Liz Townshend works as a Communication Facilitator at the Champion Centre. With her husband James, she recently ran Sign Language sessions for caregivers, early childhood and Champion Centre staff. These packed sessions were both interactive and practical; geared towards beginner and intermediate learners. James and Liz discussed how to include features of Sign Language into songs and books as well as how to integrate visual communication into everyday interactions. Feedback from the sessions has been fantastic, and Liz and James were delighted to have such enthusiastic participants! James' first language is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and he is well-respected in the field of Deaf Education. Liz and James have raised their daughter with Down syndrome in both English and NZSL.
Learning to understand the world is a process of steps. Often we aren’t aware of what those steps are because they unfold without much thinking or attention. We must be aware of our bodies, our sensations, and the coordination of ourselves in space and with others. We must become aware of our family and caregivers and find a way to communicate and connect. And with each of these steps we must find a way to stay regulated – emotionally steady and at ease – so that we can take in, process and feed back the information that is present.
Music and movement can provide a way to achieve the regulation necessary to open up to the world. For one child in our session, stomping with movement and music is currently an important pathway to finding her way from overwhelm to calm. With stomping comes vibration, effortful control, expression, patterning, sound, rhythm, predictability, body coordination, and a whole-system integration. With stomping comes relief and the freedom to now give her focus to other things, other people, and other ways of engaging and interacting. This does not mean that stomping will always be necessary. Instead, it is a bridge and a learning as her body and brain find ways to create pathways of growth. It is also good fun, a form of play, and something that her peers and all the rest of us can join in with. Stomping and moving together to music that day in programme was about so many things. It was an experience of connection and relationship where we all joined together and got to know each other better. It was a scaffolding of neurodevelopment, physical integration, and emotional awareness. It was the coordination of expertise from the music specialist, the play specialist, the early intervention teacher, the speech therapist and the parent to find a small piece of child-led intervention and support. And it was an expression of what the child has told us about who she is, what she needs, and what her next steps are for ongoing development. Sometimes what happens in a session looks like simple child’s play. And it is! The world of child’s play is also a world of comprehensive planning, attunement, responsiveness, awareness and integration of intervention.
‘My husband Gav and I are looking at doing some great Kiwi walks and camping under the stars. I’m looking forward to spending time with my whānau and friends and Covid willing, some overseas travel.’
Marie retired from her role in mid-April. We wish her all the very best for the next stage of her journey.
MANY THANKS TO...
The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives to be able to reach their full potential. The total funding the centre receives from Government falls $7 000 short for each child at the centre. This $700 000 shortfall relies on fundraising and donations. Call Karon Storr on 03 383 6867 to discuss ways to give. Directors' kōrero
What insights into music did you discover in the early days? Discoveries with neuroscience have shown that music can contribute to each child and parent's wellbeing. When the child is in a calm, regulated space then they can learn. The elements of music can be used in very specific ways to promote well-being and regulation. Musical rhythm, melody/tune, dynamics (loud or soft), form (clear beginning, middle and end of a song or piece of music), the specific sounds of instruments and harmony all have an impact on the brain's systems. Music that has a steady beat, close to a resting heart rate, encourages the lower parts of the brain and the body to come into synch and produce a feeling of calm. Depending on how they are used, they can either contribute to regulating or deregulating a child's systems. You refer to yourself as the conductor, what do you mean? I like being the conductor not the leader; the parent is the leader as they can carry the music on at home or anywhere. For example, today I asked one of the dad’s in the baby programme if he sung with his son. He said he had a terrible voice and I said, ‘I’ve heard you, you can sing.’ His eyes lit up. Your wife and your voices are the most important voices in this world for your child. He looked really excited. ‘I have a guitar at home, but I never touch it. My nanny lived next door to us when we were growing up and she sang to me all the time,’ he said. Then the whole story came out about the Māori side of his whānau and how his nanny played the guitar and sang him lullabies when he was growing up.
Have any graduates of the Centre gone on to pursue music? We have a number of children who have grown up to be incredibly musical. Thomas Eves is the chief trumpeter at the CSO, and Jasmine Butcher is studying music at university. Another boy, Rohan Soper aged 17, who was born premature, has been learning percussion and has sat an exam through Trinity College. India Neville, now 21, is studying at a music academy in Canada. Where to now for music at the Champion Centre? I believe everything has a season. I’ve done everything I’ve been asked to and wanted to do, and now it’s time to bow out. Music at the Centre is in very capable hands, as we have five talented music specialists, led by Sarah Marra. When I started at the Champion Centre, I was crying out, ‘please consider music.’ Now wherever I go people are singing and using music. All the therapists are using music in the most incredible ways. What’s in store for Julie Wylie now? I’ve been on this journey and it’s way bigger than me. I have my musical school in the community and run workshops for teachers and parents. I have also developed a Postgraduate Certificate in the Psychology of Musical Play Therapy. I am writing a lot and there are numerous stories to tell about my work with children at the Champion. Julie captures it poignantly when she says; ‘every vignette is so special and every child I’ve met has taught me so much. It’s not about their limitations but about how children can fly musically. When you allow them to find their voice and let them be the leader, they take you on the most miraculous journey.’ We express our gratitude to Julie for all her years of passion and dedication to our Champion Centre families. The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives to be able to reach their full potential. The total funding the centre receives from Government falls $7 000 short for each child at the centre. This $700 000 shortfall relies on fundraising and donations. Call Karon Storr on 03 383 6867 to discuss ways to give.
