Create a welcoming environment where parents and families can openly discuss concerns
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Establishing reciprocal relationships with parents and families to support learning’
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Ideas to support parental engagement
Ideas to support parental engagement
Considerations for engaging Pacific parents.
- Face-to-face communication is an important part of personalising engagement.
- Parents may not be confident speaking English. Find out whether you will need an interpreter or community liaison person before meeting.
- Create a welcoming environment, offer food and refreshments.
- Ask for the correct pronunciation of names when first meeting.
- Consider how to show respect to parents and family, for example, by dressing conservatively.
- Hold meetings in Pacific community venues where possible to make it easier for those parents who find the school environment challenging.
- Ask parents what times of the day work best for meetings.
- Identify a staff member as a key liaison person for Pacific families. Having a senior teacher (particularly in secondary schools) responsible for improving educational outcomes for Pacific learners indicates that their children’s learning is seen as a priority.
Source: Partners in learning: Parents’ voices (ERO, 2008) (opens in a new tab/window)
Remove barriers
Remove barriers
Share student success
Share student success
Approaches to progress reporting
Approaches to progress reporting
Pacific parents expect honest reporting about their child’s progress and achievement.
- Use honest and straightforward language to talk about achievement, both areas of success and areas to strengthen.
- Discuss with families ways they can support their child in their learning at home.
- Invite Pacific parents and families into school to see how learning is supported in the classroom.
- Contact parents sooner rather than later when concerns or issues arise regarding their children’s education or well-being.
- Regularly contact parents to share their children’s achievements.
- Inform parents about celebrations of their children’s achievement, especially when their children are receiving awards or certificates at assembly.
Value parents' knowledge
Value parents' knowledge
Find out what approaches and strategies have worked well for their children in their previous class, school, or educational setting.
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Establish reciprocal relationships with families”:
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Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting Pacific learners
Strategies for action:
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Develop cultural capabilityShow suggestions for Develop cultural capability
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Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusion
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Know your Pacific learnersShow suggestions for Know your Pacific learners
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Establish reciprocal relationships with familiesShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships with families
- Partner with parents and whānau
- Create a welcoming environment
- Discuss students' learning and wellbeing
- Support families to help children learn at home
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Build a culturally responsive environmentShow suggestions for Build a culturally responsive environment
