Opaki School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report 

Background

This Profile Report was written within 27 months of the Education Review Office and Ōpaki 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 

Ōpaki School is a semi-rural school north of Masterton which caters for students in years 0 to 8. 

Ōpaki School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:

• achieve the best possible learning outcomes for each of our students
• build effective relationships and partnerships with Ōpaki School and its community
• appreciate and develop the culture and character of our school.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well a strengthened and consistent approach to culturally responsive teaching practice positively impacts the progress, achievement, and wellbeing outcomes for all students.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is: 

• to promote equitable outcomes for all students
•  to build sustainable practice which is embedded throughout the school.

The school expects to see: 

• a more deliberate approach to integrating te ao Māori throughout teaching and learning
• culturally responsive teaching and learning practices that ensure equity and excellence for all learners
• strengthened strategic planning with a clear focus on equitable outcomes and the actions taken to achieve these.

 Strengths 

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to strengthen and embed a consistent approach to culturally responsive teaching practice: 

• collaborative leadership that promotes strengthening practices to support te ao Māori across the school  
• ongoing, school-wide, professional learning to support staff in their practice
• positive relationships with whānau and the school community
• opportunities within the Whakaoriori Kāhui Ako to work collaboratively to support this goal.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise: 

• strategic planning that clearly articulates desired outcomes for students from a strengthened culturally responsive approach
• high quality professional learning for staff to support the delivery of the school’s strategic aims
• ongoing evaluation of the impact of strategic actions to inform future planning and resourcing.

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

5 March 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