Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu - 05/04/2019

1 Te Horopaki

E tū ana Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whātātūtū ki tētahi hapori tuawhenua iti e pā tata atu ana i Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa. Nō te tau 2014 te tūnga o te kura hei kura kaupapa Māori i whakamanahia ai. E whakarato ana te kura i te mātauranga mō ngā ākonga o ngā tau 1 ki te 8. He hononga ā-whakapapa tō ngā ākonga katoa ki Whātātūtū. Ka whai wāhi matua ngā whakapono me ngā tikanga o te hāhi Ringatū ki te ao o te kura. Ko te kaha tautoko o te whānau me ngā kaumātua tētahi āhuatanga nui i te kura. Whai muri i te arotake o mua a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, kua whakatūngia tētahi tumuaki hou me tētahi poari hou. Koia nei te wā tuatahi kua tū te tumuaki ki taua momo tūranga.

2 Te Tino Uaratanga

He pēhea rawa ngā ākonga e whakaatu i te pai o tō rātou whakawhanaungatanga ki ētahi atu?

Ka kitea ki ngā ākonga tō rātou manaakitanga, tō rātou whakaute, me tō rātou whai whakaaro nui ki ētahi atu.

Te Ira Tangata

E whai hua ana, e whai pūtake ana hoki ngā hononga o ngā ākonga ki ō rātou hoa, ā, ki ētahi atu hoki. Ko Whakahautia te rongopai i runga i te ngāwari me te aroha te tirohanga a te kura, ā, e whakatairanga ana i ngā uara e noho whakaharahara ana ki te whānau, te hapū, me te iwi. E whakatinanahia ana ngā tūmanako o te whānau e ngā kaiako me ngā ākonga mā te whakaute o ō rātou hononga ki waenga i a rātou anō, ā, ki ngā kaumātua hoki. Ka akiaki rātou i ngā whai wāhitanga mō ngā tuākana ki te hāpai me te ārahi i ngā ākonga tēina i roto i ngā akoranga me ngā tikanga. Kua tuituia ngā mātauranga me ngā pūkenga o te hapori ki roto i te marau. E hāpai ana tēnei i te mārama haere o ngā ākonga ki tō rātou tū i roto i te whānau, te hapū, te iwi, me te hapori whānui. Ka whai wāhi atu te whānau me ngā kaumātua ki ētahi o ngā tūmomo wheako akoranga. Ka noho maioha ngā ākonga ki te taetae ā-tinana mai, te tautoko mai hoki o ngā pakeke i ia rā, ā, ka whakaute, ka whai whakaaro nui ki a rātou. Kei te tūmāia, kei te harikoa ngā ākonga.

Te Reo

E whanake ana ngā ākonga i tō rātou māramatanga ki te reo Māori i roto i ngā tūmomo horopaki whānui. Ko tō te whānau wawata, kia matatau ngā ākonga ki te kōrero i te reo Māori. E matapae ana rātou i te tū rangatira o ā rātou tamariki i runga i te marae. Kei roto i te kura ētahi tāngata e matatau ana ki te reo Māori hei reo taketake, ā, e whai wāhi nui ana rātou ki te whakahōhonu i ngā horopaki ako. Ka whakarato ngā kaumātua i ngā kupu ake, ngā kōrero tuku iho, ngā tauira reo, me ngā hītori o Whātātūtū e hāngai pū ana ki te iwi. He whai wāhitanga mō ngā ākonga ki te karanga me te ārahi i ngā hīmene me ngā karakia, hei whakariterite i tō rātou ārahi i aua tū tikanga. Ka whakamahi i ngā tino rautaki e whakawhānui ai i ngā puna kupu me te māramatanga o ngā ākonga ki ngā hanganga reo. E whanake ana ngā ngākau titikaha o ngā ākonga ki te kōrero i te reo Māori.

Ngā Iwi

Ka kitea ki ngā ākonga ō rātou manawa whakahī mō ō rātou whānau, ō rātou hapū, me ō rātou iwi. Ko ngā karakia me ngā tikanga o te hāhi Ringatū kei te tūāpapa o te tuakiri o te kura me te hapori. Ko ngā ariā o te ngāwari me te aroha e ārahi ana i ngā taunekeneke me te whanaungatanga. E whakawhanake ana te whānau i tētahi marau ā-kura e aro pū ana ki te takiwā whānui o te kura, tae atu ki ngā wāhi e whai hītori ana me ngā pou whenua e noho whakaharahara ana ki te hapū me te iwi. Ko ngā hononga ā-whakapapa me te whai wāhi atu ki te marae ētahi āhuatanga matua o ngā akoranga a ngā ākonga. He mātātoa te whai wāhi a ngā ākonga ki ngā kaupapa katoa i te marae, ki te taha tonu o ō rātou whānau. E mōhio ana ngā ākonga ki ō rātou tuakiri me tō rātou tūrangawaewae.

