BLENNZ Whangarei was excited to offer our first In-Service Workshops for teachers, teacher aides and early support workers around supporting ākonga who are Blind or have Low Vision. Each workshop ran for one day with… Read more
Visual Resource Centres
Identifying Need through the IEP – Literacy
Extra support to ensure literacy progression was identified as a goal for an IEP, therefore the read it-build it-write it strategy was implemented. This involved using simple, enlarged wooden alphabet… Read more
VRC Coordinators sharing information
An incredible year in respect of BLENNZ’s response to Covid 19. As VRC Coordinators the ‘contactability, connectedness, and caring’ aspects of our roles came to the fore this year. Also, as… Read more
Taranaki Visual Resource Centre staffing and problem solving
Tara Lisney was appointed as a full-time fixed term RTV and quickly settled into her role developing warm, professional relationships with her ākonga and whānau. In Term 3, we regretfully… Read more
Wellington Visual Resource Centre – coaching, culture and PLD
This year, main team focuses included: receiving WIT Professional Development; developing capability through coaching; and the continuance of developing a culture that enhances the engagement, productivity and growth of our people. WIT PLD – has been completed and applied in a… Read more
Visit by the National Assessment Service to Napier
The National Assessment Service went to Napier in early September 2019. This was particularly timely, as four early childhood ākonga were transitioning to school. It has been lovely to see many of the recommendations… Read more
Celebrations with exam results
There have been lots of celebrations at BLENNZ Hamilton. Sue Cooke, Lisa Halsall, Debbie Barker and Alannah Orr have successfully passed the braille transcribers exam with distinctions or high distinctions…. Read more
Northland Visual Resource Centre relocation
After being located in the old dental clinic at Manaia View School for the past nine years, BLENNZ Northland Visual Resource Centre moved into our very own purpose built Sensory Resource Centre located… Read more
Being prepared for change
Our work load changed in the year of Covid -19 and our delivery evolved. Remote learning provision became a priority. Making connections via Zoom and messaging become the order of the day. Appropriate devices and parental help… Read more
Transition to post school-life
Transition from secondary school to post-school life has been a focus for some of our ākonga in Otago this year. As part of our transition programme for a learner with additional needs we worked with the secondary school… Read more