Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
January 2002
STUDY SUPPORT CENTRES
A warm cosy environment, computers at your fingertips
and afternoon tea provided to keep rumbly tummies at bay - it's not surprising
that children are flocking to study centres around the country.
There are now 107 study support/homework centres
being supported around New Zealand, since the initiative's development
in October 2000. Some of the centres are within schools (63 schools),
some are supervised centres within community facilities while a few are
virtual centres making use of 0800 numbers and the internet to link students
who need study assistance.
Study Support Centres are a simple idea and one that I have found particularly
satisfying. They provide a quiet place, resources, a registered teacher,
information technology and all the basics necessary to develop good study
habits among children at risk of education under-achievement. These centres
have the potential to raise the educational achievements of thousands
of students.
The centres are aimed at assisting senior primary school students (year
5 to year 8) in some of our lower decile schools. The initiative particularly
targets decile 1-3 schools or community groups who will draw in many students
from these schools to attend the homework centres. Some students who attend
these centres often don't have the space, quiet environment, support or
resources at home to study effectively.
One fundamental aspect of the centres is the availability of information
technology. Access to computers and the Internet is one of the key criteria
of funding for study centres. This government sees Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) as an invaluable tool for increasing educational achievement.
By increasing ICT access for students they are given the opportunity to
develop the research skills they will need at secondary school.
A really special part of the centres is the development of the relationship
between schools and outside groups with the common goal of achieving something
worthwhile for children. This particular aspect emphasises that learning
is something important for the whole wider community not just the school
environment. Centres represent a practical and innovative example of a
community partnership sharing resources and skills to improve the educational
standards of children in their area.
Many of the students who attend Brandon Intermediate's study centre don't
have a place at home where they can do their homework. Brandon Intermediate
has 278 students, 69% of which are Pacific. The main aim of this decile
one school's centre is to provide learning support for children having
difficulties in class with numeracy, literacy and homework.
Naenae Primary School's study centre is so popular it draws students
from two other schools (Rata Street School and Bernadette School.) Naenae
Primary is in Lower Hutt, and is a decile one school with a roll of 240
- 44% Maori and 30% Pacific. Their centre focuses on a fabulous reading-tutor
programme, Samoan language support, and giving curriculum support. Each
evening a different focus is taken ranging from language, mathematics
or spoken language in Maori, Samoan and English.
At the Naenae School centre, a specialist reading teacher attends two
days per week providing valuable support for students at risk of underachievement.
Students have access to the library and ICT suite to assist processing
information and research skills. It's so good to hear that this school
has noticed an improved attitude towards learning from students attending
the study support centre.
To successfully apply for funding, a school must have a minimum roll
of 110 pupils. Successful applicants are funded initially on a three-year
basis, although schools and community groups can re-apply thereafter for
subsequent funding.
Funding from the initiative can only be used for running and operational
costs and the employment of staff. It cannot be used for capital expenditure
such as buildings and computers.
'Learning islands' have been created to support students at risk of under-achievement
in the Auckland Libraries' AKOZONE study centres. Ako - the Maori term
given to mean 'teach and learn'. Zone - English word for a physical space.
Combined the words depict an exciting place to learn at the local library.
Students receive one-to-one study support and help with their homework.
An aim of these centres is to support students in solving their own problems,
rather than simply providing the answer. Children are having fun learning
at these centres. They are expected to drop in at the AKOZONE clubs with
an idea of what they want to explore and be able to articulate that to
the Learning Co-ordinator - planning ahead and being prepared is all part
of study support.
Many children first need to know how to behave in the library and why
it's important to learn study stills rather than get a quick fix answer
- addressing these issues is of high priority at the AKOZONE centres.
Approximately 50% of the students have homework sheets, topics, tables
or spelling they need assistance with. 25% are looking for information
or research for school projects. Some students just want to be with friends
in a warm and welcoming environment. Learning for their own interest and
hobbies is as valid as homework and there are always extra activities
on offer to help children with their information literacy skills or IT
skills.
AKOZONE like other study support centres around the country are giving
children in low socio-economic areas the wings that will enable them to
fly high in life.
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