Catholic agency extends learning assessments into state schools

A programme that has helped support the learning and development of pupils in Catholic primary schools has been extended to state schools following a Rātā Foundation grant.

For the past two years, Catholic Social Services has been conducting learning assessment in Catholic schools in Christchurch and regional parts of Canterbury. Those assessments were supported by the Eliza White Charitable Trust.

“This work has had a profound impact on the children we’ve been able to support, on their schools and on their whānau,” said Catholic Social Services director Luis Arevalo.

“For many families, gaining access to this type of evaluation and, where appropriate, additional support is something that would not have been possible without the funding to carry forward Eliza White’s passion for education.”

A recent grant from the Rātā Foundation has seen the learning assessment programme expanded to four state schools as part of a 12-month pilot project.

Shirley Primary School’s Penny Knowles said with the programme coming to her school, “we can tailor the support we offer to the individual's needs and help them flourish at school to the best of their ability”.

“Teachers will grow their understanding of the student's needs and will be better placed to provide differentiated learning activities,” she said, adding that many more students could benefit from the “exciting initiative”.

Lauren McDonnell from Rawhiti School said introducing the assessment tools at her school has been “amazing”.

“This is something that would be out of reach for many families and therefore these children would continue to struggle at school,” she said.

“With a cognitive assessment teachers will be able to follow the recommendations for that child to ensure that they are doing what they can to meet their learning needs.”

Ms McDonnell also spoke of how the learning assessment means a child’s self esteem need no longer suffer because “they won't have to continue battling with their learning wondering why this is so difficult”.

Linwood Avenue School principal Gretchen Smith said the ability to identify specific learning disorders – such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and intellectual disabilities – “will be invaluable in enabling us to tailor our teaching strategies and interventions”.

“With this knowledge, we can provide more targeted and effective support that truly meets the individual needs of each learner, based on evidence, not just a hunch,” she said.

Rātā Foundation has supported CSS through its Learn funding priority, enabling the lifting of educational outcomes of children with learning challenges and those coming from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Rātā Foundation head of community investment Kate Sclater says: “At Rātā Foundation, we work to support those who need it most and who need it now, with a focus on making a difference for long-term impact.

“This pilot programme breaks down the financial barriers for whānau whose tamariki require these assessments, supporting the kura and kaiako to tailor the support they offer to each child. This will help improve educational and life outcomes for tamariki who face barriers to developing skills, knowledge and confidence in education and empower them to thrive.”

Mr Arevalo said he was encouraged to see such collaboration between the integrated and state school systems, noting that the educational success of every child is an aspiration shared by all.

Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen said the extension of the learning assessments continues a long Catholic tradition of providing care and support to people from all backgrounds.

“Our ministries identify where there are needs, and we do our best to meet those needs,” he said.

“Through our schools, our hospitals, our social services and other agencies, we wish to help people from various walks of life to flourish and be the people God wishes them to be.”