Working
Together
to support neurodivergent learners
Supporting neurodivergent learners isn’t just about one great teacher. It takes a whole system—teachers, school leaders, whānau, specialists, support staff—to ensure each learner gets the right support, at the right time.
With Budget 2025, the Government is investing $747m in Learning Support and $298 million into strengthening Curriculum and Assessment supports. That’s a big step.
But for many educators—teachers, LSCs, SENCOs, RTLBs, Teacher Aides, and school leaders—it’s still unclear what this means on the ground, or how to tap into it.
That’s where our FREE third Annual Building a Neuroinclusive School Symposium comes in.
You’ll get:
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Straight-up, practical ideas from experienced educators who’ve learned how to navigate the system and get results.
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First-hand insights from system leaders on what new supports are coming—and how you can shape how they’re rolled out
What you'll hear
Drop in for a single session or stay for the day!
9:00 - 9:05
Welcome & Overview
Justine Munro, CEO and Madelaine Armstrong Willocks, Head of Programmes, Neurodiversity in Education Project
Begin with the big picture of how support for neurodivergent learners currently works, and the key areas we are going to dig into today as we work together to ensure every learner gets the right support at the right time.
9:05 - 9:30
Towards A Neuroinclusive Education System
Speaker TBC
Neuroinclusion doesn’t sit with one person or role—it’s a whole-system effort, from classroom to central government. In this session, a Ministry representative will share the Government’s aspirations for neuroinclusive education and how Budget 2025 is designed to support that vision.
9:30 - 10:00
Leading A Neuroinclusive School
Tute Mila – Principal
Arakura School
Brian Martin – Principal
Te Kauwhata School
John McBride
Hanmer Springs School
School leaders do more than set the tone—they drive the action. They decide whether neurodivergent learners are embraced as part of the school whānau, and then do the hard mahi to gather the resources and build the capabilities to make it real.
In this session, three principals leading the way on neuroinclusion share what they've learnt. We’ll also ask: how do we inspire and equip more principals to lead this way—and how can the Government’s $153m investment in quality teaching and leadership help make that happen?
10:00 - 10:30
How Can You Make the Most of a Teacher Aide in Your School and Classroom?
Kerry Blackshaw, Teacher Aide, Murrays Bay Primary School; Juanita Mills, SENCO Support,
Gulf Harbour School
Budget 2025 delivers a major boost—2 million extra Teacher Aide hours each year from 2028. But the real question is: will we use them well?
Impact won’t come from hours alone. It depends on how schools recruit, train, and support Teacher Aides—and how teachers and TAs work together in practice.
In this session, an experienced Teacher Aide and a teacher who knows how to partner effectively share what makes the relationship work. From trust and clarity to collaboration and training, what do strong TA-teacher partnerships look like—and how can they unlock better outcomes for neurodivergent students?
10:30 - 11:00
Morning Tea
11:00 - 11:30
Celebrating Neurodivergent Students
Holly Earl, Annabelle March and Charlotte Billings, Young Neurodiversity Champions
When schools recognise, celebrate and empower students as learners, leaders and change-makers, they’re clearly saying what matters—and who belongs.
In this session, three of our Young Neurodiversity Champions share what they've seen schools doing differently—and how it’s changed the game for neurodivergent students.
11:30 - 12:30
How Do We Work Together?
Panel TBC
Following Budget 2025, every primary and intermediate school in Aotearoa will have a Learning Support Co-ordinator—though secondary schools miss out. These LSCs will join existing specialist roles in and around schools, including SENCOs, RTLBs, and Ministry staff.
But here’s the challenge: many schools—and specialist staff—aren’t clear on how to work effectively together to support neurodivergent students, their teachers, and their whānau.
In this session, an experienced LSC, RTLB, SENCO, principal, and teacher share their top tips for making collaboration work.
12:30 - 1:00
Lunch
1:00 - 1:45
How and When To Seek (More) Support for Your Neurodivergent Students
Panel TBC
You’ve adapted your teaching for neurodivergent learners—now learn when and how to bring in extra help. Our expert panel will guide you through how to:
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Recognise when it’s time to ask for more support
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Know what support is available
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Partner with your student and whānau
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Plan practical next steps when support is limited or delayed
Leave with clear, concise strategies and the confidence to reach out to ensure all your learners get the help they need to thrive.
1:45 - 2:30
Your Questions
Ministry representative with Justine Munro
Budget 2025 is billed as “the largest boost to Learning Support in a generation” and the Ministry of Education is working hard to operationalise the changes that the Minister has announced. (You can see an overview of the reforms and work underway here).
What questions do you have about the planned reforms and how they will be rolled out? What do we want policy makers and political leaders to bear in mind as they do this? And how do we want to be engaged and involved?
Please send questions in advance here to help us make the most of this time together.
We will be able to take only a limited number of viewer questions on the day.
2:30 - 2:45
Wrap-Up
Madelaine Armstrong Willcocks, Head of Programmes
Join us to turn this big day of ideas and inspiration into tangible next steps for you and your team.
