Usually call back days are a bit like the curate’s egg – good in parts. However, this year there were a few surprises in store. Not only did we welcome a new principal, we also had a number of workshops which were thought provoking and designed to shake up the the ‘sleep’ mode that my brain had lapsed into over the long, balmy summer. The first of these was a presentation by a young person from Inside Out and this was welcomed with positive affirmation that it is now time to address the safety of the Rainbow Youth in our school.
It is always sad to hear students express homophobic opinions out aloud in the corridors It is tantamount to bullying and I cannot help but feel that what is missing from all the business in our daily lives is a programme that would see students better informed about tolerance and kindness in today’s world. The presentation gave practical, common sense strategies to use in the classroom.
The second gem to take away on the call-back days focused on Pacific students. What can we do to give these students a voice and make them feel that their culture is valued.? It is about getting to know the students and building relationships. It also means expanding this to make reciprocal relationships with families. Patty Matafeo gave a lovely analogy of how this works among Pacific people – my interpretation is that the mat is rolled out , people sit on the floor and a tapestry is woven from the conversation that occurs. Research has shown that one can simply show care by getting to know one’s students There is a TKI resource which has five strategies teachers can use to support Pacific learners
- Know your learners
- Establish reciprocal relationships with families
- Build community networks
- Build a culturally responsive environment
- Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusion
From the the conclusion of an ERO report on their in 2008 it is clear that success for Pacific students is the relationship that is built between home, the student and the teachers.
Althea White 