First Year PCT Programme (for Teachers who Teach 4-8 Year Students)

Session 1: Getting Started!

Thursday 15 February 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm 

Information about the Induction and Mentoring Programme and working towards full certification;

Unpacking the codes and standards, setting goals in alignment with your school procedures;

Creating effective classroom/learning environments and management/organisation;

Student engagement and developing connected, positive relationships – some ‘starter off’ behaviour management strategies;

Promoting a growth mindset, wellbeing and mindfulness;

Teachers to participate in circle time training and drama activities to develop empathy, cohesiveness, cooperation and collaboration with their own students.

Presented by Jo Williams

Session 2: Practical Ideas for Planning a Balanced Reading Programme

Thursday 07 March 2024 

9.30am – 2.30pm 

Approaches used in a balanced reading programme;

Managing and organising groups;

Purposeful reading responses and activities for students.

Presented by Sheena Cameron

Session 3: Developing Positive and Meaningful Relationships: A Continual Work in Progress

Thursday 04 April 2024       

10.30am – 12.30pm Zoom Meeting  

How are you going?

This session is a debrief, reflection and review of your previous two sessions. We recognise that in Term 1 the Getting Started session and the Reading session for first year beginning teachers is a lot of information to take on board. 

This zoom meeting allows teachers to discuss their practice so far and provides an opportunity to ask questions, gain clarification, add and enhance ideas already shared. 

We will return to some behaviour management strategies and reflect on how developing positive, meaningful student relationships is a continual progression. 

Presented by Jo Williams

Session 4: Developing an Inquiry Based, Rich, Connected Mathematics Programme

Thursday 16 May 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm

Unpack the learning progressions and alignment in the New Zealand Curriculum with the Number Framework;

Focus on developing a problem solving approach in mathematics;

Explore how to develop students’ collaboration skills and resilience when working as mathematicians;

Focus on developing students’ mathematical communication skills.

Presented by Lucie Cheeseman

Session 5: Developing a Balanced Writing Programme for Diverse Learners

Thursday 13 June 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm

Essential elements of a well balanced and engaging writing programme;

Practical tools to establish a writing programme for today’s diverse learners;

Formative practice techniques to ensure student progress and accelerated learning achievement in writing; 

Practical tools and strategies to build teacher confidence.

Presented by Becks Spurdle-Fisher / Holly Francis  

Session 6: Integrating more Te Reo in the Mainstream Classroom

Thursday 08 August 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm    

Looking at the Standard – Te Tiriti o Waitangi Partnership;

Demonstrate commitment to tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand;

Unpacking ‘Protection, Partnership, Participation’;

Introducing Te Reo Maori activities and resources.

Presented by Raewyn Flynn

Session 7: Student Engagement Through Science and an Integrated Curriculum

Thursday 05 September 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm    

This session will demonstrate fun, hands-on exploration and investigation activities that teachers can implement in their own learning settings. By looking through a science lens, we are able to harness children’s innate curiosity leading to their engagement. 

We will explore how we can foster a student’s sense of wonder and develop early inquiry, questioning and thinking skills. There will be opportunities in the day to explore websites, resources and further readings and to make links with other curriculum areas.

Presented by Graham Cox 

Session 8: Nature in Education – Sensory and Mindfulness Activities to Explore the Outdoors with Links to Te Ao Maori

Thursday 31 October 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm    

This practical and hands on session will affirm the value of education outside the classroom. It will emphasize the importance of nature from a Maori perspective, through eco-systems, conservation and nature, whilst providing teachers with a range of activities linked to science, literacy and art.

This session will add practical sensory experiences to your kete, offering mindfulness and well-being opportunities.

Presented by Virginia Best 

Session 9: Dyslexia – A Guide to Recognising and Understanding the Dyslexic Students in Your Class / Programme Conclusion

Wednesday 13 November 2024 (please note change of day to Wednesday)

10.30am – 12.30pm Final ‘Zoom’ Meeting

What have you observed this year about your students and their various learning styles?
What have you noticed about your students’ thinking and questioning tendencies?
What have you noticed about the processing abilities of individual students?

Have you recognised that there have been dyslexic students in your learning environment this year? You may have sought advice from colleagues/RTLB members to help you put certain strategies into place. Or you may have taken it upon yourself to follow your own line of research.

This zoom workshop endeavours toclarify some of the questions you may have around dyslexia. It will be a practical, straight-talking and illuminating session providing a succinct and holistic insight into the dyslexic student, and give teachers some common indicators of what to look out for and how best to meet the learning and emotional needs of dyslexic students.

Teachers who have recognised and understood dyslexic students in their class are able to pass on valuable information to the student’s next teacher so that their learning and emotional needs continue to be met rather than the possibility of them ‘flying under the radar’ or giving up on school altogether.

Presented by Jo Williams