50-64 Waerenga Road, Te Kauwhata
View on mapTe Kauwhata College
Te Kauwhata College - 12/06/2017
Findings
Students at Te Kauwhata College benefit from a range of academic, sporting, cultural and social opportunities. They participate and enjoy success within an affirming, inclusive school culture. Relationships among students, teachers and whānau are positive and respectful, and this helps students achieve to their potential.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
1 Context
What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?
Te Kauwhata College is located in a rural town approximately 50 km north of Hamilton. It provides education for students in Years 7 to 13 from the town and surrounding rural areas. The school roll has steadily increased since the last ERO review in 2013. The current roll is 502 students, of whom 35% identify as Māori.
The school is guided by the mission statement ‘Ko te matauranga te huarahi ko te anamata, Education is the key to the future’. The school actively encourages students to be ‘competent, connected, curious, caring, creative, and confident citizens’.
The school is undergoing a significant period of growth and change in all aspects. Since the last ERO review in 2013 there has been significant changes to the senior leadership team with a new deputy principal and assistant principal appointed. A new principal was appointed in 2016 and has started the process of reviewing current systems and practices to ensure they meet the needs of students. This has led to several changes to leaders of curriculum and learning across the school and redefining roles and responsibilities, including the pastoral and academic care team.
There has also been significant changes to the teaching staff. The board of trustees includes a combination of newly elected and experienced members. The chairperson is experienced in the role. Trustees bring a wide range of skills and expertise to their governance roles and have strong links in the community. The principal is working to develop a strong relationship with Waikato-Tainui and to access external professional development for staff in cultural responsiveness.
The school has a positive reporting history with ERO, however the areas identified for development in the previous ERO report continue to be an urgent priority for the new leadership team.
2 Learning
How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?
There remains a need for the school to make better use of achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement.
The school uses a range of standardised assessment tools to gather achievement information on students in Years 7 and 8. Information gathered in Term 1 is used to identify students at risk of underachieving. However there is a need to use this information in a more timely fashion to ensure students whose learning requires acceleration are targeted more effectively from the start of the year. The school is currently developing systems to ensure more robust moderation processes.
School data in 2016 shows that 78% of Year 7 and 8 students achieved at or above National Standards in reading, 60% in writing and 52% in mathematics. There is a significant disparity between the achievement of boys and girls, and between Māori and other children in reading, and especially in writing and maths.
The school acknowledges that they do not currently have school-wide collated and analysed data on achievement and progress in reading, writing and mathematics for students in Years 9 and 10. A key next step is to:
- clarify responsibilities for leadership of Years 7 to 10
- provide professional development to build capabilities in effective assessment and moderation processes
- ensure systems are in place for the collation and analysis of achievement information.
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) data for 2016 shows that 72% of students gained Level 1, 78% gained Level 2, 70 % gained Level 3 and 35% gained University Entrance (UE). There was an overall improvement in the achievement at Level 1 including the achievement of Maori students. However there was a significant disparity in the achievement between Māori and other students at Levels 2, 3 and UE.
To address this significant disparity, there is an urgent need to develop and implement a focused, strategic approach to raise the achievement of Māori students. Particular attention should be given to:
- developing systems and processes to gather, collate and analyse robust and reliable data and use this to inform target setting
- refining charter targets to more specifically focus on students at risk of underachieving and reporting on the progress of these students regularly to trustees
- developing specific department targets and action plans that focus on raising Māori student achievement and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of these actions in addressing the disparity
- strengthening processes that support teachers to reflect on the effectiveness of their professional practice in relation to raising the achievement of targeted students
- comprehensive internal evaluation, including seeking the perspectives of Māori students, whānau and iwi to underpin the strategic direction in raising student achievement.
3 Curriculum
How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?
Some aspects of the school’s curriculum promote and support student learning. These include:
- a range of opportunities to participate and gain success in sporting, cultural and academic pursuits
- extending links with industry, trades organisations and businesses to provide learning opportunities for students in authentic contexts
- project learning and activity days for students to follow their interests and strengths.
Student engagement and wellbeing are effectively supported by comprehensive pastoral care processes. Committed deans carefully monitor students’ attendance, emotional safety and academic progress, and develop useful partnerships with parents and whānau. They are well supported by a range of health professionals and work closely with outside services to provide effective ‘wrap around’ support for students and their families.
The newly appointed Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) has considerable experience in identifying and addressing learning and behavioural issues for students and is developing systems to effectively track and monitor at-risk students. The SENCO works collaboratively with leaders, teachers and teacher aides to provide support and individual learning plans for students whose learning requires acceleration.
The curriculum is yet to effectively respond to a significant proportion of Māori and boys. Reviewing the curriculum to see how it can better meet the needs of these students is an urgent priority.
