Waihi School

Education institution number:
4147
School type:
Full Primary
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
School with Boarding Facilities
Total roll:
121
Telephone:
Address:

611 Temuka-Orari Highway, Temuka

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Waihi School - 19/07/2019

Findings

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

1 Background

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

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 section 35C of the Education Act.

Section 35I of the Education Act 1989 requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for registration. The schools are privately owned and the legislative requirements are significantly different to those for state and state-integrated schools. Private schools are not required to follow the National Education Goals or National Administration Guidelines.

What does apply in place of the legislation imposed upon state schools by the Education Act is the contract between the persons paying for the tuition of the child at the school – the parents – and the school authority. Those are matters between the parent and the school’s governing body. More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website www.ero.govt.nz/Reviews-Process

The criteria for registration are that the school —

a) has premises that are suitable, as described in section 35D; 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; 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; and

d) has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school; 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 section 35F; and

g) has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in section 35G) to be managers of a private school.

Waihi School is a private preparatory school located in South Canterbury. It currently caters for 98, Years 5 to 8, boarding and day boys. The school is owned by the Waihi School Trust Board. Christian values are a key part of the school’s special character.

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G of the Education Act 1989 in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

2 Criteria for Registration

Suitable premises and equipment

The premises and equipment are suitable.

Since ERO’s 2011 review, a new purpose-built boarding hostel, Pyne House, has been opened to accommodate boarders.

The board takes a considered approach to planning and upgrading school buildings and ongoing maintenance. They have continued to upgrade premises and equipment within the school including kitchen redevelopment in the hostel, teaching spaces, library, and school vehicles.

The school grounds are well maintained to accommodate a wide range of sporting and recreational activities. There has been a recent addition of land made available for the school to use and develop, particularly for outdoor education and pursuits.

The board maintains five houses on-site for teachers. These arrangements support teachers in their supervision duties and contributions to the wider life of the school.

All classrooms are well equipped, including a wide range of specialist rooms and equipment available for students to use. These are bright, stimulating and the furniture is progressively upgraded.

Suitable staffing and tuition standards

The school has suitable staffing.

Since ERO’s 2011 review, there have been significant changes to staffing. New appointments include the headmaster, deputy headmaster, head of learning support, classroom teachers, head matron and housemaster and groundsman. Staff are well qualified with curriculum strengths to cover the curriculum learning areas. Specialist subjects are taught by teachers with appropriate skills and knowledge.

Teachers participate in a new appraisal system that is consistent with the Teaching Council expectations. Local and national professional development opportunities enable teachers to maintain and build their professional knowledge and continue to implement modern teaching approaches.

Teachers have high expectations for every learner. Assessment practices are appropriate. Students are confident, articulate and show genuine enjoyment in all aspects of school life.

Classroom tone is positive. Boys' independent learning is evident through a personal inquiry learning approach. Students are actively engaged in all aspects of the school.

Suitable curriculum

The broad and rich curriculum is suitable for teaching, learning and assessment. Since ERO’s 2011 review, there has been an intentional shift to align key curriculum areas with the New Zealand Curriculum.

The wide range of subject areas provides many opportunities and experiences for the boys. Specialist learning areas across the school include social science, health and physical activity, art/technology, education outside of the classroom, science and music.

The board, headmaster and staff have high expectations for all new and current students. Student leadership is encouraged and valued. Achievement at all year levels is celebrated.

Teachers work collaboratively and share ideas and information throughout the school. Teachers are improving their use of assessment information to make appropriate judgements about students’ achievement. For ongoing improvement, a next step is to further investigate and analyse at a school wide level, individual students’ achievement and progress against curriculum expectations.

Learning support is used purposefully to respond to the identified learning needs of students at risk of not meeting the expected curriculum expectations.

3 Other Obligations

At the time of the on-site stage of this review, the process for assuring the workplace safety of staff and adults who have unsupervised access to students was not sufficient. Waihi School should ensure that it maintains up-to-date policies and procedures for workplace safety of all staff.

There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.

4 Other Matters

Provision for students in the school hostel

The school hostel, Pyne House, accommodates 55 students, 56% of the school roll. It is owned by the Waihi School Trust Board. The hostel owner has attested that all the requirements of the Hostel Regulations are met.

