Howick College

Howick College

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 12 months of the Education Review Office and Howick College 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 

Howick College is situated in the eastern suburbs of Auckland. It is a large, multicultural, secondary school catering for students from years 9 to 13. Thirteen percent of the school’s roll identify as Māori and affiliate with different iwi across New Zealand.

At the time of writing this report the school was in the process of appointing a new principal.

Howick College is grounded in the core values of courtesy, commitment, curiosity, and courage which are integral to the school’s culture.  The school mission statement is “Whakamanawahia Tētehi Hapori O Ngā Ākonga Hihiri, Inspiring a Community of Passionate Learners”.

Howick College’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

  • growing strong leadership

  • enabling highly effective teaching and learning

  • connecting positively with the community

  • strengthening school-wide culture.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Howick College’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively the junior (Years 9 and 10) curriculum programmes of the “Innovation” and “Sport in Education” streams improve students’ academic progress, engagement, and individual capabilities, particularly for Māori and Pasifika ākonga.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to understand what is working and what can be improved to ensure equity for all ākonga studying in the junior programme.

The school expects to see:

  • the junior curriculum supporting all ākonga to develop their individual capabilities and achieve academic success

  • ākonga being well supported to demonstrate the school’s values and show social and emotional competency, and confidence in their identities, languages, and cultures

  • teachers being reflective, collaborative, creative, engaging and culturally responsive to ensure improved outcomes for all ākonga

  • leaders enabling collaborative inquiry, internal evaluation and coaching throughout the school

  • strategic approaches are evident, continuously reviewed, and sustainable

  • mana ōrite mo te mātauranga Māori embedded in systems, culture, curriculum, and approaches to teaching.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to evaluate their junior curriculum:

  • a school-wide holistic approach to ākonga success, which includes programmes that have been proven to support students to successfully transition into the senior school and achieve in NCEA

  • strategic planning and teacher development underpinned by an established coaching and leadership inquiry approach

  • teachers who are adaptable, creative, and consistently improving their use of collaborative teaching practices to promote equitable and excellent ākonga outcomes

  • staff demonstrating an openness to learning and continuously improving their understanding of mātauranga Māori.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

  • exploring and evaluating the current programmes operating in the junior school as part of the leadership inquiry model

  • the continuation of professional learning focused on mātauranga Māori and leadership in the junior curriculum.

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.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

20 December 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

Howick College

Board Assurance with Regulatory and Legislative Requirements Report 2022 to 2025

As of October 2022, the Howick College School Board has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:

Board Administration

Yes

Curriculum

Yes

Management of Health, Safety and Welfare

Yes

Personnel Management

Yes

Finance

Yes

Assets

Yes

Further Information

For further information please contact Howick College School Board.

The next School Board assurance that it is meeting regulatory and legislative requirements will be reported, along with the Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report, within three years.

Information on ERO’s role and process in this review can be found on the Education Review Office website.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

20 December 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

Howick College

Provision for International Students Report

Background

The Education Review Office reviews schools that are signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Findings

Howick College has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has completed an annual self-review of its implementation of the Code.

At the time of this review there were 48 international students attending the school.

Howick College’s review and monitoring of its provision for international students is highly effective and very well managed as part of the school-wide approach for continuous improvement. The school board receives regular reports about the quality of care and education provided for international students.

International students experience agency and participate in a variety of cultural, leadership and sporting opportunities. International students are fully integrated into the school community where they are well supported to transition successfully to further education. 

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

20 December 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

Howick College - 05/10/2015

1 Context

What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?

Howick College is situated in the eastern suburbs of Auckland. It is a large, multicultural, secondary school catering for students from Year 9 to 13. Thirteen percent of the school’s roll identify as Māori and affiliate with different iwi across New Zealand. There is significant growth in the number of students attending the college from the Howick locality. A percentage of students from the wider Manukau area attend the school through a ballot process.

Since the 2012 ERO review, the board of trustees has elected a new chairperson and several new board members. Trustees bring a variety of background experiences and expertise to their governance role. The board is working well with the community, principal and school leaders.

The board is committed to meaningful and purposeful community consultation and has recently implemented a new school vision. The college has a clear focus on building a strong learning community that values inspiration and innovation. Trustees are currently exploring refurbishment options for school buildings to develop environments that match this vision.

The board’s current strategic plan sets out high expectations for academic achievement. These goals are balanced with a caring focus on student wellbeing. Students report a positive sense of belonging and pride in their school and agree that the school is inclusive and supportive.

A highly experienced principal continues to lead the school and a new associate principal was appointed in 2015.

The college has responded positively to the recommendations in the 2012 ERO report. Positive connections are fostered with Māori whānau and local iwi. School initiatives aimed at strengthening Māori students’ achievement have been implemented. Similar approaches promote learning success for Pacific students attending the school.

