Pukehou School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 18 months of the Education Review Office and Pukehou 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 

Pukehou is a rural school located in Central Hawkes Bay and provides education for students in years 1 to 8. The values of Manaakitanga, Tangata Whenuatanga, Te Oranga Hauora and Whanaungatanga underpin the vision: A confident and creative community with a ‘Can Do’ attitude.

A new principal was appointed in Term 1, 2022.

Pukehou School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are aligned with the school motto: Wisdom Begins with Wonder.

• engaging learning experiences for all
• thrive in our environment
• we have confidence and a ‘Can Do’ attitude.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the extent to which the school’s response to student wellbeing is empowering learners to develop social and emotional competencies, be resilient and adaptable in new and changing contexts.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

• An initiative ‘Whanaungatanga Ako‘- ‘Relationship Learners’ was implemented four years ago in response to concerns about learners, particularly those most at risk. The school recognises it is timely to evaluate the impact of this initiative on promoting equity and excellent outcomes for all learners.

The school expects to see:

• learner wellbeing and achievement consistently well promoted and sustained
• consistently high attendance for all learners especially priority learners
• learners able to demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and connection to the school
• enhanced school conditions and approaches, including te ao Māori, to promote learner wellbeing, resilience, and optimism.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support it in its goal to evaluate the extent to which the school’s response to student wellbeing is empowering learners to develop social and emotional competencies, be resilient and adaptable in new and changing contexts:

• collaborative staff who foster caring relationships and wellbeing
• leadership focused on the strategic implementation of identified priorities
• targeted support of internal and external expertise and resourcing to promote positive wellbeing and learning outcomes.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• revisiting the translation of the school values to ensure a shared understanding
• strengthening learner agency to promote and enhance resilience and optimism
• broadening the localised curriculum to increase opportunities for learners to enact the school’s motto.

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 December 2022

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