Cohort 7 Events
*Int = Intermediate Focus
These events have been specifically designed for teachers working with year 7 and 8 students, with relevant examples and resources for older learners.
Workshop 1
Auckland
16th Feb
Online
13th Feb
Auckland
2nd Mar
Auckland *Int
4th Mar
Christchurch
9th Mar
Whangārei
19th Mar
Wellington
26th Mar
Online *Int
23rd Mar
Workshop 2
Auckland
17 Feb
Online
20th Feb
Auckland
3rd Mar
Auckland Int*
11th Mar
Christchurch
11th Mar
Whangārei
20th Mar
Wellington
27th Mar
Online Int*
30th Mar
Workshop 3
All Online
Year 0 - 3
22nd April
Year 4 - 6
23rd April
Year 7 - 8
24th April
Year 0 - 3
6th May
Year 4 - 6
7th May
Year 7 - 8
8th May
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
Our Experts are travelling Aotearoa to bring you Structured Literacy Approaches workshops for all kaiako
teaching years 0-8. Join our engaging facilitators in these hands-on workshops - we will cover:
Day 1: how reading develops, the principles of a ‘structured literacy approach’ and understanding the research, the importance of explicit teaching, the science of learning (SoL) and effective teaching pedagogy.
Day 2: the importance of oral language, formative assessment and enriched reading and writing practices, intervention strategies, lesson structuring, and ways to foster a literacy-rich environment.
Day Three is delivered online and directed at year group teacher streams (Year 0-3, Year 4-6, Years 7-8 ).
While the ‘concepts’ are similar, the learning for teachers in each cohort, they will be focused on year level expectations and include differentiation strategies.
This will cover
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Constrained skills
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An overview of handwriting
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Supporting 'at risk' learners to apply reading skills in context
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Supporting 'at risk' learners to develop foundation skills in writing
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Planning for coverage and planning for effective cross-curricular integration
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These 1.5-hour sessions bring together teachers from mixed streams to share insights, experiences, and successes from their literacy journeys.
Facilitated by a literacy expert, each session fosters collaborative learning and offers guidance to support effective literacy practices. This will cover:
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Assessment
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Planning
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Strengthening prior learning
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Understanding and teaching students with Dyslexia
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Strategies to embed and strengthen practice
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Our Grow Literacy Labs are pre-recorded workshops designed to ensure your whole school is aligned in delivering effective, evidence-based literacy instruction. These sessions cater not only to teachers but also to school leaders and teacher aides, creating a unified approach to structured literacy.
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For kaiako, the labs cover topics like time management, growing engagement, and strategies for literacy and English language learners.
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Leaders gain insights into structured literacy implementation, change management, assessment, and sustainability.
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Teacher aides are supported with practical strategies for phonics, small group reading and writing, and oral language development.
Together, these labs ensure everyone is "singing from the same song sheet," building consistency and success across your school.
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Teachers will receive free access to the testing facilities on the StepsWeb online portal for the duration of the programme. This includes:
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Online assessment and diagnostic tools to measure literacy levels, reading fluency, and identify specific areas for support.
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Screening tools for auditory discrimination, phonological awareness, auditory sequential and working memory, alphabet and phonics knowledge, and non-word reading.
These resources empower teachers to gather valuable data, enabling targeted teaching that meets individual learner needs and improves overall literacy outcomes.
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The GROW Literacy Programme
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
Our PLD Programme Designers
Our team of Literacy Legends has designed a programme that leverages the science of learning and evidence-based practices in the execution of this content for your schools. Engage your teachers, leaders and teacher aides with learning designed by some of the biggest names in the Aotearoa literacy space.
Del Costello
Coactive Education Director and literacy expert Del Costello brings a wealth of knowledge around oral language, structured literacy practices and sustainable school change.
Louise Dempsey
Internationally recognised author of The Writing Book, The Reading Book & The Oral Language Book, Louise Dempsey brings her years of expertise in pedagogical practice to the table.
Ros Lugg
Ros Lugg, founder of StepsWeb literacy platform and dyslexia specialist, provides her experience as a language specialist and assessor to the programme as well as access to the StepsWeb diagnostic tools.
Our Facilitation Team
Yolanda Soryl
Canterbury
Dr Wayne Duncan
Southland
Trudy Francis
Manawatū
Adie Bonisch
Otago
Ros Lugg
Canterbury
Michelle Nel
Auckland
Del Costello
Auckland
Louise Dempsey
Auckland
Multiple Dates2 days to the eventWed, 10 DecOnline via ZoomIn this workshop participants will learn about the importance of "The Science of Reading" and effective teacher practice in early literacy and unpack the strengths that language diversity and language learning provides for tamariki.
Multiple Dates3 days to the eventThu, 11 DecOnyx, CambridgeThis interactive professional learning session builds on our previous exploration of how tamariki learn to read, with a focus on practical strategies and tools to support early literacy development in early childhood settings.
Multiple Dates42 days to the eventMon, 19 JanOnline via ZoomDeveloping and Documenting Early Literacy Learning Outcomes
Multiple Dates53 days to the eventFri, 30 JanRed Beach Surf ClubUnpacking the MOE Early Literacy Resource Kete on Kōwhiti Whakapae and Creating a Language Rich Environment.
Multiple Dates65 days to the eventWed, 11 FebOnline via ZoomDiscover the six key phonological awareness skills that help set tamariki up for success in literacy. These are fun, practical child-friendly learning activities that tamariki and teachers both enjoy and are easily incorporated into your early literacy programme.
