A Boy Transformed

The Record
National membership magazine of SPELD NZ INC, Te Roopu Whaka oho Matauranga
A Boy Transformed
May 2015. Volume 62
Ingrid says that consistent, one-on-one Individualised help
made all the difference – not just with reading but also problem
solving.
“She gave him strategies to deal with his frustration. She also
gave me tools to use at home to reinforce what he had learned.
I don’t think Tadhg would have even begun to cope with high
school without SPELD. I think I would have had to home-school
him but I had not the patience, time or ability to do that,”
Ingrid says.
Tadhg says he found it very hard to admit when he didn’t
know something.
Ingrid Norgrove used to dread that her son would end up in
prison. Now she couldn’t be more proud.
Ingrid’s son, Tadhg, is completing an honours degree in
psychology with the aim of helping other children who flounder
like he once did.
“Tadhg got into SPELD and suddenly realised he could be
taught the techniques to read and write and he actually
started believing in himself,” says Ingrid. “It was a turning
point in his life. The change in him has been unbelievable! I’d
been heartbroken over this child. Tearing my hair out. He was
so desperate for acceptance and so easily led because of his
ADHD. If there was trouble, he would be in it.”
Tadhg recalls his world falling apart when he was around 6 years
old. “Kindergarten is more about creativity and imagination
whereas school is about structure and logic. Teachers always
thought I was a lovely kid but didn’t know how to deal with
me. I struggled immensely with words. I tried so hard and put
in huge effort but there was still a very big gap and I became
ostracised from other kids.”
Extracurricular group tutoring proved “a waste of time”, but
getting a SPELD NZ assessment for Tadhg was a light-bulb
moment for Ingrid. “I remember thinking, aha, hallelujah!
Somebody can see what I see. I was very frustrated because
before that it seemed nobody could help.”
Tadhg did weekly lessons with his SPELD teacher, Mary,
for three years.
0800 773 536 www.speld.org.nz
“I used to get very mad and upset when I couldn’t understand
concepts. Mary helped me find coping strategies to go into the
problems with a calm, open mind. After studying psychology
and learning about the brain, I know those strategies are very
beneficial for my life because I can apply them to real life
situations. She was super patient. If I didn’t get something the
first time, she would come at it in a different way. That never
happened at school. Most teachers found it very hard, I was so
far behind. The system we have at the moment is not designed
to support people with learning disabilities.”
Tadhg didn’t get any special exam accommodations through
high school but managed to pass NCEA with enough credits to
start a degree at Waikato University.
“The first year at uni I didn’t do too great. In the second year I
got extra time for exams, my own room, and I was able to eat
and drink. All the distractions went away. My grades started
to improve. I got my first A which was huge. I started doing
cognitive psychology and found I had a huge interest in it. I’d
go into a lecture and would be 100% engaged.”
By his third year, Tadhg achieved mostly straight As. He’s so
excited by psychology, he aims to eventually do a PhD.
“I would love to be a lecturer. That would be my dream job – to
be able to impart wisdom and do research to better help kids
with the learning system.”
Tadhg also credits his turnaround to the “phenomenal”
support he’s had from others: a psychologist, his best friend,
his girlfriend and his family. However he believes help through
SPELD NZ was the springboard to his success.
“Mary put me on the track I’m on now. The real thing that
drove me forward was her positive reinforcement. I have
learned now through studying psychology that it’s the most
important thing when you are trying to teach someone. I think
hope is vital. I didn’t have hope. She was amazing. I’m forever
grateful to her.”
ISSN 11751631
Our People
Message From The Chairperson
On reading through the
content of this edition of
The Record, I feel so proud
of the students who have
written about their lives.
Their stories show the power
of knowledge of oneself;
acceptance of who one is;
and accessing the assistance
required to get where one
wants to be. The positive
achievements
outlined
here represent thousands
of students who, through
SPELD NZ’s assessment and tuition over 40 plus years, have
been enabled to reach their potential. This makes me very
appreciative of all those who have worked so hard to maintain
the services of SPELD NZ through the years, as well as the
students themselves.
SPELD NZ continues to be committed to working to improve
the educational experience of those with SLD/Dyslexia. We
believe that there needs to be:
•
Early identification and intervention embedded in the
school system;
•
At least one member of staff at each school who has indepth knowledge of SLD;
•
In-depth training in identification and accommodations
for those with SLD/dyslexia included in all under-graduate
teacher education programmes.
