2 Arthur Street , Dunedin
View on mapThis Profile Report was written within six months of the Education Review Office and Otago Boys’ High School working in Te Ara Huarau, an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website. www.ero.govt.nz
Situated in the centre of Dunedin city, Otago Boys’ High School was founded in 1863 for boys from Years 9-13. Its vision is that its boys become confident, resilient men with a sense of purpose, prepared to explore and contribute to a changing world. The school is currently implementing a curriculum review to realise its vision and to enhance student engagement and success.
Otago Boys’ High School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:
create a responsive and innovative curriculum.
meet the aspirational needs of all students, particularly Māori and Pasifika
focus on literacy and numeracy as the foundation of good learning practice.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Otago Boys’ High School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the impact of a student centred curriculum on building engagement with learning and encouraging all students to be successful learners.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
to give effect to the refreshed New Zealand curriculum in ways that best address the particular needs, interests, and circumstances of the school’s learners.
the development of a new school strategic plan where opportunities to increase student engagement and achievement are to the fore.
The school expects to see:
the development of a school specific curriculum that engages boys in their learning and moves each boy forward, imparting a robust foundation for success in the senior school
boys having access to powerful learning experiences that build their capabilities and capacities as lifelong learners.
The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to evaluate the impact of a student centred curriculum on building engagement with learning and encouraging all students to be successful learners:
a strong pedagogical knowledge of boy’s education
a passion for the personal and academic development of boys
a tradition of ongoing improvement
high levels of confidence and support for school leadership from the community and Board.
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
the development of a student centred Year 9 - 11 curriculum informed by consultation with the school community, particularly Māori and Pasifika whānau
the strengthening of school-wide literacy and numeracy practices
improving systems and structures to measure progress and achievement, as well as develop the individual learner to realise their potential.
ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
9 August 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
As of September 2022, the Otago Boys’ High School Board has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:
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For further information please contact Otago Boys’ High School Board.
The next School Board assurance that it is meeting regulatory and legislative requirements will be reported, along with the Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report, within three years.
Information on ERO’s role and process in this review can be found on the Education Review Office website.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
9 August 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
The Chief Review Officer has the authority to carry out reviews (which may be general or in relation to particular matters) of the provision of a safe physical and emotional environment that supports learning for students accommodated in hostels under section 470 of the Education and Training Act 2020. This function is delegated to review officers who have the powers to enter and carry out review of hostels under section 472 of the Act.
The hostel manager and the hostel owner have attested in the Hostel Assurance Statement that they meet the requirements of the Hostel Regulations 2005.
The school hostel, School House, accommodates up to 150 students. At the time of this review there were 131 students in residence, including five international students. Most current boarders come from the wider Otago and Southland regions.
The hostel is located in the residential suburb of Roslyn, approximately five minutes’ walk from the school. It is made up of four freestanding dormitories, a recreation wing, prep rooms, and a dining/kitchen/ laundry/administration block. While outdoor recreation space is limited on the hostel site, students make regular use of the school’s facilities and the Moana Pool.
Boarder safety is well supported. Boarders indicate that they had people they could approach is they had a concern or problem. There is good collaboration between staff to ensure a positive experience for boarding students and families. Hostel staff are providing the environment, systems, and conditions for effectively monitoring and managing boarders’ wellbeing.
Boarders spoken with are involved in a wide range of school and hostel activities. Boarders are offered a balance of opportunities to support their academic, cultural, and sporting development. The hostel has strong communication networks with the school which determine extra academic assistance that might be required. Several teaching staff make themselves available in the evenings to support boarding students’ learning. The new hostel haka has helped strengthen the shared positive culture, alongside the boarders’ own internal School House competition.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
9 August 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
The Education Review Office reviews schools that are signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020.
The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has completed an annual self review of its implementation of the Code.
11 international students were enrolled at the time of the ERO review.
The school has established processes for reviewing its provision for international students and compliance with the Code. School governance and leadership are appropriately informed about student wellbeing, learning and engagement.
Sound processes and practices support students to settle into and develop a sense of belonging within the school, home-stay or school hostel accommodation and in the wider Dunedin community. Students are encouraged and supported to take part in co-curricular activities alongside their peers. Several students spoken with have extensive involvements both within the school and the community.
The school takes care in working with students to plan suitable academic programmes with the appropriate levels of English language learning support where required. Students’ courses reflect their interests and support their plans beyond school. A range of staff monitor international students’ academic progress and wellbeing.
Students spoken with indicated that they have good support networks with staff and connections with other students.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
9 August 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home