Welcome back/Nau mai hoki mai
Kobe heads off to school![]() We were excited and a little sad to farewell Kobe, as he makes his way to school. Thankyou for your heart felt words Hal. We think you are pretty awesome too. Go well Kobe and stay in touch. 'This is the last day at the Champion Centre for my beautiful Grandson Kobe, before he starts school. He has done so well and progressed unbelievably and that is because of the people that work here. They are the most amazing and caring people and I would like to thank them so much for everything they did for Kobe. They all "changed Kobe's life" and they should be very proud of that.' Honouring Jan Murphy![]() Over 40 years of dedication by former Clinical Practice Manager, Jan Murphy, was recognised on the Queens New Years' Honours list. Jan became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and children with intellectual disabilities. Jan was drawn to the Centre in the 1970s. 'It was a strong time for human rights, Vietnam and anti-apartheid. It was a time when children with additional needs didn't have the rights they have today or access to services. 'You say to yourself "social change needs to happen here," because these children don't have the rights that other children have.' ''It has been a privilege to work with so many courageous children and their families and whilst I am overwhelmed to receive this award, I feel that in part I receive it for them,' Jan says, emphasising the Champion Centre embodies a team effort,' says Jan. We express our heartfelt thanks to Jan for all her years of dedication to our Champion Centre families. High school for Liam
Golf fundraiser, Friday 26 March
What a champion!
The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives to be able to reach their full potential. The total funding the centre receives from Government falls $7000 short for each child at the centre. This $700,000 shortfall relies on fundraising and donations. The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives to be able to reach their full potential. The total funding the centre receives from Government falls $7000 short for each child at the centre. This $700,000 shortfall relies on fundraising and donations. A big thanks to...
Introducing the two new Centre Directors
In 2018, Wendy moved back to Christchurch and is delighted to return ‘home’ to the Champion Centre. She took on the role of Early Intervention Services Manager, leading the team of 18 Early Intervention Educators, as well as being part of the management team and supporting a range of executive functions. Driven by principles of equality and inclusion Wendy says: ‘A significant part of my professional life has been spent at the Champion Centre and I feel a strong connection and loyalty to it. For years the Champion Centre, in partnership with families, has provided a vital service for many families in Christchurch.’ ‘I am especially grateful to Susan for her support over the years and wish her well. Moving forwards, I am excited to partner with Lauren as part of the new leadership team, ensuring the Champion Centre continues to thrive for many, many years to come’.
In 2014, Lauren and her family relocated to Australia, where she worked for both Griffith University and Southern Cross University in teaching and supervision roles. Since returning to New Zealand early this year, Lauren has been Clinical Manager of Massey University Wellington's Student Health and Counselling Centre.
Lauren's appointment to the Champion Centre is a homecoming in profound and important ways. Not only is she returning home to Christchurch, but she is taking up a role that fortifies her most meaningful professional connections: to infant mental health; to Patricia, Jan and the team; and to the relational support of our youngest members of society. Lauren is excited to partner with Wendy, to learn from both Wendy and the team, and to dedicate herself and her professional energy to the best future for the Champion Centre. ![]() Rural ram sale to yield hefty donation Our wonderful Champion Centre family Mark and Joanne, and their awesome young 'champion', Ted, are very kindly donating the proceeds of one ram in their annual Ram Sale 2020. Lot #7 ram will be auctioned at The Gums sheep farm in Cheviot on Thursday 3 December from 1pm . The Champion Centre would love you to help with Ted's fundraiser by making a donation, large or small, in support of the no.7 ram. For more information www.thegums.nz To donate: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ted-and-the-gums-ram-sale-fundraiser-for-champions
Nick’s parents Kate and Peter Latz say that the Champion Centre literally saved them after Nick was born. ‘From those initial feelings of being completely at a loss, we were reassured within hours of Nick’s birth that not only was help at hand, but that there was far more that was normal about our baby than not normal, and we should treat him as the precious baby boy that he was.’ ‘As parents, we celebrated every milestone big and small and our initial despair became our greatest joy as we watched our beautiful boy embrace life,’ says Kate.
‘As we’ve said in our family, Down syndrome is what Nick has, not what he is,’ says Annabelle.
To give to Annabelle’s fundraising efforts: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/httpswwwchampioncentreorgnz
Kate says, 'I stumbled across the postgraduate course at Whitecliffe, an arts college, while I was doing my bachelor's degree in Visual Arts and was excited by the prospect of combining my two passions'. She enrolled in the one year post graduate diploma, which led into two years of the Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) programme. Arts therapy students usually come from one of two areas of interest, either social work or the arts side, and any arts modality is welcome. As Kate began looking for non-paid placements through her Arts Therapy study in 2019, she once again sought out the Champion Centre.
Kate started at the Champion Centre as a student intern in the second half of year two of her training and extended it for a further six months. She spent one day each week working alongside the therapists, half of her time in the playroom and the other half in the music room. 'In the music sessions we used a lot of movement with organza ribbon sticks, creating visual imagery to the musical patterns. I worked with music specialist Julie Wylie and have learnt so much from her. In the playroom we explored sensory play with sand, rice or water, allowing connections to be created between the child and their body. We also explored both the doodle boards and paints and created pictures through their creative imagination', Kate explains. A highlight was when she was working with a child who has a diagnosis of autism. The child made eye contact with her for the first time and it was these small but significant moments that were so special for Kate. Kate finishes her masters' degree at the end of this year and would love to keep working with children in the disability or mental health sector. Kate Willis' artwork at www.katewillisartist.com
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