We will continue to advocate for these within our education
system.
Best wishes to you all.
Marion Fairbrass
Chairperson of SPELD NZ
CONTACT US
We welcome magazine contributions from all
SPELD NZ members.
SPELD NZ INC
14 Erson Ave, PO Box 24 617
Royal Oak, Auckland 1345
SPELD NZ Board Profile
Peter Scanlan
I have a passion for high
quality
education
and
training. I have worked as a
senior manager in tertiary
education since 1992 and
have over 23 years of
experience in educational
change management in New
Zealand and overseas.
I became interested in the
work of SPELD NZ when
my dyslexic son received
assistance from a SPELD NZ teacher with excellent results.
This led to an opportunity to seek nomination for the Central
Region Representative as a SPELD NZ Board Member.
I live in Lower Hutt and am married with two sons at high
school. In my spare time I like to ride my mountain bike and
play backgammon with my boys.
SPELD NZ Staff
Beth Edmonds
I have recently taken up the
role of finance administrator
in the National Office. Having
been in a sole charge office
management role for 15
years, I’m enjoying working
with a small, friendly team
again. I like to keep active enjoying long walks, yoga, pilates and gym work. I’m looking
forward to learning more about the SPELD NZ community and
all of the worthwhile work involved.
SPELD NZ 2015 AGM
1-3pm, 19th September 2015
Selwyn House School, Christchurch
The AGM will be preceded by a SPELD NZ Professional
Development workshop by Angus MacFarlane.
0800 773 536
[email protected]
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news and information with your friends
and colleagues: facebook.com/pages/SPELD-New-Zealand
2
The Record
A poignant reminder of what it’s like to have
dyslexia: See our Facebook page to watch and
share a 5 minute movie that expertly captures the
frustration children endure until they can get help.
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
Upcoming Courses
For full information on all courses, please refer to the Training Page of our website www.speld.org.nz/training
We welcome training inquiries from throughout New Zealand.
SPELD NZ Certificate Course in Specific
Learning Disabilities
“Wonderful course. Learnt so much and it has definitely
made me a better teacher - more alert to learning needs,
more patient and more accommodating.”
Level 5 NZQA-approved course delivered online or block
(face-to-face). For Teachers, Resource Teachers: Learning
Behaviour (RTLB), Special Needs Coordinators (SENCO), and
other related professionals.
This course provides training in identification of learners
with dyslexia or other specific learning disabilities (SLD),
and teaching methods for these students. 400 hours of
learning, lectures and assignments. Teachers with at least
one year of classroom teaching experience wishing to
become SPELD NZ teachers follow on with a probationary
practicum period of guided teaching.
Online 2015: Now underway. Applications now open for
Online 2016.
New SPELD NZ teachers and assessors needed
Are you a New Zealand trained teacher interested
in further training to help children with specific
learning difficulties (SLD)? Children with SLD
often suffer years of failure and despondency at
school. SPELD NZ teachers enjoy the enormous
rewards of nurturing students one-on-one, to
success. Please consider becoming a SPELD NZ
teacher or assessor - both are needed in many
parts of New Zealand. See our website for more
details on training options provided by SPELD NZ.
SPELD NZ Introduction to Specific
Learning Disabilities
Auckland and Christchurch:
Courses now underway. Applications now open for 2016
courses.
Invercargill:
Week 1: 28 September to 2 October 2015
Week 2: 18 January to 22 January (2016)
For more information and enrolments please refer to
www.speld.org.nz/training
SPELD NZ Assessor Course
This course is for applicants intending to become SPELD NZ
registered assessors, who have the required NZCER Level C
grading. The course provides training in the administration
and interpretation of the Woodcock-Johnson III and
assessment of those with Specific Learning Disabilities.
Owing to the imminent release of the WJIV, our training
programme is due to be updated. Assessor training workshop
dates for 2016 are yet to be confirmed. See the SPELD NZ
website training page www.speld.org.nz/training for more
details as they come to hand. For more information, email
[email protected]
(This training is not an NZQA approved course).
“A wonderful opportunity to learn from knowledgeable and
experienced people.”
These courses are held over two days and are suitable
for anyone with little or no prior knowledge about
specific learning difficulties. The course gives background
information on SLD and constructive, practical ideas of how
to help an SLD student achieve. Parents, grandparents,
teacher aides and teachers are all invited to attend. If you
would like a course to be arranged in your area, please
contact SPELD NZ and we’ll do our best to organise this.
