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Knighton Normal School: Is this the most diverse school in New Zealand?

In a classroom filled with boisterous new entrants, six-year-old Emmanuel is silent. He clenches his fist around a handful of dominoes. His sister, Hannah, eight, reaches over and gently prises one tile from his hand. She places it next to another with corresponding numbers in the middle of the table and tells him, "Like this. You see, they match." He nods.It is 4pm on a Thursday. Most pupils at Knighton Normal School in Hamilton have already collected their bags and hats and headed home. But Em...

Welcome to the Board Graeme

I'm delighted to share that I've joined the MFAL Trust. Since first learning about the Trust, I've been inspired by its vision and the lasting impact it has on children's lives. It's a privilege to now be part of this significant mission. My professional journey spans over three decades of owning and managing a manufacturing business in Hamilton with my wife. Recently, we moved to Te Awamutu, and I've transitioned into a Business Advisory role. On the personal front, we live on a small rural blo...

Demitriess nails it!

Demitriess has expressed excitement for each session andexcitement in embracing new challenges. Last term, my concern wasthat he lost a lot of confidence over mistakes and found it difficult tolearn through teacher modelling rather than figuring it out alone.This term, he has taken mistakes in his stride a lot more and takenthe time to understand them so he can fix them. He nowunderstands that not knowing how to do something straight away isto be expected and that there is nothing wrong with bei...

Cicada bravely speaks

Hi my name is Cicada, I have been going to maths for three years. It is now my favorite subject at school.Thank you Jean and my teacher Margaret.Also thank you to my sponsors Mr and Mrs Selkirk, I really appreciate your support.Thank you everyone for coming and enjoy the movie....

Waipa Networks partnership

Waipā Networks sponsored The Mountain Movie Fundraiser held at The Regent Theatre Te Awamutu this month. The event was organized to support the Mathematics For A Lifetime (MFAL) Charitable Trust, a non-profit organisation that aims to advance skills and knowledge of mathematics for Kiwis, breaking down barriers.Waipā Networks CEO Sean Horgan and MFAL’s chair and founder, Jean McKenzie, shared inspiring words at the event, highlighting the importance of access to education and how it can tran...

Xavier speaks up

Good evening my name is Xavier Shields.In Year 8 I was given the opportunity to receive a scholarship for maths tuition with Maths for a Lifetime.I wasn't to know that this would be life-changing for me.Up until this time maths was confusing and difficult, and I struggled to understand it.But with guidance from my parents I went to Tutoring and found that with help I was understanding what I was learning.Maths wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.This has a huge impact on my other subjects an...

Answer to New Zealand's maths problem remains elusive.

 At primary and intermediate school, Megan was a quick learner. She flew through most subjects, scoring good marks in an advanced learning programme. But maths made her feel sick to her stomach. Now 19, she can still remember the shame in not being able to grasp a subject that seemed unfathomable.  “I would quite literally feel like I was going to throw up.” It began to affect her confidence and self-esteem. “I began to think I was dumb.”Sophie, 20, had a similar experience. De...

Welcome Marrissa - new Approved Tutor

Ngaa mihi nui e te whaanau my name is Marrissa Rawiri-Flogdell. I currently teach at Hamilton North School. My reason for supporting and joining MFAL is that I want to give back to the community. Our current education system shows that we have many gaps and students are at risk.My aim is to support not just the students, but also to empower whaanau to be there and involved in their loved ones education.Mathematics is only the beginning of the journey, as it can take aakonga into many varied jobs...

Welcome Megan

As a parent and a photographer working with young children, I'm passionate about children having strong foundations that set them up for the rest of their life. So much of a person's happiness, success and stability is rooted in childhood.  Helping children learn mathematics is about much more than just the actual skills. It helps children who are struggling to go from feeling like a failure and feeling like there is no point trying because they can't do it, to having a sense of confid...

Narelle Brooks

I have joined the team at MFAL as administrator as I am highly passionate about helping others.  Being involved with MFAL is a huge honour.  Jean's set up of this Charitable Trust allows the community to be apart of opening up, wonderful opportunities for children's learning through Mathematics.No child should miss out on learning Math. The children's success stories from MFAL makes my heart sing.  We are so privileged to be apart of their growth and development.Chi...

Michelle Flemming - Board member

As a mother of two, one of my children had high and extreme learning challenges. Despite this happening they have been able to complete and study to have an exciting career.Personally, I can understand the challenges of learning Maths and the feelings this can cause. I have worked with a diverse range of families with learning behaviours and learning difficulties. This was previous to where I am currently - owning Paper Plus with my husband in Te Awamutu and Rotorua.I plan to bring this exp...

What's so important about Maths anyway?

