Kuranui School is a small rural school located in the Waikato, midway between Matamata and Putaruru, which caters for students in Years 1 to 6. Since its creation in 2004, following the amalgamation of Tapapa and Okoroire Schools, Kuranui has had a highly positive ERO reporting history. The picturesque school grounds and quality facilities reflect considerable community support, effort and pride in the school and the education it provides. The principal sets and maintains high standards and expectations for teachers, students and the school community. The board provides additional funding to maintain small class sizes and ensure that learning programmes are generously resourced. Since the last ERO review teachers have undertaken extensive professional development about teaching and learning in writing, numeracy, and information and communication technologies.
The school has worked closely with students and the wider parent community to develop a set of behaviours and attitudes that characterise the ‘Kura Kid’. This provides a common language and shared understandings of what it means to be part of the Kuranui School community and realise the school vision of ‘striving to be the best we can be in a safe learning environment’, Ko te whai it e tika kia manaakitia te tangata e te aroha huri noa i toona taiao.
Students are achieving and progressing very well. The school collects extensive and useful information about student achievement and progress, using externally referenced tools and teacher professional judgements. The principal and teachers are able to use this information to show that in reading, writing and mathematics, over 90% of students were achieving at and above national expectations for their year level at the end of 2010. The data also shows that students made substantial progress during the year. The principal and teachers thoroughly analyse achievement information to set relevant targets to further raise achievement for individuals and groups of students. The school has fully implemented the National Standards for achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.
Students participate and experience success in a range of cultural and sporting activities within the school and wider community. Those students requiring additional support or extension with their learning are identified and have their needs addressed through special programmes and initiatives.
Māori students are achieving well. Data gathered and analysed shows that Māori make substantial progress during their time at school. Māori students engage fully in classroom programmes and in the additional sporting, cultural and artistic learning experiences provided. Māori student engagement is enhanced by the use of appropriate learning contexts, participation in kapa haka and protocols within the school that include a Māori dimension. Māori parents feel welcome and affirmed in the school and are able to share their knowledge and skills about te ao Māori with students and the wider parent community.
The school curriculum was developed in consultation with the parents and families that constitute the Kuranui School community. The curriculum document is comprehensive in coverage of each learning area with a focus on literacy, numeracy, physical education and digital learning. It provides detailed guidelines for teaching and learning, and a clear pathway to achieving the school’s vision.
Student learning and success within the school curriculum is enhanced by:
The board and ERO agree that the next step for the school is to continue to develop the learning partnership between teachers and students. This includes:
The school is very well placed to sustain and further improve its performance because there is clear evidence of:
There are no international students enrolled at Kuranui School.
Kuranui School does not have a school hostel.
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed an ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on students' achievement:
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years.
Richard Thornton
National Manager Review Services
Northern Region
12 May 2011
Location |
Near Matamata |
Ministry of Education profile number |
1858 |
School type |
Contributing (Years 1 to 6) |
School roll |
49 |
Gender composition |
Boys 23 Girls 26 |
Ethnic composition |
New Zealand European/Pākehā 36 New Zealand Māori 12 Fijian 1 |
Review team on site |
February 2011 |
Date of this report |
12 May 2011 |
Most recent ERO report |
Education Review June 2005 Education Review May 2008 |