Learning that multiplies – Whānau Ara Mua in 2014
2014 Graduates from Whānau Ara Mua celebrating their success
2014 was a great year. 120 families across Auckland, including 401 children, benefitted from Whānau Ara Mua, the year- long family learning and literacy project that COMET Auckland sponsors.
Before I started WAM, my children would ask me to read with them however I wasn't much of a reader then while on my WAM course I learnt about how important reading is and how much it has to offer with for example imagination and wonder. Now we read together most nights
What does Whānau Ara Mua cover?
We know that a mum’s education is one of the biggest influences on a child’s education outcomes, so Whānau Ara Mua has been designed to help parents put learning and literacy consciously at the heart of family life. Parents build their confidence and skills in four main areas: Personal and Family Relationships
- Children’s Learning and Development
- Family Health and Wellbeing
- Future Directions
2014 successes
122 adult students graduated with the Level 2 Certificate in Family Learning and Child Development that is embedded in the year-long Whānau Ara Mau programme. That’s an 80% success rate, a fantastic achievement for the Solomon Group, the tertiary provider of Whānau Ara Mau.
For most, this is their first tertiary qualification and marks the start of their journey toward work, further study and greater financial independence.
Where to next?
More than 50% of students have plans for further study and 31% are looking for paid work. Almost all want to build on the successes and the changes in their families and work towards new goals.
It’s about the children
Investing in intergenerational programmes that raise the skills of parents while also helping children learn gets a great return.. Whānau Ara Mua is specifically designed to strengthening parents’ skills and confidence in helping their children learn.
There was no communication just yelling, was very hard to do maths homework and Spelling, their Attitudes were very Stressful. Now that I done the course we have managed to communicate better, understand Home work as well as myself, their attitudes has changed to the stage I can say they have learnt the word Respect towards everything. No more Stress, Extra Money to have family outings, we have learnt to do things together as a Family.
Children report that their mums are happier, yell less and help them with their homework more.
Where do the learners come from?
The programme ran in 9 centres: Papakura North and Edmund Hillary Primary Schools in Papakura, Homai and Leabank Primary Schools in Manurewa, Kelston Primary School in West Auckland, Stanhope Primary School in Tamaki and at the Solomon Group campuses in Manurewa, Panmure and Henderson.
Who takes part?
64% of the course participants are Māori and Pasifika and 86% were sole parents, most on the Sole Parent Benefit. 61% had no qualifications – in fact, 32% had left school before Year 11, so had no chance of completing qualifications. 35% of the adult students speak languages other than English at home.
2015 plans
In 2015, student places expand to 220 and the number of sites will also increase. To get more information on WAM in 2015, please contact maree@solomongroup.co.nz
Financial Literacy Makes a Difference in Whānau Ara Mua
I’ve now opened a savings account to be there for emergencies and bills like car registration
I opened up a savings account for each of my children so they have money for what they need
Embedding MoneyMinded into a family learning and literacy course makes a real difference to family life, according to a recently released report. COMET Auckland was delighted to be at the launch of the ANZ Bank’s MoneyMinded New Zealand Impact Report, to celebrate with ANZ and the Solomon Group, our delivery partners for Whānau Ara Mua.
The Solomon Group wrapped MoneyMinded into Whānau Ara Mua, enabling the parents on the course to improve their literacy and maths while also learning skills with money.
82% of the participants said they had started to put money aside for family emergencies after the course. Greater financial literacy increases personal confidence and reduces stress, according to the report.
I save more than I did before and don’t just use the money I save on junk food or rubbish. I use it for things I need.
People on the course passed on what they were learning about financial management to their children and others in their families. A big hit was thinking about stopping spending ‘leaks’, where money disappears on small things (often takeaways, coffees and non-essentials) without being noticed.
One of MoneyMinded’s strengths has been that it is designed for use by adults with low reading and maths skills, something that is not always recognised in financial literacy programmes. The report recognises that some of the benefits learners made on the course may come from being on a wider family literacy programme.
Thanks to the Solomon Group for going the extra mile to incorporate this course into Whānau Ara Mua.
For more information you can read the report by clicking here
Whānau Ara Mua 2013
In 2013 150 parents are enrolled in Whānau Ara Mua, the year-long tertiary programme COMET Auckland owns. The Solomon Group are running Whānau Ara Mua in partnership with Pukekohe North, Edmund Hillary, Homai and Stanhope Primary Schools. Parents have also enrolled at the Solomon Group’s campuses in Manurewa, Panmure and Henderson and they link back to their child’s own school from there.
The benefits for the parents include:
- A greater understanding of their children’s education
- Skills for work and higher study for themselves
- More confidence as parents and as their children’s first teachers
- A tertiary qualification - a Level 2 Certificate in Family Learning and Child Development
Even after only a few weeks, Whānau Ara Mua is making a difference to some of this year’s students. Here are a few quotes from parents and caregivers who are taking part in the programme this year:
“It teaches me to have patience around the children”
“I have discovered that there is more to me than just being a mum. I’ve learnt that there are so many ways of bringing up your children and realising that each child is an individual. I can make a change for my children, because this course is showing me many ways which I didn’t know about.”
Last year’s Whānau Ara Mua students describe how the course enriched the lives of themselves and their families:
“I enjoyed PACTT with my daughter and to see her transform from a shy but willing child to a very independent confident individual. This was very rewarding and overwhelming in itself for me and her… My family and I have grown closer to each other, and every night at dinner time we share our highlights of each day. This is new to my family and something we will continue to do in the future.”
“I’ve learnt a lot more on this course than just numeracy, reading and writing skills, and how to help my kids. I’ve learnt better budgeting skills, and how to make healthy food and cooking choices.”
“This course has given me the chance to open up and have a voice to speak my mind about being a proud parent. I have made new friends and have gained new knowledge about how to help my children."
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Alison Sutton at: alison.sutton@cometauckland.org.nz
