St Mark's Church School (Mt Victoria)

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Mark’s Church School (Mt Victoria) 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

f)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

g)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.

St Mark’s Church School is a private, multicultural, co-educational school. It has a roll of 203 students from Years 1 to 8. It celebrates its centenary this year, 2017. Since the May 2013 ERO report, governance structures have changed. The school is now a registered charity (CC53318) associated with the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. There is an early childhood centre located on site. 

2 Criteria for Registration

Suitable premises and equipment

The premises and equipment are suitable.

The school is well equipped to meet curriculum needs. Children and teachers access a wide range of resources and materials. Classrooms for specialist learning areas have appropriate resources to challenge, revisit and support children’s learning. The library is well provisioned. St Mark’s Church and hall provide additional useful spaces for both the school and the wider community. This includes spaces for learning support.

The premises are well maintained to a high standard. Learning spaces are light and airy. Health and safety requirements are met.

Suitable curriculum

St Mark’s Church School continues to provide students with a suitable curriculum.

The school uses the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate (IB PYP) and includes elements of The New Zealand Curriculum. Children learn through carefully planned programmes of inquiry at each year level. Parents are kept well informed about the curriculum, including through regular information meetings and the school’s website.

There are high expectations that all students will achieve well. A range of appropriate assessments informs the planning and implementation of teaching programmes. A new student management system is enhancing teachers’ analysis of achievement data to better identify student needs. There is strong and deliberate support for meeting children’s individual needs. Learning support is carefully tailored and outcomes well monitored to help each child meet with success and to develop their confidence as learners.

Children experience a broad-based, balanced curriculum. Along with the school’s special character, it encourages responsibility and mutual respect for others. An inclusive family atmosphere is highly evident.

Suitable staffing and tuition

Staffing and tuition are suitable.

Children benefit from a good ratio of teachers to learners, in small classes. Classroom teachers all have current Practising Teacher Certificates and are well qualified to cover the learning areas. Teachers work in a collaborative, supportive environment where there is shared responsibility for all children.

Teachers have opportunities to take responsibility for specific roles across the school and to develop their leadership potential. Appraisal links to the Education Council requirements and is well managed. Teachers have opportunities for schoolwide and personal professional development.

Learning environments are positive. Children are actively engaged and interact respectfully. They are responsive to school expectations. 

Fit and proper persons

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 was one international student attending the school. The school’s practices and processes provide good support for pastoral care, quality of education, and for involvement and integration into the school community.

5 Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St Mark’s Church School (Mt Victoria) meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.

Alan Wynyard

Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)

19 June 2017

About the School