Ignite Reading and Writing
Join us for a workshop focused on combining research and creativity to transform achievement for your students
Need a boost of reading and writing inspiration to propel your class forward?
Build from structured literacy training with reading and writing experts Dr Helen Walls (The Writing Teacher) and Dr Christine Braid. A two-day immersive literacy workshop that weaves together proven science and teacher creativity to achieve the best outcomes for your students and your school.
Suitable for teachers, leaders and literacy specialists for Years 1–8.
Take a fresh approach to teaching reading and writing:
- reflect on the impacts of change
- learn about creative innovations to engage every learner
- use the best systematic approaches, while adding creativity and fun
- design purposeful reading and writing tasks and bring literature back into your room.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and take away a wealth of knowledge.
Workshop overview
The Ignite Reading and Writing workshop runs across two days. Day 1 focuses on reading, while Day 2 offers a whole day on writing.
Day 1: Reading
Thursday 22 October 2026, 8.45am–3.15pm
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on reading.
- Session 1: Choosing texts for a range of needs – Christine Braid
- Session 2: Winning strategies for Tier 2 learners – Caroline Morritt and Marina Mounsey
- Session 3: Children’s literature – Christine Braid
- Session 4: The importance of knowledge-building – Helen Walls
- Panel discussion: Structured literacy – how’s it going?
Day 2: Writing
Friday 23 October 2026, 8.45am–3.15pm
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on writing.
- Session 1: Three actions to transform achievement – Helen Walls
- Session 2: Catering for a range of needs in writing classrooms – Helen Walls
- Session 3: Spelling: Stepping away from slides – Marina Mounsey and Caroline Morritt
- Session 4: Sentence blocks – Christine Braid
- Panel discussion: Getting assessment right
Day 1: Reading
Thursday 22 October 2026, 8.45am–3.15pm
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on reading.
- Session 1: Choosing texts for a range of needs – Christine Braid
- Session 2: Winning strategies for Tier 2 learners – Caroline Morritt and Marina Mounsey
- Session 3: Children’s literature – Christine Braid
- Session 4: The importance of knowledge-building – Helen Walls
- Panel discussion: Structured literacy – how’s it going?
Day 2: Writing
Friday 23 October 2026, 8.45am–3.15pm
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on writing.
- Session 1: Three actions to transform achievement – Helen Walls
- Session 2: Catering for a range of needs in writing classrooms – Helen Walls
- Session 3: Spelling: Stepping away from slides – Marina Mounsey and Caroline Morritt
- Session 4: Sentence blocks – Christine Braid
- Panel discussion: Getting assessment right
Meet your presenters
Dr Helen Walls
Helen is an educational researcher and professional learning facilitator with 20 years’ experience working alongside teachers to support confident, informed writing pedagogy. She is committed to raising achievement in writing by sharing evidence-based, practical methods to engage every student. For her PhD thesis, Helen conducted two empirical studies into the teaching of writing, which included a trial of the Fast Feedback Formative Evaluation System. Helen is managing director of The Writing Teacher, a consultancy that provides writing workshops and resources for teachers, all accessible online. She has published with The Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, The Education Hub and is the author of several Essential Resources publications.
Dr Christine Braid
Christine brings 40 years of experience as an educator, including 12 years as a classroom teacher and 25 years as a teacher educator with a focus on literacy teaching. In her academic studies, she has specialised in literacy. Christine has a Diploma of Children’s Literature, her MEd thesis looked at using picture books for developing comprehension discussion. Her PhD examined the influence of teacher knowledge and practice on literacy outcomes for new primary students. Combining her practical and her experience, she works with teachers to promote systematic and explicit teaching and to provide opportunities for incidental learning. Christine has written resources for children, published by the NZ Ministry of Education and is the author of several Essential Resources publications.
Caroline Morritt
Caroline spent nine years as a Resource Teacher of Literacy servicing 34 primary schools across Banks Peninsula and southwest Christchurch. She supported students with significant learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, to read and write and provided professional development for their teachers and school leaders, helping initiate, guide and implement whole school literacy change. Caroline gained a master’s degree in literacy and today delivers writing professional development with Helen Walls and reading professional development through her own company, Literacy Reset.
Marina Mounsey
Marina is a dedicated educator and literacy specialist with over nine years of experience as a Resource Teacher of Literacy, supporting teachers and students in the North Canterbury region. She holds a Master of Education from Massey University and is accredited in Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham training and Multisensory Structured Language (MSL). Currently, Marina brings her deep expertise to the education sector through a dual focus: serving in a coaching and intervention role at a local school and working with Helen Walls, The Writing Teacher.
Ignite Reading and Writing FAQ
Who are the presenters of the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
There are four presenters for the two-day workshop.
- Dr Helen Walls
- Dr Christine Braid
- Caroline Morritt
- Marina Mounsey
Who are Dr Helen Walls and Dr Christine Braid?
