Soso’o le fau ma le fau – Connect the fibre with another fibre
Soso’o le fau ma le fau – Connect the fibre with another fibre
Barnardo’s Hornby Pasifika Early Learning was invited to partake in research conducted by CORE Education in partnership with the Rātā Foundation.
The aim of this research was to support and establish successful transitions of Pacific tamaiti from early childhood education to school. The research involved our Kaiako, whānau and tamariki sharing their journey to amplify Pacific perspectives in the hope that it would support pedagogical changes to current practice and mobilise strategies to influence systems level change.
- The project sought to understand, what do transitions to school look and feel like from a Pacific world view?
- How can the fau be strengthened to ensure successful transition?
- What can teachers do to ensure the fau is strong in all setting for all Pacific children and their aiga (family)?
Barnardos Early Learning enquiry
Our enquiry question was “How can we honour and reflect the cultures and values of families in their new learning environments as they transition?”.
Barnardos Hornby Pasifika Early Learning Centre and Te Māhuri Mānuka Hornby Primary School set out to answer this question during this research process through the importance of talanoa and by putting aiga at the forefront of the journey and letting their aspirations for their tamaiti guide the process.
It is evident when you walk into the learning space at Te Mahuri, through the colourful art works displayed representing the aspirations and cultural identity of each individual, that our transition to school process is one that involves the sharing of talanoa. Learning spaces on both sides of the fence mirror each other to create consistency, so that tamaiti (children) feel familiar with the transition. The environments are rich in culture by sourcing inclusive resources, such as books, musical instruments, song, and dance.
We believe reciprocal and respectful relationships where aiga feel their aspirations for their tamariki are heard and acknowledged, breaks down the barriers to contribute to this very important milestone in the education journey. The participation from aiga on our transition visits to school, has grown because of this research project and the special relationships the schools have cemented with one another is something we can be very proud of. As time goes on, it is our aim to continue to grow our practice and always ensure our tamaiti and their aiga feel empowered and ready about this important next step in their education journey.
Read the report here: Report
Learn more by watching the Core Education Digital Media below.
Talanoa i lou tuāoi | Talanoa over the fence from CORE Education Digital Media on Vimeo.
