From the Board Of Trustees - ERO REPORT

After several delays including Covid 19, we have received the final report from the Education Review Office following their external evaluation of our school in November 2019. As a Board, we are very pleased with the outcome of the report and have included excerpts from that in this newsletter. The full report will be published online by ERO in due course.

“The school is working towards achieving equitable and excellent outcomes for its students.

The school’s 2018 achievement information for Year 8 students reflects a pattern of significant improvement in reading, writing and mathematics between Years 7 and 8.

Student and whānau engagement and partnership in learning are highly valued. Learning environments are positive and socially and culturally inclusive. Students are empowered as learners through respectful interactions with teachers and students. They have learning choices and opportunities to voice opinions about aspects of learning and teaching. Student agency and knowledge about learning progress are supported through effective, encouraging verbal and written feedback.

The curriculum provides strong interest and challenge, with sufficient depth and breadth of coverage. Teachers are thoughtful about planning and implementing those strategies and learning opportunities which are most likely to engage students. Module options offer a selection of learning opportunities beyond the core curriculum, to meet the diverse interests and needs of students.

Transitions into, within the school and onto high school are well managed and considerate of students’ learning, social and cultural needs.

Students with additional needs are well supported and valued in the school. Useful systems are used to identify and monitor learning progress. Inter-agency support is used effectively to respond to students’ learning and pastoral needs. Teacher aides are valued and are an integral part of the school. They are involved in planning alongside teachers, and their skills in curriculum areas are valued and well utilised.”

ERO’s Overall Judgement notes that

“For sustained improvement and future learner success, the school can draw on existing strengths in:

• an effective leadership model that values collaborative practice and utilises teacher skills for improving learning outcomes

• an inclusive culture which provides opportunities for students to learn in a positive and engaging classroom environment

• the sustained work on building meaningful learning partnerships for all families, with an emphasis on Māori and Pacific families.”

And that we are:

Well Placed going forward to work on our next steps for sustained improvement and future learner success, by focussing on our priorities for further development in:

• refining planning to support cultural responsiveness and improved learning and pastoral outcomes for those Māori, Pacific and other students who need this

• developing internal evaluation capability across the school to identify and embed processes and practices that most effectively support positive outcomes for all learners.

Regards, Mary Healey, Principal