Wairoa Primary School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 17 months of the Education Review Office and Wairoa Primary 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

Wairoa Primary School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• mana: students stand strong in their mana to reach their full potential
• hononga: strengthened connections with collaborative partnerships to improve learner outcomes
• ako: active, literate critical thinkers who can succeed and thrive 
• attendance and engagement will support improved learner outcomes.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the extent to which and how effectively assessment for learning informs teaching and learning to improve outcomes for all learners.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is: 

• to improve in equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners
• to improve literacy foundations that will empower all learners as they transition through their schooling
• to develop the capacity and capability of teachers in effective assessment for learning within a culturally responsive, relational pedagogy
• to build student agency, self-efficacy and engagement for all learners through effective assessment for learning.

The school expects to see: 

• equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners with accelerated progress in writing
• teaching as inquiry strengthened using assessment for learning to inform teaching and learning and supporting improved learner agency.

Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal of assessment informing teaching and learning to improve outcomes for all learners:

• positive, respectful relationships that support learners within an inclusive, culturally responsive learning climate 
• well established connections, communications and relationships with whānau, hāpu, iwi
• leaders and teachers demonstrate a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership.

Rumaki/Bilingual Outcomes and Condition to Support Learners

Tamariki outcomes

• Achievement data shows tamariki are achieving academic success in te reo matatini and pangarau.
• Tamariki are experiencing educational and cultural success, strengthening their identity as Māori. 
• Tamariki are developing confidence and are thriving in a reo rich environment.

Conditions to support learners

• Teaching and learning programs are highly responsive to the learning and well-being of tamariki.
• Rich learning environments supported by kaiako participation in on-going professional development.
• Kaiako work collaboratively with whānau to support tamariki learning.

Priorities for Improvement

• Collaborate with mana whenua to co-construct a marau-ā-rohe.
• Explicitly develop and implement a reo-ā-waha progression acceleration plan.
• Develop Māori medium pathways to support tamariki progressions through the provision of te reo Māori.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• strengthening teaching as inquiry through a focus on evaluating the impact of teaching practices on learner outcomes
• assessment for learning practices used to inform teaching and learning to meet the literacy and numeracy needs for all learners
• continued growth in teacher capacity and capability through professional learning in effective writing strategies and assessment for learning
• effective tracking and monitoring of progress to respond to all learners’ 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

13 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