Otago Literacy Association

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: Whole-Class Reading Instruction

Join literacy consultant and educator Louise Dempsey for an inspiring and highly practical workshop exploring explicit reading instruction within the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum.

Louise will share a clear weekly structure for teaching reading and practical strategies to help students:
✅ Build vocabulary
✅ Develop reading fluency
✅ Practise decoding and self-monitoring
✅ Strengthen comprehension
✅ Engage in rich discussions about texts

Participants will receive sample weekly plans and classroom-ready resources to take away and use immediately.

Date: Monday 7 September
Time: 4.00–8.00pm
Venue:Tahuna Normal Intermediate, Dunedin
Cost: $50 OLA members | $65 non-members | $20 ITE students

Finger foods provided

Perfect for teachers working with Years 3–8 (Phases 2 and 3).

Register now:
https://forms.gle/2GMxdUDiCGivMRo19

Places are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of New Zealand's leading literacy educators.

🇼🇸 Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa | Samoan Language Week 2026 🇼🇸

This week we celebrate the beauty, culture, and stories of Gagana Samoa. Language is more than words, it carries culture, identity, stories, values, and connections across generations.

This week, why not:
• Learn a new Samoan phrase
• Read a Samoan story aloud
• Share a bilingual text with your class
• Explore books by Samoan authors and illustrators
• Invite learners to share their own languages and stories
• Celebrate the joy of reading across cultures and communities

Helpful resources:
• Mila's Books - https://milasbooks.com/
•https://pacificlearners.co.nz/portfolio-item/learn-samoan/
• https://www.twinkl.co.nz/event/samoa-language-week-2026

You can also find Samoan and Pasifika stories in Ready to Read, Junior Journal, School Journal, and the Connected Series.

Let's celebrate the languages, stories, and cultures that enrich Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ia manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🇼🇸❤️

Ōtepoti Literacy Challenge - we still have some year 3 & 4 team spaces left... six to be exact.

The novel for Year 3 and 4 is The (Not So) Superheroes (the Terrible Trio #1) by Swapna Haddow. A hilarious graphic novel that will have your students (and you) laughing from the first page.

But wait there's more...

Come along and meet the author! Swapna is our Quiz Master for the first round (year 3 and 4) and a guest judge for others!

We are so excited to have you involved in this new literacy event. We'll have the book in the post, or dropped off at school early next week for any registrations over the next 5 days.

When: Thursday 25th June
Where: Tahuna Normal Intermediate
Cost: $30 per team - includes a copy of the novel - The (Not So) Superheroes (the Terrible Trio #1) by Swapna Haddow
Register here: https://forms.gle/1pRhgzoPYK9hCGM98 See less

Ōtepoti Literacy Challenge Full event details and timeframes will be sent to schools mid-term. Date: Thursday 25 June Time: 9.30 - 10.45 (year 3-4) 11.00 -12.15 (year 5-6) 1.15 - 2.30 (year 7-8) Venue: Tahuna Normal Intermediate Cost: $30 per team (this includes a copy of the novel) The Challenge Includes Book Challenge Teams...

Looking forward to this webinar. Brigit always has practical ideas we can take back into the classroom. The webinar is recorded, so you can sign up and view at a later time.

Have you registered for our next webinar?

What if assessment could truly empower your learners - not just measure them? Join Brigit Kerr for a practical NZLA webinar exploring culturally sustaining assessment.

Discover how to:
Strengthen reading comprehension assessment
Embed manaakitanga and wānanga in your practice
Celebrate learners’ identities, strengths, and success

This session uses the Hauora Approach to Assessment Framework alongside a School Journal text.

Thursday 21 May @ 4pm NZST
Register here: https://forms.gle/Cnow81dRwZR3jSPWA

Ōtepoti Literacy Challenge - only a few spaces left...

If you haven't signed up yet it's not to late. Gather a team of four students and come along for a fun, fast-paced event celebrating reading, writing and teamwork.
Year 3–4 (10 team entries left)
Year 5–6 (3 team entries left)
Year 7–8 ( 8 team entries left)

When: Thursday 25th June
Where: Tahuna Normal Intermediate
Cost: $30 per team - includes a copy of the novel being used in the book challenge section

Register here: https://forms.gle/1pRhgzoPYK9hCGM98

Have you registered yet?

We would love to see you at our upcoming workshop - Drama for Learning Across the Curriculum.

This session is suitable for kaiako in ECE and primary settings. Sarah and Alice will introduce you to a variety of drama conventions and approaches from short ‘drama moments’ to longer, integrated units of work. You will come away brimming with ideas and ready to add a bit of drama spice into your teaching practice!
Thursday 30th April
3.30 - 5.30
Afternoon tea provided
Register here: https://forms.gle/Hh9CKG16fGQ9Nog46

We hope the holidays are going well!

Registrations for the Ōtepoti Literacy Challenge are rolling in and we'd love to get books sent out to all schools in the first two weeks of term. If you haven't signed up yet it's not to late. Gather a team of four students and come along for a fun, fast-paced event celebrating reading, writing and teamwork.

When: Thursday 25th June
Where: Tahuna Normal Intermediate
Rounds for:
• Year 3–4
• Year 5–6
• Year 7–8

Cost: $30 per team - includes a copy of the novel being used in the book challenge section

Start selecting your teams now and get them registered by the start of term 2 as places are limited!

Register here: https://forms.gle/1pRhgzoPYK9hCGM98
Can't wait to see you soon!

Kia ora koutou,

Check out our exciting term 2 events ...

Teacher Workshop – Drama for Learning Across the Curriculum
Thursday 30th April
Register here: https://forms.gle/Hh9CKG16fGQ9Nog46
+
Ōtepoti Literacy Challenge
Thursday 25 June
Register here: https://forms.gle/1pRhgzoPYK9hCGM98

Can't wait to see you soon!

This is going to be an amazing conference! Great keynotes, speakers and themes. A powhiri at Waitangi on the Sunday and a great opportunity to explore the far North in the September holidays.

Are you ready to be inspired? Join us for the 46th NZLA Literacy Conference in the breathtaking Bay of Islands!

Our theme, "Whāriki Kōrero – Weaving the Kete of Literacy," invites you to explore innovative teaching strategies, celebrate our cultural heritage, and connect with a community of passionate educators.

Why you can’t miss this:
✅ Incredible Keynote Speakers
✅ Inspiring and passionate workshops at the stunning Copthorne Waitangi.
✅ Plus a range of options to enjoy the local area.

Come for the professional growth, stay for the experience!

For more information: https://www.nzla.org.nz/2026-literacy-conference
Email us at [email protected]

Have you registered yet? We’re starting our 2026 webinar series by leaning into one of the biggest conversations in education right now: AI.
Join us as Andrew unpacks a practical framework and classroom-ready resources designed to help educators make sense of GenAI

Date & time: Thursday 26th February, 2026 4pm (NZST zone)
Register here: https://forms.gle/DoCQUrQZAEqZ156bA