Te Ao

Ka tūhura ngā ākonga i te ao Māori me te ao whānui. Ka akiaki te whānau i ngā ākonga ki te tūhura mātātoa i te taiao ake o Whātātūtū, me te whakatairanga ake i ngā tikanga e pā ana ki te whai oranga me te tiaki i a Papatūānuku. Ko ētahi o aua whakaritenga, ko te whai i ngā kawenga ki te tiaki i ā rātou māra, i ngā pā harakeke, me te mahi hangarua, te tiritiri hoki i te onepōpopo. Ka whai wāhi atu ngā ākonga ki ngā kaupapa ahurea, kaupapa hākinakina hoki, ā, i aua wā rātou e taunekeneke atu ana ki ngā ākonga o kura kaupapa Māori kē atu, o kura auraki kē atu hoki. Ka ako ngā ākonga ki te tū hei kaitiaki me te whai whakaaro nui, whakaaro pākiki hoki.

Āhuatanga Ako

E ako ana ngā ākonga i ngā pūkenga ki te tū hei kaiārahi ā tōna wā. Ka whakamahi ngā kaiako i te whānuitanga o ngā tūmomo rautaki whakaako, aronga whakaako hoki hei āta whakarite i te eke angitu o ngā ākonga i kura. Ka whakaemi, ka pūrongo hoki rātou i ngā paetae ākonga ki te whānau me te poari. Ka whakamahia hoki aua mōhiohio hei tāutu i ngā ākonga e tika ana kia āta hāpai ake i roto i ngā akoranga. He mārama ngā tūmanako mō ngā ākonga, ā, e whanake ana rātou i ngā pūkenga ki te kōkiri me te whai auaha i roto i ā rātou ake akoranga. Ka ākina te whakarite a ngā ākonga i ā rātou ake whāinga ako, me tā rātou whakapuaki whakaaro mō ā rātou akoranga. Ka tautoko, ka whai whakaaro nui rātou ki ētahi atu. Ka ngana ngā ākonga ki te ako.

Ngā wāhanga i tāutuhia ai e te kura hei whakawhanake ake

E whanake tonu ana te whānau i ō rātou māramatanga ki ngā huarahi e whakatōngia ai ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua, puta noa i te kura. He mahi tonu hei whai atu, kia āta whakapuakihia Te Aho Matua ki roto i ngā whakaritenga a te whānau, ngā tuhinga, me ngā whakaakoranga, ngā akoranga hoki ki te kura. I tēnei wā, e whanake ana te whānau i te marau ā-kura me te āhua o te pūkete raukura, ā, me whai whakaaro hoki rātou me pēhea te whakatinana i ngā āhuatanga o Te Aho Matua ki aua tuhinga matua.

Kāhore anō te tukanga arohaehae hou kia āta whakatinanahia. I te tau 2018, i whakamanahia e te whānau tētahi tukanga arohaehae hou mā ngā kaimahi, ā, kua whakatakotohia tētahi huarahi ki te whakatinana i taua tukanga i tēnei tau. He mea nui kia āta whakarite i te whakatutukitanga o te huringa taiāwhio arohaehae, hei āta whakatau ki ngā kaimahi katoa kei te āta tautokona te haere tonutanga o tō rātou whakawhanaketanga me tā rātou āhua mahi.

Ko te whakawhanake i te reo o ngā ākonga hou tētahi kaupapa matua a te whānau me ngā kaimahi. Kāhore he mahere, he rautaki rānei i āta tāutuhia ai hei kōkiri i te ako reo o ngā tamariki e uruuru mai ana ki te kura me te iti noa- te kore rānei - o te reo Māori. E ahu mai ana te nuinga o ngā tamariki i ngā kāinga kōrero reo Pākehā. E mōhio ana te whānau, e tika ana kia whakapakari ake rātou i tō rātou mōhiotanga ki te reo Māori, i tā rātou whakamahinga anō hoki i te reo ki ngā kāinga me te kura.

