August 27, 2014
Simple ideas getting results
The chief executive of the ASB Community Trust says some of the simplest ideas are the most effective when it comes to raising educational achievement.
The trust is marking the fifth anniverary of a programme under which it has invested $20 million in 10 initiatives across Auckland and Northland that target Maori and Pacific education.
They range from training volunteers in the non-government sector so they learn to make better governance decisions, to programmes which help secondary school students continue into tertairy study, to the Mutukaroa programme which has boosted teaching and achievement levels at Sylvia Park Primary.
Jennifer Gill says the decile two school turned its former dental clinic into a place where a specialist teacher gives parents of new entrants advice on what their child can expect from school and what they can do to help.
"I heard a really interesting conversation between her and a Samona mum who said the parents at home were discussing whether they should speak Samoan or English to their children at home and what would be better for the child and Ariana said to the young mum, 'you talk to them in Samoan and we will make sure they learn to speak good English,' so it's about empowering parents about what's happening in schools so that they can help their children," she says.
The ASB Trust is now turning its sights on programmes addressing youth who are not in education, training or employment.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER GILL CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjE1MTQ=
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