Upcoming Introductory Courses:
Auckland: 28 August & 4 September 2015
6 & 7 November 2015
Christchurch: 16th -17th July
Dunedin: TBA
Wanaka: TBA
Nelson: TBA
0800 773 536 www.speld.org.nz
The Record
3
Book Reviews
Jump-starting Boys
Help Your Reluctant Learner find Success in School
and Life - Hundreds of Encouraging Tips and Tools
By Pam Withers and Cynthia Gill
The first time boys come
up my driveway they are
dragging their heels –
literally and metaphorically.
These boys have often been
carefully cajoled into a SPELD
NZ assessment by their
parents and now they’ve
been brought to meet their
“teacher”. How many bribes
did that take? They come
thinking “She’s going to make
me do more reading and
writing and I hate reading and
writing!”
“More than at any point in the past, reading and writing have
become the linchpin of success in life,” the authors emphasise.
They come in to my study and
look around at my art. I read to them and they think, “But I
thought I would be reading?” It doesn’t happen till much later
in the hour and by then they have relaxed a little. I give them
a very easy piece of reading and they feel good about being
able to read it. The next week the heels aren’t dragged and in
a couple of weeks they are racing in!
At last we have a resource
that will help teachers
better understand children
and other young people
who have dyslexia, and
gives
teachers
practical
suggestions to incorporate in
their classrooms; all made in
New Zealand!
This an encouraging
book, one for teachers
and parents.”
The children that come to us may be very discouraged,
despondent and defiant. They may have often been told that
they’re ‘not getting it right’ when they are attempting reading
and writing. They can see their friends cruising through these
topics - and other subjects which are dependent on reading
and writing, which is almost every activity in the curriculum.
It was the attractive title that made me pick up “Jump-starting
Boys” from the local children’s library. A big emphasis is placed
on allowing boys to read what they want to read. “Expand your
tolerance for toilet humour and fighting scenes in books he
selects, and don’t pressure him to abandon picture books or
graphic novels … before he chooses to.”
The authors detail, more than once, the female influence in the
writing and editing of the books that are available for students.
The female influence can also sometimes dominate libraries,
curriculum and education policies. The authors extend their
caution to the home front, with suggesting that mothers will
read to their girls longer than to their boys and fathers may
take a back-seat when it comes to assisting their children’s
education. Boys need to have their father’s involvement in their
lives and to see their father reading not only the newspaper
but reading books for pleasure.
4
The authors aim to have boys comfortable with reading. They
encourage reading material where the student knows 95% of
all the words, that is, if a child does not know four or more
words on a page, then it is too hard.
The Record
This is an encouraging book, one for teachers and for parents.
Boys are targeted and they will be helped by those around
them reading this book. It is full of practical ideas and I would
suggest that it is particularly geared towards the assisting of
seven year old boys and older.
Reviewed by SPELD NZ teacher, June McRae
The New Zealand Dyslexia Handbook
By Tom Nicholson and
Susan Dymock
Included are specific planning
and assessment tools. For
example, a step by step
spelling programme for vowel sounds from short a sound as
in ‘at’, through to oo sound as in ‘good’ or ‘book’. There are
spelling activities, phonogram charts and lesson examples that
are easy to follow and adapt.
Three case studies are explored and in the accompanying
CD-ROM, we learn more about these young people and also
see dyslexia-friendly school and classroom environments.
This is an excellent guide for teachers.
To find out more about this resource and see our very own Tom
Nicholson and Susan Dymock, visit http://www.nzcer.org.nz/
nzcerpress/new-zealand-dyslexia-handbook
Reviewed by SPELD NZ teacher, Kathy Tanner
The NZ Dyslexia Handbook is available in SPELD NZ Regional
Office libraries
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
Brain Day 2015
Your Life: Your Brain
Memorize in Minutes
By Alan Walker
Alan Walker has completely
thought outside the box with
this fantastic resource for
teaching the times tables.
So often I find that students
have learnt their tables only
to quickly forget them again
due to memory issues.
The wonderful thing about
this book is not only does it
deal with the multiplication
facts in number form, it
associates individual numbers to rhyming words to aid recall,
then connects each fact to somewhat silly little stories which
act as prompt for the memory with visual imagery.
SPELD NZ was proud to be part of Brain Day in March. This is
a popular free event, run in several cities every year by the
Centre for Brain Research and the Neurological Foundation.
This year’s theme was “Your Life: Your Brain – a Journey
Through the Lifespan”. The day included free public lectures,
panel discussions, entertaining displays, demonstrations and
interactive activities for all ages. We took a look at the brain’s
astonishing capacity: The way it changes, challenges presented
by certain life stages, such as adolescence and old age, and
exciting ways to keep your brain healthy your whole life long!
A must-have resource
for any teacher.”
Using Alan’s techniques we can teach the times tables without
it being a dull rote memory exercise - instead it’s a fun,
interactive way of recalling those tricky little equations with
rhyming and picture associations. He has even included some
really helpful kinaesthetic activities to reinforce following a
lesson.
A “must have” resource for any teacher. I strongly
recommend it.
Reviewed by SPELD NZ teacher, Maree Wisniewski
SPELD NZ Executive Officer Jeremy Drummond (right) chats to
a Brain Day visitor
On The Lighter Side...
SPELD NZ had an information table at the Dunedin and
Auckland Brain Days. We always appreciate the opportunity to
meet and talk with members of the public about SLD and the
help that we can give.
For those unable to attend Brain Day, audio files of the
lectures are available at www.cbr.auckland.ac.nz on the
following topics:
0800 773 536 www.speld.org.nz
•
Protecting Babies’ Brains
•
Music And Dance – with a focus on dementia
•
Older Person’s Pain: assessment and management
•
The Inside Story: imaging the brain
•
Research Into Alzheimer’s Disease
•
The Wandering Mind
•
Minds For Minds: research into autism
•
The Teenage Brain: Puberty, drugs, and rock’n roll
•
Living Well With Dementia
The Record
5
Loss of a Dyslexia Pioneer
The inspirational Zannie Danks Davis passed away late last year.
Zannie was a passionate advocate for those with specific learning
disabilities and instrumental in the fight to get dyslexia officially
recognised.
Zannie Danks Davis 1950-2014
Tribute to Zannie by Lynn Berresford
Zannie Danks Davis was an exceptionally gifted person
and she was also very dyslexic. She didn’t like school and
she didn’t like teachers. She experientially understood
individuals who learn differently. She was impassioned
to help others who experienced the difficulties she had
experienced and with missionary zeal embraced this
cause to be of practical assistance. Zannie was SPELD
Auckland’s president during the mid 1980s and did a huge
amount of work to increase SPELD’s profile.
She was impassioned
to help others who
experienced the
difficulties she had
experienced.”
Zannie went on to work at Youthlink Family Trust as a
tutor, dedicating herself to teenagers with emotional,
social, behavioural and learning problems. Out of this
experience grew her amazingly successful Danks Davis
Dyslexia Programme.
Zannie will never be forgotten by her family, friends,
colleagues/tutors and those adults, teenagers and
children who she helped.
Lynn Berresford is a Registered Psychologist & SPELD NZ
Life Member
Back in the day - from left to right: Zannie Danks Davis, Helen
Powell and Jody Nicolson, all past presidents of SPELD Auckland
In Zannie’s own words:
“My interest in dyslexia comes from my acute, painful, and
personal experiences as a dyslexic who dropped out of school at
14 years old, functionally illiterate.
The turning point in my life came in the 1970s when a school
teacher, who also had SPELD training, told me that one of my
own children was dyslexic. When I read the symptoms of dyslexia
in the pamphlets the teacher brought to my home, my feelings
were a mixture of shock, acute sadness, and pain. It was only
then I realised I was dyslexic, and it was a genetic condition in my
family which had now affected one of my children.”
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www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
SPELD NZ Support
Unleashes Potential
By Andrew Jones
I am a Geotechnical Technician for Kirk Roberts Consulting
Engineers, a young innovative company specialising in
Structural, Geotechnical, Civil and Fire Engineering as well
as some architectural design work. It’s exciting being part of
such a dynamic company
that is really going places
– and the guys I work
with are really friendly
and very hard working.
I am in a geotechnical
team of six engineers
and technical staff. I
hope to slowly gain the
necessary
experience
to become a Principal
Engineering Geologist in
the future.