2 Learning

How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?

Howick College is using achievement information very well to make positive changes to learners’ progress and achievement. NCEA results at Level 1 and 2 are tracking at a comparable level to similar schools. The college is already meeting the 2017 government targets of 85 percent of students achieving the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at Level 2. In 2014 increased numbers of students gained merit endorsements in NCEA at all levels.

Teachers, middle and senior leaders have robust systems to monitor, analyse and evaluate achievement information effectively. Teachers respond promptly to students’ learning needs throughout the year making adjustments to assessment practice, course content and curriculum delivery for better student outcomes. The board of trustees is well informed by the principal about students’ overall progress and achievement.

The increasing use of academic counselling continues to benefit all students and encourages discussion around pathways to tertiary study and future employment. Teachers are committed to promoting student success in many different areas. Parents and whānau are becoming more involved in these school procedures that support good decision-making for school leavers.

There have been positive gains in Māori students’ NCEA achievement. Students benefit from additional coaching structures such as the ‘quick-fire korero’. Currently there are similar contexts for Pacific students to lift their performance in NCEA to equal that of other students in the school. Overall, Māori and Pacific student achievement is above national NCEA percentages.

At Years 9 and 10, achievement information is gathered and analysed in reading, mathematics and science. Students who need support are tracked and monitored for improvement and acceleration. Useful information about Year 8 students is available from contributing schools and this contributes to smooth transition processes for students from primary school to Year 9. Relationships with local clusters of schools are encouraged and valued by senior leaders.

Senior leaders plan professional learning for teachers to bring about educational change in a considered and careful way. A deliberate focus on teachers evaluating their own practice is proving to be effective. The school’s appraisal system shows evidence of a highly reflective teaching culture.

To further enhance student learning, ERO and school leaders discussed increasing the potential for individualised and personalised pathways within the curriculum.

3 Curriculum

How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?

The Howick College curriculum is well aligned to The New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and promotes student engagement and learning very effectively. The curriculum is both responsive and inclusive to student trends. Subject pathways are presented clearly as vocational pathways in school documentation.

The new school vision is a key driver in the classroom. Positive and affirming relationships for learning underpin interactions between students and teachers. Teachers have a strong commitment to meeting student aspirations and respond to students’ goal setting.

Teachers are increasingly focused on engaging students in classroom programmes that encourage innovation, creative learning and thinking, as well as qualifications success. Teaching approaches that capture students’ interests and strengths are proving to be highly engaging, such as the ‘sport in education’ initiative. A focus on boys’ education has resulted in some positive changes to the curriculum which includes a class for boys’ dance.

A well considered e-learning vision is being implemented in stages to develop digital competencies for both staff and students. This vision uses the ako principle of both adults and young people learning together.

Student engagement in the curriculum is strongly supported by a comprehensive and inclusive pastoral care network. Well embedded restorative approaches support changes in student behaviour.

Students with special learning needs are taught by teachers who have a depth of knowledge about each student’s requirements. The board prioritises resourcing for special to moderate needs and English language learning.

The school offers an enriching range of co-curricular activities. There are many opportunities for students to experience success and build their leadership capability and social competencies. A variety of sporting, cultural and academic events celebrate student success and achievement.

To further enhance the college curriculum school leaders could continue to develop:

  • the creative thinking approaches that lead to innovation in the classroom
  • culturally responsive teaching practice school-wide.

How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?

The school is promoting educational success for Māori students effectively, as demonstrated in the positive NCEA Level 2 results for 2014.

Māori students benefit from appointed mentors as well as from their tutor teacher, subject teachers and house deans. A Māori community liaison worker has been appointed by the college to support students and whānau when needed.

Te reo Māori is available for Year 10-13 students to study as a full subject. There is a semester programme of Māori language available for Year 9 students to choose as a language option. A long-term and successful teacher of te reo has created a whānau environment for students that affirms their culture and identity.

Senior Māori students are increasingly involved in the guidance of younger students. Highly successful kapahaka is a well embedded feature of school culture. Kaumātua are involved in celebratory events.

College leaders have worked hard to engage whānau and iwi in the Howick and Manukau areas. Connections are evident with local marae in the Howick township and with Umupuia.

School leaders are discussing the strengthening of bicultural practice in the school through:

  • the board and school leaders continuing to investigate ways to consult and engage with Māori whānau more formally
  • increasing leaders’ and teachers’ reflection on the quality of their own culturally responsive practice
  • regular evaluation and development of the school’s current Māori Education Plan.

4 Sustainable Performance

How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?

Howick College is very well placed to sustain and improve its high quality performance. A culture of continuous improvement permeates the school. The management of change is well paced and considered. Self review has effectively promoted school development and coherence in its systems.

