Due to the number of students we have in the school we have many students who require special assessment conditions for their examinations.
In order to meet this need, we regularly ask for support from the local community to supervise or read/write for these students. These volunteers support students with a variety of conditions from dyslexia to diabetes.
We hold a training session for volunteers so that they can clearly see what support is requested before deciding whether it would fit with the time/skills they have. If you are comfortable working one on one with a student for up to 3 hours we would very much appreciate your help.
If this is something you would like to be involved with please contact Tracey Dowling on tracey.dowling@rangitoto.school.nz, or phone 477 0150 ext 826 for more information.
The next training session is scheduled for Tuesday 1st August, 2023 from 10:00 – 10:45 am in the staffroom. Refreshments provided.
All volunteers are required to complete a Police Vetting Application.
I began volunteering as a reader/writer 7 years ago when my son (who has dyslexia) first started at Rangitoto College. The Learning support team were just so fantastic with him and when they put out a call for reader/writers to help in exams I felt it was one way I could give back to the department and school. I felt teachers had enough to do and this was one way I could help out.
The Learning Support department run the exams like a well-oiled machine, they make timetabling super easy; you can volunteer for as many or as few exams as you are able to do around your other commitments, they are just so grateful for any help received.
As a reader/writer, depending on the individual student’s needs I either read, write or do both for them to help them achieve exam completion to the best of their ability. I love that I can help these kids feel a little less anxious, less stressed, calmer, and more in control of their outcome.
Often the students visibly relax when I tell them I’m not a teacher – just a mum that wants to help them. I’ve learnt to be super understanding, non-judgemental and have been so impressed with the resilience, ability and intelligence of these students and have personally loved learning about so many broad subjects that certainly weren’t available in my schooling days!
I got so much joy out of doing these in school exams, I now do so for the NCEA exams at the end of the year.
Come join the fabulous team that helps these students achieve their potential!
Angela Stanger
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