Thursday, August 20, 2015

Engaging the Learner

Accelerating Progress and Achievement for Pasifika Learners
Evelyn Niua and Rosemary Mose, Ministry of Education

Parents Matter

A successful fono when no one wants to leave.

Pasifika Talanoa
  • Invited parents and Pasifika staff to be part of the planning group
  • Personalised invitations and phone calls to parents and families
  • Short, sharp programme - students involved (introduction, performance)
  • Informal, relaxed tone and afternoon tea to share
  • Fun and engaging - focus on big C leading to deeper level conversations around little c
    • Big C open the door to developing relationships so you can engage around the little c stuff

  • What they said
    • They want students to do well
    • Students to achieve at the same level as other students
    • Celebrate

Spiral of Inquiry, Learning and Action
Timperley, Kaser and Halbert, 2014




Children and the Law

Legislation for and about children
Fiona Bell, Social Worker in Schools

Family Violence (Recap of previous session)
Latest statistics: Roughly every second call out for the police is for family violence.
Cycle of Violence

Leaving - reasons for not leaving

  • Fatigue
  • Finance 
  • Father
  • Fear (most at risk when they first leave, have a baby, start a new relationship)
  • False hope
  • Faith
  • Waiting for children to reach a certain age
Impact on children
  • Smaller brains, cortisol hormone levels are heightened
Children Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0024/latest/DLM147088.html

Family Violence Act 1995
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1995/0086/latest/DLM371926.html

Care of Children Act 2004
http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2004/0090/latest/DLM317233.html

Vulnerable Children Act 2014
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2014/0040/latest/whole.html

Final Thoughts and Ideas
  • Triggers
    • Often sensory 
      • music, 
      • sounds, 
      • touch, 
      • temperature, 
      • smell
      • social can take you to an emotional place
  • Language
    • Angry kid can't blow bubbles - give them a bubble blower to use
    • Meet the kids where they are emotionally before talking about choice.
      • i.e. deal with the anger first, give them the chance to be heard