Cultural Connections

Engaging with Parents...a task we have always found difficult, especially with our Māori community.

DPS Whanau Hui October 2016

We have tried a few things in the past from meetings in the staffroom, shoulder-tapping at the school picnic, surveys being sent home, and cornering parents as they are leaving their childs learning conference. None of these have been particularly successful...at either meeting the needs of the tickboxes, or gaining more parent helpers/allies for the school.

I have often felt that the school wants what some other local schools have, but we have tried to force it to happen...rather than allowing a relationship to develop and grow by itself. Perhaps our 'why' is muddled...why are we doing this? If we aren't clear, the mixed messages will be a pretty strong deterrent.

This year is the last of the schools 3 year Strategic Plan, so we were seeking voice from the community about what they wanted next for their learners. A part of that was having a hui to hear from the parents of our Māori community. After much talk, the team decided to make use of the marae across the road, and to follow Māori meeting protocol, and just allow everyone to speak their minds. Brett, our BoT chair, ended up running the hui...and did an amazing job. The voices were slow at first, many parents had come to just 'see' what this was going to be about, but soon a common message started to come through.

Respect and celebrate the culture, but give it some prominence. Many were unaware of what the school does to promote Tikanga and Te Reo (outside of kapahaka) but they felt that their children were the same, unsure as to what the school is doing. We can work on that, a great next step.

The group was also keen to carry on the dialogue...but not to make heavy, 'lets look at the data' type meetings...but to have fun, and upskill as a group. One parent has written some local stories in Te Reo that he is keen to share, and another is able to teach us some waiata and games. Amazing, we would never have gotten to this point by forcing the issue. It was very affirming as well, coming hard on the heels of another consultation evening that only 2 non-BoT/Staff parents attended.

Overall I think we have reached that point where interest can now start to gather momentum. BoT chair can push on, and use these keen whanau as experts, and the basis of starting a larger group. At some stage I'm sure the discussion will turn to the academic side of school life, but it will be coming from the parents, not from a tickbox the school needs ticked.