Findings
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Eden Christian Academy 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.
2 Criteria for Registration
Eden Christian School is a co-educational, non-denominational Christian school located on the LaValla Estate, Tuakau. The school opened in 2013 and provides education for students from Years 1 to 13. There are currently 71 students on the roll. Since the 2014 ERO review the school roll has grown, a new playground has been developed and a science lab and information technology suite has been built.
The school provides suitable premises, equipment, curriculum, tuition and staffing.
Eden Christian Academy is located on expansive rural grounds and includes a gymnasium, an indoor theatre and rock-climbing wall. The school’s premises are suitable for purpose and are well maintained and developed. Appropriate equipment supports the curriculum offered and the current student roll. Ongoing monitoring of the school environment is supported by sound health and safety processes.
The school’s curriculum is grounded in a Christian world view. It is based on a number of pathways including Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), National Certificate of Education Achievement (NCEA), and the Cambridge Assessment International Educational framework. Regular testing and examinations are carried out to measure student ability and understanding of course content. Students have opportunities to develop independent learning skills with individualised support. Parents are well informed about the curriculum and delivery programmes through regular reporting and school documentation.
There is a suitable standard of tuition. Teachers have positive and nurturing interactions in an inclusive, caring environment. Students work and study in calm, settled and well-managed classrooms. Tuakana teina relationships are evident throughout the school. Students with additional learning needs are well catered for through individualised planning and external agency support. A next step for leaders and teachers is to evaluate the effectiveness of learning and teaching strategies across the school.
The school has suitable staffing. Small class sizes enable many tutoring opportunities with individual students. The school is led by the principal who has initiated the establishment of this school and its vision. A wide variety of extra-curricular and education outside the classroom activities form an important part of the curriculum and education at Eden Christian Academy. Clear policies and procedures guide personnel management and school operations. The teacher appraisal process now includes the Teaching Council’s new Standards for the Teaching Profession.
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 Obligations
There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that its other obligations are met.
4 Conclusion
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Eden Christian Academy meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services
Central Region
8 April 2019
About the School
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Location
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Tuakau
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Ministry of Education profile number
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682
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School type
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Composite (Years 1 to 13)
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School roll
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71
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Gender composition
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Boys 43 Girls 28
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Ethnic composition
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Māori
Pākehā
Other European
Indian
African
Other
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21
29
9
5
4
3
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Review team on site
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February 2019
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Date of this report
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8 April 2019
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Most recent ERO report(s)
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Private School Review
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June 2014
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