Achieve 2B Magazine

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Contents

Cover………………………………………………………………………………..1
By Yuan
Contents……………………………………………………………………………2
From the Founder / Programme Directors Desk ……………3
By Julia
Taylor’s Experience…………………………………………………………5
By Taylor
The Board…………………………………………………………………………6
By Julia

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From the Founder/Programme Directors Desk

Kia Ora, Malo e Lelei, G’day and Hello,

It is surreal to see how over a matter of weeks and days, our lives and way
of life has been turned upside down through the health scare – COVID
19. A worldwide pandemic that has called for unification at all levels of our
globe and communities. This reinforces yet again the need and importance
for global networking and intercultural collaboration. Perhaps it is the earth
telling us it needs a rest from all the pollution we constantly fill it with. At
a more local level, as you self isolate within your ‘bubble’ I sincerely hope
you use it as an opportunity to reconnect with those you love and
yourselves.

Unlike anything else, COVID 19 has significantly impacted on Achieve
2B. In March we were set for a high flying month. Jayde from Australia
had arrived and had completed a week of her exchange. Then came that
fateful Saturday night, on the 6.00pm News when our Prime Minister
announced our Borders were shutting. It was over! Poor Paula from Tonga
was literally pulled off the plane as he was about to Board. Jayde was
returned to Australia the next day to find herself quarantined for a week.
It was the end of our whakatau, the International Student trip to Waitangi,
the Staying Connected Retreat and the Graduation. Heart breaking for us
all. I am proud of our Board acting swiftly to ensure the safety and well
being of our students. The students are home now. - where they need to
be. The Board and their families are hopeful that we maybe able to resume
their programmes in October. Furthermore the whole of Achieve 2B is on
hold for 2020. This means there will be no recruitment of students or host
families for 2020/21.

Many of you who may have been following us last year, will be aware of the
shrinking world of High School Exchange programs. Gone are the days of
traditional exchanges where loads of young students went away overseas
for anything varying from 3 months to a year. To excitedly have an

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experience of life in some exotic land. Gone are the days when Mum and
Dad opened their homes to these young people. We live in a generation
with different social, economic and technological barriers, this has changed
the face and value of intercultural learning. Other exchange providers have
drastically shrunk over a number of years. The model is broken. It does
not work.

As a result, the Board has decided we are going to be bold, be innovative
and take a chance. We have decided to totally scrap the traditional model
in favour of a model that will hopefully resonate with our technological age,
eliminate the need for host families and address the barriers that we have
found since beginning Achieve 2B.

Our new model looks to include:

- Virtual exchanges
- Weekend retreats. Balancing self development with intercultural
learning within the Aotearoa context

- Group exchanges of up to 4 students over the summer or during
school term.

Over the next few months the Board, myself and some volunteers will be
developing the new program.

With the shut down, it is unlikely that we will bring you a full magazine in
the winter and spring. However I will provide you with a brief
communication over the winter and spring so you remain informed of our
new developments. In summer we look forward to bringing you a full
magazine. Hopefully celebrating the completion of our Tongan and
Australian student exchanges, our graduation and excitedly introducing our
new programmes.

At this difficult time, I cannot help but continue those famous words of
wisdom at this critical time. Stay home, stay in you bubble, stay well and
safe and save lives

Best wishes,

Julia Hartshorne

Founder / Programme Director

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Exerts from Taylor’s Exchange!

One of the things I wanted to do was to ride Puffing Billy. Thanks to
my host family, I was given the opportunity to do this. Riding Puffing Billy
was the highlight of my exchange. The reason being is that I am keenly
interested in trains.

My host family were Alida and Shane. They had 5 grown children, one of whom
lived with us. We lived in a suburb in Melbourne in a very nice house. Shane, Alida
and their family were welcoming to me and I felt a part of the family.

I went Fairhill High School. I was in Year 11. I enjoyed a small group of friends
and was fortunate enough to go on a school trip to the Zoo with them. In a school
assembly I also did speech on Achieve 2B and told them a little bit about myself.
Although I was nervous, I think I did a really good job.

I volunteered for Interchange Outer East. One of the coolest things I did as a
volunteer was that I supported a group of adults with disabilities to have an exciting
outing at a Zoo on the other side of the city. Everyone had a really enjoyable day.

From this experience I feel that I have grown in maturity. Therefore, I have
become more independent and have developed more self-confidence.

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The Board!

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to our new Board. Already, in
their short time, they have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. From
effectively managing an explosive pandemic attack to reading decisively between
the lines on Achieve 2B’s strategic direction………………………….What next?

Pauline Bennett – Chairperson. I have experience as
the President of branches of National Council of
Women (NCW), Convenor of the International Relations
and Peace and Justice and Law Standing Committees
of NCW and President of branches of Business and
Professional Women NZ. I have 29 years teaching
experience including 13 years in the special education
sector. I have 15 years experience in the health
disability sector. My volunteer work has focused on supporting and developing
social respect and equality.
I have training in William Glasser Reality Therapy and mediation. I have a passion
for inclusion and the development of a society that highly values the individual
and continually supports the enhancement of full potential. I look forward to
supporting Achieve2B’s aspirations.

Brent Hartshorne – Deputy Chairperson. Brent holds a
Bachelor of Health Science with a double major in
Psychology and applied Mental Health. Brent has 20
years of experience as a Community Support Worker
between Auckland and Whangarei, Brent also has
experience as a Committee Member with a Mental Health
Support Service and was on the Mental Health Advisory
Committee at Unitec. Currently, Brent is a Disability
Support Coordinator (Equity Navigator) at Northtec. Brent is married to Julia.
Outside of work, he enjoys time with family and friends, Christian prayer and
meditation, is a dog enthusiast and loves to garden.

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Sam Mc Garry – Trustee. Sam is a student at Massey
university studying a Bachelor of science majoring in
genetics. Sam has been on a student exchange program

to Japan on scholarship in 2014 after being turned
down initially because of having mild cerebral palsy.
Sam has been involved in Achieve 2b since 2015, going
with Julia to some of the schools in Auckland to
introduce Achieve 2b to the students. Sam is passionate
about all students getting a fair and equal education.

Frazer Mataitonga – Trustee. Frazer has a
background in the British military and NZ Police.
Frazer founded The Akanesi Mataitonga Trust in
2014 in memory of his late mother, which exists to
improve the lives of children and young people,
primarily in developing countries. Frazer’s Trust has
been instrumental in delivering positive outcomes
through providing assistance to schools, community
groups and individuals across Tonga and the South Pacific. In 2018 Frazer walked
the perimeter of the main islands in Tonga to raise funds to help the OTA
Disability Centre in Tonga. Frazer now resides in Auckland with his wife and two
young boys. He currently works at ATC Military Prep School and enjoys working
with young people to improve their prospects, reconnect with their roots, and to
improve their confidence and life skills. Frazer is also involved with Pilgrim
Bandits NZ, a charity which helps and inspires injured service personnel to live
life to the full.

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