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Answer to New Zealand's maths problem remains elusive.

 At primary and intermediate school, Megan was a quick learner. She flew through most subjects, scoring good marks in an advanced learning programme. But maths made her feel sick to her stomach. Now 19, she can still remember the shame in not being able to grasp a subject that seemed unfathomable.  “I would quite literally feel like I was going to throw up.” It began to affect her confidence and self-esteem. “I began to think I was dumb.”Sophie, 20, had a similar experience. De...

Welcome Marrissa - new Approved Tutor

Ngaa mihi nui e te whaanau my name is Marrissa Rawiri-Flogdell. I currently teach at Hamilton North School. My reason for supporting and joining MFAL is that I want to give back to the community. Our current education system shows that we have many gaps and students are at risk.My aim is to support not just the students, but also to empower whaanau to be there and involved in their loved ones education.Mathematics is only the beginning of the journey, as it can take aakonga into many varied jobs...

Welcome Megan

As a parent and a photographer working with young children, I'm passionate about children having strong foundations that set them up for the rest of their life. So much of a person's happiness, success and stability is rooted in childhood.  Helping children learn mathematics is about much more than just the actual skills. It helps children who are struggling to go from feeling like a failure and feeling like there is no point trying because they can't do it, to having a sense of confid...

Narelle Brooks

I have joined the team at MFAL as administrator as I am highly passionate about helping others.  Being involved with MFAL is a huge honour.  Jean's set up of this Charitable Trust allows the community to be apart of opening up, wonderful opportunities for children's learning through Mathematics.No child should miss out on learning Math. The children's success stories from MFAL makes my heart sing.  We are so privileged to be apart of their growth and development.Chi...

Michelle Flemming - Board member

As a mother of two, one of my children had high and extreme learning challenges. Despite this happening they have been able to complete and study to have an exciting career.Personally, I can understand the challenges of learning Maths and the feelings this can cause. I have worked with a diverse range of families with learning behaviours and learning difficulties. This was previous to where I am currently - owning Paper Plus with my husband in Te Awamutu and Rotorua.I plan to bring this exp...

What's so important about Maths anyway?

Mathematics helps children develop problem solving skills, logical thinking, and the ability to analyse and evaluate information. It also helps them understand relationships between different concepts, which can be applied to other areas of learning. Mathematics also encourages children to explore and discover, which helps them to become independent thinkers. As adults, these skills are essential for success in all areas of life, from managing finances to making decisions.Without a solid foundat...

Christmas shopping sorted!

We all have that someone who is difficult to buy for… imagine the gift of education!  This year we have Christmas baubles at varying prices to solve your Christmas gift problems! At Mathematics For A Lifetime Trust, we source and fund mathematical support for kids in need. On purchase 1. You will receive a digital certificate from MFAL showing the amount donated Then 2. Print or share the certificate with your lucky recipient for their Christmas present Let’s Help a Kiwi kids access li...

Fal Shah's introduction

I believe education is very important for each one of us, as it sets us up for a lifetime. My main reason for joining MFAL is their cause, where they provide essential education and the right support in the community, irrespective of their family's financial situation. I believe every child and adult has the right to education and being able to support this worthy cause and celebrate the success of children and adults is key to me. Mathematics is a fundamental part of human thought and logic, an...

Four key outcomes for our children's future using mathematical support.

Financial capabilities for funding Immediate outcomes include greater confidence and familiarity with numbers will assist in day to day financial interactions and budgeting.  Long term impact means the wider family will also gain skills and understanding that will benefit future decision making.  Transforming lives so they have potential, not fixing at the bottom of the cliff.  Employment and economic prosperity for families Improved academic performance will improve work prospect...

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 adults, we need to support them on that journey. As a Money Mindset coach & mother of a child that struggles with maths, 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...

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. ...