  • boarding accommodation is of a high standard
  • dormitories are attractive, warm and spacious
  • the students personalise their own spaces and take responsibility for maintaining them in a clean and tidy condition
  • there is good provision for study and recreation
  • boarding at the school provides students with a range of opportunities for leadership and social skills development
  • clear routines and boundaries promote good student conduct and self-management
  • hostel staff provide responsive and appropriate levels of care and support for all students.

5 Conclusion

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

Lesley Patterson

Director Review and Improvement Services Southern

Southern Region

19 July 2019

About the School

Location

Temuka

Ministry of Education profile number

4147

School type

Private School (Years 5 to 8)

School roll

98

Gender composition

Boys 100%

Ethnic composition

Māori
NZ European/Pākehā
Other

7
88
3

Special Features

Hostel and Chapel

Review team on site

May 2019

Date of this report

19 July 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review

June 2011
June 2008
June 2005

 

Waihi School - 30/06/2011

Findings

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

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.

2 Criteria for Registration

Suitable premises and equipment

The trust board provides good quality premises and equipment for the education and care of students. It has effective procedures for planning and providing new developments and ongoing maintenance. At the time of this review, a new purpose-designed hostel was nearing completion.

The school grounds are well set out to accommodate a wide range of sports and recreation activities. Sports grounds are maintained to a high standard. Students have the opportunity to be involved in the care of these fields and facilities. They have also participated in the design and maintenance of fruit and vegetable gardens.

The board maintains five houses on site for teachers. This supports teachers in their supervision duties and contributions to the wider life of the school.

Students learn in well maintained classrooms with modern furniture and furnishings. Classrooms are spacious and organised to allow for flexibility of learning activities. Students’ learning is supported by a range of relevant prompts that support the programme. Their work is attractively displayed.

Suitable Staffing

The trust board employs suitably qualified and experienced staff. Teachers are supported by useful and relevant professional development. Staff contribute to the wider life of the school and are involved in a number of out-of-class activities.

Suitable Curriculum

Programmes suitably meet the broad objectives of the school’s curriculum. These objectives are aimed at developing students’ academic, social, cultural, spiritual and social development. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop sentiments of patriotism and loyalty. All of these aspects are detailed in the school curriculum statements, which are available for parents.

The board, headmaster and teachers have adopted the Cambridge primary school curriculum. They now teach this curriculum in English, mathematics and science. The teaching programme includes Understanding by Design (UBD), a programme which promotes key understandings for students in each learning area.

The curriculum includes a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. All students take part in a choir, and tuition is available for students who wish to learn a musical instrument. The humanities programme includes religious education and chapel, which reflect the Waihi school values and beliefs.

The headmaster and teachers have identified and ERO agrees that the next development steps include reviewing the place of technology and the performing arts in the Waihi curriculum.

The school provides comprehensive learning support to students with identified needs. A full time learning support teacher plans and delivers tailored programmes to meet the needs of individuals and small groups of students.

Suitable Tuition

The headmaster and teachers provide students with a supportive and caring learning environment. There are positive and respectful relationships among students and between teachers and students. Teachers know students well as learners and as individuals. They have high expectations for all students, and classroom management is focused on learning rather than managing behaviour.

Teachers make good use of student achievement information to plan a wide range of appropriate learning activities. Planning includes opportunities for teachers and students to reflect on learning progress, and to use this reflection for next step planning. Students interchange classes in mathematics and reading so they are learning at appropriate levels.

While ERO observed a number of good quality teaching practices, some variation is evident. The headmaster and teachers now need to review the consistency of teaching practice.

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper person(s) to manage the school.

3 Other Statutory Obligations

There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.

4 Other Matters

Provision for students in the school hostel

In this review ERO evaluated the extent to which the school hostel provides a safe physical and emotional environment that supports learning for students accommodated in the hostel.

The school hostel, Waihi School Boarding House, accommodates 53 students, 57% of the school roll. It is owned by the Waihi School Trust Board.

The Ministry of Education has licensed the hostel after confirming it complies with minimum standards specified in the hostel regulations.

5 Conclusion

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

Graham Randell

National Manager Review Services Southern Region

30 June 2011

About the School

Location

Waihi, South Canterbury

Ministry of Education profile number

4147

School type

Private School (Years 4 to 8)

Decile1

9

School roll

93

Gender composition

Boys 100%

Ethnic composition

New Zealand European/Pākehā

Māori

African

91

1

1

Review team on site

May 2011

Date of this report

30 June 2011

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

June 2008

June 2005

May 2002