Normanby School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 9 months of the Education Review Office and Normanby 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 

Normanby School is a coeducational primary school in South Taranaki. It sits in the mana whenua of Ngati Ruanui. A new principal has been recently permanently appointed. The school is part of the South Taranaki Kāhui Ako. 

Normanby School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• Our Students have access to a range of learning opportunities which develop key understandings, knowledge and skills needed to become lifelong learners.
• Our Staff develop professional capability, always aiming for equity, effectiveness and excellence.
• Our Community is engaged and actively involved in the life of our school as we continue to build positive and meaningful community partnerships.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively community are engaged and actively involved to further support a range of learning outcomes.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is because:

• recent community consultation highlighted this a next step for the school and it is now a strategic priority
• meaningful partnerships for learning will help tamariki to become confident, connected, actively involved, life-long learners
• improved understanding, knowledge and authentic use of te reo Māori, me ona tikanga and matauranga Māori encourages all tamariki to deepen their sense of connection, identity and confidence as learners.

The school expects to see:

• the school connecting with and working in partnership with whānau, hapū, iwi, parents and community, to further strengthen learning focussed relationships
• increased understanding, knowledge and authentic use of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and matauranga Māori evident in teaching and learning
• equity and excellence sustained in learning and wellbeing for all tamariki.

Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths in its goal to evaluate how effectively community are engaged and actively involved to further support a range of learning outcomes:

• the school uses research-based learning programmes to support tamariki to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics
• there is a well-established schoolwide culture that encourages high expectations and engagement in learning
• consistent and coherent approaches to learning across the school, are supported by a range of useful systems and processes.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise: 

• further exploring and implementing meaningful educational connections with whānau, hapū, iwi, parents and community
• continuing to support staff to deepen their understanding and use of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and matauranga Māori in teaching and learning
• working with whānau and parents to further develop authentic learning partnerships that support and celebrate tamariki success
• sustaining the conditions that support equitable and excellent outcomes for all tamariki.

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

7 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