Learning Assistant | Work with Primary School Aged Children | School Term Time

Paparoa Street School; Papanui-Innes Community; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Paparoa Street School in Christchurch is seeking a Learning Assistant to support primary school aged children during learning and activities. You will work with teachers and our learning support team to help students build confidence, communication and social skills.

This term-time position offers flexible hours (10 hours per week, with opportunities to pick up more). Applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand and be prepared for police clearance.

Qualifications

• Warm, patient and caring.
• Enjoys working with primary school aged children.
• Calm, responsive and adaptable.
• Reliable and responsible.
• Willing to learn and take guidance from experienced staff.
• Works well as part of a team and communicates effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support individual students or small groups during learning and school activities.
• Help students build confidence, independence, communication and social skills.
• Support students with regulation and engagement.
• Follow individual learning, behaviour and support plans.
• Support students with additional learning or health needs.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with students.
• Work closely with teachers and our Learning Support team.
• Encourage students to participate, develop their strengths and experience success.

Skills

Patience

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Relationship-building

Job description

Learning Assistant | Work with Primary School Aged Children | School Term Time

This is a great opportunity for students studying education, teaching, psychology, social work, health, occupational therapy, speech language therapy or other people focused professions to gain valuable practical experience working with primary school aged children.

You will work alongside experienced teachers and learning support professionals, developing your understanding of children, learning, inclusion and individual needs while making a genuine difference to a child’s school experience.

What you will be doing

• Supporting individual students or small groups during learning and school activities
• Helping students build confidence, independence, communication and social skills
• Supporting students with regulation and engagement
• Following individual learning, behaviour and support plans
• Supporting students with additional learning or health needs
• Building positive and trusting relationships with students
• Working closely with teachers and our Learning Support team
• Encouraging students to participate, develop their strengths and experience success

We are looking for someone who

• Is warm, patient and caring
• Enjoys working with primary school aged children
• Is calm, responsive and adaptable
• Is reliable and responsible
• Can build positive relationships with children
• Is curious about how children learn, communicate and experience the world
• Is willing to learn and take guidance from experienced staff
• Works well as part of a team
• Can use initiative and think creatively
• Believes every child should feel included, valued and supported

Previous experience working with children is helpful, but it is not essential. We are interested in people who have the right attitude, are willing to learn and genuinely want to make a difference.

The position

• Hours: 10 hours per week, with strong opportunities to pick up additional hours
• When: School term time only, Term 4 2026
• Start: Monday 12 October 2026
• Location: Paparoa Street School, Christchurch
• Pay: In line with the Support Staff in Schools Collective Agreement

Term 4 runs from October to December, making this a great opportunity to gain practical experience working in a primary school before the university year begins again.

Applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

Police clearance will be undertaken.