Review 27 March 2024
LatestTe Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within 16 months of the Education Review Office and Maranatha Christian 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
Maranatha Christian School caters for students from years 1 to 8. The school is situated in the Belmont Hills in Lower Hutt. The school’s vision for their community is Growing Christ-Centred Learners and Leaders.
Maranatha Christian School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:
- embed a leading culture of innovation and excellence in all areas of school life
- build and maintain connected and interactive partnerships within the school and wider community
- provide a Christ-Centred education that equips students to walk as confident Christians in the world.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Maranatha Christian School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the impact of personalised and responsive teaching and learning practices, which are reflective of the special character of Maranatha Christian School, to further promote engagement, progress, and wellbeing outcomes for all learners.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is that teachers are currently undertaking professional learning aligned to the strategic focus of the Lower North Island Christian Kahui Ako focused on the local curriculum, cultural responsiveness, and Christian world view.
Within these contexts:
- teachers will promote learning opportunities for students to be engaged and creative
- the school will strengthen relationships with Māori and Pacific whānau
- teachers will undertake professional development opportunities to build capability, knowledge and skills in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
- students will develop confidence in their faith and know their identity in Christ.
The school expects to see:
- students passionate about engaging in their learning
- students being more agentic in their learning choices
- strengthened partnerships with Māori whānau to design and deliver education that responds to the aspirations of whānau
- students equipped to walk as confident Christians now and, in their future.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to evaluate the impact of personalised and responsive teaching and learning practices, which are reflective of the special character of Maranatha Christian School, to further promote engagement, progress, and wellbeing outcomes for all learners.
- Leadership that encourages and supports innovation and excellence in teacher practice to promote positive outcomes for all students.
- The school is an active member of Lower North Island Christian (LNIC) Kahui Ako which supports teachers and leaders across the cluster through professional learning and collaboration.
- A community united in Christ, that is supportive, diverse and engaged.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
- increasing student engagement in learning contexts that foster confidence and agency in learning choices
- structured professional learning for teachers so that teachers can respond to a variety of learning needs
- engagement opportunities with Māori and Pacific families that support learning-based conversations for parent and whānau aspirations for their children.
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
27 March 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