20010 Education Review Office Report

13 September 2010

To the Parents and Community of Newmarket School

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Newmarket School.

Students at Newmarket School enjoy an education that takes advantage of the school’s central urban setting and the commitment of the board of trustees to the bicultural heritage of New Zealand. The school curriculum offers students rich learning experiences that include a focus on the natural environment and sustainable practices. Students report that they appreciate and value the cultural, artistic, sporting and problem-solving opportunities that develop their skills and build their sense of belonging and involvement in the increasingly diverse cultural environment of their school.

Most students achieve well in literacy and numeracy. Since the 2007 ERO report, teachers have continued to make good use of nationally referenced tools to gather formative and summative data on student achievement to guide their teaching and to use in reporting to parents and the board. In classrooms, a range of formative teaching practices supports student learning. Ongoing professional development and collaborative review ensure that good practices are used consistently across the school.

A new strategy of targeted teaching for a group of identified learners is accelerating the progress of some of these students. Maori and Pacific students in these groups have personalised targets and undertake regular reviews of progress with whanau. These good practices, and teacher-aide support, also assist the learning of students with identified English language learning needs. Trustees and school leaders will continue to extend current successful strategies to support teaching and learning developments that cater for the growing diversity of cultures in the school.

Senior staff are effective as leaders in the school and in the wider educational community. They continue to make good use of professional networks, including academic and business links in the community, to support school initiatives. Effective professional leadership is a hallmark of the school.

The senior management team, teachers and Maori staff continue to strengthen Maori perspectives in programmes, extend connections with whanau and build good relationships with Ngati Whatua and Orakei Marae. This sense of partnership enables whanau to identify their aspirations for their children and teachers to support Maori students to achieve as Maori.

The board of trustees is aware of the challenges of maintaining high quality educational provision in a demographically changing urban setting. The expertise of board members, and the positive, professional relationship between the board and principal, helps to ensure that the school operates effectively to support student learning and achievement.

 

For further information please visit the Education Review Office link at www.ero.govt.nz