3 Te Arotake Whaiaro me te Ārahitanga

E hāpai ana ngā mahi arotake whaiaro i te whānau ki te whakatau i ngā whakaritenga hei painga mō ngā ākonga. E hāngai ana ngā mahere rautaki me ngā mahere ā-tau ki ngā tūmanako nui i roto i ngā paetae ākonga. Aroturukitia ai ngā wāhanga matua o te whakaritenga me ngā whakahaeretanga i ia te wā. Ka whakanuia e te poari, te whānau, me te tumuaki te whai wāhi mai o ngā kaumātua, ā, he pou tuarā rātou e ārahi ana i te whānau ki te ū ki te tirohanga hei painga mō te kura.

E arotahi ana ngā kaiārahi o te kura ki te whakapai tonutanga. Ka whai wāhi nui te whakaaro huritao ki ngā mahi a te tumuaki me te heamana o te poari, ā, ka whakatauira anō hoki rāua i aua pūkenga ki ngā kaimahi me te whānau. He mārama ngā tūmanako o te tumuaki mō te āhua o ngā mahi a ngā kaiako ki te whakamahere, te aromatawai, me te pūrongo hoki i te ahu whakamua a ngā ākonga me ngā paetae. He riterite ngā mahere puta noa i te kura, ā, ka tohua ki ngā meneti o ngā hui te whai kiko o ngā kōrerorero e pā ana ki ngā ākonga. E hāpai ana ngā whakaritenga aromātai i tō rātou whakapau kaha ki te kōkiri i ngā paetae ākonga.

4 Te Whakatau a te Whānau ki ngā Wāhanga Tautukunga

I mua atu i te whakahaerenga o te arotake i whakatutukihia e te poari me te tumuaki he Tauāki Kupu Tūturu a te Whānau mā Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, me tētahi Rārangi Arowhai Tātari Whaiaro. I roto i ēnei tuhinga i oati rātou i whāia e rātou ngā huarahi whai take hei whakatutuki i ā rātou herenga ā-ture e pā ana ki:

  • ngā whakahaere a te poari
  • te marautanga
  • ngā whakahaere mō te hauora, te haumaru, me te oranga tinana
  • ngā whakahaere o ngā kaimahi
  • ngā whakahaere o te pūtea
  • ngā whakahaere o ngā rawa me ngā taonga.

I te wā o te arotake, i whakamātauhia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga ngā āhuatanga i raro iho nei, i te mea he nui te pānga o ēnei ki ngā paetae o ngā ākonga:

  • te haumaru aronganui o ngā ākonga (tāpiri atu ki te ārai i ngā mahi whakawetiweti me ngā mahi whakaaito)
  • te haumaru ā-tinana o ngā ākonga
  • te rēhitatanga o ngā kaiako
  • ngā tukanga ki te whakatū kaimahi
  • te whakaunu, te aukati, te pana me te whakarerenga
  • te tae ā-tinana atu a ngā ākonga ki te kura.

5 Ngā Taunakitanga

E taunaki ana Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga kia tahuri te whānau me ngā kaimahi ki te:

  • toro atu ki te tautoko o Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa ki te whakapakari i tō rātou māramatanga ki Te Aho Matua, puta noa i te kura
  • haere tonu i ngā mahi e whakatutuki ana i ngā whakaritenga matua i tāutuhia ai ki tēnei pūrongo kia whai atu.

Hei ā hea Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga arotake anō ai i te kura?

Tērā ka whakahaeretia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga te arotake whai muri o Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whatatutu i roto i ngā tau e toru, arā, ko Te Rākeitanga.

Charles Rolleston Toka ā-nuku

05 Paengawhāwhā, 2019

Ngā Kōrero e pā ana ki te kura

Te tūwāhi

Kei Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa

Te tau a te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

2739

Te tūmomo kura

He kura tuatahi (Tau 1-8)

Te tokomaha o ngā ākonga o te kura

23

Te ira tangata

Kōtiro 14

Tama tāne 9

Ngā hononga ā-iwi

Māori

100%

Ngā āhuatanga motuhake

Kura Kaupapa Māori Te Aho Matua

Te wā i te kura te rōpū arotake

1 Hui-tanguru 2019

Te rā o tēnei pūrongo

05 Paengawhāwhā, 2019

Ngā pūrongo o mua a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga

Arotake Mātauranga

Arotake Mātauranga

Arotake Tāpiri

Here-turi-kōkā 2014

Pipiri 2012

Paenga-whāwhā 2010

1 Context

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whātātūtū is located in a small rural community near Gisborne. The kura was officially designated as a kura kaupapa Māori in 2014. The kura provides education for Year 1 to 8 students. All students have whakapapa links to Whātātūtū. Ringatū beliefs and practices are an integral part of the kura environment. The strong support from whānau and kaumātua is an affirming feature of the kura. Since the previous ERO review, a first-time principal was appointed and a new board of trustees elected.

