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Stacey Godsmark - welcome

Growing Up – the access to quality, affordable support in educational development was either non-existent or out of reach. The pathways that were available; though limited, appeared to be reserved for certain candidates, as the less fortunate continued to get further away from reaching any personal goals or success. Such stories resonate with others who have had similar backgrounds and experiences. I learned that a quality education is key and mathematics is an integral part of that....

Ben van Rooy | Friend of MFAL

Though often used interchangeably, equality and equity are quite different. Equality simply means everyone is treated the same exact way, regardless of need or any other individual difference. Equity, on the other hand, means everyone is provided with what they need to succeed.  In an equality model, a coach gives all her players the same size shoes. In an equity model, she gives them shoes that are their size. I believe in and support charities like Mathematics for a Lifetime as they seek ...

Fiona Watson - Approved Tutor

I am a trained and experienced primary school teacher who, since 2011, has run a tuition business for children aged 5 years to 13 years old, focussing on maths, reading and writing. Most of my sessions are one-to-one, but where I can match children's needs I sometimes take two children at a time. I find children make quick progress as their needs are being addressed and focused on. It is very rewarding to see my students' confidence grow as their understanding increases.I have joined Mathematics...

Craig Grant - Author and long time supporter

To be the best you can be, you must strive to be effective and efficient. This happens when you tread the path of continuous improvement. Tutoring is multi-dimensional and has the potential to change lives positively. It is only limited by our imagination, as there is always a better way to teach. THE ASSESSMENT Assessment begins with the student, who they are, where they are, where they need to be and the gathering of information so that all relevant factors can be considered, to decide where o...

Rae MacDonald - Friend of MFAL

 I believe that all children should be given the opportunity to build their numeracy skills so that they can shine in whatever field they choose.As a mother of a dyslexic child and a workplace numeracy tutor, I understand not only the massive struggles that a child can have growing up struggling with maths, but the lifelong mental & social impact of not being confident with telling the time, checking payslips, paying bills, budgeting & employment opportunitiesFrom the moment we are having o...

Introducing our new Board member

We would like to introduce to Joey Uden, our new Board member.  We are thrilled to have someone with such compassion and empathy for kiwi youth plus a deep belief in the importance of education. In Joey's words; "I have been lucky enough to be in a position that allows me to support young people into roles which gives them huge opportunity to grow, learn and build their own success that allows them to support their families and their communities, and the basis for that opportunity is having...

Bingo Night Feedback Survey

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Long term Board member Susan

It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child and the same could be said aboutbusinesses and organisations. No one person can do it on their own. So when Idecided to set up Mathematics for a Lifetime Trust, I knew I’d need help! Susan Brennan joined the Trust at the very beginning of the journey and has been ahuge asset. Not only has she contributed to the development of the Trust, she’shad the role of treasury the whole time. One of the reasons Susan was so keen to be involved was sh...

Mindset makes all the difference

Mindset is the way we think about things every day.  This can change so much even within a day or week. I see examples all the time with the kids we tutor who have settled into a mindset of anxiousness, fear and in some cases a loss of hope. This loss of hope not only involves the specific student but the surrounding family too. Let me tell you about a solo Dad in Kerikeri who is raising two girls alone.  His daughter is a Yr 8 this year.  His mindset is he is struggling to mainta...

Shelley Greer - Board member

“Investing in knowledge pays the best interest” it’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin and for Mathematics for a Lifetime (MFAL) Trust board member, Shelley Greer, it sums up why she wanted to get involved. Shelley, a mum, lawyer and Gallie Miles director, is a keen learner herself and believes being confident about learning is key to gaining knowledge and in turn, having access to a wide range of career options and opportunities. Choosing to get involved with MFAL was an easy “yes” for ...

Report on effectiveness of MFAL tutoring

Julia Gasston and Lynette Flowers have created a report on the effectiveness of Mathematics for a Lifetime tutoring.  You can download a copy below....

MFAL Bingo Night | Thursday 1st July

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Are you ready to step forward with me?

For every high I experience working with our tutors and students, there are lows. It breaks my heart when a child needs help but their family isn't able to financially or emotionally support them. Or when a child has struggled with learning and they've become highly stressed and anxious. The targeted tuition we provide makes a difference but that's not enough for me. Mathematics for a Lifetime Trust was setup to remove the cost barrier. Through the generosity of everyday people we can change t...

Wind Warriors and Mathematics for a Lifetime Video

In this video interview Jean McKenzie talks about the book Return of the Wind Warriors by Craig Grant and about Mathematics for a Lifetime Charitable Trust....

Ally-Jane McDonald - Illustrator

Ally-Jane McDonald is a young New Zealand Artist who grew up in small Waikato town,Matamata. She is currently a student at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technologywhere she is studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries, majoring in VisualArts. Ally-Jane is particularly interested in making art which entices andencourages the involvement of people, believing that participation createsdeeper connections with participants and richer experiences. Since starting herjourney as an artist, Ally-Jane has creat...

Donation with a bonus!

Return of the Windwarriors Chapter book ALL funds from the sale of this book goes directly to support a Kiwi kid in need.A perfect Xmas present, a chapter book aimed at established readers from upper Primary right through to adults. 'Avian, a world without humans, where birds are the highest life form. A world of fantasy and science fiction.  Elwin, an eagle, is hatched in the wild lands and has a prophecy to fulfil to overcome evil with leadership and empathy for others. Life is excit...

Craig Grant | Craig Grant Tutoring

I love passing on what I know and seeing the reaction of my students as they gain knowledge.  I believe MFAL is a way of reaching out to kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity. ...

Garry Rose | mathZwise

Garry Rose at mathZwise Manawatu "As a tutor, you find personally and professionally there is a deep level of satisfaction watching a child grow in confidence and ability because they have been able to access tutoring." Website: https://www.mathzwisemanawatu.com...

Arbana Levande

“When children help each other and numbers start to become fun, kids open up to learning Mathematics. Mathematical problems suddenly make sense and become manageable.”...

Lesley Ashman | Mathz+

Lesley Ashman at Mathz+ "So many parents tell me that our tutoring makes such a positive difference to their child’s attitude to all learning and to life. Confidence leads to success."Website: https://www.mathz.co.nz/...

Anna Barry | Wayfinder Maths

My experience has taught me that all students, no matter their mathematical ability, receive immense benefit from one-to-one (or two-to-one) mathematics tutoring. This is why I am proud to work with Mathematics for a Lifetime....

Jean McKenzie | Impact Tutoring

Jean McKenzie at Impact Tutoring "I see first-hand the dramatic difference that tuition and increased self-esteem can have. Our students are able to believe in themselves, ensuring everyone gets equal opportunities for growth."Website: https://www.impacttutoring.co...

Jeff Marshall | mathZwiseTaupo

Jeff Marshall at mathZwiseTaupo covers all aspects of maths,in all cases we follow the NZ Curriculum and prepare students for NCEA.Website: https://www.mathzwisetaupo.co...

Claire Howarth | Mindful Tutoring

Claire Howarth at Mindfull Tutoring "Giving students a boost mathematically has a dramatic impact on their future. It opens up more options for them at school and ultimately increases their career choices."Website: https://mindfulltutoring.co.nz...

Maria Heslop | Board member

I joined MFAL as children and their education are super important to me.  Coming from an investment adviser background and having a husband as a builder I realise that maths is an important foundation in any career no matter what that might be or what background you come from. Its also a basic foundation of life in anything from money and budgeting to working out how many of something you will need for a task. I love the way that MFAL gives kiwi kids the support they need to not be disadvan...