SPELD helped me during
my primary schooling
in Tokoroa, as I suffered from having difficulties with reading,
comprehension and writing. My SPELD teacher became aware
of my interest in the sciences and worked alongside me to
tailor the course work so that it wasn’t as ‘heavy’ and to make
it interesting to learn. I soon became a book-worm to the point
my family constantly had to ‘drag’ me away from the books I
was reading, often non-fiction science / nature – related. They
still have trouble getting me to pay attention if the book I’m
reading is good enough!
I still have trouble with handwriting, but due to the nature of
my job, it is not an issue. And I don’t let it get to me. Even
though I needed extra homework and extra tutoring during my
early years, I have never felt as if I couldn’t succeed. I really
wanted to do well and I just needed a bit more reinforcement.
Famous Dyslexics: Jennifer Anniston
She’s rich, beautiful, and famous, but Jennifer Anniston
spent her childhood plagued with self-doubt because of her
struggles at school. She eventually concluded she wasn’t
smart. “I just couldn’t retain anything.” The diagnosis of
dyslexia in her 20s (during a routine eye examination) was a
life-changing revelation. “Now I had this great discovery. I felt
like all of my childhood ‘trauma-dies,’ tragedies, and dramas
were explained.”
The diagnosis of dyslexia
was a life-changing
revelation.”
THANK YOU!
DELOITTE BRAINSTORM
Success has come in many forms. I successfully gained a
Bachelor of Science (Technology) in Environmental Sciences
from the University of Waikato in Hamilton, I successfully
gained the job at Kirk Roberts, and I have plenty of aspirations
and goals for my future. Without the initial support of SPELD,
however, I don’t think I would have achieved as much as I have
in recent years and potentially in the years to come.
I believe SPELD brings the opportunity to be the best you can
be and that opportunity lasts a lifetime.
The SPELD NZ Facebook page is a community hub
where people with specific learning disabilities can
come together to share stories and resources.
To participate, simply Like our page at:
facebook.com/pages/SPELD-New-Zealand
SPELD NZ was greatly privileged to be invited by Deloitte
to take part in their Innovation Café. Some of the brightest
young creatives tminds in the country took on SPELD NZ
as a case study and brainstormed innovative and inspiring
suggestions to increase our exposure and awareness and
add value to the organisation. We came away from the day
buzzing with excitement.
Many thanks to Deloitte for their fabulous energy and
interest in SPELD NZ’s future!
0800 773 536 www.speld.org.nz
The Record
7
Student Contributions
Pink
Carter’s Story
by Riley Deans
Pink is the colour of candy-floss, ice cream and lollys, little girls
dresses and… pigs!
It is the smell of roses, swaying from side to side, relaxing in
the breeze.
It tastes like a fluffy burst of marshmallow melting in my mouth.
Pink gives me a feeling of happiness and joy, a feeling that
makes me just want to paint a picture of …PINK.
If I could touch Pink it would feel amazing, shiny and smooth,
soft as a blanket.
If Pink was a sound it would be a happy little laugh,
just like a girl’s giggle.
Dyslexia – does anyone
have a clue about dyslexia?
Well I can tell you some stuff
about it.
Some of the smartest people
in the world are dyslexic,
such as Albert Einstein – a
famous mathematician. Tom
Cruise, the actor, John Britten
– the inventor of the Britten
motorbike and also a kiwi
just like me.
Have you heard of Steve
Jobs? He is the inventor of
Apple devices and he was
also dyslexic.
So what is dyslexia? It is when people struggle learning because
something is getting mixed up in the brain. They can have
trouble getting the information from their head to the paper.
Not that long ago my parents took me to a lady called Lois who
tested me for dyslexia. A few days later, my parents told me that
I had it. Every Monday at 4.45 I go to Lois’s house and we learn
about sounds and do different strategies to help me learn. Lois
taught me how to make banana and chocolate smoothies one
week. Then we made pikelets the next week. I have to write
down the steps we used to make them, and then we get to eat
them!! These are cool ways to learn don’t you think?
Neve’s Story
Neve McEvoy loves to write
story books. She dictates them
to her SPELD NZ teacher Rose
over a period of time. The
teacher types up the drafts
and then goes over all the
detail of editing/ checking/
revising etc. Without this
input, Neve’s imagination
would remain in her head.
Neve wrote her first book
“Neve’s Story” when she was
8. At 9 years she has now written two more chapter stories.
“I write stories because it makes me feel good and opens up
my imagination. Don’t ever let people knock your confidence,
no matter how different you are, you always need to follow
your imagination and dreams. To give up, that part of your
dream is gone. So never give up! Stand up for yourself and
always spread kindness.”
