Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Recommendation 11
Future Action 12
Community Page 12
Disclaimer
Individual ERO school and early childhood centre reports are public information and may be
copied or sent electronically. However, the Education Review Office can guarantee only the
authenticity of original documents which have been obtained in hard copy directly from either
the local ERO office or ERO Corporate Office in Wellington. Please consult your telephone
book, or see the ERO web page, http://www.ero.govt.nz, for ERO office addresses.
This report has been prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief
Review Officer.
Decile rating[1] 7
School roll 95
Tairua School is located in the township of Tairua, in the Coromandel Peninsula and caters
for students in Years 1 to 8. At the time of this review in November 2009 it had a roll of 95
students, 21 of whom identify as Māori.
The board of trustees works effectively with the recently appointed principal to provide clear
direction for the school. The principal is providing well informed and enthusiastic professional
leadership and is focused on establishing positive relationships with the school community.
Teachers work well together as a team and regularly share ideas about students and their
learning. Interactions between teachers and students are underpinned by positive and
mutually respectful relationships, which in conjunction with effective classroom practice,
contributes to success for students. The next steps for the school are to continue to focus on
teaching strategies that support student learning and the involvement of parents in their
children's education.
Overall student achievement indicates that most students in Years 3 to 8 are achieving at or
above age-related national expectations in reading comprehension, writing and numeracy.
Comparison with data gathered in February 2009 shows that, overall, students have made
progress during the year in these areas. Achievement targets set by the school have been
met in most areas. This progress has been more significant in writing and slightly less in
numeracy. The data also shows that Māori students are achieving at levels comparable to
other students.
Future Action
ERO is confident that the board of trustees can govern the school in the interest of the
students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report. ERO is
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
© ERO 2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
ERO's education reviews focus on student achievement. What follows is a statement about
what the school knows about student achievement overall.
In February 2009, standardised assessment tools were used to gather and analyse
information about student achievement in aspects of literacy and numeracy and set
achievement targets. These assessments were repeated again in November 2009.
In Years 1 and 2 analysis of reading running records completed in November show that a
significant majority of students achieve at or above their chronological age. Assessment in
relation to national exemplars, show students in Years 1 to 3 in writing achieve at and above
their age level.
Information gathered in November indicates that most students in Years 3 to 8 are achieving
at or above age-related national expectations in reading comprehension, writing and
numeracy. Comparison with data gathered in February shows that, overall, students have
made good progress during the year in these areas. This progress has been more significant
in writing and slightly less in numeracy. Achievement targets set by the school have been met
in most areas. The data also shows that Māori students are achieving at levels comparable to
other students.
The school offers a wide range of opportunities for students in academic, Education Outside
the Classroom (EOTC), sporting and cultural activities.
Before the review, the board of Tairua School was invited to consider its priorities for review
using guidelines and resources provided by ERO. ERO also used documentation provided by
the school to contribute to the scope of the review.
The detailed priorities for review were then determined following a discussion between the
ERO review team and the board of trustees. This discussion focused on existing information
held by the school (including student achievement and selfreview information) and the extent
to which potential issues for review contributed to the achievement of the students at Tairua
School.
ERO and the board have agreed on the following focus area for the review:
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Background
Since the previous Education Review in 2007, the school has been involved in a number of
professional development initiatives across a wide range of curriculum areas. These
programmes include information and communication technologies (ICT), literacy
development, and Project Energise. Teachers have undertaken reviews of these programmes
and how they have raised student achievement across the school. This focus area evaluates
how professional development and school-wide systems and practices support teaching and
learning and the impact of these on student achievement.
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Parent partnership: The principal and staff enjoy positive relationships with the parent
community who are actively involved in the life of the school. A hard working Parents and
Friends Association (PFA) helps provide opportunities for students and has a major role in
fundraising to provide additional resources for the school. In addition, parents have many
opportunities to be informed and consulted about aspects of the school. Parents spoken to
expressed appreciation of the school's open door approach and responsiveness to
themselves and their children.
Opportunities for students: The school demonstrates a strong commitment to students' holistic
learning and development. Students have access to a range of additional learning
opportunities such as sports, a surfing academy, a water wise programme involving kayaking
and sailing, and visual and performing arts. There is a strong emphasis on the care and
conservation of the local environment. Opportunities are also available to develop leadership
in the school. These experiences enrich learning and help to engage and motivate students in
the school.
Learning environments: Students learn in high quality, attractively presented and stimulating
environments. Classroom environments strongly reflect the school's focus on literacy,
numeracy and ICT. A feature of the school is the use of the wider community environment
including the harbour and beaches which enrich contexts for learning. These environments
contribute to student enjoyment of learning.
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
© ERO 2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
more precisely to identify strategies to meet the specific learning needs of individuals and
groups of students. Attention to this is likely to lead to more focused and deliberate acts of
teaching and assist students to understand what they need to do to succeed in their learning.