2 Te Tino Uaratanga

How well do students show positive relationships with others?

Students demonstrate caring, respect and consideration for others.

Te Ira Tangata

Students have positive and meaningful relationships with their peers and with others. The kura vision, Whakahautia te rongopai i runga i te ngāwari me te aroha, promotes the values that are important to the whānau, hapū and iwi. Whānau expectations are demonstrated by kaiako and students in the respectful relationships they have with each other and with kaumātua. They encourage opportunities for tuākana to support and guide younger students in learning and tikanga practices. Local knowledge and skills are integrated into the curriculum. This supports students to understand their place in their whānau, hapū, iwi and wider community. Whānau and kaumātua are present during different learning experiences. Students appreciate the daily presence and support of adults by showing respect and thoughtfulness towards them. Students are confident and happy.

Te Reo

Students are developing their understanding of te reo Māori for different purposes. The whānau aspire for students to be fluent speakers of te reo Māori. They visualise their children as future leaders on the marae. There are native speakers in the kura who support rich learning contexts. Kaumātua provide iwi-specific words and stories, language modelling and the history of Whātātūtū. Students have opportunities to lead karanga, hīmene and karakia in preparation for their leadership roles in tikanga. Deliberate strategies are used to extend students’ vocabulary and understanding of language structures. Students are developing as confident speakers of te reo Māori.

Ngā Iwi

Students exhibit personal pride in their whānau, hapū and iwi. Ringatū karakia and tikanga are the foundation of the kura and community identity. The concepts of ngāwari and aroha guide interactions and relationships. The whānau are developing a kura curriculum that strongly focuses on the local surroundings including historical sites and significant landmarks important to the hapū and iwi. Whakapapa connections and marae involvement are a vital part of students’ learning. Students are active participants alongside their whānau at all marae events. Students know who they are and where they come from.

Te Ao

Students explore the Māori world and the wider world. The whānau encourage students to actively explore the local environment in Whātātūtū and promote practices of sustainability and care for Papatūānuku. These practices include taking responsibility for their gardens, pā harakeke, recycling and composting. Students participate in local cultural and sporting events where they interact with students from other kura and schools. Students learn to be kaitiaki who are considerate and inquisitive.

Āhuatanga Ako

Students learn skills to be leaders for the future. Kaiako use a range of teaching strategies and approaches to ensure that students can experience success at kura. They gather and report student achievement information to the whānau and the board of trustees. This information is also used to identify students requiring additional learning support. There are clear expectations for students who are developing skills to be independent and innovative learners. Students are encouraged to set their own learning goals and have a say in their learning. They offer support and show consideration for others. Students are engaged learners.

Kura-identified areas of development

The whānau continue to develop their understanding of how to embed the principles of Te Aho Matua throughout their kura. Further work is required to ensure Te Aho Matua is reflected in whānau practices, documentation, and teaching and learning within the kura. The whānau are in the process of developing the kura curriculum and graduate profile and should consider how to ensure Te Aho Matua is integrated in these key documents.

The new appraisal process for staff has yet to be fully implemented. In 2018, the whānau endorsed a new appraisal process for staff and an implementation plan is in place for this year. It is important to ensure appraisal cycle is completed to provide assurance that all staff are well supported in their ongoing development and performance.

Language development for new learners is a priority for the whānau and staff. There are no clearly defined plan or strategies to accelerate language learning for children entering the kura with little or no te reo Māori. Most children come from English-speaking homes. The whānau recognise the need to build their knowledge and use of te reo Māori at home and within the kura.

3 Self Review and Leadership

Self-review practices support the whānau to make decisions in the best interests of students. Strategic and annual planning is based on high expectations for student achievement. Key areas of operations and management are monitored regularly. The board, whānau and tumuaki value the presence of kaumātua who provide important guidance for whānau to maintain the vision for the kura.

