Meet Donna

Donna Barlow-Rolleston

Ngāti Maniapoto

Kāore te kūmara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka.
The kūmara doesn't speak of its own sweetness, so we thought we'd let others speak for the incredible Donna.

“Donna’s beautiful wairua and gentle appraisal methods puts teachers at ease when being observed. She gives helpful, specific and measurable feedback for each staff member, giving achievable goals reflective of each teacher’s needs and abilities. We are so grateful for the growth staff and tamariki have experienced working alongside Donna. Her encouragement, professionalism, hauora focus, fun and empathy make her an exceptional PLD facilitator.”

“Donna’s level of Te Reo Māori is a rare asset and her ability to engage and empower staff to have the confidence to embed Te Reo Māori within their mahi is inspirational.”

“Donna is a highlight each Friday as she moves around our school working with each teacher and class. The students love her high-energy Te Reo lessons. The teachers work with Donna to gain confidence and capability in Te Reo teaching. Donna provides detailed planning with ongoing feedback for the teachers as they continue the Te Reo during the week in their classes.”

Areas of Expertise

  • Ākonga Māori, Māori Success, Māori Communities

  • Bilingualism, Dual Medium Contexts, Second Languages.

  • Oral Language development

  • Setting up Reo Pākeha programme in Kura Kaupapa Māori/ Kura-a-Iwi/ experience with structured literacy

  • Tikanga and Te Reo Māori

  • Reading, Writing, Literacy

Donna provides the following

PLD packages for schools

Empowerment model for Te Reo Māori :

Modelling 1 week, teachers model the next, concluding with a communicative task plus cultural competency staff meeting on Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ Tikanga/ Reo Māori 101.

Cultural Competency workshops:

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tikanga Māori, Reo Māori - basics for Kaiako.

2-hour workshops.

Setting up a successful Reo Pākehā programme in Kura Kaupapa settings as well as advocating for structured literacy for those with neurodiversity

Similar empowerment model as above or team-teaching approach, as per Kaiako needs.

  • Assist with planning and long term plans

  • Aligning Reo Māori and Reo Pākehā programmes with complementary foci

  • Modelling engaging activities that link to final written tasks

  • Assessment, evaluation, record keeping

Intro to Mindfulness in the Classroom

Practical tips and activities for making mindfulness a part of daily life in the classroom enhancing wellbeing of students and Kaiako - kura kaupapa and mainstream settings.

*1 x 2 hour workshop