Learning Support · Tukuna kia rere

Learning Support at Waihī College

Welcome to Learning Support at Waihī College. Our dedicated team is committed to creating an inclusive, empowering educational environment where every ākonga is supported to engage fully with the curriculum, remove barriers to learning, and achieve their goals.

Our approach is deeply rooted in our core kura values:

Manaakitanga: Showing kindness, empathy, and respect to create a caring, supportive environment where every student and whānau feels a deep sense of belonging.

Whanaungatanga: Building strong, positive relationships and nurturing kinship between students, staff, whānau, and iwi to foster a connected school community.

Kotahitanga: Working together in unity, collaboration, and solidarity to support all learners and achieve shared goals.

Kaitiakitanga: Acting as guardians who protect, care for, and uplift our people, our culture, our resources, and our environment for future generations.

The Learning Support team works across the school and includes: our Learning Support Coordinator (Years 7-8) Toni Kayes; Special Educational Needs Coordinator Nicolle Green; our Senior Leadership Team; and our dedicated team of Teacher Aides/Kaiāwhina.

To ensure every learner receives tailored guidance, individual learner “This is Me!” profiles and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are developed collaboratively with students, whānau, teaching staff, and agencies as required. These profiles outline individual strengths, challenges, classroom strategies, and personal goals, helping teachers adapt instruction daily and facilitating smooth transitions across year levels. For senior students with long-term learning, medical, or other needs, the Learning Support team coordinates Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) for NCEA, providing readers, writers, extra time, or separate spaces so that students can fairly demonstrate their knowledge.

When learning needs extend beyond classroom interventions, teachers initiate referrals through the SENCO, LSC, or Ākonga Support Team. Waihī College actively coordinates access to Ministry funding schemes, such as ORS, In-Class Support (ICS), and Special Education Grants, and works in close partnership with external agencies. These include Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB), Speech-Language Therapy, Physical Disability Support, BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ), Deaf/Hard of Hearing support, Northern Health School, and local community health and wellbeing providers.

Waihī College offers focused interventions to strengthen foundational skills alongside specialised learning pathways. Structured interventions include reading and writing programmes such as Steps to Literacy, Lexia PowerUp, Word Chain, Sunshine Online, and Education Perfect.

In addition to foundational academic support, students can build collaborative and communication skills through targeted initiatives like the Lego Education Club. Flexible learning spaces such as Te Ara Hou and the Senior Hub accommodate tailored schedules, vocational trades preparation, and specialised support for students with Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) funding.

Assistive Technology (MoE Provision)

For students who experience significant barriers to accessing the curriculum through standard classroom equipment, the Learning Support Team facilitates Ministry of Education (MoE) Assistive Technology applications. Available to students who meet eligibility criteria, including those receiving internal learning support or external Ministry services (such as ORS, RTLB, or Physical Disability Support), this provision provides specialised hardware, software, or sensory equipment designed to promote independent learning and equitable access to information.

English for Speakers of Other Languages Support 

We provide targeted ESOL support for English Language Learners (ELLs) who require structured language assistance to access the curriculum. Coordinated alongside SENCO Nicolle Green, ESOL funding is utilised to deliver early, intensive language support during a student’s first years in New Zealand schools, helping accelerate language acquisition, confidence, and classroom integration.