Leaders in the kura are focussed on ongoing improvements. The tumuaki and chairperson of the board of trustees are reflective practitioners who model these skills for kaimahi and whānau. The tumuaki has clear expectations for teacher planning, assessment and reporting about student progress and achievement. Planning is consistent across the kura and hui minutes show detailed discussions about students. Evaluation practices support efforts to accelerate student achievement.

4 Whānau assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal completed the ERO Whānau 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.

5 Recommendations

ERO recommends that the whānau and staff:

  • seek support from Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa to strengthen their understanding of Te Aho Matua throughout their kura
  • continue to address the key next steps identified in this report.

When is ERO likely to review the kura again?

The next ERO review of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whātātūtū will be in three years – Te Rākeitanga – Expansive Evaluation.

Charles Rolleston Toka ā-nuku

5 April 2019

Information about the Kura

Location

Gisborne

Ministry of Education profile number

2739

Kura type

Full Primary (Year 1 to 8)

Kura roll

23

Gender composition

Girls 14

Boys 9

Ethnic composition

Māori

100%

Special features

Kura Kaupapa Māori Te Aho Matua

Review team on site

1 February 2019

Date of this report

5 April 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Education Review

Supplementary Review

August 2014

June 2012

April 2010

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu - 25/08/2014

Findings

Students, teachers, whānau and community have responded well to the kura’s change in direction from mainstream to Te Aho Matua kaupapa Māori education. Students receive good quality education that is contextual, relevant and appropriate. Teachers make good use of professional development to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

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

1 Background and Context

What is the background and context for this school’s review?

Tēnei te mihi ki a koutou te whānau o te Kura o Whatatutu e kaha ana ki te tautoko i ā koutou tamariki. E mihi tonu ana ki a koutou katoa. E mau ana ki ngā tikanga ō koutou mātua tīpuna i ngā iwi ō Ngaariki Kaputahi, Ngāti Wahia, Aitanga-ā-Māhaki i raro i to maunga tapu o Maungahaumia. Ko te tumanako, kia kaha tonu koutou ki te whai i ēnei āhuatanga hei ārahi i a koutou i roto i ēnei kaupapa. Kei runga i a tatou ko te aroha me te manaakitanga, maringi noa ngā kupu a Te Kooti.

Whakahautia Te Rongopai i runga i Te Ngawari me Te Aroha

Te Kura o Whatatutu is situated in the rural community of Whatatutu near Gisborne and caters for students from Years 1 to 8. All students identify as Māori. At the time of the ERO review the Kura was transitioning towards its new status as a Kura Kaupapa Māori. This has since been approved by the Ministry of Education and Te Runanganui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Māori (TRKKM).

Positive support from Kura Kaupapa Māori within Ngāti Porou and TRKKM as well as from kaumātua, whānau and the wider community is assisting the Kura to make a successful transition. Students are relaxed and settled. They are confident speakers of te reo Māori, culturally strong and actively involved in learning.

The principal is effectively managing a culture of positive collaboration and commitment by kaumātua, whānau and iwi. These connections have been critical to the new developments experienced within the kura environment. Context for student’s learning, language experiences, cultural identity and values are provided. The kura is well placed to support and provide total Māori language immersion and matauranga Māori.

2 Review and Development

How effectively is the school addressing its priorities for review and development?

Priorities identified for review and development

Development and implementation of te marau ā kura

  • Progression towards the introduction of ngā whanaketanga
  • The reliability and analysis and use to guide teaching and learning
  • Implementation of effective self-review systems
  • School leadership capability.
Progress
Curriculum: development and implementation of te marau ā kura

Good progress is being made in developing Te Kura Kaupapa-o-Whatatutu marau ā kura. This is being achieved through extensive consultation with kaumātua, whānau, wider community and TRKKM. Te Wairua Tapu and Te Aho Matua provide the foundation for the marau-a-kura. Through karakia, waiata, mōteatea, whakapapa and te hitori o ngā iwi the marau is beginning to emerge. Kaumātua are leading the way and the knowledge and experience of whānau orators, singers, writers and poets are being sought to assist with the development process.

Whatatutu is a kura manawa ora and kura taiao. The Mauri of the whenua reinforces the importance of life and living. The mara kai is a major focus of the life of the kura and community and the outdoor physical environment is an extension and key component of the learning programme. Well-tended vegetable gardens provide kai for whānau gatherings and the whenua reinforces students’ understandings about environmental sustainability. Gardens and fruit trees provide students with experiences and understanding about the ways the natural environment supports whānau wellbeing. The Mauri of the whenua reinforces the importance of life and living.

