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WHAT WE OFFER:
Check and Connect
Students who require support at the beginning of the day meet in Te Puna Aroha, at 8.45am, each morning, where they check in with a Teacher Aide. The purpose of this is to ensure students are set up with everything they need for the day. Breakfast is also offered for those wanting something to eat.
Canine Capers
Several Teacher Aides bring their dogs to school and work with small groups to develop Mindfulness strategies and conversation skills.
Brick Club
Using Lego with small groups of students to develop resilience, relationship and communication skills.
Connections Group
Small groups meet weekly with a Teacher Aide to develop relationship skills. This is through board games, cards and developing conversation skills.
Green Graffiti
Small groups use a water blaster to create sustainable art. This focuses on learning the difference between street art and graffiti, the impact of graffiti on a community and how to use street art to share a message.
Year 9 Literacy Support
Small groups of Year 9 students attend targeted literacy lessons with a specialist teacher.
WE ALSO OFFER:
Testing and Assessments
Our department provides several tests to identify a student's learning ability and to provide support for the whanau and teachers. Testing may include:
NZQA Special Assessment Conditions.
Te Puna Aroha will assess students who may be eligible for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC). We will also submit the SAC applications. These conditions may include a combination of reader, writer, separate accommodation, computer use, extra time and rest breaks.
Dyslexia Screening
We can screen for Dyslexic tendencies. Please note this is not an official diagnosis.
Individual Education Plan's
Individual pathways and plans can be created to support the diverse needs of students with high learning needs.
WE CAN SUPPORT WITH:
Liaison with outside agencies and professionals
We can liaise with RTLB (Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour and KYS (Kapiti Youth Service), Mana Whaikaha, Spec Savers and Autism New Zealand, Te Kura and Central Regional Health School to name a few.
Referrals:
Referral's may occur to outside agencies including: Mid Central Health, Maori Mental Health, eyesight, hearing, counselors, psychologists, medical practitioners, therapy assistance and school transport (SESTA).
Therapies
Therapy has been proven to be helpful for people focusing on overcoming emotional, trauma, social, learning or behavioural needs. Examples include:
Equine Therapy.
The Shed Project
Riding for the Disabled (RDA)
Alternative programmes
Some of our learners are engaged with South Pacific Educational Courses (Individual Learning experiences). More information can be found on SPEC
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ARAHUNGA SCHOOL
Otaki College have a strong relationship with Arahunga School, in particular, supporting our ORS students. This partnership enables Otaki College to access the added support of specialist teachers, speech language therapists, occupational therapists and more recently a student mentor. Arahunga School also connects us to extra funding and resources to enhance the learning programmes for our ORS students, as they are fully integrated into all classroom programmes.
Arahunga School Contact
If you would like to discuss enrolling an ORS student, please contact:
Ailsa Buckley: abk@otakicollege.school.nz
HOW OUR SENCO CAN SUPPORT YOU
We are here to support you and your child. Some of the ways we can do this may include:
• Identifying and contacting agencies to support you and your child.
• Developing an individual plan for your child, to support teachers with teaching strategies.
• Coordinating meetings with you, your child’s teachers, and other agencies.
• Ensuring strategies are put in place to support your child’s learning.
• Assisting with transitions from Primary or Intermediate Schools.
• Sharing documents and reports – with your permission.
• Ensuring you are aware of the agencies that may be involved with your child and what their role is.
• Working alongside your child’s teacher to put strategies in place, within the classroom.
• Applying for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC).
Please let us know if you have any concerns, or if there is further information you would like us to know about your child. We are here to help.
SENCO Contact Details
Rachael Kneepkens: rkk@otakicollege.school.nz
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