English Language Matters News

January 2009 News            Mon 2 Feb 09

On behalf of all of us at English Language Matters, I would like to wish you all the very best for this coming year. Although there are many predictions of doom and gloom, we are continuing to remain positive, and are sure that this power of positive thought will see us through the vagaries of unsettled international markets. 

Our new year has begun very well, with a full school, and confirmation from NZQA that we have been given a three year audit cycle. This is given to schools with 100% compliance in all areas, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past eight years to get us to this point. We also were informed this week that we have been given TEC funding again to enable us to help migrants with their English, so we are looking forward to working with more migrants as well.

This year, we welcome Amber Moffat, bringing her brilliant art background with her as well, and Filipinas (Fil) Rodrigues, a highly experienced IELTS teacher to the school.  With Amber’s high school background, we have extra support for our high school students, and we plan to run a six month intensive English for High School programme in the latter part of the year. Fil, with IELTS teaching experience at the British Council, the Philippines, and IDPS in Australia, has already set up an intensive three day IELTS programme, over Friday, Saturday and Sunday before each of the IELTS examination dates, so that students can have an intensive burst with online writing support during the week leading up to the IELTS examination. 

Last year, as some of you may know, we said goodbye to Robyn Collins who has now settled in Heriot and is working at Blue Mountain College.  Karina Benavides Moore, a former student from Chile who worked alongside Robyn, has taken over the important role of Administrator.  Having been a former student, Karina knows what it is like to arrive in a new place with little English, but a lot of determination to fit in.

Amber Fraser Smith, who loves teenagers as they love her, is with us till March, when she takes off for four months of exploration in South America.  We will look forward to her scrap books which are a work of art in themselves.

At the end of last year, we were sad to say farewell to Amilcar Carvalho who was very much a part of the school family.  However, we are delighted that he will be working as the IELTS Administrator while Robyn Murray is on leave, and we know that we will always be in touch. 

Aaron Blaker is now working full time, replacing Amilcar, and bringing with him years of experience, and a new baby girl!

Celebrations are an important part of our school, and along with Karina, Hu Chen, Amber, Jo, Meg, Carolyn, Fil, Ralph, Aaron, Moya, Amber, Debbie, and Han, I would like to extend an invitation to our “8 year birthday, and thank you for your support party! Friday 13^th” which will be held on the auspicious day of Friday, February 13^th, at English Language Matters from 5:30pm.  If you could RSVP us that would be great as I enjoy making the bread but need to know how much!

We look forward to working with you this year, and we will see each other soon.

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