There is a strong emphasis on integrating the marau in terms of putaiao, tikanga-ā-iwi, ngā toi and hauora. It is strongly contextual and relevant to students and reinforces their identity, place and well being. Marau coverage is regularly monitored by teachers.

A partnership-relationship is developing with Whirikoka campus, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. This relationship is expected to provide more extensive opportunity for senior students to participate in programmes that promote appropriate future pathways.

A next step is for the kura and whānau is to work alongside TRKKM to incorporate Te Aho Matua within the framework of te marau-a-kura.

Progression towards the introduction of ngā whanaketanga and the reliability, analysis and use to guide teaching and learning

Good progress has been made in introducing and implementing ngā whanaketanga in teaching and learning practices. Teachers have worked successfully alongside professional development providers to:

  • develop an assessment schedule and set clear expectations for the collection and use of achievement information
  • use of assessment information for grouping students in pāngarau, pānui pukapuka and tuhituhi
  • show the progress and achievement of student’s learning across pānui pukapuka, tuhituhi and pāngarau
  • ensure professional learning and development support is focused and appropriate to kura needs
  • develop strategies for assisting senior students to-work independently on agreed tasks and projects
  • assist with the reporting of ngā whanaketanga to the board and whānau
  • provide useful and appropriate information to assist and support priority learners.

Continuation of this professional development should continue to assist teachers to increase their understandings of ngā whanaketanga and strengthen assessment and evaluation practices and improve student achievement.

Development and implementation of effective self-review systems

Good progress has been made in developing board and teacher understanding of effective self-review practice. A systematic approach to self review is being developed and the plan is documented and reported on to the board.

Board training about self review has been intensive. This has resulted in better understandings by board members of expectations around self review. Improved reporting by teachers assists the board to make informed decisions about resourcing, student achievement targets and professional leadership development.

Attendance at School Trustees Association (STA) meetings has also improved board members awareness of governance responsibilities. TRKKM wananga has provided insight into Te Aho Matua and reinforced whānau and community obligations and responsibilities.

Currently, board meetings are held infrequently and this places a lot of responsibility on the principal. More frequent meetings should ensure equitable allocation and monitoring of delegations and responsibilities. It is important that the board is well organised and supportive of the principal as the school makes the transition to a Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Aho Matua.

Development of school leadership capability

A number of opportunities have been provided to develop the leadership potential and capability of the principal and teacher. In 2009, the principal attended a first time principal’s course alongside other Māori principals. It was at this time, that Toronoa a leadership group of Māori principals was created. Toronoa is an important network. They work collaboratively to support each other and to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of their professional leadership roles and responsibilities.

The course for aspiring principals has provided the teacher with insight and understanding of the role of a principal. Both the principal and teacher have continued to attend relevant workshops for advancing their knowledge of professional leadership, management and administration. These workshops have assisted both teachers to build student capability in the classroom and whānau participation in school activities.

An area for development and review is to complete the principal's performance agreement and appraisal process.

3 Sustainable performance and self review

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

Te Kura Kaupapa o Whatatutu is well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Teachers, whānau, iwi and hapū have worked collaboratively to:

  • progress and achieve the change of school status to a kura kaupapa Māori o Te Aho Matua
  • address the areas identified for development in the previous ERO review report
  • develop strong self-review and reporting systems for the board and staff
  • implement an assessment process that continues to be refined and improved
  • develop a strong and committed community network to assist with the development of te marau-ā-kura
  • involve kāumatua in key decision making processes of the kura
  • strengthen whānau and student commitment to the kaupapa, values and cultural context of the kura
  • work alongside other kura kaupapa Māori to improve their knowledge and understanding of Te Aho Matua in principle and practice.

These good practices should ensure the sustainability of the school’s unique and positive features.

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

Students, teachers, whānau and community have responded well to the kura’s change in direction from mainstream to Te Aho Matua kaupapa Māori education. Students receive good quality education that is contextual, relevant and appropriate. Teachers make good use of professional development to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

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

Dale Bailey

National Manager Review Services

Northern Region

25 August 2014

About the School

Location

Whatatutu, near Gisborne

Ministry of Education profile number

2739

School type

Full Primary (Years 1 to 8)

School roll

32

Gender composition

Girls 17

Boys 15

Ethnic composition

Māori

32

Special Features

Kura Kaupapa Māori

Review team on site

June 2014

Date of this report

25 August 2014

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Supplementary Review

Supplementary Review

June 2012

April 2010

February 2009