Inclusive Education

Preschoolers with disabilities or development problems are waiting more than 100 days to get extra help - despite the Government's commitment to cut wait times for support a year ago.

As consultation closes for the Tomorrow's Schools review, IHC says widespread transformation and increased investment in the education system will ensure better outcomes for all students.

Two Bay of Plenty siblings are eager for other Kiwi kids to support them in demonstrating, with each different paper doll, that Aotearoa New Zealand is a place of diversity and acceptance. They want schools and families to send in their paper doll chains to form a single long, colourful chain representing harmony between cultures.

The Government has announced a $1.27 million funding package for gifted children.

One Christchurch high school has created a coordinated approach to inclusion by appointing a cultural diversity facilitator to help bring the school’s communities together.

Supporting students with disabilities to accomplish their goals, Hillcrest High School’s Physical Assistance Centre in Hamilton is “an everyday part of the school culture”.

John McRae speaks to a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour to get a better insight into the vital work they carry out in Kiwi schools.

The relocation and rebuild of a specialist day school has provided learning opportunities for more than one school community.

Arriving in New Zealand as a former refugee is often a shock to the system and being introduced to schooling for the first time can be a big challenge. For two years a primary school in Dunedin has been helping former refugee students settle into their new lives.

A robot is being trialled in Australia to help children with special educational needs. But what do New Zealand schools think of the idea? Jody Hopkinson finds out.