AFTER many years in the planning, Stratford's Teen Parent Unit (TPU), now also known as Whaimana Ako, finally has the purpose-built facility that it has longed for.
From the moment that Stratford was first granted a TPU in July 2002, the need for a purpose-built facility has prevailed.
"It's been a long time coming," says TPU head teacher, Malcolm Harding.
"So, we're extremely glad it's finally here."
Through changing locations and many years of planning and waiting, the three teaching staff now have a modern up-to-date facility in which they can help young school-age parents continue to reach their educational goals – and learn a little about life along the way.
"'Whaimana Ako' means 'family learning together, under one roof,'" says TPU teacher, Tracey Burnell,
"The idea of young parents continuing their education after starting a family has always guided what the TPU does. Now with Koru Kindergarten down the hall, we really are actually all under one roof, so the new name is entirely apt."
Education dedication
Having a new place to study certainly enhances the learning experience for the 14 girls who attend classes at the facility, but with such a great resource comes the expectation of commitment; there's never a dull moment at the TPU!
"Obviously, we appreciate these girls have important childcare commitments and we believe our weekly programme gives them the time they need with their children.
"However, we do want to help our students achieve their goals and gain qualifications and this takes dedication. We teach them a lot of important life skills each day, and learning at the TPU isn't just limited to academic work," says Tracey.
Because Stratford's TPU takes students from New Plymouth and from Hawera, for many who attend the 'school' day starts very early, with a trip on the unit's special door-to-door van service for them and their children.
After arriving at the TPU around 8.30am, there's only 15-minutes to get the little ones settled at Koru Kindergarten, and then it's student breakfast and meeting time.
"We receive sponsorship from Fonterra and Sanitarium who provide milk and Weetbix for the girls," says Malcolm.
After breakfast, it's straight into studies, with each of the girls on their own individual education plan (IEP).
"In line with Stratford High School's Poutama, we interview all students upon entry to ascertain their goals and aspirations. This is recorded and a programme of study developed."
The TPU employs three teachers whose job it is to support student learning and help the students work through any problems they have with their study materials. The study materials themselves come from 'Te Kura' (also known as the Correspondance School) and each student tends to study a maximum of four NCEA subjects.
"We also have three afternoons a week dedicated to art and/or computing, which students opt into, and everyday there is a Kiwi Sport activity - daily fitness of their choice – gym, swim or walk."
Other study options include participating in STAR work-related Unit Standards. These include first aid, retail, early childhood education and tourism and travel studies.
Life support
"Learning is self-paced," says Tracey.
"Given their family responsibilities, we all know keeping up can be sometimes difficult for them, so our role is to provide them with the support and understanding they need, while still keeping them motivated."
The idea of sharing knowledge and helping each other out extends beyond academia, with regular visits from nurse practitioner Marilyn Chittenden, Plunket and Work and Income New Zealand.
"There all really good at helping each other out though. The peer learning that goes on is great.
"Some of the students who have been here for a while have learned ways to cope with their extra responsibilities and so share what they know with those who are still pregnant, or have newborns."
While full responsibility for their children is a given, TPU is also about encouraging the students to be responsible for themselves, teaching them not only the value of good health and study, but money management and budgeting too.
"The girls put money towards paying for their own lunch, but each day it is the responsibility of one of them to be the 'chef' for the others; it's a great way for them to put into practice what they learn about healthy food preparation," says Malcolm.
"We also put them in touch with Work and Income New Zealand and help sort out any entitlements that they can apply for.
"Sending them to Koru Kindergarten isn't free, but they can apply for subsidies to help them pay for it.
"Learning to apply for these things and undersmoother and there's plenty of space for all the things students need," says Tracey.
Specially designed modular furniture can be moved about and tables grouped in a number of interesting ways, depending on how many people need to be grouped together.
"We also have withdrawal rooms off to the side where students and their children can have interviews with representatives from whichever agency they need to."
Around the outside of the room are computers that are also used by ACE Taranaki – all wired in properly, while still remaining on the periphery of the class.
Presently all cooking and art activities are undertaken in the same wet area, and there are still a few things left to be moved in and organised, but generally, everybody is over-the-moon about the quality of the new facilities and feeling really positive about the direction of the unit.
As well as the idea of everything being 'under one roof', the programme at the TPU is guided by three important principles: it is everyone's right to feel safe, it is everyone's right to learn and it is everyone's right to be treated with respect.
Running the new facility in partership with Koru Kindergarten is a proud embodiment of these important principles.
Whaimana Ako: new location, new start for TPU
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