1 Context
What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?
Yendarra School, located in Otara, South Auckland provides education for students in Years 1 to 6. Most students have Pacific heritage. The school has responded well to the 2011 ERO report which recommended lifting the achievement of Māori students and developing strategies to facilitate more student-led learning.
The school vision to “be the best we can” is a touchstone for the board of trustees, staff, students and whānau. This vision underpins a holistic approach to student learning and pastoral care that values and respects the dignity of children and whānau.
Students benefit from the school’s proactive and supportive local community. A significant strength of the school is the use of student and whānau voice as part of decision making.
In a recent report by the Children’s Commissioner, on best practice for community involvement in healthy eating, the school’s approach to effecting positive change was recognised. This affirming case study and the work associated with it has contributed to a strong sense of belonging for students, whānau and staff.
The school provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where school values and principles are reflected in respectful relationships between adults, students and whānau. Diversity is celebrated and students display confidence in their individual identity.
It is noteworthy that the school has significantly improved student attendance over the past three years. Students, together with teachers and whānau, actively monitor and manage their own attendance at the school.
2 Learning
How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?
Senior leaders and teachers make very good use of achievement information to make positive changes to student learning.
Well-analysed achievement data are used to improve teaching and learning, to meet individual student learning needs and to set school priorities. Senior leaders and teachers closely monitor and work to accelerate progress for targeted classes and groups of students. Students have made good progress in reading and writing across the school. There is presently a focus on raising achievement in mathematics. Senior leaders and teachers have also identified the need to continue to strengthen Māori student achievement.
The school’s culture of reflection and continual improvement underpins teaching and learning practices. A recent initiative to structure teaching teams into whānau groupings is building teachers’ collective sense of responsibility for raising the achievement of all students. Professional development continues to raise teacher performance and student achievement. For example, teachers are currently exploring a range of assessment tools to help them better moderate student achievement against the National Standards.
Students are confident, engaged in their learning and display a sense of pride in their identity. They show pride in their heritage through pōwhiri, daily karakia and Fiafia day. Students have opportunities for leadership roles and to work with other children in their own and other classes. They are beginning to clearly articulate their learning goals, take steps to achieve them and are ready to take greater ownership of their learning.
High quality learning environments promote and support student learning. They reflect the cultural diversity of the community and contribute to students’ sense of wellbeing.
3 Curriculum
How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?
The school’s curriculum very effectively promotes and supports student learning. It reflects the school’s vision to ‘be the best we can’. The Ministry of Education’s Strategies - Ka Hikitia: Accelerating Success and the Pacific Education Plan are integrated throughout the curriculum. The school values and principles promote student wellbeing and contribute to positive learning outcomes.
Students are well supported in their learning. Teachers plan for specific target groups and individuals, provide enrichment classes and review the impact of their teaching regularly. They promote students’ critical thinking, encourage students to question, predict, solve problems and work independently. Students value these programmes that support their interests and capabilities.
Students make a significant contribution to the curriculum. Very good relationships exist between school, the various Pacific communities and the Māori community. Te reo and tikanga Māori are embedded within the curriculum and classroom practices.
The introduction of a transition to school programme and classroom for new entrants helps prepare students for learning. The school has established links with local early childhood services to support children’s transition to school. Teachers have identified the need to increase their understanding of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, in order to meet the needs of the students in the new entrant class.
Senior leaders have high expectations of teachers and students. They encourage teachers to continually reflect on their practice and collaborate to create high quality teaching programmes. This is helping to ensure the school’s curriculum is effective for all learners.
How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?
Senior leaders and teachers are committed to supporting and enhancing Māori students’ success as Māori. The school has 48 students who identify as Māori. The school principles of aroha, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, piripono and manawanui are evident and contribute to Māori student success. Māori students have positive attitudes to school and learning.
The school’s wharenui is respected for its history and its significance in upholding the school’s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi partnership. Students benefit from opportunities to experience marae visits and te reo and tikanga Māori.
Senior leaders and trustees acknowledge the Tangata Te Whenua of Taiuni and Māori whānau and students of other hapū and iwi. They have established respectful relationships with the Māori community. Māori whānau are consulted and their input is valued and reflected in school decision- making.
How effectively does the school promote educational success for Pacific, as Pacific?
Students of Pacific heritage make up eighty-two percent of the school roll. Students identify their links to Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. They have positive attitudes to school and learning. Pacific students benefit from the respectful relationships that underpin the school culture, and enjoy the opportunities they have to succeed as Pacific. There is clear alignment to the Ministry of Education’s Pacific Education Plan.
Community engagement is a feature of the school. Aiga are made welcome, are regularly consulted and are involved in their children’s learning. Significant and positive shifts have occurred in Pacific students reading and writing achievement as a result of improved attendance at school.
4 Sustainable Performance
How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?
Yendarra School is very well placed to sustain and improve its performance.
The board provides effective governance. Trustees have a good knowledge of school policies and procedures. There is a culture of continual improvement and a commitment to achieving their high expectations. A good working relationship exists between the board and management of the school. Trustees and managers have made a clear alignment between the strategic plan and programme implementation. The board consults widely and is responsive to student, whānau and staff perspectives. Trustees make good use of achievement and self-review information when making resourcing and other decisions.
The principal promotes a culture of shared and reflective leadership across the school. A cohesive leadership team encourages a collaborative approach to improving teaching and learning. Coaching partnerships between teachers encourage and support mutual professional learning.
The principal has established sound processes for implementing and documenting self review. Senior leaders demonstrate a commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnerships between school and parents/whānau.
ERO, the board and senior leaders agree that further progress can be made by:
- personalising learning for students through giving them increasing opportunities to lead their own learning
- developing initiatives for student and whānau wellbeing that positively influence the local community.
Board assurance on legal requirements
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:
- board administration
- curriculum
- management of health, safety and welfare
- personnel management
- financial management
- asset management.
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:
- emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
- physical safety of students
- teacher registration
- processes for appointing staff
- stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
- attendance.
When is ERO likely to review the school again?
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years.
Dale Bailey
National Manager Review Services Northern Region
12 June 2014
About the School
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Location
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Otara, Auckland
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Ministry of Education profile number
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1580
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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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273
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Gender composition
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Girls 53% Boys 47%
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Ethnic composition
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Māori
Samoan
Tongan
Cook Island Māori
Niue
other
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18%
37%
21%
20%
3%
1%
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Review team on site
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March 2014
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Date of this report
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12 June 2014
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Most recent ERO report(s)
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Education Review
Education Review
Education Review
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May 2011
October 2007
May 2005
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