Multiple Dates66 days to the eventThu, 12 FebOnyx, CambridgeThis in-person ECE PLD workshop explores how mathematical concepts are embedded in children’s everyday experiences and play. Participants will learn to recognise and nurture early mathematical thinking, with a focus on the four sub-areas.
Multiple Dates72 days to the eventWed, 18 FebOnline via ZoomIn this workshop, you will learn, with modelled lessons, lesson practices, and teaching videos, how to teach the alphabet sounds, and reading and writing the letters too. A fun, practical course with lots of tips and free downloads.
Multiple Dates80 days to the eventThu, 26 FebOnline via ZoomIn this interactive and practical workshop, participants will unpack the power of oral storytelling to support oral language and communication development, tamariki confidence, whānau connection and a sense of belonging.
Multiple Dates85 days to the eventTue, 03 MarTakapuna Boating ClubIn this interactive and practical workshop, participants will unpack the power of oral storytelling to support oral language and communication development, tamariki confidence, whānau connection and a sense of belonging.
Multiple Dates94 days to the eventThu, 12 MarOnline via ZoomIn this interactive and practical workshop, participants will unpack the Early Literacy and Oral Language area of Kōwhiti Whakapae. We will explore three elements of early literacy (oral language, early phonemic awareness and print knowledge and preparing to write)
Multiple Dates113 days to the eventTue, 31 MarOnline via ZoomAn overview of the steps involved in the planning process and how these are made meaningful and efficient.
Multiple Dates154 days to the eventMon, 11 MayTakapuna Boating ClubThis in-person ECE PLD workshop explores how oral language and early literacy can be powerful tools for supporting social and emotional learning. Kaiako will consider ways to integrate Te Reo Māori and children’s home languages into daily practice, valuing linguistic diversity beyond functional use.
3x Online Dates TBDOnline Via ZoomUnderstanding the Changes to the Codes and Standards Are you aware of the upcoming changes to the Codes and Standards? Get prepared with our focused, practical workshop series — designed to help educators, leaders, and ECE Centres navigate the changes with clarity and confidence.
2025 Date and time is TBDAucklandA series of workshops for Overseas Trained Teachers and Teachers Returning to the Kiwi Primary Classroom
Date and time is TBDOnline WorkshopDiscover the six key phonological awareness skills that help set tamariki up for success in literacy. These are fun, practical child-friendly learning activities that tamariki and teachers both enjoy and are easily incorporated into your early literacy programme. Links to Te Whariki.
Date and time is TBDAucklandA series of workshops for Overseas Trained Teachers and Teachers Returning to the Kiwi Secondary Classroom
Date and time is TBDOnline WorkshopAre you running transition-to-school programmes and/or want training on how to teach children the sounds and letters of the alphabet?
Date and time is TBDOnline WorkshopWhat is the Science of Learning? Why is everyone talking about it? In this informative workshop we will explore the key research and principles of the Science of Learning. We will unpack what it can look like and sound like in early childhood settings.
20 May 2025, 10:00 am – 11:00 amOnline via ZoomCome along to this free event hosted live with one of the GROWLiteracy Learning Designers, Del! Ask any questions you have about this PLD and see whether it is a good fit for your school in a no-obligation hui.
Our Facilitation Team:
Yolanda Soryl, Dr Wayne Duncan, Adie Bonisch, Louise Dempsey, Del Costello, Michelle Nel, Trudy Francis & Ros Lugg
Answering your questions
"What if our yr 0-3 teachers have already completed their training elsewhere?
That's ok! We will work with the rest of your teachers, as we have targeted Literacy PLD for each stream of teacher, yr 0-3, 4-6 & 7-8. We're all learning the same elements and evidence based pedagogical methods, so GROW Literacy will fit seamlessly with your current learning.
"Do you work with all teachers year 0-8?"
Yes! Our PLD is approved for teachers in year 0-3, 4-6 and 7-8 classrooms. We understand that each stream has different needs - so we have differentiated our third workshop by the year group stream to make sure the learning is appropriate and relevant for all teachers!
"Will this cost us anything?"
No! This PLD is fully funded through the MoE, we do not require any further resourcing, or the purchase of external material. In fact, we are offering free access to the StepsWeb diagnostic tools through this PLD that will allow your staff to be trained in assessment and data review without having to invest in tools that you may have to otherwise. We are also offering teacher aide and leader support through our GROW Literacy programme - at no cost!
"Will you come to our school?"
Yes! If your school has over 40 teachers, we will book in a time with you to host your in-person two day workshops at your school. If you haven't got 40 of your own teachers, feel free to gather a group from other schools, intermediates and relievers in your local area. Otherwise let us know where you are and we can see who else in your place is interested.
Let's talk: Assessment
What is compulsory?
All teachers are required to administer and submit DIBELS test results for their students at the beginning of the PLD (week 1) and near the end of the PLD (week 20).
All Year 0-3 students are tested using the DIBELS Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) subtest.
All Year 4-8 students are tested using the DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) subtest.
This expectation is shared with teachers at their workshop day #1 and #2 and teachers are given two weeks to test their students and submit their initial testing data using StepsWeb.
Are there exceptions?
We encourage all PLD participants to experience administering the DIBELS tests and submitting data into StepsWeb. If a teacher does not have their own class (e.g school leaders, part time teachers or regular relievers) they can still do this essential element of a structured literacy approach. They might share the testing load with another teacher or they might complete the testing of just a few students for a colleague.
Of course, there will be some people who due to their role are not expected to administer DIBELS tests or submit results into StepsWeb e.g. some school leaders, the principal, RTLBS. Please share any exceptions you are aware of with Coactive.
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
MoE Accreditied Provider
Expressions of interest open for Cohort 8
