399 Highgate , Roslyn, Dunedin
View on mapTēnā koutou e mau manawa rahi ki te kaupapa e aro ake nei, ko te tamaiti te pūtake o te kaupapa. Mā wai rā e kawe, mā tātau katoa
We acknowledge the collective effort, responsibility and commitment to ensure that the child remains at the heart of the matter.
Columba College is in Roslyn, Dunedin. It is a Presbyterian, state-integrated day and boarding school for girls from Years 7 to 13, with a co-educational junior school from Years 1 to 6. The school’s ‘GRACE’ values are centred on developing good discipline, respect, aroha, citizenship and excellence. A new principal was appointed in 2023.
There are three parts to this report.
Part A: A summary of the findings from the most recent Education Review Office (ERO) published report and subsequent evaluation.
Part B: An evaluative summary of learner outcomes and school conditions to inform the school board’s future strategic direction, including education in Rumaki/bilingual settings.
Part C: The improvement actions prioritised for the school’s next evaluation cycle.
Since the previous report in August 2022, ERO and the school have worked together to evaluate how the middle school curriculum can support high expectations and equitable student learning pathways.
A learner profile embedded in the middle school curriculum focused on developing grit, responsible risk-taking, autonomy, collaboration and engagement.
A student who embodies the school values of GRACE as both a learner and a person.
A reinvigorated curriculum design responding to the needs, interests and aspirations of a 21st Century learner, while imparting a robust foundation for success in the senior school.
The greatest shift in response to the school’s actions is an ongoing commitment to consult widely with students, staff and the school community to inform school improvement.
The following findings are to inform the school’s future priorities for improvement.
| Student outcomes are equitable and excellent, supported by a school culture focused on students reaching their potential. |
| Strategic leadership is embedding improvements to school conditions that promote student success. |
| Curriculum design is increasingly broadening to meet students’ learning needs and interests. |
| Organisational conditions are increasingly coherent and support school improvement. |
The agreed next steps for the school are to:
The agreed actions for the next improvement cycle and timeframes are as follows.
Within six months:
Every six months:
Annually:
Actions taken against these next steps are expected to result in:
ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a School Evaluation Report due within three years.
Me mahi tahi tonu tātau, kia whai oranga a tātau tamariki
Let’s continue to work together for the greater good of all children.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
6 September 2024
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
As of June 2024, the Columba College Board has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
For further information please contact Columba College, 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
6 September 2024
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.
The school currently has 22 international students.
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 international student engagement.
The school has substantially developed its orientation programme both to the school and the city. International students are encouraged to integrate into school life, including joining co-curricula activities.
Thorough processes are in place for vetting homestay arrangements. There are close relationships between the school and the homestay families. Approximately one third of the school’s international students currently live in the school hostel, one third are in homestays and one third with their own families.
Regular individual mentoring occurs to monitor and support international students’ academic progress, wellbeing and homestay and hostel experiences. International students receive a biannual school report, with international staff providing additional updates to parents about their involvements at school and learning progress. There are a range of learning supports available in the school for them, including English language learning support.
International students spoke of positive relationships with other students and staff. They enjoy living in Dunedin and feel connected to the school. Students feel comfortable in approaching their teachers for assistance and report that they have effective support networks within the school.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
6 September 2024
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 hostel’s documentation is thorough and up to date.
The Columba College hostel is made up of two main buildings. Bishopscourt accommodates Year 9, 10 and some Year 11 boarders. The first stage of the new boarding village development has been completed and accommodates mostly Year 12 and 13 boarders. Boarders in both buildings report that they experience a positive living and learning environment.
Boarders’ physical and emotional safety are well supported by established systems and processes. They report that they have wide support networks within the hostel to foster their wellbeing and guide their learning, Boarders spoke positively to ERO of the benefits and opportunities provided by their hostel experiences.
Boarders have access to a wide range of activities and facilities as part of normal hostel life and are fully involved in co-curricula school activities. They perform well academically in national qualifications. Boarders are encouraged and supported by the hostel staff team under experienced leadership to engage in all aspects of the academic, cultural, and sporting life of the school.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
6 September 2024
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
This Profile Report was written within 12 months of the Education Review Office and Columba College 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
Columba College is located in Roslyn, Dunedin. It is a Presbyterian, special character, state-integrated day and boarding school for girls from Years 7-13 with a co-educational junior school for girls from Years 0-6.
