Basics Better Ltd
Our Back Story
The Basics Better team evolved from the nationally renowned Field-Based STEM (FBS) collaboration.
When schools started reporting that the FBS approach was having positive impacts on engagement, literacy assessment scores and maths, we began to identify specialists from the literacy world who also embraced the FBS philosophy.
FBS have an overarching aim to get real scientists into schools to provide authentic, hands-on learning experiences. What has grown from this initiative is a recognition that learners are more motivated to READ, WRITE, do MATHS and ATTEND school when they have authentic contexts and experiences to relate to.
Now, through Basics Better, we are providing teachers with experts in literacy, numeracy and engagement who can continue to embrace those same contexts and experiences that made FBS the most urgent and relevant support to schools.
Our Administration Team
Heather spent 15 years as a primary school teacher. She worked in the South and North Island of New Zealand, teaching all levels and specialising in music. From a role as Educator for Life Education Trust, she segued into public health, taking on project management and leadership roles. Heather is our School Liaison. She is the interface between the school and the facilitators that come to schools. She assists schools with funding applications to the Ministry of Education and ensures that they are happy with the service they are receiving from us.
Tony Jones
National Manager
Tony is very passionate about supporting teachers with specialist knowledge to enhance the skills they already have. He is driven by the real belief that young people need to spend more time in the field. Tony has a good understanding of schools, having spent 40 years in secondary school classrooms “and loved every minute”.
Allie Coyle
Upper North Island Manager
Allie serves as the Co-Owner of Forensic Insight Ltd and holds the position of North Island Manager for Field Based STEM. Her days are divided between immersing students in the captivating realm of forensic science through interactive school workshops and fostering strong relationships with educators and school administrators. She dedicates herself to understanding and meeting the unique needs of schools, guiding them in integrating science-focused curricula effectively. She specialises in supporting teachers to build on the hands-on work done, to motivate their students to read more, write more and use maths in real world situations.
Bianca Woyak
South Island Manager
Bianca Woyak is head of Science at Burnside Primary School in Ōtautahi/ Christchurch where she teaches just Science from years 1 to 6. Bianca’s pedagogy celebrates a “hands on” approach, including real-world learning with a local curriculum focus. Bianca has changed her whole school’s curriculum to include student-led action projects, giving students the ability to lead and create change for the environment.