REANZ April 2025 Newsletter

Tēnā koutou katoa

Winter is just around the Corner…

It is wonderful to see the arrival of the changing seasons. We are fortunate in Aotearoa to have four distinctive seasons, sometimes all in one day! They offer so many opportunities for tamariki and Kaiako to explore and learn about the world around them. Delightful projects and inquiries unfold with the only limits being our imaginations and creativity. Seeing the world as if for the first time, through new eyes and new experiences, is a joy.

Reggio Emilia Italy Study Group - April 2025

Participants in the REANZ April study group have recently returned from Reggio Emilia. The group was led by Dr Rachel Denee, a REANZ Trustee and she was ably supported by our Patron Dr Anne Meade. Rachel has been sharing the experience with us on our REANZ Facebook page and Instagram. Check out the posts to get an appreciation of what experiences are on offer during this week.

We have heard from teachers who are planning to join the April 2026 group so now is a good time to start plotting and planning. Dates will be released later in the year so keep an eye on the REANZ website.

Melbourne Study Group 2025

Tuesday 2nd - Saturday 6th September

Talking about study groups, perhaps the September Melbourne Study Group is a possibility for you? This event has been taking place for over 25 years and it has provided teachers from early years primary, and early childhood centres, to be inspired and re-energised. We are delighted with the response we have had and spaces are now limited.

Professional Development Opportunities coming up …

Professional Development has often been thought of as being where teachers keep abreast of curriculum changes, and new ideas. What is most evident is the way really engaging PD opportunities, reignite teachers’ passion. We believe that the learning that REANZ provides, does exactly that. It keeps us all motivated to be the very best teachers we possibly can be. 

We look forward to you joining us over the next few months.

Have you visited Reggio Children’s website lately?

If you, or the centre you teach at, states that your philosophy is ‘Reggio inspired’, you will be keen to engage with the principles of this project. What better place to go, but to the heart of it all. The Reggio Children website has a wealth of online resources. Some of which are free. Yes FREE!

https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/

‘Tino Rangatiratanga - Reflections between Reggio Emilia and Te Ao Maori’

This series of workshops will be presented for kaiako in early learning centres and primary schools in various locations throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, including Auckland, Wellington, Alexandra, KeriKeri and Christchurch. 

Brenda Soutar and Leanne Clayton will explore 'Tino Rangtiratanga' as it connects to the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia and the relationship to the early years. It will support teachers’ growing understanding of how listening is a key component of both the educational project of Reggio Emilia and Te Ao Maori; listening between the children, adults and the environment around them. This mutually cooperative attitude is ongoing and stimulates dialogue and dynamic learning.

The presenters will share authentic examples from their own teaching practice, that encompasses Te Whāriki and Tiriti-based contexts.

Brenda Soutar. REANZ kaiarahi: Ngāti Porou Ngāti Awa Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki: Before taking up her current role with Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, Brenda was principal of Mana Tamariki in Palmerston North.  With over 30 years’ experience in education across kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori and whare wānanga, Brenda has maintained an active involvement in Māori language revitalisation and regeneration.  She brings firsthand experience of what Māori learners need in order to access and enjoy educational opportunities that are relevant to them and their whānau.

Webinar Series: Introduction to the Reggio Emilia Approach.

We have been delighted with the registrations for this webinar series. Participants have enjoyed the first two presentations and there are two more to follow. Each evening presentation focuses on some of the Principles of Reggio Emilia through stories from Aotearoa. Due to its popularity, plans are underway to repeat the stories in the second half of the year. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.

Embracing Leadership Contradictions

These 5 evenings of online workshops are aimed at the reluctant leader, the aspiring leader, the overworked leader and those wanting to better weave the Reggio Emilia approach into the HOW and DO of their organisation and leadership practices.

This 5-session series is designed for the reluctant leader, the aspiring leader, the overworked leader, and those wanting to better ‘weave’ the Reggio Emilia Approach® into the HOW and the DO of their organisation and leadership practices

REANZ 2025 Online Learning Community Continues

Please email reanztrust@gmail.com to register for the REANZ online learning community.

Thursday 3 July, 7-8pm

Thursday 4 September, 7-8pm

Calling all Aotearoa New Zealand Primary Teachers!

Lindi Newth (Bromley Primary) and Logan Burson (Hauraki Primary), are REANZ Trustees and lead the Primary focus of REANZ’s work in schools. REANZ are picking up the call from teachers to come together for conversation and support. If you would like to be involved in this initiative, please email Lindi or Logan. Teachers working in the Secondary sector are also welcome to join.

A zoom meeting will be organised to get the ball rolling!

Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange - REAIE

We are pleased to continue our close relationship with REAIE and encourage you to visit their website. To read more about Australian professional development opportunities click HERE

In Depth Study Group to Reggio Emilia, Italy.

“The Culture of the Atelier and the Hundred Languages of Children”

Dates: Sunday 26 – Friday 31 October, 2025

This professional opportunity offered by REAIE is designed for educators who previously attended Study Groups in Reggio Emilia and want to return to take their learning further. 

This tour IS NOT SUITED to people just beginning to explore the principles of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.
Expression of Interest: Please provide your details by clicking HERE

REAIE will be in touch with you directly with further information regarding registration and final costs.

REAIE Bi-annual Conference - Landscapes of Collaboration

Click HERE for more details.

Contact Lorraine Manuela if you are interested.

A Call To Action - Proposed changes to the Early Childhood Regulations 

Wendy Lee, a strong activist and advocate over many decades, for improving quality for children in early childhood education centres, is calling on all teachers to stand up and be counted and to make their voices heard.

Wendy's words below are a call to action. Just as we think things can't get any worse, we read of changes that are being considered by Government that will remove the place of Aotearoa New Zealand as a world leader in early childhood education.

Carlini Rinaldi has long talked about the pedagogical approach from Reggio Emilia as having its roots in the politics of education. It is an approach that involves a democratic dialogue with the families, children and teachers. This spurs us all on to be actively involved in the decision making process of politics.

Now is the time to keep writing to the Prime Minister and to Cabinet. Short clear messages will be so important.

Here are some email addresses to help:

Prime Minister – Rt Hon Christopher Luxon C.Luxon@ministers.govt.nz

Cabinet email addresses:

E.Stanford@ministers.govt.nz

E.Stanford@ministers.govt.nz

N.Willis@ministers.govt.nz

S.Reti@ministers.govt.nz

T.Potaka@ministers.govt.nz

M.Doocey@ministers.govt.nz

P.Simmonds@ministers.govt.nz

S.Simpson@ministers.govt.nz

M.Mitchell@ministers.govt.nz

Wendy Lee urges us to rise to this urgent moment. To find every way you can to encourage those in your early childhood community, teachers, leaders, whānau, and supporters, to take action now. Every voice counts. Every email to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and MPs helps turn the tide. It doesn’t have to be long, just strong, clear, and heartfelt. These are our tamariki, our futures, our rights. Parents and whānau must be part of this too, because their children absolutely matter.

This is not the time for silence. This is an URGENT CALL FOR ACTION. Let’s stand together, loud and united.

The REANZ library has a number of fabulous books for you to borrow: Check the books available and the instructions about how to order them, from the website; www.reanz.org

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui

The REANZ Trustees

Chairperson - Helen Aitken Secretary - Chris Bayes Treasurer - Karen Liley

Kaiarahi - Brenda Soutar Patron - Dr Anne Meade

Reggio Children International Network Representative - Lorraine Manuela

Trustees; Diti Hill, Rachel Denee, Kerri Fallon, Adrienne Thomson, Logan Burson, Chrissy Lepper, Lindi Newth, Kylie Morgan.