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The Record
The reason I find it hard to spell is because with my dyslexia, I
spell things phonetically. What does this mean? Well it means
how things sound. So I spell things the way they sound to
me, which is not always the right way. For example, the word
Dessert I think it would be spelt D I Z E R T – think about it, it
sounds like there is a “Z” in there. When it comes to reading, I
am pretty bad too. The reason I think I am bad is because I read
too slow. This is because I always stop at a long word I don’t
know and try to sound it out to work to what it is. I also find it
hard to track where I am reading.
So what will happen to me in the future? Well I will continue
to learn different strategies for learning to make things easier
as I get older.
Dyslexia will make me more creative when I am older and it
might make me a good graphic designer or artist.
By Carter Vermeulen (aged 11)
Congratulations to Kelly Littlechild
who won first place in our art
competition.
Correction: In the last issue of The
Record, we incorrectly called her
Kelly Littlejohn. Our apologies Kelly
and well done on your outstanding
achievement! (left).
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
David’s Story
I am David Smyth and I am 13
years. My school is Omokoroa
No 1 which is near Tauranga.
In September 2014 the
AIMS Games were held in
Tauranga. The AIMS Games
are for Years 7 / 8 and there
were more competitors
than the 2014 Glasgow
Commonwealth Games. 7500
students came to Tauranga
from New Zealand, Australia
and Rarotonga and competed
in 17 sports.
As part of his lesson’s visualising and verbalising exercise,
George Syme (10) of New Plymouth was asked to picture
a clown. He asked if he could draw him – complete with
blueberry pie on his head! (below)
I competed in gymnastics and
trampolining. I belong to Argos Competitive Group team and
compete in competitions around the northern area of New
Zealand. I train 4 times a week at the gym for trampolining and
gymnastics. At home we have 3 trampolines for me to practise
on.
In the AIMS Games trampoline competition there were 31
competitors and we had 2 days to complete the 4 routines,
which included a straddle jump, and a full twist.I came first
in the trampolining competition and fourth equal in the
gymnastics and received a gold medal and certificate for
winning.
The hockey team, my teacher and many friends came to cheer
me on. I didn’t know they were watching until I finished my
routine and heard a loud roar, claps and screams. It was so cool
having them there and my mum, who sat for two days on a
hard wooden stand with no cushion, supporting me.
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The Record
Kyle Young (12 at the time), New Plymouth, drew these stick
men to help remember how to spell “people”(below)
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
Student Contributions
Skateboarding: Jarod’s Report
Commitment:
Commitment is when you are trying to do something without
failing. All you are thinking about is succeeding.
To be a successful skateboarder you need to land well and have
you moves clean. You must manage your fear and you need to
face it. You must be courageous.
Street Skating:
I am into Street Skateboarding. It is good to start on a quiet
street with wide footpaths. When street skating you must stay
on the left side of the road. When I bomb hills or am pushing
myself, I always wear a helmet.
Skating Idols:
Most skaters have skating idols or favourite skaters. My idol is
Ryan Sheckler who is in his mid-20s He is from America but he
travels all around the world as a professional. This means he
earns a living from skating. Sheckler is brave but he has had
many injuries.
Jarod is an enthusiastic skateboarder from Auckland.
In November 2014, he began working on a report about
skateboarding by brainstorming to create a mind map. These
four paragraphs are just some of Jarod’s ideas.
Jarod proofread and edited for spelling errors (different,
cruising, obstacle, quiet, footpaths, America, around,
professional, injuries).
“Logic will get you from
A to B. Imagination will
take you everywhere.
Imagination encircles
the world.”
- Albert Einstein
Equipment:
The equipment you need for a skateboard is the deck,
bearings, wheels, trucks and grip tape. Usually decks are made
out of plywood. Bearings are one of the most important parts
of the skateboard. These keep the board and wheels moving.
The wheels are used for different things such as cruising,
speed, tricks, mega ramps (huge ramps) and freestyle. Every
skateboard has four wheels. There are many obstacles you
can use when you are skateboarding. For example, the flat
bar. There are many tricks you can do on a flat bar, perhaps
almost 100.
You must manage your
fear and you need to
face it. You must be
courageous.”
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Contributions
We always welcome SPELD
NZ student contributions, so
please keep sending us your
writing or art work for future
issues!
