Whanau Conference Term 3 2015

This Term was my first Whanau Conference that I held as a Beginning Teacher. It was a great learning experience for me as times have changed. I have seen and been used to where the teacher leads the parent interviews where as today they are lead by the students in 3 way parent teacher student conferences. Before the teacher would feedback on the student where as now the conference is lead by the student and they feedback their goals and learning to their parents. 

I believe that this form of reporting back to the parents is more effective from what I have observed from the other teachers as well as seen. This conferencing process enables the children to be more actively involved in their learning and reporting process. 

Before the Whanau conferences took place I conferenced with my reading and maths and writing groups and we sat down and set our goals for term 3 and 4. 

I sat down with the children and as a group we looked through together assessment analysis as well as their mid year reports and from their the children devised their new learning goals on their Digital presentations. 

My role during the conference was more of a facilitator where I guided and supported the children where needed. This form of reporting back to the Whanau was I feel effective as it focuses on the learner and their growth as a learner. This in turn I personally believe grows independent learners. 

Being a new teacher to Room 7, though I was a .6 teacher before and the parents have seen me around school. This gave me an opportunity to get to know the parents and the parents to also feel comfortable and get me know me as their child's new teacher. 

Student-led conferences and three-way conferences are designed to achieve one or more of the following goals:

• to help students demonstrate evidence of learning
• to teach students the process of reflection and self-evaluation
• to facilitate the development of students' organisational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence
• to encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue
• to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their learning
• to increase parent understanding of their child’s learning through improving attendance at and satisfaction with the reporting process.

Overall, I had great feedback from the Whanau's present and was very pleased at how the night ended. I was also proud at the effort that the children put into their goal presentations as well as the effort and confidence in presenting them to their families. It was also great to see families come to the Whanau conferences and take an active role in their children's learning.