Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within six months of the Education Review Office and Paekākāriki 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
Paekākāriki School is on the Kāpiti Coast, 35km north of Wellington. It caters for students in Years 0 to 8.
Paekākāriki School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for ‘Barefoot Learners’ are to:
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develop individuals as learners, ensuring that all students are making progress and are able to successfully access all areas of the curriculum
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develop autonomous and agentic learners connected to their environment
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ensure that te Ao Māori and te reo Māori are valued and central to the school curriculum.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Paekākāriki School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to strengthen the ‘Barefoot Learner’ matrix to improve outcomes for learners.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
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identification of those aspects of the school’s learner matrix that could be more effectively supporting the progress of individuals and/or groups of learners
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a commitment to strengthening te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori in Paekākāriki School in a way that is inclusive of akongā and their whanau
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the school has identified a need to strengthen boys’ achievement to match that of girls in reading and writing.
The school expects to see improved outcomes in independent learning and literacy achievement. The school will continue to work to embed te ao Māori into its learning programmes leading to an increased knowledge of local curriculum and use of te reo amongst staff and students.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths in its work. Having already aligned its values of ‘Barefoot Learner’ education in the creation of a matrix, the school will now work on how to better support all leaners and embed mātauranga Māori. The school will make use of its strengths in:
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an established identity and clearly developed framework for learner progress
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a shared language with learners and the school community about progress and how this is reflected in wellbeing, engagement, and achievement
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the work of the Board of Trustees and leadership team in developing relationships that can support its strategic aim to embed mātauranga Māori in the ‘Barefoot Learner’ philosophy.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
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the modification of aspects of the ‘Barefoot Learner’ matrix to better reflect the achievement of boys
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identification of ways to engage boys in curriculum activities that promote extension literacy
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extension of the tuakana-teina and mana potential programmes underpinned by explicit teaching of leadership and responsibility, supported by iwi consultation and student voice
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progression of actions in the school’s strategic plan in relation to learning related to te ao Māori.
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
23 June 2022
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