Review 13 June 2023
LatestTe Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within 12 months of the Education Review Office and Ponsonby Intermediate 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
Ponsonby Intermediate provides education for students in years 7 and 8. The school’s values (GEMS) are ‘Growth Through Learning, Expressing Ourselves, Making Connections, and Showing Respect for Other People’ underpin the culture of the school.
Ponsonby Intermediate’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:
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to increase the number of students achieving at or above the expected curriculum level in reading, writing and mathematics
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through a range of experiences and opportunities students will develop a holistic understanding of themselves and their place in the ‘Ponsonby Experience’
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to grow and develop the presence of the school values across the school curriculum
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students will demonstrate respect, responsibility and resilience to create a supportive learning environment
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improve staff wide Te reo and tikanga Maori and whakamahi
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strengthen the schoolwide wellbeing approach through the whole of the ‘Ponsonby Experience’.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Ponsonby Intermediate’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively culturally responsive conditions and practices are embedded in the school’s day to day operations.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to:
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promote a sense of belonging and identity for Māori ākonga, with the strengths and needs of every learner prioritised
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promote culturally responsive teaching practices throughout the specialist teaching model
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further increase the capability and capacity of staff to ensure culturally responsive practices are understood and are applied school wide, with an explicit focus on classroom practices.
The school expects to embed and celebrate te reo and tikanga Māori in all facets of the Ponsonby Experience. This will include further actions to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi impacting positively on ākonga.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to evaluate how effectively culturally responsive conditions and practices are embedded in the school’s day to day operations.
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values are embedded in learning, and school life and create a sense of connectedness and belonging for students, staff and the wider community
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the ‘Ponsonby Experience’ supports a positive culture for learning and high levels of student engagement and academic success
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passionate and experienced kaiako, with specialised expertise supported by a strong senior leadership team who are centred around enhancing equity and excellence for all ākonga
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a rich and varied curriculum with scope to offer a wide range of opportunities and ākonga choice driven by student agency and passions.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
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using strategic planning priorities to align with the school’s commitment to embedding culturally responsive conditions in the school’s daily practices
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continuing to strengthen kaiako capabilities to provide rich meaningful learning opportunities that enable success for all ākonga
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further developing a culturally inclusive and responsive local curriculum.
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
13 June 2023
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