Event update
Last night we held our first ever virtual Whānau-Fānau evening, a very important kaupapa and key to ensuring the whānau of our Māori and Pacific students are an integral part of their learning journey. We know that juggling home and study commitments is difficult, even more so now due to the impact of COVID, so these evenings are designed to connect the learner and their whānau to the many support functions we have available to our learners on campus.
At the event our student support teams presented on each of areas that are available to support and assist our learners, Head of Schools were there to introduce themselves and respond to any questions about course content and what to expect in the year ahead, and representatives from the Student Council were also on hand for a Q&A session. Glenn Mckay led the event and Falaniko Tominiko facilitated the question time, helping to draw out and expand on the topics being discussed.
Posted: 7 October 2020
Our Whānau-Fānau evening is going ahead next week, Wednesday 14 October, but it will be a virtual event. This event is important for our Māori and Pacific students to ensure that families remain an integral part of the student journey, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
The bi-annual Whānau-Fānau evenings are designed to connect first year students and their whānau to the support and assistance networks we have on campus, as well as give teaching staff a greater appreciation of the family commitments and responsibilities of some of their students. Our students’ experience during their first six weeks has a big impact on our retention rate so it’s important that we focus on ensuring they are supported, engaged, establish relationships with their teachers and understand the support services available to them while settling in.
This semester’s event was shifted online due to earlier uncertainty around COVID-19 alert levels, and families, students and staff members will be able to connect with each other via Zoom; a tool that students are already using for their online studies.
Toni Rewiri, our Director of Māori Success, said that despite not being able to meet whānau in person and share kai, the virtual event would still give families, students and staff the opportunity to share kōrero.
“We’ll still be able to meet our Māori and Pacific students and their whānau, and to start to engage in whakawhanaungatanga so they feel a sense of belonging at Unitec. We know that if our students feel a sense of manaaki, they are more likely to be successful in completing their study. These events, along with the pōhiri and wānanga show our Māori and Pacific students that we care about their success.”
“We know that juggling home and study commitments is difficult for many of our students, and especially so this year, given the challenges of COVID-19,” said Dr Falaniko (Niko) Tominiko, our Director of Pacific Success. “It’s important that we still provide an opportunity for everyone to connect, share experiences and learn about what we can offer in the way of support at Unitec.”
Niko said that family support is very important for Pacific students so having an opportunity for them to understand what is required to support their family member is vital to the student’s success.
“Outside of study, Pacific students have many other responsibilities and their families need to know that studying is also a commitment. It’s important that they support their family member’s need to put aside time for their studies.”
The virtual Whānau-Fānau evening will be held on Wednesday 14 October from 5.30-7pm. To join in register here to be part of the Zoom event. Please encourage your Pacific and Māori students to come along, and share the registration link with them.