Manukau Christian School

Manukau Christian School

Introduction

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 clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Clause 9, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Secretary for Education on whether each school meets the criteria for registration.

More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website Private and independent schools | Education Review Office (ero.govt.nz).

The criteria for registration are that the school -

a) has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; 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 [clause 2(b), Schedule 7); 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 (clause 2(c), Schedule 7; and

d) has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); 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 clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and

g) has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and

h) is a physically and emotionally safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7).

When an ERO report identifies an area within the criteria for registration that is not meeting the criteria at the time of the ERO review, that will be reported, the Ministry will be informed and the Ministry will follow up the issue with the school.

ERO’s Judgement

a) The school has premises that are suitable as described in clause 3, Schedule 7;

Refer to conclusion below

b) The school 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

Meeting

c) The school 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

Refer to conclusion below

d) The school has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school

Meeting

e) The school has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents

Meeting

f) The school has suitable tuition standards as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7

Meeting

g) The school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7)

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions as described in clause 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

h) The school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students

A safe place is one in which risks to student safety are regularly assessed and evaluated with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, harm. A safe place is one where clear policies exist and are acted upon to eliminate or minimise harm.

The school has regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

Conclusion

At the time of the on-site review, ERO identified the school was not meeting aspects of two of the criteria for registration as a private school. The school had some processes in place to support the review of policies and procedures but not for suitable premises, and suitable staffing. The school could not provide sufficient documentation related to personnel information necessary for all staff or a copy of the building Code of Compliance.

Since then, the board has taken steps to establish a schoolwide cycle of regular review of policies and procedures for all areas of school operations. Processes are now in place to review:

  • policies/procedures under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to make sure that the premises meet the suitability criterion
  • privacy policies/procedures required by the Children’s Act 2014 to manage collected personnel information and to make sure that the suitable staffing criterion is met.

Since the onsite phase of the review, school leaders have provided sufficient evidence to meet the suitable staffing criterion. However, the school and ERO have yet to receive proof of the Code of Compliance for the new administration block which is being hindered by the impact of the current Delta lockdown.

Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) 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.

At the time of this review there were seven international students attending the school. International students are well integrated into the school and wider community. Students experience success in their chosen learning pathways and co-curricular activities. The principal and coordinator communicate with teachers, students and families in meaningful ways and provide comprehensive support. Currently enrolled international students live with their families.

Phil Cowie
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

18 November 2021

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement.

Manukau Christian School - 02/12/2016

1 Background

The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.

Section 35I of the Education Act 1989, requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review fully registered private schools, and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for full registration.

This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.

The school, established in 1987 as St Andrews Christian School, was renamed Manukau Christian School in 2005 when it moved to the current site. The school is managed by the Christian Schools of Auckland Charitable Trust and is led by an experienced principal.

Since the 2012 ERO review the school roll has grown from 96 to 170 students. There are currently students in Years 1 to 10 attending the school.

2 Criteria for Registration

The school continues to provide suitable, staffing, tuition, curriculum, equipment and premises.

The International Cambridge Curriculum, introduced prior to the 2009 ERO review, is now well established. This curriculum has a strong focus on the teaching of English, mathematics and science. The school’s mission, ‘To pursue excellence for Christ by developing our God-given gifts and using them in His service’, guides the delivery of the curriculum.

The school employs registered teachers who are committed to the Christian ethos of the school. The school provides relevant professional development for teachers. Provisionally registered teachers receive good ongoing support from experienced teachers. The appraisal process involves coaching and mentoring, with the principal taking an active interest in teachers’ professional growth.

Tuition is consistent with the requirements of the school’s curriculum and approach to education. Classes are well managed with positive and respectful relationships evident. Appropriate teaching techniques are used to engage children in their learning.

Teachers use effective assessment processes to monitor student progress. Some assessment is marked externally by Cambridge examiners. The feedback gained identifies strengths and weaknesses in each subject area and is useful for curriculum review.

Parents receive regular reports on the achievement, work habits and behaviour of their children. They have opportunities to see samples of their children’s work and are welcome to observe lessons and talk with teachers.

Children are educated in spacious purpose-built classrooms that are joined by covered areas that sometimes act as additional learning areas. The rooms are air-conditioned and well maintained. The trust board has managed significant roll growth well with the addition of new buildings, including a classroom. Trustees are currently planning to build another classroom.

The school has sufficient equipment to deliver the curriculum. There is a good supply of textbooks to teach the International Cambridge Curriculum. Each classroom has a library of reading material that is regularly supplemented by books ordered from the national library service. Teachers encourage parents to visit the public library with their children.

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.

ERO recommends that more frequent fire and earthquake practices take place and that processes for identifying and managing risks related to excursions are strengthened.

4 Other Matters

Provision for international students

The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) was introduced on July 1st 2016. The school is aware of the need to update its policies and procedures to meet the new code requirements by December 1st 2016.

At the time of this review there were two international students attending the school.

The school has begun to align its policies and procedures to meet requirements for the 2016 Code.

Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Manukau Christian School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

2 December 2016

About the School

Location

Manurewa, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

466

School type

Composite (Years 1 to 15)

School roll

170

Number of international students

2

Gender composition

Boys 50% Girls 50%

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Indian

Chinese

Samoan

Tongan

South East Asian

African

other Asian

other

6%

24%

25%

15%

13%

4%

3%

2%

2%

6%

Review team on site

October 2016

Date of this report

2 December 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

November 2012

May 2009

March 2006