How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?
The school promotes initiatives that support educational success for Māori. Te Puawai vertical form classes provide a strong sense of whānau and belonging for Māori students. Kaiako of theses classes regularly mentor individual students, track and monitor their progress and work collaboratively with teachers and whānau in the best interests of students. The positive impact of these relationships has led to the extension of these strategies for Māori students in other form rooms and the creation of the Kaitiaki Hauora role.
The school hosts regular whānau hui which are very well attended. These hui provide a highly effective forum to celebrate Māori language, culture and identity and showcase Māori student success in all aspects of the curriculum. Staff and trustees also attend hui which are also opportunities for informal conversations about children’s learning and wellbeing, and make whānau feel welcome and valued in the life of the school.
The principal has established a group, Te Ropu Kaiwhakatere, to lead the direction for cultural responsiveness in the school. This group provides professional development in te reo and tikanga Māori or staff and sessions about Ka Hikitia and Tātaiako. Teachers have also learnt about the local history and stories of the region at their local marae. These connections have strengthened relationships with local iwi and there is a developing relationship with Waikato-Tainui to find productive ways to further support Māori students and their learning.
Building on these effective initiatives to improve outcomes for Māori students is an ongoing priority for the school.
4 Sustainable Performance
How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?
The school is well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Supportive factors include:
- trustees who have a positive working relationship with the principal and staff, and promote student success in many different areas
- school leadership who is committed to establishing an inclusive bicultural school culture
- leadership of staff to improve systems and processes to support positive outcomes for students
- broad networks of support between the school and its community.
The key next step is for the board and school leaders to continue to focus on raising levels of achievement and reducing disparity. This includes:
- developing and implementing an action plan to address the matters identified in this report regarding raising student achievement levels including targets, action plans, monitoring, and reporting on at-risk learners
- undertaking an internal evaluation of current practices and processes with reference to research and best practice
- ensure that the process for meeting the requirements of the Education Council is fully implemented.
Board assurance on legal requirements
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:
- board administration
- curriculum
- management of health, safety and welfare
- personnel management
- financial management
- asset management.
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:
- emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
- physical safety of students
- teacher registration
- processes for appointing staff
- stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
- attendance.
Recommendation
ERO recommends that the school participate in an ERO internal evaluation workshop to support the school to develop effective planning and monitoring processes to support equity and excellence for all students.
Conclusion
Students at Te Kauwhata College benefit from a range of academic, sporting, cultural and social opportunities. They participate and enjoy success within an affirming, inclusive school culture. Relationships among students, teachers and whānau are positive and respectful, and this helps students achieve to their potential.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Lynda Pura-Watson
Deputy Chief Review Officer Waikato/Bay of Plenty
12 June 2017
About the School
Location |
Waikato |
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
115 |
|
School type |
Secondary (Years 7 to 13) |
|
School roll |
502 |
|
Gender composition |
Boys 255 Girls 247 |
|
Ethnic composition |
Pākehā Māori Other Pacific Asian |
50% 35% 7% 5% 3% |
Review team on site |
April 2017 |
|
Date of this report |
12 June 2017 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review Education Review Education Review |
December 2013 January 2011 April 2008 |
Te Kauwhata College - 06/12/2013
1 Context
What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?
Te Kauwhata College is located in the rural township of Te Kauwhata in the north Waikato, and provides education for students in Years 7 to 13.
The current roll is 463 of whom thirty three percent are Māori. There are 17 Pacific students. Over the past three years the roll has remained stable.
Since the last ERO review there have been significant changes in the membership of the senior leadership team. Two long serving deputy principals have resigned. The leadership team has been restructured to comprise the principal and two deputies, of whom one is the former assistant principal. The other deputy principal took up his position earlier this year. There have been relatively few changes in the teaching staff.
Following recent elections, there is now an almost entirely new board of trustees, including a new chairperson.
The school has a positive ERO reporting history in recent years. In response to a recommendation in the last report there has been a reorganisation of classes and curriculum in Years 7 and 8. Teachers have continued to have a focus on literacy and have been involved in the He Kakano professional development initiative to raise the achievement of Māori students.
The school continues to have a focus on promoting and celebrating achievement. An ongoing strength is the inclusive and supportive school culture, and settled learning environments that are evident throughout the school.
2 Learning
How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?
The use of achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement and progress is an area for ongoing development.
Since the 2011 ERO report there have been some improvements in teachers’ use of data in the junior school, particularly for students in Years 7 and 8.
Achievement information, including results from National Standards judgements, nationally referenced assessment and NCEA data, is used effectively to:
- identify students who require additional learning support
- place students in appropriate classes
- report to parents and the board
- determine individual pathways for senior students.
