Te Hui ā te Whānau Tautoko
Ko te Rāpare te 25 o Pipiri
Whānau Support Hui
Thursday 25 June 2010
Karakia Tīmatanga: 7.05pm
Principal Trevor Jeffries provided a School Management response to comments from last two hui.
Comments were considered, and fell into 3 areas:
1. What we can implement,
2. What we can discuss further, and
3. What may be quite challenging to progress.
There was a general willingness from the Board to receive and consider the different ideas. He acknowledged that change, and new ideas, strike different chords with different people, as we all come to any situation from different places, and the journey is always different for each of us.
Senior Management considered discussion points and have noted some ideas that can get things moving – "Get some runs on the board".
FEEDBACK POINTS
· As a 'base point', identifying those students of Māori ancestry will validate data gathering. The student enrolment form will be altered as per WT (Whānau Tautoko) discussions in an effort to encourage more complete information.
· Senior Management agreed it was a good idea to hold an open afternoon and/or evening before 3-way conferences, and this will be implemented before the next 3-way conference next term.
· Extending the length of time for 3-way conferencing will need to be discussed with the broader LIS community.
· Off-base visits to such places as Te Kōkiri, TWOR etc is a good, valid idea, but would need further discussions around Who? How? When? and Why? as with all EOTC experiences.
· The point made by WT "Why not ask the kids?" is a great idea. Whānau looked at a draft questionnaire survey and alterations were made. (Refer attached). Students in a group situation would be given questions to consider and discuss freely amongst themselves, with Mr Jeffries unobtrusively recording the discussion. Feedback from this process will be reported back to the WT hui. WT were happy about the Interview survey to gather information about Māori student perspectives.
· Mr Jeffries offered the group the chance to see progress/achievement data for groups of learners e.g. Literacy and Numeracy data for Yr 7s, Yr 8s, Boys, Girls, Māori, with national comparisons, and even comparisons with similar profile schools.
There was consensus among the WT about the value of these statistics to provide feedback as an indication that their efforts have been worthwhile. WT also requested that the information be presented in a visual graph form, and be easy to interpret and relevant to parents.
· Establishing a School Marae (school hall)
Mr Jeffries is keen to see this happen. It would provide a turangawaewae upon which our Māori students could stand, and BE MĀORI. There are 2 pou that were painted by past students and stood in the old hospital. These pou being gifted back from the hospital to the school could be a way to open the door to establishing Marae. The Pou need to be found. Were put into storage when hospital was decommissioned. The school will commence inquiries to find them.
WT response was to Pōwhiri the Pou back to the school first, and agreed this would provide a foundation from which to establish the Marae. .
WT were asked to consider an offer for Kevin Hill – MTA – Community Liaison – to be school kaumata. WT agreed that the school does need a kaumatua. To be discussed at next hui.
POINTS OF DISCUSSION FOR NEXT TERM.
· How to get the Marae up and running.
· How to tap into the community for different skills and passions.
· What courses (e.g. raranga, whakairo, etc) are available in Levin? (Colleges, PTEs, whānau members etc).
Karakia Whakamutunga 8.10pm
Student Perceptions Interview Date: Group:
What do you like about this school?
What makes a good teacher?
What would help you to learn better?
How do you know you are learning?
What subjects do you like and why?
How is your work celebrated or recognised?
Is the school a safe place?
Is there bullying at school?
Who would you go to for help?
Do you feel OK being Maori at school?
What would you like to change about this school?
What do you dream of doing when you leave school?
Kia Ora, Thank you