Dr Helen Walls is an educational researcher and professional learning facilitator with 20 years’ experience working alongside teachers to support confident, informed writing pedagogy. She is committed to raising achievement in writing by sharing evidence-based, practical methods to engage every student. For her PhD thesis, Helen conducted two empirical studies into the teaching of writing, which included a trial of the Fast Feedback Formative Evaluation System. Helen is managing director of The Writing Teacher, a consultancy that provides writing workshops and resources for teachers, all accessible online. She has published with The Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, The Education Hub and is the author of several Essential Resources publications.
Dr Christine Braid has 40 years’ experience as an educator, including 12 years as a classroom teacher and 25 years as a teacher educator with a focus on literacy teaching. In her academic studies, she has specialised in literacy. Christine has a Diploma of Children’s Literature, her MEd thesis looked at using picture books for developing comprehension discussion. Her PhD examined the influence of teacher knowledge and practice on literacy outcomes for new primary students. Combining her practical and her experience, she works with teachers to promote systematic and explicit teaching and to provide opportunities for incidental learning. Christine has written resources for children, published by the NZ Ministry of Education and is the author of several Essential Resources publications.
Who are Caroline Morritt and Marina Mounsey?
Caroline Morritt spent nine years as a Resource Teacher of Literacy servicing 34 primary schools across Banks Peninsula and southwest Christchurch. She supported students with significant learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, to read and write and provided professional development for their teachers and school leaders, helping initiate, guide and implement whole school literacy change. Caroline gained a master’s degree in literacy and today delivers writing professional development with Helen Walls and reading professional development through her own company, Literacy Reset.
Marina Mounsey is a dedicated educator and literacy specialist with over nine years of experience as a Resource Teacher of Literacy, supporting teachers and students in the North Canterbury region. She holds a Master of Education from Massey University and is accredited in Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham training and Multisensory Structured Language (MSL). Currently, Marina brings her deep expertise to the education sector through a dual focus: serving in a coaching and intervention role at a local school, and working with Helen Walls, The Writing Teacher.
Who is the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop for?
This event is ideal for a broad range of teachers, leaders and literacy specialists focussed on Years 1–8.
Where is the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop being held?
This event is taking place in Christchurch, New Zealand. The venue for both days is the Hornby Club (17 Carmen Road, Hornby, Christchurch).
Can I attend the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop remotely?
This workshop will not be available online.
When is the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop being held?
This workshop is being held across two days, Thursday 22 October 2026 & Friday 23 October 2026.
How much is the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
The event is $500 + GST
What happens on each day of the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
Day 1: Reading
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on reading with Helen Walls and Christine Braid, combined with creative class activities guided by literacy specialists, Caroline Morritt and Marina Mounsey.
Day 2: Writing
An evidence-led, full-day workshop focused on writing with Helen Walls and Christine Braid, combined with creative class activities guided by literacy specialists, Caroline Morritt and Marina Mounsey.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided on both days.
Can I go for only one day of the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
The workshop is designed to span across the two-days. However, you could pair-up with another colleague and attend one day each. You would need to provide one name and pay for the full two days, then let us know who will be coming on which day by emailing geraldine@essentialresources.co.nz
Is there parking at the venue for the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
Yes! The Hornby Club (located at 17 Carmen Road, Christchurch) features its own dedicated, free car park with approximately 300 spaces.
Will the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop include meals?
Morning tea and lunch will be provided for both days. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when you book.
Do the workshops for the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop align with the refreshed curriculum?
In short – yes. The workshop is designed specifically to help teachers from Years 1–8 to deliver to the reading and writing components of the Phases of learning in Te Mataiaho: the Refreshed New Zealand Curriculum.
What are the benefits of attending the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
This event provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from Dr Helen Walls and Dr Christine Braid – two of New Zealand’s most contemporary thought leaders and experts on children’s literacy. Their work is currently being modelled nationwide by other practitioners and PD courses… so why not get authentic advice and support from the source?
Alongside Helen and Christine’s science-backed approaches, Caroline and Marina are deeply experienced teachers and literacy experts. They have years of experience transforming the latest research into best-practice methods and activities that you can use immediately in your own classroom.
Beyond this, you get to spend two-days with like-minded teachers and leaders. What better way to bounce around ideas and gain inspiration together for your 2027 year?
What happens if I get sick and/or can’t attend the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
We understand that things change. You are able to nominate an alternative person to attend the workshop up to 24 hours before the workshops begin, without incurring an extra charge.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer ticket refunds, so please choose carefully before committing.
I have mobility issues. Can I get into the venue for the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop?
If you need assistance with a wheelchair, or other mobility needs, please let us know by emailing geraldine@essentialresources.co.nz
Will the Ignite Reading and Writing workshop be available online afterwards?
We will not be recording this event to access online.
Who are Essential Resources?
For over twenty years, Essential Resources have been a trusted provider of expert teaching resources and professional development courses for teachers in ECE, primary and secondary schools. Based in New Zealand and Australia, we also have a loyal following of teachers beyond Oceania.
You can find out more about Essential Resources here. Or browse our website.
Ignite Reading and Writing is proudly brought to you by:
