Christmas Newsletter 2008 Dear [[firstname]],

Having just about completed this newsletter several times, only to have lost it to the "This Program is not responding" error message and subsequent 'Control Alt Delete' scenario, I can attest to the old computer adage, "You can never save too often". Learning Despite Disabilities This year we have been involved in setting up our first Learning Centre in Hastings. Among other things, we offer after-school tuition with a focus on teaching dyslexic and dyspraxic students. This has been going well with several of our students now reading and spelling at their age level, within a matter of several terms. I really like what revolutionary educator, Marva Collins has to say about such children, "There is a brilliant child locked inside every student". All children should be able to succeed regardless of labels and, given a systematic approach, support and high expectations, they will. To borrow another of Marva Collins' quotes, "Failure is NOT an option." Something to think about! The Personal Touch  This year has certainly been the year for tripping around the country and it seems that many of you really like to see products in real life. We have wound up our series of Resource Days and are presently booking next year's agenda. So far, we are planning to come to Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Wanganui, Whangarei, Wellington, Christchurch and New Plymouth. If you'd like us to visit your area, let us know. Open Days - Auckland and Christchurch If you are based in Auckland or Christchurch, you can come and browse to your heart's content in one of our two, family based showrooms. The stock selection is smaller but you do get that personal touch. Opening Hours vary according to location: Click here for more information and contact details. (Please note the holiday hours.) Our Warehouse is Moving Those that live or are passing through sunny Hawkes Bay can pop in any weekday to our warehouse: 908 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings 4122 Ph 870 7275 We are planning on moving our warehouse back up to Auckland over Waitangi Weekend so over the holiday period is the last opportunity you have to set your eyes on our full stock range. We intend to leave some stock in Hastings but it will be a limited selection. Further contact details will be advised in the future. Tuition/assessments will continue by arrangement with the individual tutors - further information to come about this to those involved. Conferences & Events Don't forget that our Upcoming Events page has information about events that we are attending so keep an eye on that. Pre-Orders If you require curriculum items before school starts February, please do let us know as soon as possible so we can accommodate your requests. Our latest shipment has arrived but many of these items were already sold out before the shipment landed. Our big 'back to school' shipment is due at the end of January so if you want something in particular, let us know ASAP. We can order from a number of different suppliers so will happily provide a quote. What's New? Here are our top three - all from the same stable of NZ designed games. The Moa Hunt in particular takes our award for the most popular game at present. All make great games for the holidays. Click on the links below each game or scroll down for the bonus pack. Amazing Moa Hunt Get involved in your children's learning by helping them learn geography as well as building family relationships. The Amazing Moa Hunt is a truly iconic New Zealand game. If you like treasure hunts, you're going to love searching beautiful Aotearoa for Moa treasures (footprints & eggs) by guessing the location of New Zealand towns and cities. Experienced explorers can play a second, even more challenging game. Using a set of clue cards, you can launch a fast paced battle requiring quick thinking and even quicker answers! (From the Publisher) Great for fun family times together.

Contains 2 games in one and may be played by 2-4 players. Build knowledge and memory skills at the same time. A beautifully presented game - the perfect gift for Kiwis at home and overseas! Suitable for classroom and home use for those over 7 years. $39.90 Click here for more information or to purchase>>> Amazing Mammoth Hunt From the same people who brought you the Amazing Moa Hunt, now you can continue the journey around the globe with the Amazing Mammoth Hunt. If you like treasure hunts, you're going to love searching the world for mammoth treasures (footprints & mulberries) by guessing the location of various world cities. Experienced explorers can play a second, even more challenging game. Using a set of clue cards, you can launch a fast paced battle requiring quick thinking and even quicker answers! (From the Publisher) $44.95 Click here for more information or to purchase>>> Terrific Tuatara Trail Ready to take the ultimate journey of discovery? Travel through time and rediscover New Zealand’s rich historical past.  Answer questions as you go, and earn points by collecting worms, wetas, millipedes and beetles. The player with the largest collection of delicious tuatara treats at the end of the journey wins the game!  (from the Publisher) Follows the same interesting format as the other two games but teaches history instead of geography! $39.90 Click here for more information or to purchase>>> SPECIAL OFFER: Take all three games for $99! Check out what else is new Coming Soon... The holiday period will see us updating our catalogue, adding a lot more content into our website, blog, and forum. We will let you know once this is all done. Upcoming Events Next year we are expecting a visit from two overseas speakers: Don McCabe, director of the AVKO Educational Research Foundation will be speaking about learning, dyslexia and literacy Barry Stebbing, from How Great Thou Art will be running three day art classes We are still finalising the details of these so will post further information to the website and of course let you know via this email. Specials email loop We have an email loop for short run specials i.e. one or two copies of items. Send a blank email to learnex-specials@yahoogroups.com and you will prompted to join. Christmas Hours We will be closed from the 25th-28th of December and the 1st-4th of January. Between Christmas and New Year i.e. the 28th of December until the 1st of January, we are able to be contacted by email and you can also leave phone messages but we will not be working normal office hours. Normal office hours resume on the Monday, 5th of January. Fond farewells and all that Well, that's all for now. Until next time... Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season and thank you for your support throughout the year. Erena