Maunu School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 10 months of the Education Review Office and Maunu School working in Te Ara Huarau, an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website. www.ero.govt.nz

Context 

Maunu School is in Whangārei and provides education for ākonga in Years 1 to 6.  The school’s vision is ‘The Freedom to Soar, Tukuna kia rere’. A new Principal was appointed in 2022. 

Maunu School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for ākonga are:

• Culture and identity
• A rich and dynamic curriculum
• Wellbeing.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Maunu School’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well, effective, culturally responsive pedagogy supports and promotes ākonga learning, with a focus on giving further effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is: 

• the school is committed to integrating te reo Māori across all aspects of teaching and learning, for the strengthened engagement, progress and achievement of all ākonga
• to co-construct with hapū, iwi and the community, a culturally responsive curriculum that aligns with the unique identity and values of the region
• to implement a refreshed curriculum that includes the histories and perspectives of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The school expects to see:

• a strengthened local curriculum that reflects the interests, experiences and aspirations of ākonga and whānau
• a consistently inclusive learning environment, where ākonga are well supported to achieve success and experience a strong, secure sense of their cultural identity
• strengthened partnerships with whānau, hapū, iwi and the wider community to foster well established, educationally significant connections and relationships.

Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to evaluate how well, effective, culturally responsive pedagogy supports and promotes student learning, with a focus on giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi:

• leaders and teachers collaboratively enact the school vision and refine school planning with a focus on equity for all ākonga
• partnerships with school stakeholders are focused on strengthening school performance, and equitable and excellent outcomes for all ākonga
• an inclusive and positive learning environment that promotes diversity, respect and empathy
• positive school values are embedded and celebrated daily throughout the school.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise: 

• working collaboratively with all stakeholders for engagement, consultation and co-construction of the school’s vision and direction
• professional learning and development for strengthened culturally responsive pedagogy and practices
• refine and implement a local curriculum that reflects the cultural heritage and aspirations of the community.

ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.

Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools

7 May 2024 

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

Maunu School is a member of the Ngā Kura ma te ako o Whangārei Kāhui Ako (Group 2).