Kristin School - 14/08/2015

• On this page:

• Findings
• 1 Background
• 2 Criteria for Registration
• 3 Other Obligations
• 4 Other Matters
• 5 Conclusion
• About the School 

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

Kristin School continues to meet the registration criteria as a private school as set out in the Education Act 1989. The school has suitable premises, staffing, and equipment. It provides high quality education and care for students in Years 1 to 13.

Kristin School is owned by the Kristin School Charitable Trust. It is governed by trustees and governors appointed from both the school and the wider community. The board is highly supportive of leaders, teachers and students, and committed to the realisation of the school vision. The school welcomes students from all cultures and backgrounds. Students flourish in the attractive and generously resourced learning environments.

Students experience success in a family-like atmosphere that balances academic, sporting and cultural activities. The school’s emphasis on preparing students to be responsible global citizens includes numerous aspects of service to the wider community. They benefit from a values-based curriculum underpinned by traditional Christian values.

Respectful relationships are evident at all levels of the school. Students and teachers have high expectations of themselves and each other. Students appreciate the ways teachers promote their learning and wellbeing. The comprehensive performance management system supports teachers to maintain a high level of professionalism, and enables them to inquire deeply into the effectiveness of their practice.

School leaders and staff have built a culture of teaching and learning that is responsive to students’ aspirations and needs. The specialised learning spaces and skilled staffing offer students diverse ways to explore ideas, perform and succeed in a wide variety of curriculum areas. Education outside the classroom (EOTC) is a strong feature of student learning.

The school curriculum is designed to develop confident achievers. It is based on a combination of The New Zealand Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. The school promotes a seamless IB programme consisting of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the two-year IB Diploma Programme (DP). The flexibility of the Senior School (Years 11 to 13) curriculum enables students to choose between the dual qualification of National Certificates of Achievement (NCEA), and IB. High levels of student achievement continue to be a feature of the school.

Ongoing self review and evaluation help to promote teaching and learning that is responsive to students’ interests, needs and abilities. Students have frequent input into decision making about the school curriculum and resourcing. Co-curricular events and activities complement a very broad academic school curriculum. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are well used to enhance student engagement in learning, both through Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and the school’s commitment to resourcing digital and other technologies.

The school’s curriculum is well documented and shared with parents. Strategic staffing appointments enable teachers and leaders to make good use of individual expertise in leading and managing the school. The school has shown increased understanding of the importance of bicultural appreciation and implementation since ERO’s 2010 review. ERO and school leaders discussed the value of enhancing the school curriculum by deliberate strategic planning that enables students to develop deeper understandings about te ao Māori. Further opportunities for students to learn te reo Māori would complement the school’s commitment to promoting biculturalism.

The principal, appointed in February 2015, continues to build on the strong foundations that have been acknowledged in ERO’s previous reports. A recent external review has clearly identified new priorities for strategic planning. These priorities include a focus on consistency and continuity in student learning across the three schools, student wellbeing, effective communication and the implementation of a strategic ICT plan. Strong systems of reporting and accountability help to assure the board of the quality and effectiveness of school roles and responsibilities.

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 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 73 international students attending the school, mainly from China and Korea.

The school provides its international students with a very high standard of education. It includes English language tuition. Students are warmly welcomed and enjoy many opportunities to participate in school activities and cultural celebrations. The school provides high quality pastoral care for international students and ensures that these students are well integrated into the life of the school.

5 Conclusion

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

Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern (Acting)

14 August 2015

About the School