Columba College’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:
provide a comprehensive and challenging curriculum where each learner is encouraged and supported to reach their potential
nurture confident, articulate, resilient young people who feel supported and empowered to succeed at school and beyond.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Columba College’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively its Middle School Curriculum (Years 7-10) is supporting high expectations and equitable learning pathways for all learners.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
achievement information from the College’s bi-annual Assessing Wellbeing in Education Survey, community-wide curriculum survey, teacher observations and student focus groups has identified a need to develop a curriculum which develops social and emotional learning skills in an explicit way while maintaining academic rigour.
The school expects to see a:
learner profile embedded in the Middle School Curriculum focused on developing grit, academic buoyancy, responsible risk-taking, autonomy, curiosity and engagement [GRACE]
student who embodies the school value of GRACE as both a learner and a person
reinvigorated curriculum design responding to the needs, interests and aspirations of a 21st Century learner, while imparting a robust foundation for success in the Senior School.
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to evaluate how effectively its Middle School Curriculum is supporting high expectations and equitable learning pathways for all learners:
a culture of consultation and connection with learners, parents, whānau and teachers
the school’s core value of GRACE is central to developing attitudes to learning and personal character
committed leaders and teachers who actively seek new approaches to improve outcomes for all learners, based on a strong tradition of academic excellence.
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
developing teacher capability and collective capacity in embedding the learner profile within the Middle School Curriculum
developing a fit for purpose, responsive and engaging Middle School Curriculum design which offers the opportunities needed to successfully and sustainably develop the learner profile for all learners
ongoing learner reflection to self-monitor and evaluate their own development in the learner profile dimensions of grit, academic buoyancy, responsible risk-taking, autonomy, curiosity and engagement.
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.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
24 August 2022
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
As of March 2022, the Columba College Board of Trustees has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
For further information please contact Columba College Board of Trustees.
The next Board of Trustees 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.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
24 August 2022
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.
At the time of this review there were 16 international students attending the school, and no exchange students.
Columba College has established effective processes for reviewing its provision for international students and compliance with the Code. The Board’s international student governance committee meets once a term, with the Principal reporting to the Board on international student matters. School leadership and staff meet regularly to monitor international student wellbeing and academic progress.
Sound processes and practices support students to settle into, develop a sense of belonging and be active participants in the College, in their homestay or hostel environment settings and in the wider Dunedin community. Care has been taken to support the health and emotional wellbeing of students through the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
International students spoken with indicated that they have good support networks with staff and connections with other students both within the College and the wider Dunedin community. They perform well academically at Columba and hold high expectations about their performance. Information relevant to international students is effectively recorded and updated on the school’s SMS system.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
24 August 2022
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 hostel’s documentation is well organised and up to date, with external nutrition, safety and facilities audits completed.
The College hostel is made up of two main buildings, one for junior and one for senior girls. All rooms are clean and well-maintained, with no evidence of disrespect. Rooms have good lighting, storage and are either in single, double, triple configurations. The senior and junior buildings have common rooms and kitchens for students to use. The dining room used by all girls is spacious. The development of new boarding village concept at Columba is underway, with the first stage opening in 2023.
Girls’ physical and emotional safety is well supported. There are well known systems and processes to manage safety and wellbeing. Girls felt they had channels to offer feedback or comment. Girls indicated that there is someone they can talk to if they have a problem. The pastoral management system is used effectively to monitor student attendance and wellbeing.
Girls have access to a wide range of activities and facilities as part of normal hostel life. There are many sporting and recreational opportunities available, and girls are fully involved. Girls’ learning at the college is well supported through tutoring and mentoring available at prep and other times.
Hostel staff collaborate well with each other to provide the environment and conditions that supports girls’ learning at the college. Girls spoke of the ways in which they are benefitting from their hostel experience.
The Covid-19 pandemic has provided significant challenges for hostel management. Hostel staff responded well to this, by providing additional support for students in terms of their day-to-day activities and wellbeing.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
24 August 2022
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home