Our Priorities
Our purpose at Te Kahui Wha o Te Raki Paewhenua (Cluster 4) is to ignite potential through equipping schools with practices that promote success for all.
Professional Learning Groups
Inclusion
Strategic Leader: Maree Londeen
Team members: Margosia Buchowiecki, Erica Mackie, Rangimārie Maxted, India Moore-Bocarro, Julie Tolsma, Jill Watt
Our PLG goals this year reflect our focus on working with RTLB to support their Inclusive Practice in schools. We are starting by reviewing the tools we already have in our kete and exploring new Inclusive Practices resources.
Our 2025 Goals:
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To enhance Cluster schools' capacity for inclusive practices.
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To provide strategies, resources,, and tools to support RTLB inclusive practice.
Helpful Resources:
Behaviour
Strategic Leader: Tara Holland
Team members: Nicole Ashby, Christina Cashmore, Kelly Cowan, Vicky Cox, Julie Rodgers, Rebecca Walker, Dian Warner, Jo Whittington
Helpful Resources:
Maths
Strategic Leader: Mary Field
Team members: Jackie Allen, Sandy Dagnino, Nuala Gregory, Kristie Jacobs, Jo Kim, Jane Pryor, Christine Robson, Dawn Walker
Our overarching goal is to empower RTLB and kaiako with effective mathematical strategies and interventions that cater to the diverse needs of their ākonga, whilst aligning closely with government policies, the New Zealand curriculum, and evidence-based research.
2025 Maths PLG Goals
Goal 1: RTLBs will develop an understanding of the refreshed Mathematics curriculum for Years 1–8, along with knowledge of accredited providers' programmes and pedagogical approaches.
Goal 2: Explore and design evidence-based assessments to identify gaps in number sense and mathematical fluency, aiming to support students' performance in mathematics.
Goal 3: Explore and implement Tier 2/3 evidence-based interventions in some schools that align with the key principles and year-level expectations of the NZ Mathematics Curriculum.
Helpful Resources:
Structured Literacy
Strategic Leader: Julie Cooke
Team members: Debbie Barham, Jo Crabbe, Sophie Hickner, Nicole Joseph, Sally Kim, Erinna Law, Andrea Olson
Our overarching goals for 2025 are
Goal 1: The implementation of Structured Literacy MOE PD is tracked across Cluster 4 schools. Enablers and barriers to the implementation of the new English curriculum are identified.
Goal 2: RTLB can use the new English curriculum to inform their casework when planning interventions. The DIBELS Decision Tree & website are used regularly by RTLB.
Goal 3: The new English curriculum for writing is being explicitly referred to in casework and RTLB referrals.
We will continue to connect with principals and school leaders and build RTLB knowledge and capability around Structured Literacy Approaches and assessments in their casework.
Helpful Resources
Leading Change
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Catalyst Director Ross Fox - implementation across 56 Catholic schools in Canberra
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Lifting Literacy Aotearoa - An advocacy and teacher support not-for-profit website formed in 2020 to promote the adoption of evidence-based teaching approaches.
Assessments
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Sound Foundations for Literacy - New Zealand Friendly DIBELS 8 Materials
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Most Structured Literacy providers and publishers have assessment toolkits available to download for free
Decodable Texts
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Reading Rockets - What Are Decodable Books and Why Are They Important?
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Tātai Angitu- Reading progress when using a structured approach - general progression and matching to decodable book series
Writing
Handwriting
English Language Learners
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The Reading League-English Learners and Emergent Bilinguals and the Science of Reading
Māori Strategic Team
Strategic Leader: Rangimārie Maxted
Team members: Erinna Law, Cathy Pole
We want to improve ESOL education by surveying some of our schools to learn about their practices and challenges. With this information, we'll develop resources and strategies for both Māori immersion settings and mainstream teachers. Our goal, is to support linguistic and cultural diversity by offering specific help and creating inclusive classrooms.
Helpful Resources:
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