Our Work

Our Work

The principles that guide and underpin RTLB practice

The RTLB service aims to support schools to meet the needs of students to reach their potential as successful learners.

The service has a critical role in meeting cluster and national priorities in education. Our cluster has a commitment to providing a culturally appropriate service to Maori and Pasifika students and their whānau/communities within the Lower Hutt region.  We are committed to acknowledging the tangatawhenua of this region, their stories and their places.

The RTLB Role

There are core beliefs that underpin RTLB work:

01.

The most effective way to make gains for mokopuna is by taking a holistic, strengths-based approach that enhances the mana of the individual and their community by focusing on their strengths and their potential to address challenges. RTLB work in partnership with educators and whānau to find solutions that support mokopuna. They build educators’ and schools’ inclusive practice.

02.

Support can be based on what best meets the needs of the mokopuna and their whānau in the context of their local learning and community environments.

RTLB facilitate change by:

adhering to the principles of He Pikorua
working collaboratively with others to provide practical support and advice
working as a member of a team to develop, share and achieve mutually agreed goals
keeping mokopuna and their whānau at the centre of decisions, actions and practices that affect their interests, goals and well-being
using a holistic, strengths-based approach which enhances the mana of the individual and their community by focusing on their strengths and potential to address challenges
actively seeking to understand and respect the cultural beliefs of those they interact with
maintaining trusting, professional relationships within cluster schools/kura and with parents/whānau, communities and community agencies
following He Pikorua in action.

Roles & Responsibilities within our Service

Te Awa Kairangi RTLB Service: The Lead School Board of Trustees

Hutt Central School is the lead school for the RTLB service within the Te Awa Kairangi area.

Hutt Central School has a funding and service agreement with the Ministry of Education and provides the leadership, governance and management for the RTLB service in Te Awa Kairangi.

Lead School Principal

The Principal of Hutt Central School has key tasks through delegation from the BOT for:

  • Employment of cluster staff.
  • Support and management of the Cluster Manager.
  • Oversight of all funding dispersals and budgets.
  • Reporting on effectiveness of RTLB service.
Cluster Manager

The Cluster Manager ensures the delivery of a quality RTLB service to students and schools through:

  • Ensuring that all employer obligations are met.
  • Managing all personnel requirements such as performance appraisal and professional development for cluster staff (with support from Practice Leaders).
  • Monitoring of Tātaiako cultural competencies.
  • Providing for induction and attestation processes.
  • Planning to meet cluster needs, budgeting, reporting and liaising with kura.
  • Developing and supporting a strong professional workforce.
  • Maintaining collaborative and open communication with the cluster’s RTLB.
  • Liaison with Lower and Upper Valley MOE Learning Support Teams, cluster schools, Principals, iwi and local communities. 
Practice Leaders

A practice leader is responsible for leadership, guidance and support of RTLB in their professional practice, under the direction of the cluster manager. A practice leader supports the decisions of the lead school and the RTLB strategic leadership and management team (principal and cluster manager). Practice leaders work closely with their cluster manager and support them in their day-to-day management of the cluster.

Practice leaders have a role in leading and supervising quality practice, and strengthening professional relationships. They also  provide the cluster manager with regular data on service outputs and outcomes to meet Ministry reporting requirements.

RTLB (Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour)

The Te Awa Kairangi RTLB service has  RTLB situated in offices on the following school sites:

Hutt Central School
Wainuiomata Intermediate
Naenae Intermediate
Avalon Intermediate – 2 offices on site

The cluster RTLB have a full time itinerating role responsible for supporting schools to realise student learning and behaviour success. Two RTLB in the cluster are fluent in Te Reo and can provide service for Kura and immersion classes.

RTLB are responsible for providing the RTLB service in cluster schools/kura in accordance with the RTLB Professional Practice Toolkit, using He Pikorua as the practice framework. Some casework such as PB4L, Incredible Years, in collaboration with Iwi and school wide systems work may have variations within the intervention sequence.

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Ministry of Education Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) kete

This kete provides support to those involved in the RTLB service and background information for anyone that wants to know more about the work of RTLB, including a link to the RTLB Professional Practice Toolkit (2020).

You can visit the Ministry of Education Resource Teacher Learning & Behaviour Online website here.

Professionalism

Cluster 16 provide a professional and supportive environment through

Induction of new RTLB
Professional development
Study support
Peer group supervision
Appraisal process
Regular Staff Meetings
All RTLB work under the NZ Teachers Council Code of Ethics for Registered Teachers which are found here.
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Cultural Responsiveness

New Zealand communities are diverse with many different cultural, ethnic, religious groups. RTLB understand and respect the social and cultural influences on learning in the multi-cultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

They work to strengthen confidence in cultural identity and connection to parents, whanau, and school communities. RTLB work to develop positive and culturally responsive relationships with students and whanau. They use practices that adapt to learners' cultural values, knowledge and ways of learning. Cultural responsiveness places importance on cultural knowledge and understanding and the right of Maori to define, protect and promote their treasures and resources.

RTLB support the implementation of Ka Hikitia and Tataiako to promote successful outcomes for Maori students. RTLB interventions should acknowledge the family's aspirations for their child's learning through working collaboratively alongside whanau.