The dedicated team at Hagley Adult Literacy Centre (HALC) in Ōtautahi Christchurch is deeply committed to delivering excellence in adult education. Through their wide range of community education programmes, they have fostered a learner-centred environment where learners not only achieve their goals but also feel a sense of belonging to a supportive community.
HALC offers diverse adult learning programmes that empower learners to enhance their literacy, numeracy, communication, and computer skills. One exceptional programme that stands out for its innovative approach and remarkable learning outcomes is HALC's First Steps to Literacy course, specifically designed for individuals with neurodiverse learning challenges or specific learning difficulties. This course equips learners with essential life skills and promotes their independence in daily activities. Emphasising social interactions, engagement, and motivation, the course is designed to make learning enjoyable. The presence of a tutor assistant, volunteers, and sometimes even support dogs ensures that learners' individual needs are met through a wide range of activities.
The learning environment at HALC is nurturing and values-driven. Practical skills such as cooking, storytelling, interactive activities, critical thinking, music, and field trips are integrated into the curriculum. Laughter fills the classrooms as learners collaborate, build relationships, and foster a sense of community.
The entire staff at HALC is dedicated to responsive and inclusive learning, where learners' needs are at the forefront. They create an environment where relationships flourish and a strong sense of community is cultivated, embodying the Teaching Standard Values of Manaakitanga (hospitality), Whanaungatanga (kinship), and Rangatiratanga (leadership). Guided by the ACE Teaching Standards of Commitment, Knowledge, and Practice, HALC staff continually evaluate their teaching practices. They actively seek feedback from learners and caregivers, utilise learner surveys, and engage in self-reflection to constantly improve their courses and instructional methods.
The HALC staff actively pursue professional development opportunities as a team, participating in training sessions on cultural capability, well-being, and the ACE Teaching Standards. Their commitment to understanding neurodiverse learners is evident through their completion of the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark (DFQM) in 2022, becoming the first provider in Christchurch to receive this award. Their pursuit of learning and implementation of new strategies is highly commendable.
The staff at HALC are not only dedicated to their learners but also actively engaged in the broader adult education community. They attend and support various adult learning events in Ōtautahi, such as the Festival of Adult Learning and local Communities of Practice meetings. They actively participate in the ACE Ōtautahi Community of Practice, the Neurodiverse Community of Practice, and maintain strong relationships with ACE Aotearoa, Ako Aotearoa, Independent Tertiary Education of New Zealand (ITENZ), and the Community Learning Association Through Schools (CLASS).
It is evident that HALC's staff works diligently and achieves outstanding results through their meticulous programme design, implementation, and robust evaluation practices. They eagerly embrace development opportunities and, above all, ensure that learners are at the heart of everything they do.
This award recognises an adult learning programme that has achieved outstanding learning outcomes through innovative programme development, creative implementation and sound evaluation.
Click here to see the full list of 2023 ACE Annual Award recipients.