Hamilton Christian School

Hamilton Christian School - 15/06/2015

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Hamilton Christian 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

The school provides a safe and well-ordered environment for students and staff. Premises and equipment are suitable for purpose. In line with its mission statement Hamilton Christian School is clearly Christ-centred in all areas of school life and tuition. The board makes sound financial provision to support teaching and learning across the school. There has been considerable investment in computer technology to enhance the curriculum. Classrooms are well resourced and teachers are conscientious in providing attractive and informative learning environments for students.

The board is committed to employing suitably qualified teachers who have a Christian background, to work in the school. The principal is proactive in fulfilling his role as professional advisor to the board. He is well informed about education and with support from the deputy principal, provides informed professional leadership to the board, staff and parent community.

The principal has developed a robust appraisal process for staff. Teachers are well supported to meet expectations through a rich and varied programme of professional learning and development. They are providing effective programmes for learning, and students make very good progress as they move through the school.

Well-analysed, school-wide achievement data, especially for senior students, indicates high levels of achievement in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The number of students achieving endorsements and University Entrance passes compares favourably with other similar schools.

The school provides a broad curriculum that is strongly underpinned by Christian values and beliefs. Since the previous ERO review in 2011 the principal has worked collaboratively with teachers to embed the International Cambridge Primary Curriculum at Years 1 to 8. Currently the school is reviewing its curriculum and enriching this through the integration of aspects of The New Zealand Curriculum. As part of this review process teachers are developing a framework for teaching and assessment in writing that aligns with the Ministry of Education Literacy Learning Progressions. The principal plans to extend this model to reading, mathematics and science curriculum areas.

Parents are well informed about their childrens academic and all round development and progress. School leaders and teachers are increasingly involving parents as partners in their childrens learning.

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

ERO, trustees and principal have identified the following areas for continuing development:

  • diagnostically using student achievement information to better inform teaching and learning
  • involving students in discussions about their achievement information so that they understand it, and know how to progress to the next level.

3. Other Obligations

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

4. Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

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

The school has well-developed systems in place to care for and support international students. These students receive one-to-one tuition in English and are well supported to become actively involved in the life of the school. Designated staff members maintain close contact with international students, their families and home-stay carers. Students’ academic progress is closely monitored and reported to parents.

5. Conclusion

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

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

15 June 2015

About the School

Location

Hamilton

Ministry of Education profile number

451

School type

Composite (Years 1 to 13)

School roll

337

Number of international students

5

Gender composition

Girls 52%

Boys 48%

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

Other European

Other Asian

Chinese

Indian

South East Asian

Pacific

57%

4%

19%

7%

5%

4%

3%

1%

Review team on site

May 2015

Date of this report

15 June 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

June 2011

October 2007

September 2004

Hamilton Christian School - 27/06/2011

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

Curriculum: The school’s philosophy, values and ethos are the basis of all curriculum planning and delivery with the goal of developing within their students a Christian world view. Governors and school leaders consulted widely in the recent development of the vision and values document that is shared and accepted by their community. While The New Zealand Curriculum is the current basis for teaching programmes school wide, in Years 1 to 13, management and staff are beginning to integrate aspects of the International Cambridge Primary Curriculum for Years 1 to 8. As part of the ongoing review of curriculum, it would be beneficial to develop a cohesive, school-wide plan for teaching and learning.

Staffing and tuition standards: The quality of instruction is sound with teachers consistently using a range of common strategies to encourage and engage students in their learning. Staff model the school vision and values. They are supportive, caring and affirming, respect their students and know families well. Individual student progress and achievement is closely monitored. Teachers and syndicate leaders have access to an extensive range of nationally referenced and school-based data. This is used to inform planning that is responsive to identified needs and special abilities. Consistently high levels of students’ oral and written language were evident in classrooms visited.

There are high expectations for student behaviour and for their contribution to the school community. Students are respectful of themselves, others and their teachers. ERO observed high levels of student engagement and enthusiastic commitment to their learning, which contribute to settled classes and high levels of progress and achievement. Students are encouraged to realise their academic potential in a safe and supportive learning environment.

Premises and equipment: The board of Hamilton Christian School continue to provide and maintain buildings and facilities appropriate to support school programmes and operations. Classes are suitably resourced. Students and teachers have access to good quality resources and equipment that enables the efficient delivery of the school’s curriculum.

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 international students

The school is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. At the time of this review there were seven international students attending the school.

The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

ERO’s investigations confirmed that the school’s self-review process for international students is thorough. International students benefit from the holistic Christian curriculum and high levels of empathetic pastoral care.

Provision for students in the school hostel

Hamilton Christian School does not have a school hostel.

5. Conclusion

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

Richard Thornton

National Manager Review Services Northern Region

27 June 2011

About the School

Location

Hamilton

Ministry of Education profile number

451

School type

Composite (Years 1 to 13)

Decile1

9

School roll

323

Number of international students

7

Gender composition

Girls 55%

Boys 45%

Ethnic composition

New Zealand European/Pākehā

Other European

Other Asian

New Zealand Māori

Indian

Other

65%

20%

7%

2%

2%

4%

Review team on site

May 2011

Date of this report

27 June 2011

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Accountability Review

October 2007

September 2004

June 2001

1 School deciles range from 1 to 10. Decile 1 schools draw their students from low socio-economic communities and at the other end of the range, decile 10 schools draw their students from high socio-economic communities. Deciles are used to provide funding to state and state integrate schools. The lower the school’s decile the more funding it receives. A school’s decile is in no way linked to the quality of education it provides