Partner with parents and family to support their child's learning
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Establishing reciprocal relationships with parents and families to support learning'
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Successful home-school partnerships
Successful home-school partnerships
Build a partnership that has a clear focus on students’ learning, where everyone can make positive and active contributions that benefit learning.
What to ask parents and family
What to ask parents and family
Practical elements:
- the language(s) spoken at home
- medications and allergies
- equipment used at home
- what they do at home to support learning
Students' likes and dislikes:
- likes, interests, strengths, what they’re good at, can do independently
- dislikes, what can upset them, how they express this, calming skills
- favourites (TV programmes, hobbies, books, songs, sports)
The people in the students' lives:
- parent and whānau hopes and priorities
- important people in the student’s life
- best methods and times to communicate with the family
- professionals working with the family
- questions they have and support they would like from the school.
Pacific parents' preferences
Pacific parents' preferences
- to be contacted more often about their child’s positive achievements
- to be informed about celebrations of their child’s achievement, especially when their child was receiving an award or certificate at assembly
- honest reporting about their child’s progress and achievement
- to be contacted sooner rather than later when concerns or issues arose regarding their children’s education or well-being
- to have a homework centre at their child’s school, to build confidence in helping their child with learning
- Information meetings, for example meetings about NCEA
- an appropriate staff member as a key contact or liaison person for Pacific families
- a senior manager (particularly in secondary schools) responsible for improving educational outcomes for Pacific students
- school staff, particularly teachers, with some understanding about working with Pacific families
- meetings for groups of parents based on their ethnicity.
Source: Partners in learning: Parents’ voices (ERO, 2008) (opens in a new tab/window)
Build positive relationships
Build positive relationships
When building relationships with Pasifika families, consider your approach and be mindful of the experiences they bring.
Identify barriers to engagement and help to break these down.
It is important to consider:
- personal preferences for engagement (for example, face-to-face, group based)
- suitable timing (for example, time of day, week), acknowledging personal pressures and commitments
- the background of the person or group and their personal experiences with schooling
- the benefit of the event for the people you are engaging with
- culturally appropriate actions for different situations
- letting them know about you, as well as learning about who they are.
Source: Supporting Pacific Success – Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020–2030 (opens in a new tab/window)
Support learning conversations
Support learning conversations
- Promote regular face-to-face contact to reinforce strong communication and engagement with parents and families right from the start.
- Communicate and share information in a meaningful way, demonstrating understanding and support for parents’ concerns.
- Value what parents and caregivers have noticed or assessments they have had done outside school.
- Involve parents and family in determining strategies to support the student’s learning and wellbeing.
- Work with any programmes or materials being used at home to maximise consistency and support for the student.
- Develop systems for passing on information about a student’s needs, progress, and next steps in ways that are meaningful.
- Actively and regularly communicate positive information and achievements to the family.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Talanoa tips with Pasifika learners
A Core blog post that discusses what Pasifika success, Pasifika aspirations, Pasifika presence, Pasifika engagement, and Pasifika achievement look like in your school or field of work.
Welcoming parents
This video includes practical suggestions for engaging Pasifika parents in the school community.
Publisher: Pasifika Education Community
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
