Te Ngaru Tahi Voices

Ma whero ma pango ka oti ai te mahi

With red and black the work will be complete

As we work collaboratively great change can be achieved

Mutukaroa Network - Te Ngaru Tahi, The First Wave (Phase One) has completed it’s first year delivering the Mutukaroa Programme in 9 schools across the Auckland region. As a snapshot of our journey we have collected and collated the voices of those involved. These voices are overwhelmingly positive. This is probably more an insight into the swell of support for the programme than a critical review of it’s process or implementation. However that is the power of Mutukaroa, it moves home and school toward a true and more equal partnership centered around the learning and achievement of our tamariki.

Me te mihi nui Noeleen Fox-Matamua Mutukaroa Coordinator Otahuhu Primary School Network of Schools: East Tamaki School, Mangere Central School, Mayfield Primary School, New Market Primary School, Otahuhu Primary School, Ranui Primary School, Tamaki Primary School, Te Papapa School, Wymondley Road School.

Early student voice findings show that students are enjoying the learning process with their parents at home, they are using the resources that they have been given and feel successful in their learning and can articulate this.

Students enjoy learning at home

“Learning is fun at home.” “I like working with my mum and brother” “My family help me to look after my treasure box” “I like doing my homework and learning my words and numbers” “I like it when my mum helps me”

Using the resources

“My mum tests me on my words and then we play the game.” “I can do my ABC card, I like the Cookie Monster cards” “I like bingo and my writing cards” “I like writing numbers with my crayon” “I like having my own treasure box” “I love my box. I love everything inside”

“I love my box. I love everything inside”

Feeling successful

“I am good at my reading” “I can do things now by myself that I couldn’t do.” “I am brainy!” “I am reading hard books now. My teacher and my mum are proud of me” ‘I know my ABC.” “I know how to write lots of words.”

“I can do things now by myself that I couldn

Overwhelmingly, parents of students in the Mutukaroa programme find the Mutukaroa learning conversations valuable and they feel more engaged with their child’s learning. Some parents report that they are more confident about asking questions and are recommending the programme to other parents.

The parents express that the co constructed targets/goals set at the meetings and the resources provided by the Mutukaroa coordinators are useful and help to focus on next steps for their child’s learning. Parents are also more active in the school community joining other programmes. Some parents have suggested that the Mutukaroa Programme be extended into the senior school.

Learning Conversations are valuable.

“I can’t wait to see how much progress she has made in 6 months time” “Really clear explanation of the programme, and I know how to help my child at home to get better.” “The meetings help because each time we are able to identify new ways of helping K advance using day to day activities at home and at school.” “Now I know what the colour wheel is all about” “Great interview, I enjoy hearing updates on my child’s progress.”

“Very helpful and great initiative allowing me as a parent, to keep the finger on the pulse and stay in the know regarding where my child is at.

”

Engaged and Empowered.

“Very helpful and great initiative allowing me as a parent to keep the finger on the pulse and stay in the know regarding where my child is at.” “At the first meeting I was very nervous and didn’t ask many questions, but after that I felt comfortable asking questions. The meetings have helped because I can see how much effort S has put into his reading and I’m so happy to help him at home” “I really see what can happen for my child when I’m working in partnership with the school. Mutukaroa for me has been awesome!” “I would recommend it to everyone. It would have been good to have the programme around when our older kids started school.”

Supported and Equipped to support child at home.

“ I know what to focus on to help my daughter and we can just keep using the pack full of resources” “Gave me new ideas on how to help my daughter with her school works at home. It was good to know where she’s at with her learning and what to do for her to reach her goal….I could focus on what she really needs help with at home and ways to get her to her goals." Activities are specific to the targets set.

Support material was explained clearly and detail added to ‘take home’ sheet.

Beneficial with unintended positive spin-offs.

“This is amazing, I wish I had this for my older children” “I’ve put my name down to be part of the Reading Together Programme so I can do more to help my son”

“This should be implemented everywhere.

Classroom teachers of students in the Mutukaroa Programme have a good understanding of how the programme works and feel fully informed and part of the process. Teachers have noticed shifts in their students’ learning and suggest that parents are more active in their children’s learning. Teachers are getting positive feedback about the Mutukaroa Programme from parents and are noting that some parents have more confidence to ask questions about their child’s learning. Some teachers have also noticed an increase of parent participation in school wide activities.

Mutukaroa Teachers have noticed-

• Value in doing their own student assessments.

• Shifts in student data • Parents are engaging more meaningfully with their children’s learning • Parents are starting to understand the assessment data • Huge improvement in family engagement with learning at home • Increased engagement with parents school wide

Teachers say Mutukaroa has made a difference to student’s learning

“Students knowledge of the alphabet and high frequency words have improved. This has helped with reading and writing” “It’s making a great impact, student’s learning has improved” “Data is current when parent meetings are held which is awesome” http://www.vln.school.nz/blog/view/887207/nps-teacher-voice

“I have seen children who are now confident in their alphabet, Maths and Reading. Children are now asking for homework. Attitudes have also changed- children wanting to learn more.

