TE AHO O TE KURA POUNAMU, THE CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL OF NEW ZEALAND. Information for Parents of Neurodivergent students considering enrolment.

This has been put together for families who maybe considering an alternative schooling option for their child who is not coping in physical school.  My daughter has been a student of Te Kura Correspondence School for four years. She transitioned from some rough years in a local primary school to Te Kura 3/4s of the way through year 5, and has now just entered Year 9 with Te Kura. For us it was nerve wracking, but it has been the best thing, and I have been hugely impressed with the support, and amazing teachers and opportunities offered in the Tauranga Region by Te Kura. 
Te Kura Correspondence School is a State Funded School in New Zealand Primarily working online. It supports Students from ECE to year 13, as well as Adult Learners. 
How do you access Te Kura?
Te Kura has a number of pathways that are Free. As well as a paid programme for students who do not meet free pathway criteria. Bottom line is if your child is neurodivergent with or without a formal diagnosis and seriously struggling in school, there is a free pathway they may qualify for.  The most common free referral pathway for years 1-13 full time students is via the engagement and wellbeing pathway.  This pathway is for students who   are non-enrolled, excluded, or expelled And students with psychological or psychosocial needs that are not being met within their current learning environment.  Full Criteria and pathway information can be found here:  https://www.tekura.school.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/11340/Te-Kura-Enrolment-and-Dual-Tuition-Policy.pdf

Referrals 
Referrals for this pathway are made by the Ministry of Education to Te Kura Correspondence School.  
How can you get a referral ? By contacting the Ministry of Education Tauranga office. 07 571 7800. Or you can visit the local office in person and ask to be assisted with Te Kura referral.  A referral form is filled out by the parent, and students are then assessed by a ministry of education psychologist along with the parent/s to determine whether Te Kura is the correct pathway for the student.  Sometimes there is a little wait time for this, usually around 2-6 weeks depending.  This pathway is technically designed as a "temporary" pathway and they will discuss ways to potentially help a phased return back to school, however, students are never forced to return to a school before they are 1) ready to, and Te Kura is working well for their educational well being  2) they don't want to  or 3) or a specialist working with the child agrees they are not ready to and supports their enrolment continuing. My daughter has been enrolled for four years.
How does Te Kura work once you are enrolled? 
All students are allocated a teacher or also known as a Kaimannaki.  Te Kura has its own learning platform and curriculum aligned with the NZ curriculum but designed for self paced learning, where students have access to a “dashboard” that provides access to “modules” across different subject areas. Login details to this dashboard are provided when enrolment is accepted and confirmed by Te Kura.  Your child's allocated teacher will then contact you to begin the learning journey process. Initially they will call or email you, then they might meet with you online, or in person to discuss a learning plan for your child.  For Primary aged students years 1-6 The learning programme is called Te Ara Tipu, and focuses on the core areas of.. Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Technology, The Arts and Health and PE.  Students can work through a number of modules in these areas, many related to different interests and theme areas. Modules are often  made fun. Interactive, have built in activities and small assessments that are handed into students. Some themes include Animals, dinosaurs, space, sports, and many many more.  Te Ara Hou is known as the learning programme for years 7-10. And  works in a similar way to Te Ara Tipu with slightly broader themes and subject areas, and more in depth modules to extend the learning of students.  In some areas especially the Tauranga/Rotorua/Hamilton area students also have access to a number of online classes lasting around 30 minutes. This is also known as “Koromiko Online”. These classes can change each term, some popular ones remain year round. These can include - “movement matters” (moving and physical activity sessions), “Lets Build” - lego themed, “Kahoots” (Gameshow style quizzes), “in the kitchen” (cooking and baking)  as well as fun classes on reading, science and maths, photography and more. Teachers can often enrol or give students access to external programs to assist their learning such as  - Maths Buddy, Maths Whizz, Reading Eggs, EPIC and Sunshine Books. These are all free with enrollment.  It is not uncommon and okay for student especially in primary levels 1-8 to also add in learning found in programs such as Twinkl, and other places.   Learning in everyday life is also highly nurtured. Where students can upload photos, videos and small write ups on activities they have done “outside of the classroom” such as .. Farm or Zoo visits, Holidays, Sports or Clubs they are involved in, even smaller aspects of life such as cooking a family meal, meeting friends in the weekend, Personal interest or “fixations” the student is really invested in. Te Kura considers this all LEARNING and teachers help students to progress and develop these in different ways. 
Once Students reach years 9 and 10. The progression towards NCEA and CAA begins. But this is not as daunting as it sounds.  Students are supported (In the Tauranga Region) by a number of amazing online classes, and resources that help them progress through the required work at their own pace. 
How much work are students required to do, is there Flexibility?  Yes there is alot of flexibility.  Technically students are only required to hand in one piece of markable work per month to remain on the roll, however, I think the guidelines are changing around this.  But if you have a bad week, or a week that is stacked with appointments, it doesn't matter, deadlines and due dates are not much of a thing. Learning is self paced and teachers will provide a guideline eg.. set some tasks for weeks 2 and 3.. But if the student does not complete them all. That is totally fine.   Most teachers meet with students and their parents at the beginning of the year or their enrolment, and create an individual learning plan for the student. Based on where the student is at, their strengths, what they enjoy and other factors. This is revisited each term.  For insight on average my daughter may do 2-3 30-40 minute learning blocks a day with 1-2 online classes. If she's really invested in something she may do more, on rougher days or busy days she may do less. This work load has been more than fine for her to be exactly where she should for her year level academically. 
Social opportunities.   Often parents worry about their children's social skills in online schooling and this is often a large misconception. Te Kura in particular offers not just online classes daily, most regions organise in person meet ups, called Huinga Ako’s.  These are for students to come together and meet other students, catch up in person with their teacher and enjoy some fun activities.  In Tauranga, in the past these events have been held at ‘The Cave' In Papamoa, Rocktopia, Mini Golf, and activity days based at Baden Powell Scout Hall in Ohauiti.  There is an online chat group function that is available via the students Google account, but I will warn this is student run and not moderated by teachers.  In Tauranga we also have a messenger chat group for mums of Te Kura students for those that wish so we can all keep in touch, plan meet ups with our kids and discuss any te kura related content. 
How much work is required of you as a parent compared to homeschooling?
Parents at Te Kura are known as supervisors. Not teachers.  Think of Te Kura as school but online. Possibly quite similar to what you might have experienced during covid 19 lockdowns, your child's teacher was present, available by email everyday, online meets, interaction with other students in the class via zoom.  In Te Kura you child has a class. But online, work is generally set and directed by teachers but the execution of the work is up to the child, if they require any direct help with work then they will require you to step in and help and sometimes, motivate or remind them to complete tasks. But.. unlike home school, you 1) - are not their primary teacher, 2) creating, designing and executing your own curriculum for your child. 
Your job is to supervise them and ensure they are working through the work they need to, and help them where needed along the way. 
Te Kura has a new, really easy to navigate website that tells you all about how it can potentially help your child and support them in an environment to learn at their own pace and flexibility. https://www.tekura.school.nz/

If you would like to know more about our personal experiences with Te Kura over the last 4 years feel free to email [email protected]   attn: Rach Crump