Avondale Primary School (Auckland)

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 6 months of the Education Review Office and Avondale Primary School (Auckland) 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 

Avondale Primary School in Auckland caters for students from Years 1 to 6 and serves a diverse community. 

Avondale Primary School (Auckland)’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• a curriculum that is relevant and engaging
• places of learning are culturally sustaining and inclusive
• pedagogical capabilities are the foundation of teaching and learning.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Avondale Primary School (Auckland)’s website.

The school has developed its own framework based on a Social Constructivist model and it underpins all aspects of teaching and learning. ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well the implementation of a localised curriculum will improve learner success.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is: 

• curriculum development and implementation of Te Mātaiaho (NZ Curriculum Refresh) is a significant body of work that has many facets 
• a comprehensive review of the school’s curriculum is underway 
• a more localised curriculum will enhance the strong community focus of Avondale Primary School
• leaders and staff expect that this will increase student engagement and have an impact on equity and learner progress. 

The school expects to see further evidence of:

• a rich local curriculum that reflects the diversity of the school community 
• increased learner engagement and enjoyment of learning 
• increased teacher confidence, professional growth, and job satisfaction
• equity for all ākonga, overtime.  

Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to develop a localised curriculum:

• supportive, evidence-informed leadership that is committed to equity and focused on continuous improvement
• collaborative, dedicated staff who are focused on improving outcomes for all ākonga
• a strong, well-established learning culture that is characterised by authentic, affirming relationships
• a reciprocal relationship with Te Kawerau a Maki (as the local iwi) that ensures a bi-culturally safe space for staff and students. 

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise: 

• rich learning opportunities that reflect local contexts so that learners can see themselves, their identity and culture in the curriculum
• resources that effectively support the localised curriculum, its implementation and teaching and learning
• opportunities that strengthen staff capabilities and strategies to cater for the wide range of diverse learning needs.

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