Lake Rotoma School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 6 months of the Education Review Office and Lake Rotoma 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 

Lake Rotoma School is located at the western end of Lake Rotoma about 35 minutes from Rotorua and within the boundaries of Ngāti Pikiao. A first-time principal has recently been appointed to the sole charge position.

Lake Rotoma School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• that all students are engaged in learning and are achieving educational success

• that student wellbeing is promoted through an increased focus on Te Whare Tapawhā – taha hinengaro, taha wairua, taha tinana, taha whānau.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the effectiveness of the local curriculum in engaging students and improving their learning outcomes, including digital learning strategies and the provision of Level 3 Māori immersion.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

• to increase student belonging through a more sequential approach to the teaching of local iwi history

• in line with current national priorities, to improve student skills, knowledge, and ability to speak te reo Māori.

The school expects to see learners:

• who are consistently well supported to achieve success with a strong, secure sense of their cultural identity

• who are experiencing a school learning climate that is consistently positive and culturally responsive, that promotes their ability to succeed as Māori

• who developing confidence and competence in digital technologies.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to strengthen the local curriculum.

• te ao Māori and Ngāti Pikiaotanga underpin the school’s curriculum

• strong links to Ngāti Pikiao and local marae
• the teaching principal models the use of effective teaching strategies and practices in adaptive ways to promote equitable and excellent learner outcomes.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• developing and delivering a high-quality approach to the teaching and learning of te reo Māori

• strengthening students’ digital literacy to better prepare them for the wider world.

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.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

16 February 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