Joy Hooker 

Attribute 3: Honor Te Tiriti o Waitangi by integrating its principles into their teaching practice

 

Attribute 4: Practise and continue to develop their own cultural competence

 

 

Background

EMTC relocated to Manurewa during 2013. Analysis of available Manurewa profile data and partnering with Elim Christian Centre South has highlighted the educational needs of Maori and Pasifika in the local community.

 

The College is located in an area of socio economic deprivation (deprivation index of 9-10).  29.3% of those 15 years and over and living in Manurewa have no qualifications. This is higher than the New Zealand average (22.4%).  37.6% of the Manurewa population is under 20 years with a median age of 28 years (compared to 22% nationally). Unemployment in the Manurewa electorate is ranked the third highest in New Zealand at 5.3% (compared to 3.4% nationally).

 

 

 

 

Russell Bishop (2003) identified six practices that can enhance Maori students’ learning:

- Caring for students

- Caring for the performance of each student

- Creating a secure, well managed learning environment

- Engaging in effective learning interactions

- Using a range of teaching and learning strategies

- Using student progress to inform future teaching practices

 

EMTC has identified a need to intentionally engage in as many of these practices as possible, particularly regarding Maori and Pasifika learners who now form approximately 50% of our onsite student body.

 

Evaluation of EMTC achievements towards engagement with Maori and Pasifika

NZQA completed EMTC's EER review during November 2014.  Prior to this I compiled a report that included an evaluation of EMTC's achievements regarding Maori and Pasifika learners.  Excerpts from this report follow:

 

Community engagement

EMTC graduates have had significant impact in their local communities.  In South Auckland (where EMTC is now located), several local community initiatives have been instigated by EMTC students and graduates in conjunction with Elim Christian Centre South Auckland.  These include:

 

Community Soup Kitchen - Angela Anderson graduated from CCM in 2008 and from DACM in 2009.  During her internship she initiated the Soup Kitchen where local residents can come and get a hot lunch once a week at no charge.  Support was gained from the local New World, who supplies the bulk of the food, and a team from the local community prepares the meal in the Elim Christian Centre South commercial kitchen.  The Soup Kitchen feeds an approximately 75-100 people each week.

 

Youth Group – Two current DACM interns began a local youth group on Friday nights in February 2014.  They started with approximately 20 youth from the area, and as at October 2014 have 60-70 youth regularly attending.

 

L.I.G.H.T. (Littlies in God’s House Together) - The aim of this club is to support families in the local community.  Nicole Blair graduated from CCM in 2013.  She runs a baby sitting service once a month for children so their parents can go on a date.  Each month she has 20-25 children who attend.

 

Kiwise Cooking - This is a practical 10 week course run by an EMTC student.  It teaches people healthy eating on a budget.  In each course, approximately 10 people from the community learn how to budget, shop and cook healthy meals.  Courses run consecutively throughout the year.

 

C.A.P. (Christians Against Poverty) – A CAP debt centre is run locally from Elim Christian Centre South.  Two DACM interns are involved in community peer support with CAP.  This involves assisting the CAP debt coaches in visiting clients in their homes and supporting them through their CAP experience towards becoming debt free.

 

Feedback from Elim Christian Centre South is very positive regarding EMTC student and graduate input into the above initiatives.  Church staff have seen the positive impact these programmes have in local community support.

 

 

Learner engagement

The increase in percentage of Maori and Pasifika learners, and low completion rates of these learners, has brought about significant improvements in learner support at EMTC. For instance, the Dean of Students has increased her hours by 5 hours per week to specifically focus on addressing needs for EMTC’s level 4 Maori and Pasifika learners over and above the previous support provided. A level 5 intern is utilising approximately 6 hours per week to connect with level 4 students on campus as well as their whanau, and provide focused learner support.

 

To date, learner feedback on this initiative has been very positive. These new initiatives are being closely monitored to evaluate their effectiveness.

 

 

Advisors

EMTC is also pursuing avenues towards engagement of Maori and Pasifika advisors who are expected to be appointed for the 2015 academic year. The aim of this initiative is to ensure EMTC is responsive to the needs of Maori and Pasifika learners. In particular,

- to provide a culturally safe place for Maori and PI learners

- to ensure they have a voice in our programme development

- to ensure the Maori and Pasifika viewpoints are represented.