A Reflection! Paused - Reflect - Respond - Action

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I've had a massive reflect. After reading the BES (Best Evidence Synthesis) The Complexity of Community and Family Influences on Children's Achievement in New Zealand June 2003.

There were a number of finding that were relevant for my Inquiry. 

These are that:

• Most parents want their children to succeed educationally and are prepared to help in
any way they can. Many want their children to have a better chance than they
themselves had. Limited facility in English is not an insurmountable obstacle.

• The traditional view held by many Pasifika parents (particularly migrant Pasifika
parents), that the teacher is the ‘expert’ seems to be changing. There is growing
recognition that both school and family have joint responsibility for children’s
education.

• The process of partnership building should add to family practices, not undermine
them.

• Connections and partnership building can be initiated by teachers ‘reaching out’ to
parents. It can result in teachers learning as much from families as families from
teachers, and teachers gaining deeper awareness of children’s experiences and
competencies.

• Establishing self-sustaining parent support groups is a challenging process.

From this reading I have realised that I've been reaching out the best way I can with our whānau, through phone calls, face to face, emails, Sharing School Talk evidence and written feedback. Presenting literacy workshops and the incidentals conversations at the gate talking about progress. I've always believed that partnering with whānau is the foundation to success in learner achievement. 

The last bullet point is the key here .'sustaining parent support is a challenging process'

Living in a covid world has meant disruptions to families lifestyle, routines and access to education. We've only this term been able to invite our whānau on site, even though limited access. This has created a barrier for the momentium at which my Inquiry has been able to progress. 

I continue to reach out to our whānau to support, educate around how to support their child at home and outline their progress and next steps. Our platform of School Talk allows transparency around learner progress and home learning sites. 

My next blog post outlines my new direction for my 2022 Inquiry....


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