One of our challenges from lockdown one was that we didn’t get a chance to connect with whanau as much as we wanted to. This time round, we were more prepared for what to expect and wanted to connect with our whanau and families as soon as we could to see how they were doing and to share how their child's learning would continue online. We choose the Akomanga Kaihanga class to enable this to happen and invited whanau to a google hangout earlier this week.
We called our hui the 'Whanau Talanoa' with the main purpose to connect and hear from our kids, staff and families how lockdown learning has been for them. Our facilitator was our DP Russell Dunn and our support staff were Whaea Kata, Karen Ferguson, Karl Bailey, Jannie Van Hees, Jay Malholtra and myself. We had different areas to cover all linked to keeping our students and families informed about online teaching and learning.
After Russell welcomed our attendees, one of our students Saia, led us in a karakia. I then thanked families for their participation and feedback from our Showcase evening held recently. I shared some of the blogposts from the students that talked about their learnings.
Russell then shared how important it was to for our students to make connections with their learning, review what they had learnt and to keep in touch through email all whilst taking care of their wellbeing. Whaea Kata then shared that in her Health class, students were learning about gratitude.
Danielle, Siaosi and Cherry-Anne from the class then shared what they had learnt.
The classes graphics teacher Karen, then shared what the class had been up to with regard to creating a graphic novel. She shared how students can access their learning site and where to find the resources they needed to complete their tasks set.
To give whanau a heads up as to what to expect for the rest of the year, I shared a simplified version of the year plan. This then led into a short talanoa where parents had the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings before our closing karakia.
Reflection:
It was really lovely to engage with our whanau and parents. It felt we were invited into their homes for a cup of tea and there was no stress or expectation to engage. As a staff team, it was exciting to be connected with our students and their families online and to be able to share how learning happened in an online classroom. During the talanoa, families shared their challenges and rewards and were thankful for the opportunity to connect. This hui has definitely been a highlight of my lockdown to date and I look forward to connecting with our whanau more in the future.
Danielle, Siaosi and Cherry-Anne from the class then shared what they had learnt.
To give whanau a heads up as to what to expect for the rest of the year, I shared a simplified version of the year plan. This then led into a short talanoa where parents had the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings before our closing karakia.
It was really lovely to engage with our whanau and parents. It felt we were invited into their homes for a cup of tea and there was no stress or expectation to engage. As a staff team, it was exciting to be connected with our students and their families online and to be able to share how learning happened in an online classroom. During the talanoa, families shared their challenges and rewards and were thankful for the opportunity to connect. This hui has definitely been a highlight of my lockdown to date and I look forward to connecting with our whanau more in the future.
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