Mathematics helps children develop problem solving skills, logical thinking, and the ability to analyse and evaluate information. It also helps them understand relationships between different concepts, which can be applied to other areas of learning. Mathematics also encourages children to explore and discover, which helps them to become independent thinkers. As adults, these skills are essential for success in all areas of life, from managing finances to making decisions.Without a solid foundat...

Christmas shopping sorted!

We all have that someone who is difficult to buy for… imagine the gift of education!  This year we have Christmas baubles at varying prices to solve your Christmas gift problems! At Mathematics For A Lifetime Trust, we source and fund mathematical support for kids in need. On purchase 1. You will receive a digital certificate from MFAL showing the amount donated Then 2. Print or share the certificate with your lucky recipient for their Christmas present Let’s Help a Kiwi kids access li...

Fal Shah's introduction

I believe education is very important for each one of us, as it sets us up for a lifetime. My main reason for joining MFAL is their cause, where they provide essential education and the right support in the community, irrespective of their family's financial situation. I believe every child and adult has the right to education and being able to support this worthy cause and celebrate the success of children and adults is key to me. Mathematics is a fundamental part of human thought and logic, an...

Four key outcomes for our children's future using mathematical support.

Financial capabilities for funding Immediate outcomes include greater confidence and familiarity with numbers will assist in day to day financial interactions and budgeting.  Long term impact means the wider family will also gain skills and understanding that will benefit future decision making.  Transforming lives so they have potential, not fixing at the bottom of the cliff.  Employment and economic prosperity for families Improved academic performance will improve work prospect...

Stacey Godsmark - welcome

Growing Up – the access to quality, affordable support in educational development was either non-existent or out of reach. The pathways that were available; though limited, appeared to be reserved for certain candidates, as the less fortunate continued to get further away from reaching any personal goals or success. Such stories resonate with others who have had similar backgrounds and experiences. I learned that a quality education is key and mathematics is an integral part of that....

Ben van Rooy | Friend of MFAL

Though often used interchangeably, equality and equity are quite different. Equality simply means everyone is treated the same exact way, regardless of need or any other individual difference. Equity, on the other hand, means everyone is provided with what they need to succeed.  In an equality model, a coach gives all her players the same size shoes. In an equity model, she gives them shoes that are their size. I believe in and support charities like Mathematics for a Lifetime as they seek ...

Fiona Watson - Approved Tutor

I am a trained and experienced primary school teacher who, since 2011, has run a tuition business for children aged 5 years to 13 years old, focussing on maths, reading and writing. Most of my sessions are one-to-one, but where I can match children's needs I sometimes take two children at a time. I find children make quick progress as their needs are being addressed and focused on. It is very rewarding to see my students' confidence grow as their understanding increases.I have joined Mathematics...

Craig Grant - Author and long time supporter

To be the best you can be, you must strive to be effective and efficient. This happens when you tread the path of continuous improvement. Tutoring is multi-dimensional and has the potential to change lives positively. It is only limited by our imagination, as there is always a better way to teach. THE ASSESSMENT Assessment begins with the student, who they are, where they are, where they need to be and the gathering of information so that all relevant factors can be considered, to decide where o...

Rae MacDonald - Friend of MFAL

 I believe that all children should be given the opportunity to build their numeracy skills so that they can shine in whatever field they choose. As adults, we need to support them on that journey. As a Money Mindset coach & mother of a child that struggles with maths, I understand not only the massive struggles that a child can have growing up struggling with maths, but the lifelong mental & social impact of not being confident with telling the time, checking payslips, paying...

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Long term Board member Susan

It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child and the same could be said aboutbusinesses and organisations. No one person can do it on their own. So when Idecided to set up Mathematics for a Lifetime Trust, I knew I’d need help! Susan Brennan joined the Trust at the very beginning of the journey and has been ahuge asset. Not only has she contributed to the development of the Trust, she’shad the role of treasury the whole time. One of the reasons Susan was so keen to be involved was sh...

Mindset makes all the difference

Mindset is the way we think about things every day.  This can change so much even within a day or week. I see examples all the time with the kids we tutor who have settled into a mindset of anxiousness, fear and in some cases a loss of hope. This loss of hope not only involves the specific student but the surrounding family too. Let me tell you about a solo Dad in Kerikeri who is raising two girls alone.  His daughter is a Yr 8 this year.  His mindset is he is struggling to mainta...

Shelley Greer - Board member

“Investing in knowledge pays the best interest” it’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin and for Mathematics for a Lifetime (MFAL) Trust board member, Shelley Greer, it sums up why she wanted to get involved. Shelley, a mum, lawyer and Gallie Miles director, is a keen learner herself and believes being confident about learning is key to gaining knowledge and in turn, having access to a wide range of career options and opportunities. Choosing to get involved with MFAL was an easy “yes” for ...

Report on effectiveness of MFAL tutoring

Julia Gasston and Lynette Flowers have created a report on the effectiveness of Mathematics for a Lifetime tutoring.  You can download a copy below....