Free Webinar: The Better Start Literacy Approach- A National Success Story Unfolding
Date: Tuesday May 30th 3.30 pm

Click here to register: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Don’t miss out on this fascinating Webinar showcasing the exciting outcomes of our talented junior schoolteachers across the country who are implementing a Better Start Literacy Approach.

Join Professor Gail Gillon and Professor Brigid McNeill from the University of Canterbury and the Better Start National Science Challenge to hear about their latest data highlighting the success of the Better Start Literacy Approach.

Data from over 16,000 5-year-old children who have been receiving the Better Start Literacy Approach across all regions in New Zealand will be shared. The data suggest when junior class teachers and literacy specialists are well supported through quality professional learning and development, they are rapidly developing children’s foundational skills in areas critical for reading, writing and oral language success.

The data highlight how the Better Start Literacy Approach is working for children from diverse backgrounds and across socio-economic groupings. Māori and Pasifika tamariki as well as children who are English Language Learners are showing a strong response to Better Start Literacy Approach teaching.

Co-hosts for the webinar Jen Smith (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi) UC Senior Lecturer in Māori Education and Dr Susie Stevens (UC Senior Lecturer, Child Well-being Research Institute and School of Teacher Education) will interview Prof Gillon and Prof McNeill. The interview style will ensure the data can be shared with a wide audience. Teachers, researchers, whānau, community leaders and all those interested in uplifting children’s early literacy achievement will enjoy this webinar.
Dallas Wichman (Principal St Anne’s School, Christchurch) will comment on the data from his leadership perspective. Mark Tulia (MoE Pasifika programme co-ordinator, Advisor to Science Challenge Pasifika research engagement) will also provide commentary on the data.

Questions can be posed during the webinar and leaders within our Better Start Literacy Approach Team including Dr Amy Scott, Dr Megan Gath, and Dr Andy Vosslamber will all be poised to help answer your questions.