Strengthening Support Through Learning Links’ Professional Development Day

Thanks to a $9,500 in-kind contribution from Canterbury League Club to cover on-site event costs, Learning Links held its annual Professional Development Day which brought together approximately 100 educators, psychologists, specialist teachers, speech pathologists and early childhood lecturers.

The day played a crucial role in strengthening the team’s expertise and deepening their knowledge in delivering Learning Links’ specialised school programs such as ‘Counting for Life’ and ‘Reading for Life’ to local schools.

“Professional development of our staff is one of the most important ways we ensure children and families receive consistent, high quality, evidence-based support,” said Jill Reich, Chief Executive Officer at Learning Links. “The better equipped our staff are, the earlier and more effectively we can intervene and help the children with complex and overlapping learning needs.”

This year’s program focused on key areas of greatest need including ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, early childhood development, and assistive technology.

“The program provided practical strategies that staff can apply immediately,” Jill noted, highlighting the importance of extending these learnings beyond one-on-one sessions into classrooms and family environments.

Support from Canterbury played a significant role in bringing the day to life, as Jill said: “Providing a venue of this quality allows us to bring our workforce together at scale. The energy in the room was grounded in a genuine passion for supporting children and families.”

“Registered clubs have always played an important role in bringing people together – we are places where community is built, connections are strengthened, and ideas are shared. The Club’s function spaces are the perfect place to facilitate educational development days for organisations like Learning Links and we are proud to support it,” said Peter Winchester, Chairman of Canterbury League Club.