Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within 14 months of the Education Review Office and George Street Normal 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
George Street Normal School is a large Year 0 to 6 contributing primary school with 30 different nationalities represented. At the end of 2019, the long-serving principal retired with a new principal beginning in August 2020. The school continues to host a large number of student teachers, supporting their initial teacher education.
George Street Normal School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:
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ensure high quality teaching and learning outcomes
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raise achievement for specific groups, in reading, writing and mathematics
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promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment acknowledging students’ strengths and actively promoting the school values.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on George Street Normal School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate extending inclusive practices for equity and excellence.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
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school leaders want all students to feel that their culture is valued by the school
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to improve educational outcomes for Māori and Pacific students through a more localised curriculum
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to extend culturally responsive teaching practices.
The school expects to see that:
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Māori and Pacific learners can see that their language, culture, and identity are valued by the school, especially by their teachers
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learners targeted for accelerated progress will succeed and their families and whānau will experience strong, inclusive partnerships that support their child's learning.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to extend inclusive practices for equity and excellence:
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a specific evaluative plan that clarifies actions and provides indicators of success
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the way in which the school’s vision and values are central to the wellbeing of all students and their families and whānau
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leaders and teachers who actively seek and respond to new learning to improve outcomes for students
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strong internal monitoring and information processing to support student achievement and progress
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high levels of student achievement.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
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the ongoing development of their localised curriculum and mātauranga Māori (for students and staff)
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staff development to enhance culturally responsive teaching and learning
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meaningfully reconnecting with families and whānau after COVID-19, continuing to support families and whānau as students re-engage with the school and their learning.
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
16 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