Research (1) tells us that whānau-school collaboration has a large positive impact on the academic and social outcomes of students. This video clip shows the steps Flaxmere College have taken to build a culture within the school that has resulted in whānau conferencing being a positive, well attended and rewarding experience for whānau, students and staff.
Factors that have contributed to this success have included:
- Critical consciousness – a deep understanding of how issues of power play out within relationships and across the processes and structures;
- Reciprocal learning and teaching (ako) – a respectful valuing and celebrating of the contribution of all parties: whānau, teachers and students;
- Empowerment and equipping students to be the leaders of their own learning and the facilitators of the conferencing process.
See also:
(1) Alton-Lee, A., Robinson, V., Hohepa, M. & Lloyd, C. (2009). Creating educationally powerful connections with family, whānau, and communities. Chapter 7 in School leadership and student outcomes: Identifying what works and why. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education.