre will host a fun-filled event to celebrate Learning Support Awareness Day. This free event, open to the whole family, will feature a bouncy castle, delicious food, entertainment by Mrs. Poppity Pop the Balloonologist, and a magician. It's an excellent opportunity to recognise the importance of learning support and enjoy an afternoon of activities together. For dietary requirements, you can scan the provided QR code on the event flyer. Don't miss out on this exciting celebration organised by NZEI Te Riu Roa!

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. ~ My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.

This whakataukī emphasises the importance of collective effort and support, which aligns well with the spirit of Learning Support Awareness. It highlights that the strength and success of tamariki in education are a collective responsibility, involving teachers, support staff, families, and the community working together.