Victory Primary School in Nelson has adopted an approach which it describes as ‘enrolling the family, not just the child’. Community facilities have been put in place on the school grounds and parents actively welcomed and encouraged to participate in their child’s education. Families can get medical help, counselling, adult education, childcare, legal advice and meet with a number of government and community agencies providing family assistance at a school community centre.
Te Whänau Ara Mua is a family learning and literacy programme where an adult studies as a tertiary student at a school site. The programme runs through a partnership between Manukau Institute of Technology, COMET (a community education trust), local schools and ECEs and the adult participants. The partners each bring different expertise and connections, enabling the programme to cross generations and sectors, to deliver outcomes for adult students, their children, families, communities and the organisations involved.
Sefina Tefono, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ofa Nai-Saulala, COMET, Tone Kolose, Wymondley Road School and Mary Takatainga, Yendarra School will be assisting with the presentation.
Te Aroha Noa Community Services is an integrated family and community development organisation situated in the lower socio-economic, culturally diverse suburb of Highbury in Palmerston North. Since its inception in 1991 TANCS has had a commitment to develop an adult learning community in partnership with the community and in response to their needs. The Mäori principle of AKO, that we are all learners and educators, has been central to the organisation's kaupapa.
Sally Thompson is the CEO of Adult Learning Australia; the 51 year old national peak body for adult and community education across Australia. Sally began her career as an adult literacy teacher. She is the former President of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council and a current member of the Victorian Adult Community and Further Education Board. She has worked in management and leadership roles in ACE, TAFE and Higher Education environments and in Indigenous Education.