Growing confident voices at Victory Kindergarten
Three mornings a week, the sound of laughter and lively kōrero fills a small room at Victory Kindergarten — thanks to the wonderful volunteer work of Clare Holmes.
Clare, a retired physiotherapist, carries out 1:1 sessions with several tamariki, improving their oracy via supported opportunities to listen, engage, talk and engage in conversations. She first signed up as a volunteer with Oracy Aotearoa back in 2024 as part of the HPP pilot project we ran across two early childhood centres. Even after the project wrapped up, she loved it so much she kept going.
Seeing tamariki grow not only their speech but their confidence too has been hugely rewarding, she says. “It’s just giving them that little bit of a leg‑up, and it really does make a difference. Each child is special in their own way, and as a grandmother myself, I’m loving being given this opportunity to grow the next generation.”
Clare with four-year old Henry enjoying a fun session
Clare uses the techniques she learned through OANZ training — early reader storybooks to spark kōrero, the “retell hand” to help children describe the beginning, middle, and end of a story, clapping to syllables, and gentle, open questioning to encourage engagement.
Up to five children take part in 1:1 sessions with Clare each week, each receiving around 30 sessions over time. She first got involved after spotting an advert in the newspaper while looking for something community‑based to give her time to. “It’s a real privilege to do this,” she says. “Children aren’t being given enough opportunities to verbalise these days, so this is one way of increasing their use of words in a safe and non‑threatening space.”
Victory Kindergarten teacher Bex Krammer, who has taught there for 17 years, says the team was thrilled to be part of the initial pilot, and the opportunities it has given them. “Our kindergarten is known for its diversity and inclusivity, and we were absolutely supportive of participating because we want to take up any opportunity that’s going to help our tamariki.”
Victory Kindergarten teacher Bex Krammer
The benefits of the oracy work have been clear. “We’ve noticed that the 1:1 sessions help not just with speech skills but with confidence too,” Bex explains. “And it’s not just the children who attend Clare’s sessions who benefit — we’ve all learned from watching her approach and have taken those techniques into the wider kindergarten. The cards and games we received have been great for supporting tamariki who have English as a second language.”
Clare’s quiet dedication shows how one person’s time and care can ripple through an entire learning community. Her mahi embodies what Oracy Aotearoa stands for — helping tamariki find their voice, tell their stories, build their confidence and connect through kōrero.