Still Thriving with Davis Learning Strategies®: Claire’s Visit to Waihao Downs School
When I last visited Waihao Downs School in 2018, Jane Severinsen’s sabbatical report highlighted something remarkable: the Davis Learning Strategies® had become a natural part of the school’s culture. The results were clear: calmer classrooms, confident learners, and reading progress that exceeded expectations.
👉 Read Jane’s 2018 sabbatical research here.
Seven years later, I returned to see whether those results had stood the test of time. What I found was deeply encouraging.
The Davis Tools Are Still Alive in the Classroom
Yes, Waihao Downs School is still using the Davis Learning Strategies®. More than that, these tools have become second nature to the children. During my visit, I watched as students used their Focus Tools independently and confidently, without prompting.
One memorable moment was when a young learner was reading Baby Bee. He began to say “Daddy bee,” paused, smiled, and quietly self-corrected. No adult intervention was needed; he simply used his focusing tools to notice, reset, see the 'b' as 'b' - not 'd' - and continue reading with clarity.
A clay letter like b, d, Z or R may be reversed initially but the children notice after focusing with simple visual spatial tools, the letters are soon assigned correctly by the child. The brain starts to see accurately, hear accurately and perception becomes accurate.
Calm, Confident, and Focused Learners
Throughout the day, I saw children smoothly transition between different activities, from focused reading to imaginative Lego play and back again, without losing their sense of calm or concentration. It was wonderful to witness how easily they could manage their attention and energy.
The Focus Tools weren’t just techniques; they were habits. The students used them naturally to stay centered and ready for learning, demonstrating emotional regulation and self-awareness beyond their years.
Lasting Impact and School Culture
It was clear that what began years ago under Jane Severinsen’s leadership has continued to flourish. The Davis Learning Strategies® are no longer something the school “does”, they are something the school is.
Waihao Downs has embedded these tools into daily learning, helping students grow into confident, self-directed learners who take ownership of their thinking. The consistency and care with which teachers continue to nurture these methods reflect a deep commitment to supporting every child’s potential.
Maggie explains that the school runs structured literacy alongside the Davis Learning Strategies®, and apart from that, they don’t use any other intervention programs.
She says this combination works beautifully; the structured literacy provides a clear framework for reading and writing, while the Davis Methods give students the self-management and focusing tools they need to make real meaning from what they learn. Together, they create a balanced approach that supports both skill development and confidence.
At Waihao Downs, every child is encouraged to take ownership of their learning, not through constant external programs, but through practical tools that help them stay calm, focused, and capable.
A Story That Stays With You
Maggie shared a story that captures just how transformative this approach can be.
A young girl arrived at Waihao Downs after struggling for years with reading. She had found little success elsewhere and carried that discouragement with her. Through the Davis Methods, she began to rediscover her confidence, learning how to focus, understand words in her own way, and finally experience the joy of reading.
Over time, she grew more self-assured and started to see herself as a capable learner. Reading became something she wanted to do, not something she had to do.
When her family later moved to another school, her mother called Maggie not long after, worried that her daughter’s confidence had dropped. She asked Maggie if she could contact the new teacher to explain what had worked so well.
Her mother said, “When she was using the Davis Methods at Waihao Downs, she started to show such confidence and genuine enjoyment of reading.”
It’s a simple but powerful reminder of how deeply the right support and belief in a child’s potential can shape their learning journey.
A Continuing Story of Success
Standing in that same rural South Island classroom years later, I could see that the promise of the Davis Learning Strategies® wasn’t a passing phase; it’s a lasting foundation. The children of Waihao Downs are still thriving, still focusing, and still learning with joy.
The Davis Magic is truly alive — and growing.
