Catholic agency extends learning assessments into state schools

By CathNews New Zealand

June 17th, 2025

(Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)

A programme that has helped support the learning and development of pupils in Catholic primary schools has been extended to state schools, following a Rātā Foundation grant.

For the past two years, Catholic Social Services in Christchurch has been conducting learning assessment in Catholic schools in Christchurch and regional parts of Canterbury. Those assessments were supported by the Eliza White Charitable Trust.

“This work has had a profound impact on the children we’ve been able to support, on their schools and on their whānau,” said Catholic Social Services director Luis Arevalo.

Lauren McDonnell from Rawhiti School said that introducing the assessment tools at her school has been “amazing”.

“This is something that would be out of reach for many families and therefore these children would continue to struggle at school,” she said.

“With a cognitive assessment, teachers will be able to follow the recommendations for that child to ensure that they are doing what they can to meet their learning needs.”

Ms McDonnell also spoke of how the learning assessment means a child’s self-esteem need no longer suffer because “they won’t have to continue battling with their learning, wondering why this is so difficult”.

Linwood Avenue School principal Gretchen Smith said the ability to identify specific learning disorders – such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and intellectual disabilities – “will be invaluable in enabling us to tailor our teaching strategies and interventions”.

“With this knowledge, we can provide more targeted and effective support that truly meets the individual needs of each learner, based on evidence, not just a hunch,” she said.

Mr Arevalo said he was encouraged to see such collaboration between the integrated and state school systems, noting that the educational success of every child is an aspiration shared by all.

Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen said the extension of the learning assessments continues a long Catholic tradition of providing care and support to people from all backgrounds.

FULL STORY

Catholic agency extends learning assessments into state schools (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)