Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within 18 months of the Education Review Office and Fernridge 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
Context
Fernridge is a semi-rural school on the outskirts of Masterton in the Wairarapa.
Fernridge School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:
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increasing engagement in learning through using their ‘Learner Qualities’ and nurturing a culture of curiosity
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to maximise wellbeing while giving students strategies to support emotional self-regulation and developing empathy for others
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creating an environment that instils confidence in culture and identity.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Fernridge School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively student wellbeing is supported and the effect that this has on wider learner outcomes.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
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effective evaluation of wellbeing initiatives will inform future planning for improvements
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to align with the school’s ongoing focus on equity and excellence and supporting positive impacts on outcomes for Māori students and their whānau.
The school expects to see students who understand what success is and can confidently share their learning and progress.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to evaluate how effectively student wellbeing is supported and the effect that this has on wider learner outcomes.
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a future-focused leadership team that builds collaboration, capability and consistently promotes wellbeing for all
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high quality assessment practices that inform teaching and learning
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well understood and enacted values focused on developing excellent learners
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strong collaboration with the Kahui Ako.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
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increased achievement in core curriculum areas by ensuring that all staff are collaborating, following school expectations for high practice and implementing up-to-date high quality pedagogy that aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC)
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student understanding of their learning
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further development and implementation of a schoolwide social and emotional curriculum to strengthen student engagement
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implementing culturally responsive and sustaining practices to further strengthen positive outcomes in students learning and wellbeing.
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.
Kathy Lye
Acting Director Review and Improvement (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
28 March 2023
About the School
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home