Board governance is based on sound policies and systems that are regularly reviewed. The board is succession planning to ensure sustainability of the school’s governance if individuals or groups of trustees move on.

The principal provides experienced and respected leadership. He is distributing leadership throughout the school to sustain and strengthen school initiatives.

Teacher capability is continuing to grow through carefully designed in-house professional development. Various groups of staff in the school work collaboratively to find innovative approaches that stimulate and challenge students’ interest in learning.

There is evidence of many students becoming connected, successful learners. They hold an optimistic view of their future. College resourcing for student wellbeing underpins this success. Students have leadership opportunities in the college where they can express their views, develop their skills and contribute to school decision-making.

Provision for international students

Howick College is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) established under 238F of the Education Act 1989. 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. The documentation that guides provision for international students is comprehensive and clear. The director, dean and other staff involved with international students are caring in their approaches.

International students have access to very good quality learning experiences, enjoy participation in co-curricular activities and are well supported by high quality pastoral care systems. The school has a flexible approach to its English language learning, catering for individual pathways. At the time of this review there were 91 international fee-paying students attending.

Student wellbeing, academic progress and achievement are closely monitored and reported regularly to the board of trustees. Students who spoke to ERO during the review reported that they felt welcome and well supported during their time at Howick College.

Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement: 

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance. 

Conclusion

Howick College provides high quality education. Students engage positively with a curriculum that supports and strengthens their learning. A school-wide focus on student wellbeing underpins the school’s educational vision. School leaders and teachers are highly committed to fostering each individual’s present and future potential.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years. 

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

5 October 2015

About the School

Location

Howick, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

87

School type

Secondary (Years 9 to 13)

School roll

1895

Number of international students

65

Gender composition

Boys 52% Girls 48%

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Asian

Indian

Samoan

Tongan

other European

other Pacific

others

13%

48%

8%

6%

3%

1%

14%

1%

6%

Review team on site

August 2015

Date of this report

5 October 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Education Review

Special Review

October 2012

September 2010

April 2009

 

Howick College - 15/10/2012

1 Context

What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?

Students at Howick College experience a positive school culture and affirming relationships with staff and each other. Staff promote a strong ethos of care for students. Teachers, through the effective leadership of the principal and senior leaders, provide increasingly innovative programmes and are promoting academic excellence throughout the school.

The school’s broad curriculum caters for students’ diverse strengths, interests, abilities and needs. Students are very well supported to succeed in a variety of academic and vocational pathways and in co-curricular activities. Student leaders, including students within the whānau tutor group, ably fulfil their leadership roles and value the contribution they are able to make to the school community.

There have been significant improvements in all areas of the school since the 2010 ERO review. The principal and senior team work in partnership with each other, teachers, students and the community to drive the school’s improvement-focused strategic direction. School leaders are committed to building a culture of learning and achievement. There are increasing expectations for students and teachers to aim high.

The board of trustees ensures that students are the central focus of the school’s strategic thinking and planning. Trustees promote meaningful partnerships with their parent community, including Māori and Pacific whānau and aiga, and with the wider business community.

2 Learning

How well are students learning – engaging, progressing and achieving?

Students at Howick College are very well supported to engage in learning, make good progress and achieve. They experience positive relationships for learning with each other and teachers, and their engagement in learning is supported by an inclusive school culture.

Since the 2010 ERO review, improving student achievement throughout the school has been a key priority. The board, senior leaders, teachers and students are justifiably proud of their improved academic performance over the past two years. While continuing to strive for NCEA achievement levels that equate well with other high decile schools, there have been notable increases in achievement levels. These include:

  • improvements in student achievement in the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA), with results at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 exceeding national averages in 2011
  • increased numbers of students gaining NCEA merit and excellence endorsements and NCEA scholarships
  • much improved progress and achievement in literacy and numeracy for students in Years 9 and 10.

Māori students are represented amongst the highest achievers in the school. In NCEA, they achieve well in comparison to Māori students nationally.

Pacific students are benefiting from ongoing targeted support to improve their engagement, progress and achievement. Pacific students are achieving very well in relation to the achievement of Pacific students nationally and their achievement levels are close to, and sometimes better than, the achievement levels of other student cohorts. Pacific students appreciate the strategic approaches taken to improving their learning, and value the connection forged with their principal.

Senior leaders have identified that it could be useful to analyse the sorts of qualifications Māori and Pacific students achieve. This information could help leaders to evaluate whether Māori and Pacific students are achieving their potential and the meeting aspirations and goals that they and their families have for them.

The school has very good systems in place to identify students who require extra support to make progress and achieve. School leaders have further improved the quality of data collection, analysis and presentation. As a result, the board now receives very good information about how well different learning areas are progressing the school’s strategic targets and improving student achievement.

