Date
18 April 2024

Strengthen Pacific community engagement to support student learning

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Building strong community networks’

Create a dedicated parent space

Create a dedicated parent space

Sylvia Park School created a parents’ centre where parents can meet to talk about their children’s learning and achievement.

Support information sharing

Support information sharing

Model your commitment to inclusion in the way your school shares information with families and the wider community.

  • Use a variety of communication methods, including face-to-face communication, newsletters translated into Pacific languages, telephone contact, and home-school communication notebooks.
  • Include illustrated success stories about all students.
  • Share ongoing stories of your school's commitment to inclusive practices and next steps.
  • Make materials available in the languages of your school community.
  • Ensure that written material is supported with graphics to support understanding.
  • Clearly explain how parents can connect with teachers and support staff at your school to talk about their child.
  • Offer digital and hard copy materials, so that families can select an access option that works best for them.
  • Extend open invitations for parents to join the school parent and teacher group, and other groups they can belong and contribute to.

Support parental engagement

Support parental engagement

Consider group seating arrangements, providing refreshments, and providing translations of written material or translators for discussions.

Support engagement in learning

Support engagement in learning

Explore the viewpoints of students, teachers, and parents on the involvement of parents and communities in schooling.

Foster pastoral care

Foster pastoral care

Clint Samaseia, discusses the pastoral support that Pacific learners need. He shares ways to develop community engagement to increase parental involvement.

Participate in cultural events

Participate in cultural events

Support opportunities, such as participation in Polyfest, where students can experience high levels of success as Pasifika peoples.

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Build community networks”:

Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”

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