Kaiti School Can Continue Successful Program Maths Buddy, Thanks to NZCT
Kaiti School takes an important step in increasing their student engagement and achievement levels in maths. NZCT’s
recent $8,400 grant enables Kaiti School to continue with the internet-based program, Maths Buddy. An earlier trial at
the school with this software was very successful.
Kaiti School counts 360 children and is highly future-focused, providing students with innovative education. They offer
quality teaching and learning programmes that are personalised to the learner, such as Maths Buddy. Teachers log into
Maths Buddy and set tasks for their students based on current learning gaps. The students complete the tasks themselves,
and the teacher can check in and monitor student progress.
Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton, Principal of Kaiti School, says the trial period of Maths Buddy in term 2 was a great success:
“The children love the competitive element and the fact that they can see their result at the end of each task. Our
teachers think the program is valuable as an independent and group activity during maths time.”
Kaiti School is a whanau ora school. Parents are an important part of their approach. “We know that when parents are
involved and engaged in education, kids learn and achieve more,” says Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton. She says the whanau
think Maths Buddy is fantastic. “We received lots of positive feedback from the whanau who have indicated that the
program allows them to participate and help their children.”
According to Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton, the school’s results over 10 weeks have improved by 12% for the entire group.
“This has a lot to do with the introduction of Maths Buddy, the wonderful work the teachers are doing in classes and the
increase in whanau partnerships, because homework has been a significant factor as well. Thanks to NZCT’s grant, we can
continue Maths Buddy for all our students, and we are very grateful to NZCT for that.”
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