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Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University encourages tamariki aged seven to 14 to take part in innovative learning activities outside their school day

What is it for?

Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University aims to encourage lifelong learning and increase young people’s aspirations for higher education. We work in partnership with the University of Canterbury to deliver the programme, which is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

 

How does it work?

Participating in the programme is quite simple:

  • Children and young people join the programme through their school or rūnaka
  • Then they are issued a Children’s University Passport to Learning
  • By visiting Learning Destinations with their passport, tamariki get stamps to recognise their time spent learning.
  • Tamariki can access the Portal online where they can find out about these local destinations as well as online activities for when they can’t get out and about.
  • Once 30+ hours of learning are reached, students can attend a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements.

Schools and Rūnaka

Many schools report improved attendance and engagement with classroom learning as a result of participation with Children’s University. If you wish to find out more about your school joining the programme, please contact georgia.huxtable@canterbury.ac.nz.

Schools that join the programme identify a coordinator who will be responsible for:

  •  Liaising with Children’s University to arrange enrolment and schedule events such as on-campus days and graduation.
  • Approving completed activities on the online portal and stamping the children’s passports.
  • Keeping track of children’s passport hours and providing an update each term.
  • Attending graduation.

Learning Destinations

Learning destinations are locations or organisations that offer child-safe, educational opportunities and activities. These may include:

  • Museums
  • Galleries
  • Libraries
  • Recreation Centres
  • Arts and Crafts

Our Team

Jack Swannell

Programme Manager | Kaiwhakahaere

jack.swannell@canterbury.ac.nz

Toby Johnson

Learning Coordinator| Kairuruku Ako

toby.johnson@lincoln.ac.nz

Georgia Huxtable

Puni Coordinator | Kairuruku Puni

georgia.huxtable@canterbury.ac.nz

Get in Touch

If you are part of a school or a learning destination who want to be a part of this amazing opportunity for tamariki, please contact us at jack.swannell@canterbury.ac.nz

Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University Website 

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