group identified an opportunity to support state schools in Aotearoa New Zealand to develop alumni engagement programmes as a means of creating equal opportunity for students to be exposed to inspiring role models and career opportunities. The Connect Futures NZ alumni engagement programme commenced in August 2018, as the Trust engaged with several prospective partner schools. Nine partner schools and one Teen Parent Unit have since joined the programme as stage 1 partner schools, which the Trust will continue to partner with as they establish alumni engagement programmes in their schools. Phase one of the programme commenced in Term 1 2019 with the partner schools proceeding through an onboarding process. In Term 2, most of the schools moved into stage two of the programme: establishing their community engagement systems and resources. Tāwai Takapiri Connect Futures NZ Trust works alongside the leaders and alumni programme champions of partner schools as they progress, at their own pace, through the establishment, implementation and activation phases as their alumni engagement programme comes to life. In their mentorship roles, Connect Futures Programme Managers contribute expert advice, guidance, support, and encouragement while ensuring that programme milestones are celebrated and impact, in terms of inspiring opportunities created for current students, is monitored. Connect Futures NZ’s approach ensures that partner schools develop an alumni and community engagement programme that has the capacity to serve and enrich students past, present, and future. Throughout its early years, Fowler says TTCF Trust is grateful to have partnered with ‘the humble, kind, and unsung heroes’ of The Fletcher Trust, Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust, Alterno Foundation, and organisational supporters supporters Inhive Global (formerly Future First Global), Term 1, 2021 | schoolnews.co.nz
Wallabies player Hunter Paisami with Herilla Salu and Melegalenu’u Ah Sam.
Second Nature Charitable Trust; Ako Mātātupu Teach First NZ and Chapman Tripp.
his former students … we are interested in building connections with former students like the members of this group and working with them to help develop career pathways for current students.”
In late 2020, a hui was held in Hawkes Bay for schools involved in the programme to come together to share ideas and experiences. The Trust now has a base in a shared hub in Manukau and, looking ahead, wishes to expand its geographical reach and lasting impact.
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79 percent said that they felt more confident about their future success.
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81 percent said that engaging with former students helped them to realise the link between their schoolwork and future job options.
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91 percent of teachers believed that working with alumni boosted students' confidence.
Auckland Blues visit Mangere College
Fowler adds, “We forge ahead, committed to our vision of an Aotearoa New Zealand where EVERY young person is exposed to opportunities that inspire their ambition and self-belief.” More information can be found at connectfutures.org.nz or Mangere College’s 50th Jubilee.
Alumni engagement in action… Former head boy connects with past principal and current students. Former Tamatea High School Head Boy Arran Culver, now a paediatric psychologist based in Wellington, arranged a reunion for 1980 and 1981 alumni to visit their former school, connect with former Principal John Ryan and current students. Current Principal Robin Fabish says, “At the end of the school tour, John gave an emotional ‘Principal’s address’, which bought a tear to the eye of
Former student and Auckland Blues player Ofa Tu’ungafasi visited Mangere College as part of the Blues’ Best Foot Forward programme, which distributes rugby boots to young players. Principal Tom Webb says, “It’s definitely inspiring for our students to see an exstudent and how well he has done in his career … a real role model for them.” And for Ofa, the joy of giving back to the school he loves… “Mangere College has supported me, not just through my education but through my life and not only myself, but all my siblings. Mangere College has a special place in our hearts and in our family.”
Alumni survey findings In a Future First UK survey of young people who have interacted with former students of their school: •
84 percent said that connecting with former students helped them realise that they can be successful.
EDUCATION
Ourschool: Victoriabased state school alumni programme Similar to Tāwai Takapiri Connect Futures NZ, Ourschool is an Australian organisation established to support the establishment of alumni engagement programmes and communities in state schools in Victoria. After recognising the opportunity that state schools were missing compared to their private school counterparts, Caroline Milburn founded Ourschool in 2017 and started working with schools throughout Victoria supporting them “to become beacons of aspiration and achievement in their neighbourhoods”. www.ourschool.net.au * Future First UK research ** “The gap between the rich and the poor at University in New Zealand”, Kirsty Johnson, New Zealand Herald, Sept 15, 2018
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