NCEA data for 2012 indicated that at Level 1 students achieved similarly to all students nationally, but were slightly below at Level 2. Information about school leavers shows that the proportion of students who left the school in 2012 with NCEA Level 2 and above was also just below national comparisons. The school has identified that a significant majority of recent school leavers went on to employment or further education.
Nationally referenced assessments of reading in Years 9 and 10 shows that in Year 9 the range of achievement is above national comparisons, and in Year 10 achievement is similar to national comparisons. There is no collated data on which the school can make judgements about overall achievement in writing and mathematics.
National Standards data for Years 7 and 8 shows that a significant majority are achieving at or above the standard in reading and about half are achieving at or above the standard in writing and mathematics.
The overall achievement of Māori students in all areas of the school is below that of other students.
ERO and school leaders agree that there is a need to continue to improve aspects of the use of achievement information. Important priorities are to:
- continue to strengthen processes that support teachers in making robust judgements in relation to National Standards
- strengthen the collation, analysis and use of achievement information for students in Years 9 and 10, especially in reading, writing and mathematics
- report to the board on the achievement and progress of students in Years 9 and 10 and those receiving additional learning support
- set annual targets that focus on accelerating the progress of identified groups of students
- use achievement information to inform department reviews.
3 Curriculum
How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?
The school’s curriculum effectively promotes and supports student learning.
Students have access to a wide range of courses, that include academic, practical and vocational options as well as opportunities for work experience. A flexible approach to curriculum organisation allows students to choose learning pathways appropriate to their needs and interests.
In the junior school, there has been a commitment to reducing class sizes and an increasing focus on improving achievement in reading and mathematics.
There are many opportunities for students to enjoy success in a variety of sporting, cultural, leadership and education outside the classroom experiences that are well supported by teachers and parents. Successes and achievements are celebrated within the school and wider community.
Literacy leaders are providing regular professional development that encourages and supports teachers to help students improve their literacy learning in all curriculum areas. A key next step is to further embed the implementation of this initiative in order to raise achievement.
ERO observed teachers using a range of effective strategies including the provision of meaningful contexts to promote learning. Teachers have high expectations for behaviour and maintain positive and respectful relationships with students. A well-organised, pastoral care network effectively supports student wellbeing.
As identified in the 2011 ERO report, there remains a need to ensure that teachers make better use of assessment information to provide focused teaching and learning for groups and individuals. There is also a need for all students to have an understanding of their strengths and next learning steps. The implementation of these practices should be supported by providing regular, robust and specific feedback to teachers about their practices including through the appraisal process.
How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?
The school has introduced a number of initiatives to promote success for Māori, as Māori. These include:
- two Te Puawai vertical form classes that support the identity and belonging of Māori students
- recent development of school waiata and haka
- opportunities for students to be involved in kapa haka.
Elements of tikanga Māori are reflected in school protocols, and a number of Māori teachers and students provide positive role models for students. Recent surveys undertaken as part of He Kakano professional development, show that Māori students have positive perceptions of the school. The school celebrates the significant achievements of individual Māori students.
The principal has identified suitable goals for continuing to promote success for Māori, as Māori, including reflection of Māori perspectives in the school and classroom environments, and learning contexts. School leaders recognise that raising the academic achievement of Maori students overall is an important priority.
4 Sustainable Performance
How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?
Te Kauwhata College is well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Features of the school that contribute to this sustainability are:
- effective leadership by an experienced principal who is committed to the learning and wellbeing of students, and who is well supported by other leaders in the school
- sound and well-established governance systems and procedures to guide school operations
- good quality self-review practices, including a well-considered process for departmental reviews and frequent surveys of teachers, parents and students that guide continuous improvement
- well-established and effective systems and procedures to promote a safe physical and emotional environment.
The school has close links with, and is well supported by, the local community.
Sustainability could be further enhanced by:
- specific school-based training for the recently elected board
- a review of the roles and expectations of middle managers to ensure that the school’s strategic direction is consistently implemented.
Board assurance on legal requirements
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:
- board administration
- curriculum
- management of health, safety and welfare
- personnel management
- financial management
- asset management.
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:
- emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
- physical safety of students
- teacher registration
- processes for appointing staff
- stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
- attendance.
When is ERO likely to review the school again?
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Dale Bailey
National Manager Review Services Northern Region
6 December 2013
About the School
Location |
Te Kauwhata |
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
115 |
|
School type |
Secondary (Years 7 to 13) |
|
School roll |
463 |
|
Gender composition |
Girls 54% Boys 46% |
|
Ethnic composition |
New Zealand Pākehā/European Māori Pacific Asian Other |
58% 33% 4% 2% 3% |
Review team on site |
October 2013 |
|
Date of this report |
6 December 2013 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review Education Review Supplementary Review |
January 2011 April 2008 November 2004 |