Senior leaders are now planning to further promote teachers’ understanding and use of student assessment data. They see improved analysis and use of data as essential in promoting differentiated programmes in mixed ability classrooms.

3 Curriculum

How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?

Howick College’s curriculum is deliberately and thoughtfully designed to cater for students’ diverse interests, strengths, talents and abilities. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly used to assist student learning. A broad variety of options are available to cater for students’ vocational and academic pathways, promoting good community links and enhancing opportunities for learning.

The principal provides strong professional leadership. He works in partnership with capable school leaders to promote a culture of learning throughout the school. Well implemented change management is improving outcomes for students and has raised the expectations of staff and students. It is facilitating increasingly high levels of staff commitment and willingness to promote the school’s vision for students to be life-long learners.

Teachers engage in professional discussion and share good teaching practice through the school’s professional learning and development (PLD) initiative. Teachers in many learning areas plan programmes that include Māori perspectives and themes, and that support students to learn about New Zealand’s bicultural heritage. Teachers are hard working and reflective. They regularly review the impact of their teaching on improving student learning. Senior leaders identify that a future review of the school’s curriculum against the principles of The New Zealand Curriculum could be beneficial for further curriculum development.

Students are well engaged in learning and are valued as active participants in the learning process. Increasingly they are provided with high levels of challenge and opportunities for critical thinking and problem solving. Innovative learning support programmes are personalised for identified priority students. These programmes promote learning and increase students’ sense of belonging and engagement.

Students’ personal characteristics are valued equally alongside academic progress and achievement. An extensive student support network provides a holistic and integrated approach to enhancing student wellbeing and learning. How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?

Māori students benefit from the wide variety of educational opportunities and the high levels of support made available to all students at the school. They appreciate their teachers and the exciting learning programmes that many teachers create for them. Māori students also appreciate the principal’s culturally responsive leadership and promotion of the school’s kawa. The senior leadership team acknowledge the importance of all senior leaders understanding and sharing this important leadership responsibility.

Trustees acknowledge that developing an overarching vision for Māori students at Howick College to succeed as Māori is an appropriate next step. Board strategic goals include those to further improve the achievement of Māori students. Steps taken to progress these goals include the appointment of a new Head of Department Māori who is:

  • working to re-engage parents and whānau
  • promoting te reo Māori within the school
  • providing a place for students meet and learn together in a whānau environment.

These strategies reflect the board’s increasing emphasis on biculturalism, consultation with whānau, and its continued commitment to promoting success for Māori students.

4 Sustainable Performance

How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?

Howick College is very well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Strategic and collaborative approaches are ensuring that the school’s improvement-focused vision is shared. The principal and school leaders are effectively managing change and transforming the school’s learning culture. They invite critique from staff and the community, inquire into their leadership practices and plan for ongoing improvement. This leadership approach is strengthening positive relationships within the school and with the school’s communities. Leaders also plan to restructure the senior leadership team as a way to further build capability and sustain and improve the school’s performance.

Teachers’ strengths are valued. They have very good leadership opportunities and are expected to share and promote good practices throughout the school. As a result, students are benefiting from committed and capable teaching teams. Improved quality assurance systems make expectations for teaching and learning clear, and encourage teachers to inquire into their practice. The school’s PLD leaders identify that it would be useful for the next phase of the PLD design to include a coaching and mentoring component. This approach would further promote the culture of reflection, critique and improvement that is being developed in the school.

Trustees have a variety of expertise and a very good understanding of their governance roles and responsibilities. Along with the principal and school leaders trustees value external review and have improved self review at all levels of the school. The board use the school’s good self review information to make resourcing decisions aimed at raising the achievement of priority and all other learners.

The strategic appointment of a business manager is leading the school into healthy financial recovery. Trustees, the principal and business manager are now planning to develop a long-term vision to improve Howick College’s physical environment. They recognise the benefits of ensuring that the physical environment complements and aligns with the modern teaching and learning approaches being promoted in the school.

Provision for international students

The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code. Howick College 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 48 international students attending the school.

Students report that they are well integrated into the life of the school and are well supported by school's pastoral care systems to meet their individual aspirations for their time at the school. ERO’s investigations confirmed that the school’s self-review process for international students is thorough.

Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

When is ERO likely to review the school again?

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.

Makere Smith

National Manager Review Services Northern Region (Acting)

15 October 2012

About the School

Location

Howick, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

87

School type

Secondary (Years 9 to 15)

School roll

1806

Number of international students

48

Gender composition

Boys 50%

Girls 50%

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

Pacific

Asian

Other European

Indian

Other

47%

12%

7%

9%

14%

5%

6%

Review team on site

August 2012

Date of this report

15 October 2012

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Special Review

Education Review

September 2010

April 2009

October 2006