Epsom Normal School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report 

Background

This Profile Report was written within 8 months of the Education Review Office and Epsom Normal 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 

Epsom Normal School is in central Auckland and caters for students from Years 1 to 6. Epsom Normal School continues to work with the University of Auckland, the Auckland Central Community of Schools (ACCoS) Kahui Ako, and the New Zealand Normal and Model Schools Association (NAMSA).

Epsom Normal School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

1. Hauora - Wellbeing
2. Whanaungatanga – Belonging
3. Ka Mua Ka Muri – The Futures.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate its ongoing commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to develop a deeper understanding of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to: 

• develop a greater understanding of biculturalism and how this concept can be woven into the fabric of the school  
• increase staff capability in Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori and normalise it into their daily teaching practice
• design a curriculum that supports students to gain a greater understanding of their place in Aotearoa New Zealand, starting with their local area, its history, people, and whenua and how this connects to a global perspective. 

The school expects to see: 

• kaiako improving their knowledge of te reo me ona tikanga, and developing a deeper understanding of biculturalism and weaving this into their practice 
• kaiako actively identifying opportunities to connect learning to the local area and the wider community
• ākonga who are confident in their own personal and cultural identities and respectful of others’ identities
• kaiako and ākonga thriving in a safe inclusive environment free from discrimination.

Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to develop a deeper understanding of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand:

• a professional staff culture with high capability and expectations for themselves and learners
• teachers who are committed to using effective teaching practices which enhances equitable and excellent outcomes for ākonga
• school-wide leadership that is well established and ensures continuous improvement.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise: 

• building knowledge, capability, and pedagogy around te reo Māori me ona tikanga Māori 
• embedding the use of school pōwhiri, karakia, waiata, and tikanga
• providing students with rich opportunities to engage with te ao Māori 
• continued exploration of what it means to be bicultural in Aotearoa New Zealand including exploration of Te Ao Māori, through professional learning and development and kaiako impact projects.

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

4 April 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