Findings
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Anthony’s School (Wanganui) meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
1 Background
The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.
St Anthony’s School is a private primary school founded in 1994, based on the traditional principles of the Catholic Society of Saint Pius X. The school is on the same site as St Dominic’s College and situated in the Whanganui suburb of Gonville. Both schools are governed by the same proprietors and were reviewed at this time. ERO’s findings for the college are documented in a separate report.
The two schools' mission is to provide a traditional Catholic education based on Dominican principles and values. Students' spiritual, intellectual, moral, social and physical growth are fostered.
St Anthony’s School caters for 63 students from J1 to Standard 4, in three classrooms. Since the June 2012 ERO review, the Form 1 and 2 students have been integrated into the secondary school. The youngest class has moved into a bigger room where their learning is supported by two teacher aides.
The 2012 ERO report indicated number of areas for improvement. These included ensuring statutory obligations in relation to health and safety were met. These have since been addressed.
ERO reviews of private schools are significantly different in process and more limited in scope and reporting than those for state and state-integrated schools, focusing as they do on the Criteria for Registration set out in section 35C of the Education Act.
Section 35I of the Education Act 1989 requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for registration. The schools are privately owned and the legislative requirements are significantly different to those for state and state-integrated schools. Private schools are not required to follow the National Education Goals or National Administration Guidelines.
What does apply in place of the legislation imposed upon state schools by the Education Act is the contract between the persons paying for the tuition of the child at the school – the parents – and the school authority. Those are matters between the parent and the school’s governing body. More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website www.ero.govt.nz/Reviews-Process.
The criteria for registration are that the school —
a)has premises that are suitable, as described in section 35D; and
b)usually provides tuition for 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 years but are under the age of 16 years; and
c)has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school; and
d)has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school; and
e)has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
f)has suitable tuition standards, as described in section 35F; and
g)has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in section 35G) to be managers of a private school.
2 Criteria for Registration
Suitable premises and equipment
The premises and equipment are suitable.
Equipment is carefully maintained and prudently purchased in line with the school’s philosophical values.
Classrooms are attractive and well organised. Students’ work is displayed. There is improved space for the youngest children to learn. Suitable, age-appropriate furniture is provided.
The main resources for learning are student workbooks. In response to parents’ wishes digital resources are not available for children. A recent purchase of mathematics equipment is timely. Plans to upgrade library collections are appropriate. Staff recognise the need to increase the availability of science equipment.
Students have access to spacious grounds for physical activity and the centrally located church is well used by the students and parishioners for mass.
Suitable staffing
The school has suitable staffing.
All teachers have current Practising Teaching Certificates or a Limited Authority to Teach. Staff have long associations with the school, have a range of cultural backgrounds and professional experience and are committed to the school’s traditional philosophies, practices and values.
Teacher aides support teaching and learning in an adjoining space to the junior class. Additional tuition and expertise is provided by onsite religious personnel. At the time of the review, tuition was also supported by a teacher in training from an Australian Dominican Catholic establishment.
Senior staff have developed an appropriate appraisal process. This is subject to ongoing review. Next steps are to include more emphasis on teachers inquiring into how their practice is making a difference to student learning and documenting evidence for meeting the Education Council’s Practising Teacher Criteria.
Teachers are supported with ongoing professional development. A staff handbook communicates expectations and provides professional guidance for teachers. The improved police vetting process for non-registered staff should now be documented as a school procedure.
Suitable curriculum and tuition
St Anthony’s School provides students with a suitable curriculum and tuition.
An appropriate range of subjects is provided, with a strong focus on religious matters. Tuition is related to the school's philosophy and purpose.
Since the previous ERO review, teachers have reviewed curriculum documents to eliminate unnecessary material and improved the relevance of guidelines for St Anthony’s School. There are appropriate plans to continue curriculum review, particularly for mathematics. Next steps are to document expectations to ensure local perspectives and the bicultural curriculum are integrated.
Curriculum development should include provision of further opportunities for meaningful learning activities which promote thinking. This is likely to foster students’ understanding and joy in learning, particularly for younger learners. Increasing the use of practical equipment and authentic learning tasks should be promoted to enhance engagement.
Expectations for learning behaviour and conduct are clear. Routines are well established and classrooms are orderly. The tone is positive and students are focused on the tasks set.
Teacher planning is detailed and aligned to school expectations. Student learning is appropriately monitored and regularly assessed. Students from Standard 1 are tracked through standardised Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs) and generally perform at or above national norms.
A parent handbook has been developed to provide parents with information about curriculum and school operations. Students’ levels of engagement and achievement are reported to parents.
Fit and proper persons
The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
3 Other Obligations
There are good systems in place for the school's managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.
4 Conclusion
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Anthony’s School (Wanganui) meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Joyce Gebbie
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central
15 June 2016
About the School
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Location
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Whanganui
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Ministry of Education profile number
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1585
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School type
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Contributing (Years 1 to 6)
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School roll
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63
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Gender composition
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Female 32, Male 31
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Ethnic composition
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Pākehā
Māori
Other ethnic groups
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26
14
23
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Review team on site
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May 2016
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Date of this report
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15 June 2016
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Most recent ERO report(s)
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Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review
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June 2012
May 2009
May 2006
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