”

Teachers are getting feedback from parents and have noticed parents asking questions about their child’s learning

“ I have a student in my class whose sister is in the Mutukaroa Programme. His parents love Mutukaroa and have made positive comments about it” (Senior school teacher) “One parent asked me what would happen if her son was below expectation at the end of the year, it was wonderful and started a rich conversation”

Teachers have an understanding of the Mutukaroa Programme

“I think the communication around the programme is clear and appropriate. I feel included in the process” “ We are all on the same page ” “This is a great home school partnership that is engaging the parents and helping give them direction as to how they can support the education of their children alongside the classroom teacher”

Teachers are seeing increased parent engagement

“ Sometimes students are talking about what they’ve done with their parents and how they use their home learning packs” “Parents are more involved in their children’s learning” “It’s apparent the parents and children that are following up with their goals at home. These students are achieving at higher levels with the home/school partnership” “Parents are coming into the classroom more and we have lots of parents on school trips” “Three of my Mutukaroa parents have put their names down to do the Reading Together Programme next term

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“Huge improvement in family engagement with learning at home. This has a huge positive run-on into the classroom with students learning.

”

Mutukaroa Programme Coordinators Te Ngaru Tahi see value and purpose in the Mutukaroa programme and see it as a productive partnership model.

The coordinators have observed a positive impact on the student achievement within the programme and assert that collaborative communication with parents and teachers is a strength of the Mutukaroa Programme.

Coordinators expressed that the collegial support from the network and break away coordinators meetings was effective and constructive to best practice.

“The gains made by students from 5 to 5 ½ are exciting. I love sharing this information with parents.” “Assessment in school has been consistent and provided rich information for teachers and parents. They are better informed about their child’s learning and how they can help them at home.” “Great collaboration with New Entrant teachers. Have loved their energy and working alongside them to improve learning.” “The network meetings are informative and give a bigger picture of the Mutukaroa Programme” “I find the coordinators break away meetings are effective and constructive for my best practice” “I benefit a lot and I put into practice new things/ideas I learn from other coordinators. Thank you

“Learning Conversations empower and excite parents, they feel they have an impact on their child ’s learning because of the specific strategies and resources they are given.

”

“Working alongside parents has been rewarding especially in taking the learning that’s happening in the classroom into the homes” “Working closely with the teachers has improved communication and made assessments visible to all.” “Great support given by the Principal and Senior management.” “Resources and tools to do the job well has been provided.” “Learning conversations have been a success. Parents have found it very informative.” “Being part of a cluster / coordinators breakouts and meetings have been useful for celebrating successes and problem solving and sharing with others” “I enjoy talking and sharing data with teachers. parents and other coordinators”

“A valuable initiative because it bridges the gap between the home and the school and parents feel empowered ”

Principal’s of the Mutukaroa Team Te Ngaru Tahi network reported increased opportunity for parent engagement around students learning and some noted accelerated student achievement. Principals also described the strengthened relationships with whanau and the positive impact the programme has on the wider school community.

“The programme has been another wonderful opportunity to connect with our community around our students learning and achievement.

It has enabled our school and our community to learn and teach alongside each other.

I have been extremely impressed with the many successes throughout this year. From the expertise, commitment and professionalism of our Mutukaroa staff through to the positive uptake by our school community.” “Whanau are hugely thankful for the programme. By leveraging their ability to support us, we are gaining so much in the terms of accelerated student achievement.” “Mutukaroa is a great support system for the whanau to engage with the learner. It gives our whanau another face in the school that they feel comfortable with. Mutukaroa gives the whanau and the learner a positive relationship experience. It helps all parties to stay informed with what is happening and where the learner is at. Parents and students come out of the meetings glowing with a beaming smile, excited about learning and progress.”

“Whanau are hugely thankful for the programme. By leveraging their ability to support us, we are gaining so much in the terms of accelerated student achievement.

”

Themes and Trends

Value & Purpose

• • • • • I see value in the programme” “Valuable initiative” “A true productive partnership model.” “Learning Conversations empower and excite parents, they feel they have an impact on their child’s learning because of the specific strategies and resources they are given.” Working alongside parents has been rewarding especially in taking the learning that’s happening in the classroom into the homes.

Impact on Achievement

• • • • • Working closely with the teachers has improved communication and made assessments visible to all.

Assessments are more consistent and used formatively to improve practice. Children involved in Mutukaroa from New Entrant level this year have made accelerated progress in terms of raw scores and stanine shifts in the observation survey. This has had a positive impact on classroom achievement. ‘Catch up’ is less as students are monitored much more regularly and closely on Mutukaroa.

The gains made by students from 5 to 5 ½ are exciting. I love sharing this information with parents.

Themes and Trends

Breakout & Network Meetings

• • • • • I’m appreciative of the collegial support I get from belonging to a network.

I find the coordinators breakaway meetings are effective and constructive for my best practice The network meetings are informative and give a bigger picture of the Mutukaroa Programme Being part of a cluster / coordinators breakouts and meetings have been useful for celebrating successes and problem solving and sharing with others. (Collaboration ) Great collaboration within the cluster

Purposeful Communication

• • • • • Great collaboration with New Entrant teachers. Have loved their energy and working alongside them to improve learning.

Working closely with the teachers has improved communication and made assessments visible to all.

Learning conversations has been a success.

Parents have found it very informative.

Regular conversations with other co-ordinators has affirmed, critiqued and challenged our roles in school and provided support where necessary. A valuable initiative because it bridges the gap between the home and the school and parents feel empowered.