Review of webinar Together we are school.

Review of webinar Together we are school.

The triangle conversation between school, parents and student and the voice of the child: all this was central during the webinar Together We Are School, held recently. Four speakers shared their ideas and experiences in this area. Students added to the stories.

Daisy Mertens, working in primary education and member of the Education Council, mainly emphasized asking open questions during a triangle conversation. This is not always easy, partly because the information teachers have about a student often leads to images they (unconsciously) try to confirm. She recommended learning to listen and speak ‘without judgment’.

Her student Nuhaila (12) said she is very happy with the triangle conversation where her parents can also join, because it makes it much easier to talk about school.

Choosing a secondary school interactively

Annette Diender, education professional at Partnership Tailored Education, guides interactive meetings at schools where parents and students attend together to talk about school choice and the transition from primary to secondary education. She advocated letting go of the familiar format where the school mainly sends information. Using games and other activities creates positive energy and leads to intensive talks between the partners in the triangle where everyone feels involved and invited.

Read more.

Triangle conversation

Nancy van Riet-Bunte and Hanneke de Jong, respectively vice-principal and team coordinator havo upper grades at Dominicus College in Nijmegen, have made great progress with the triangle conversation.

They explained how this process works within the school if you want to start this. The school began small, first experimented in 4 havo and then involved the whole school. They advised to take enough time for this. The school also chooses this form because they notice that in this way they can better follow and support not only students’ school results but especially their social-emotional development.

This was confirmed by students Julian and Hugo (both 5 vwo). They even said that the triangle conversations could last a bit longer. According to them, it is especially important that students experience space to say what occupies them; if there is too much time pressure, there is a risk they will not speak out.

Dominicus College has several documents on its website about setting up and organizing triangle conversations. Read more.

Taking an extra step

Lucelle Comvalius, teacher at the vmbo of Christelijk College Groevenbeek, closed the line-up. She emphasized the great importance of working together with parents, which first takes time but ultimately only saves time. Sometimes it requires ‘taking an extra step’. Parents of her students sometimes have many worries or pressure from their work situation that make it difficult to come to school. Then it is important to find creative solutions, she argued, sharing examples. It is also important to realize that it is not always easy for parents to be pedagogical partners of the school; there is a coaching path that can support them. Also about the choice for vmbo you must keep good talks with students and parents, said Lucelle. As an ambassador for this education, she gladly shares links to a poster campaign and video.

Watch again

Parts of the webinar can now be watched again. In these videos, moderator Marijke Roskam, known as presenter of BNR Nieuwsradio, talks with Daisy Mertens; teacher of the year 2016 and member of the Education Council, Annette Diender; independent in education, Lucelle Comvalius; social studies teacher and teacher of the year 2018-2019, Nancy van Riet-Bunte; vice-principal of Dominicus College, Hanneke de Jong; art teacher & team coordinator of Dominicus College and some students.