Findings
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Dominic's College 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.
St Dominic's College is a private secondary school, founded in 1994 and based on traditional principles of the Catholic Society of Saint Pius X. The school is on the same site as St Anthony's School and situated in the Whanganui suburb of Gonville. Both schools are governed by the same proprietors and were reviewed at this time. ERO’s findings for the primary school are documented in a separate report.
The college caters for 67 students from Forms 1 to 7, including 9 international fee paying students. It is divided into two campuses - St Augustine's Boys' Campus and St Dominic's Girls’ Campus.
The two schools' mission is to provide a traditional Catholic education based on Dominican principles and values. Students' spiritual, intellectual, moral, social and physical growth are fostered.
Since the 2012 ERO review, the school has become a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and now provides accommodation in Signadou, the school hostel.
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.
2 Criteria for Registration
Suitable premises and equipment
The premises and equipment are suitable.
Since the 2012 ERO review, the community has built new premises for the boys and has continued to develop the girls’ premises. These well-maintained premises are conducive to student motivation and learning.
Students have access to spacious grounds for physical activity and the centrally located church is well used by the students and parishioners for mass.
Equipment is prudently purchased in line with the school’s philosophy and carefully maintained. The classrooms are properly resourced for the delivery of the school’s curriculum.
Networked computers are available for senior students. The home economics room is suitably equipped and there are appropriate ongoing plans to upgrade the library premises and collections.
There is basic laboratory equipment and senior boys travel to an adjacent school for senior science practical lessons.
Suitable staffing
The school has suitable staffing.
All teachers have current Practising Teacher Certificates or Limited Authority to Teach. An appropriate appointment process is in place to ensure teachers are qualified with curriculum strengths to cover the learning areas. The improved police vetting process should now be documented as a school procedure.
Teachers are provided with a useful staff handbook which covers expectations and provides professional support.
Since the 2012 ERO report, senior staff have revised and developed an appropriate appraisal process. This is subject to ongoing review. The next step is to include more emphasis on teachers inquiring into how their practice is making a difference to student learning and documenting evidence to support their meeting of the Education Council's Practising Teacher Criteria. Teachers are provided with ongoing professional development.
Suitable curriculum and tuition
St Dominic's College provides students with a suitable curriculum and tuition.
Students at the college are examined under the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) system. Most are successful in these examinations and often achieve at a very high level. Students at lower year levels are tracked through New Zealand standardised Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs) and generally perform at or above national norms.
The school offers a range of subjects, including Latin and classics. Catholic Religion classes are greatly emphasised and include Catholic doctrine and morality, Catholic Church history, Catholic apologetics and scripture. The school is unique in New Zealand in its provisions for the teaching of ecclesiastical Latin language and the Gregorian chant. Students participate in Latin mass.
Other subjects such as music, home economics, physical education and computer studies are offered to broaden the school’s curriculum.
Reflections of local history and tikanga Māori are appropriately included in the curriculum. The school plans to further document its approach to this aspect of the curriculum.
There are opportunities for senior boys to study towards National Certificates of Education Achievement (NCEAs) subjects through Te Kura (The Correspondence School) and through the local polytechnic for subjects that could be a pathway to trades. The school should consider expanding similar opportunities for girls, especially in science and the arts.
Teachers and support staff provide suitable tuition related to the school philosophy and purpose. Additional tutoring is offered for some students. Routines are clear and classrooms are orderly. The tone is positive and students are actively engaged in the tasks set. Interactions are respectful.
Fit and proper persons
The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons 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. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.
At the time of this review there were 9 international students attending the school. They are from Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
All students are accommodated in the school hostel. They are integrated into school life and well supported in the hostel environment. Students enjoy opportunities for monthly excursions and holiday homestays with parish families.
There is an expectation that international students have proficiency in English on enrolment.
Provision for students in the school hostel
The school hostel, Signadou, accommodates 11 students, 16% of the school roll. The hostel is owned by the Society of Saint Pius X, who also own the college. The Dominican Sisters staff manage the hostel.
The hostel owner has attested that all the requirements of the Hostel Regulations are met.
Students are well supported and cared for. Students value the family atmosphere.
The hostel is appropriately resourced, maintained and managed. The orderly environment is conducive to study and promotion and practice of the Catholic faith.
5 Conclusion
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Dominic's College meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Joyce Gebbie
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central
15 June 2016
About the School
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Location
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Whanganui
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Ministry of Education profile number
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454
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School type
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Secondary (Years 7 to 13)
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School roll
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67
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Number of international students
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9
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Gender composition
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Female 39, Male 28
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Ethnic composition
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Pākehā
Māori
Other ethnic groups
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34
9
24
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Special Features
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School Hostel - Signadou
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Review team on site
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May 2016
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Date of this report
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15 June 2016
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Most recent ERO report(s)
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Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review
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June 2012
May 2009
May 2006
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