Piki Ake
Young learners having fun boosting their literacy skills !
Te Kaupapa
The Idea
The idea for this project came from Lauano's work as Head of Supported Learning, Head of ESOL and SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) in two secondary schools with predominantly Māori and Pasifika students.
Lauano was disheartened to discover a majority of Year 9 and 10 students in these schools were achieving ‘Below’ or ‘Well Below’ the national curriculum levels in reading, writing and numeracy.
Meanwhile, students continued to move up through year levels resulting in years of non-achievement as the work became more difficult. This in turn has contributed to the ongoing educational underachievement of many Māori and Pasifika young people in Aotearoa particularly at secondary school level.
Piki Ake helps address this problem.
“When we compare it to 20 weeks of attention the children get in schools, it is phenomenally different and is making a phenomenal difference for us.”
“Dad is praising us a lot more!
Piki Ake - Ingoa
The name ‘Piki Ake’ was gifted by Toi Katipa, a kaumātua of the mana whenua of the Ōtara area - Ngāti Tamaoho.
Toi says the name represents concepts of “development, sights set high, striving on and upwards.”
“Thank you for your dedication in teaching my grandson. Before he was scared just to write sentences, but now he would like to write an essay. This is a HUGE hurdle he has jumped. Praise the Lord!”
Te Hōtaka
The Programme
Lauano uses a combination of inclusive, evidence-based, research-based and culturally responsive tools and programmes to cater for the literacy needs of each student. Each literacy programme is individualised to meet the educational, wellbeing and cultural needs of each student during the programme.
Students in Years 6 -10 in need of literacy support work with Lauano using evidence-based e-learning programmes for twenty weeks.
The Piki Ake programme is delivered in a local public venue or online whichever is most convenient for whānau.
The aim is to improve their literacy levels so they are ready for the demands of NCEA.
The Piki Ake Programme operates for two terms every year.
If you know of any Year 6 - 10 youth or families that would benefit from free literacy tuition please contact us by completing form on "Contact Us" tab or call David 022 689 2234 to complete enrolment as spots are limited.
2022
Piki Ake
The Piki Ake Literacy Tutoring Programme run in 2022 showed sound results over a 18–19-week period of increased attendance, retention, engagement and attainment for all.
March 2024
Piki Ake
With The Messengers of the Gospel 4 Square Tongan Church of NZ
Oceania Literacy Trust offered free literacy tutoring to children and youth in Years 5 to 10 from The Messengers of the Gospel 4 Square Tongan Church of New Zealand, located in Otahuhu.
The program was led by Coordinator Lauano Deborah Riley, who collaborated closely with Pastor Mele Finauvala during Terms 2 and 3. Students from Years 5 to 10 participated in the tutoring sessions. Those who attended the Piki Ake program consistently and completed the course demonstrated remarkable progress in both literacy skills and confidence, with many achieving high literacy levels.
May 2024
Piki Ake
Magele i Sisifo EFKS Samoa Christian Church
The Oceania Literacy Trust provided free literacy tutoring for children and youth in Years 5 to 10 from the Magele i Sisifo EFKS Samoa Congregational Church.
Lead Coordinator Lauano Deborah Riley partnered with Reverend Martin and Faletua Toreka Mariota to deliver the programme.
Students ranged from Years 7 to 10, and those who attended the Piki Ake programme consistently and completed it showed significant improvement in their literacy skills and increased confidence in achieving academic success.
"We had to tell our teachers why we were doing so good now because they thought it was their teaching!"
"Thank you for all you have done for us, helping us through the challenge of learning new things so we can do better at school."