Pukekohe Christian School

Education institution number:

456

School type:

Composite

School gender:

Co-Educational

Definition:

Not Applicable

Total roll:

332

Website:

http://www.pcschool.co.nz

Telephone:

09 238 6449

Address:

82 Yates Road, Pukekohe

View on map

Pukekohe Christian School

23 Nov 2022

Introduction

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 clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Clause 9, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Secretary for Education on whether each school meets the criteria for registration.

More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website Private and independent schools | Education Review Office (ero.govt.nz)

The criteria for registration are that the school —

has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and
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 [clause 2(b), Schedule 7); and
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 (clause 2(c), Schedule 7; and
has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and
has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and
has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and
is a physically and emotionally safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7).

When an ERO report identifies an area within the criteria for registration that is not meeting the criteria at the time of the ERO review, that will be reported, the Ministry will be informed and the Ministry will follow up the issue with the school.

ERO’s Judgement

a) The school has premises that are suitable as described in clause 3, Schedule 7

Meeting

b) The school 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

Meeting

c) The school 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

Meeting

d) The school has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school

Meeting

e) The school has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents

Meeting

f) The school has suitable tuition standards as described in clauses 2(e), (f) and 5, Schedule 7

Meeting

g) The school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7)

Meeting

h) The school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students

A safe place is one in which risks to student safety are regularly assessed and evaluated with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, harm. A safe place is one where clear policies exist and are acted upon to eliminate or minimise harm.

ERO’s judgement is based on the quality, intent and regular review of the school’s policies and procedures.

The school has regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Pukekohe Christian School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory provider to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

No international students were enrolled at the time of the ERO review.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region - Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

23 November 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

Pukekohe Christian School - 29/02/2016

29 Feb 2016

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Pukekohe Christian School 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.

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

Pukekohe Christian School is located near Pukekohe township and caters for students in Years 1 to 15. Students come from diverse cultural backgrounds across a wide geographic area across Franklin and South Auckland. The school is underpinned by Christian values and provides a Christ-centred education. Academic programmes are prescribed by the Cambridge International Curriculum.

The school has suitable premises, staffing, equipment, curriculum and standards of tuition, as defined in the Education Act 1989 and described in the school’s prospectus. The principal’s regular reports to the board ensures that trustees are well informed about school operations and student achievement.

Systems for property maintenance and health and safety are well established and guided by agreed policies and procedures. Since ERO’s 2011 report, changes in the school have included the recent addition of two new classrooms and the provision of safe storage of dangerous materials in the science laboratory. Resources to support the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) resources have been increased.

Staffing is suitable for the age range, year levels and size of the school. Leadership responsibilities are shared across the staff team. Teachers are supported to build their professional capacity, particularly in relation to the Cambridge curriculum and Christian education. The principal continues to strengthen processes for teacher appraisal.

A range of information, including the prospectus, newsletters and the school’s website, informs parents about the curriculum. The school programme is based on the Cambridge International curriculum that emphasises literacy, mathematics and science. Cambridge progress tests are used from Year 3. At senior levels, most students complete the Cambridge curriculum. A few students are supported to access courses through Te Kura, the Correspondence School and access National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

Children have a variety of opportunities for learning through community activities that reflect the school’s focus on service. The curriculum also includes art, and a health and physical education programme. Children also have opportunities to participate in choir, drama and worship groups. Careers information is provided for senior students and academic pathways are planned with families.

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G of the Education Act 1989 in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

3 Other Obligations

Good systems are in place to assure the board 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 seven international students attending the school.

ERO’s investigations confirm that the school’s systems for reviewing its provision for international students are thorough. The principal regularly monitors provision for students’ academic progress and care. They are able to be involved in all aspects of school life and in the wider Christian community. Digital tools support these students’ English language learning.

5 Conclusion

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

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

29 February 2016

School Statistics

Location	Pukekohe
Ministry of Education profile number	456
School type	Composite (Years 1 to 15)
School roll	193
Number of international students	7
Gender composition	Boys 55%, Girls 45%
Ethnic composition	Pākehā Māori Indian African Chinese Korean Samoan Other European other	49% 1% 13% 6% 5% 4% 3% 13% 6%
Review team on site	December 2015
Date of this report	29 February 2016
Most recent ERO report(s)	Private School Review Private School Review Private School Review	September 2011 August 2008 November 2005