The Editor, SPELD NZ
PO Box 24 617
Royal Oak
Auckland 1345
[email protected]
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536
Learning Tools
iPad Apps for Learners with Reading and Writing / Numeracy Difficulties
Back by popular demand: The Wheel of Apps! There are many helpful tools to be found on the internet,
YouTube and by downloading applications (apps). Some are free of charge and others cost a few dollars. Apps
can be used on smart phones, iPads, iPods and computers and are colourful and interactive ways to help a child
or adult learn.
0800 773 536 www.speld.org.nz
The Record
11
Thank You!
Mary Lloyd Speld Auckland Trust
This Trust was established in November 1997 with a bequest of
$120,000 from the estate of Mary Elizabeth Lloyd who passed
away in October 1995. Mary was dyslexic herself and wanted
to provide help for dyslexic children in the Auckland area.
The original trustees Peter Ellis, Yvonne Kennedy and Jenni
Wiles have, over the ensuing 17 years, not only substantially
increased the original principal sum bequeathed with their
prudent investments, but have also made grants of a minimum
of $10,000 per annum to SPELD since the trust was established.
Grants have been applied towards:
•
A Liaison Officer’s salary
•
‘Introductory Courses’ for teachers in low-decile schools;
•
Presentations by experts (on identifying dyslexia and the
need for early intervention) to community groups;
•
Scholarships for the Certificate Courses in SLD;
•
Funding SPELD NZ training advertisements in the Education
Gazette;
•
Funding the guest speakers at SPELD NZ conferences held
in Auckland.
Our sincere thanks to Peter Ellis, who recently retired as a
trustee, for his legal expertise and help with our investments
since 1997. We now welcome Julie Goodyer, also a lawyer, as
a new trustee. The trustees also extend their appreciation and
thanks to Sharon Purchase, who is leaving to focus on other
roles. She has worked tirelessly to organise the community
presentations and introductory courses as well as promoting
the scholarships that the Trust offers. We wish her well.
Donate today and help a child
Donations are desperately needed to continue our work
and to assist low-income families to receive specialised
teaching help for their children. All children deserve
the chance to learn to read and succeed at school.
Donations can be made directly to SPELD NZ at account
number: 12 3061 0395660 00
Here’s what one mother says about the impact of
financial support for her son’s lessons
“The funding so far has been a blessing and has enabled
my son to continue with lessons. At this stage in my life I
am not able to afford the full fees per lesson…..The lessons
have really helped him with his dyslexia and especially
his confidence. SPELD has completely changed by son’s
life and I would like him to continue so that he can get
the help he truly needs. He has an amazing teacher and
loves seeing her every week. She is like part of our family.
Thank you SPELD and all you do to help families like mine,
otherwise we do fall through the cracks.”
Thanks to Our Sponsors for 2014/15
As a not-for-profit SPELD NZ tries to keep services
affordable and accessible. With no government
funding, grants or other assistance are essential
to the continuation of SPELD NZ’s work. From all
involved with SPELD NZ, thanks and appreciation
to our supporters below who contributed to us in
2014/2015:
ANZ Bank Timaru; CANN; Canterbury Community
Trust; Colin Jones Trust; Constellation Trust; COGS;
Deloitte; Duncan Bickley Trust; Elmbrook Technology;
Estate Gertrude MacDonald; Hinemoa Kairangi Lodge;
Hutt Valley Lodge; Hutt Mana Charitable Trust; JN &
HB Williams; Legacy Trust; Legacy Trust; Lifestream;
Lottery Grants Board; Mana Community Grants;
Manchester Trust; Mary Lloyd SPELD Auckland Trust;
Pub Charity; Pelorus Trust; Phillip Dallow Trust;
Redwood Trust; Rotary Invercargill, Rotary Kihikihi;
Riccarton Trust; Riley Trust; Rotary Christchurch
South; Scott Trust; G Shaw; TG MacCarthy Trust;
The Trusts Community Foundation; Wellington City
Council; Wellington Children’s Foundation; Weltec;
Winton and Margaret Bear Trust
12
The Record
Donations over $5.00 are eligible for a 33.33% tax rebate.
Please email [email protected] with the details for
a receipt, or for information about making a bequest.
Thanks for reading The Record! For more
information on Specific Learning Disabilities and
how we can help, make sure to Like our Facebook
page at: facebook.com/pages/SPELD-New-Zealand
www.speld.org.nz
0800 773 536