Overview
ERO provides information about the education system as a whole to Government to be used
as the basis for long-term and systemic educational improvement. ERO also provides
information about the education sector for schools, parents and the community through its
national reports.
To do this ERO decides on topics and investigates them for a specific period in all applicable
schools nationally.
During the review of Tairua School ERO investigated and reported on the following areas of
national interest. The findings are included in this report so that information about the school
is transparent and widely available.
In this review, ERO evaluated the extent to which the school was familiar with the Māori
Education Strategy - Ka Hikitia: Managing for Success and progress made since the last
review in promoting success at school for Māori students.
The school reports it has taken Ka Hikitia into account when revising planning documents for
this year.
Area of progress
Progress for Māori: Since the last review the school has demonstrated its commitment to
strengthening the presence and success of its Māori students. The reviewed charter is
underpinned by principles that reflect values of Māori.
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Success for Māori students is celebrated and valued. The school acknowledges Māori as
tangata whenua.
Schools are currently working towards implementing The New Zealand Curriculum by
February 2010. During this review ERO investigated the progress Tairua School is making
towards giving full effect to the curriculum as part of its planning, organisation and teaching
practice.
ERO found that school leaders and teachers at Tairua School are making good progress
towards giving effect to The New Zealand Curriculum in their planning, organisation and
teaching.
During this review ERO investigated the extent to which the board and school leaders of
Tairua School provide an inclusive education for students with high needs. This included
collecting evidence about the school's policies, processes and practices to support the
enrolment and induction of students with high needs and to support their participation and
achievement at school. The information collected during this review will contribute to
information that will be reported in a national education evaluation report.
Prior to a review, a board of trustees and principal attest in the Board Assurance Statement
that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal requirements including those
detailed in Ministry of Education circulars and other documents.
The board of Tairua School was asked to attest to whether it had 'ensured that teachers of
students with disabilities, and other contact staff, have a sound understanding of the learning
needs of students with disabilities and, where necessary, have put in place support systems
centred on each individual with disabilities.' The board was also asked to attest that 'policies
and procedures that relate to students who have special education needs are implemented
without discrimination'.
Overview
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of Tairua 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:
· board administration;
· curriculum;
· personnel management;
· asset management.
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high
impact on students' achievement:
· teacher registration;
· attendance.
Compliance
Recommendation
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Recommendation
ERO and the board of trustees have developed the following recommendation:
6.1 that the principal and teachers continue to access professional development in formative
teaching practice.
Future Action
ERO is confident that the board of trustees can govern the school in the interest of the
students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report. ERO is
likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Dr Graham Stoop
8 February 2010
8 February 2010
These are the findings of the Education Review Office's latest report on Tairua School.
Community Page
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Community Page
Tairua School is located in the township of Tairua, in the Coromandel Peninsula and caters
for students in Years 1 to 8. At the time of this review in November 2009 it had a roll of 95
students, 21 of whom identify as Māori.
The board of trustees works effectively with the recently appointed principal to provide clear
direction for the school. The principal is providing well informed and enthusiastic professional
leadership and is focused on establishing positive relationships with the school community.
Teachers work well together as a team and regularly share ideas about students and their
learning. Interactions between teachers and students are underpinned by positive and
mutually respectful relationships, which in conjunction with effective classroom practice,
contributes to success for students. The next steps for the school are to continue to focus on
teaching strategies that support student learning and the involvement of parents in their
children's education.
Overall student achievement indicates that most students in Years 3 to 8 are achieving at or
above age-related national expectations in reading comprehension, writing and numeracy.
Comparison with data gathered in February 2009 shows that, overall, students have made
progress during the year in these areas. Achievement targets set by the school have been
met in most areas. This progress has been more significant in writing and slightly less in
numeracy. The data also shows that Māori students are achieving at levels comparable to
other students.
Future Action
ERO is confident that the board of trustees can govern the school in the interest of the
students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report. ERO is
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
© ERO 2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
Review Coverage
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may
cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student
achievement and useful to this school.
If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website,
www.ero.govt.nz.
Dr Graham Stoop
About ERO
ERO is an independent, external evaluation agency that undertakes reviews of schools and
early childhood services throughout New Zealand.
ERO follows a set of standard procedures to conduct reviews. The purpose of each review is
to:
Reviews are intended to focus on student achievement and build on each school's self review.
Review Focus
ERO's framework for reviewing and reporting is based on three review strands.
· School Specific Priorities - the quality of education and the impact of school policies
and practices on student achievement.
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
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Tairua School Education Review Report 08/02/2010
· Areas of National Interest - information about how Government policies are working in
schools.
· Compliance with Legal Requirements - assurance that this school has taken all
reasonable steps to meet legal requirements.
Review Coverage
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may
cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student
achievement and useful to this school.
Review Recommendations
[1] Decile 1 schools draw their students from areas of greatest socio-economic disadvantage,
Decile 10 from areas of least socio-economic disadvantage.
From: http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Tairua-School-07-02-2010
© ERO 2010
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