Growing up, I was surrounded by Girls can do anything stickers (bright yellow with pink writing) to encourage and motivate me at school and to do as well as males. Times have changed — when I went to University, over twenty-five years ago, females already accounted for over 60% of the students in the Marketing Department and in my year the honours class was 80% female.
Now, as the mother of two tama, I want to start the conversation — sharing stories and resources of how teachers and whānau can support and engage boys at school and at home, to be all that they want to be.
How can we make sure all our tamariki fulfil their potential?
Anaru White (a teacher for many years, and now a CORE Education facilitator) and I have started this ongoing discussion and asked for ideas from colleagues (Jo Robson and others) as well as on Twitter.
Podcast: Let’s Hear It For The Boys — encouraging boys to succeed at home and school
Join the conversation
Anaru and I would like to continue gathering ideas on how parents and teachers can continue to support boys to fulfil their potential. If you have a resource or a story to share – or an issue you would like us to explore — please leave a comment below or tweet us: @rsavagenz or @anaruwhite. Or, join the conversation on #BoysInEducation.
Some resources:
Book: http://www.celialashlie.co.nz/boys-work
Blog: https://eduwells.com/2016/03/19/helping-boys-learn/
Audio interview: Parenting with Joseph Driessen — girls vs boys
Blog: 11 Ways to grow great readers: A parent’s perspective
Image: boys playing on Kaikoura beach — by the author.

Rochelle Savage

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- Let’s hear it for the boys — engaging boys at school and home - November 28, 2016
I’m going to try Rochelle’s idea “lying in bed with the lights out chat” with my 15 yr old son this week. While he’s still communicating pretty well with me (but this has slowed down considerably in the last 6 mths, as teenage boys syndrome has kicked in!), I think the value of lying in the dark while feeling relaxed, may encourage more sharing at this time of the day. Great discussion thanks guys!
E pai ana (you’re welcome) Tracey. Thanks for your comments – we’ve slipped out of the habit last week and must get back onto it!