Waiheke High School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

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

Waiheke High School is situated on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland’s city centre. The school offers education for students from years 7 to 15. The school serves a diverse and close-knit community. The environment provides students with locally based learning opportunities.

A new principal was appointed in 2021.

Waiheke High School is a member of the Waiheke Kahui Ako | Community of Learning (CoL). The school has close links with Piritahi Marae, the local community marae.

Waiheke High School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• providing an inspiring island-based school for tamariki, teachers, whānau and the community

• understanding and honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• embracing a school culture that values uniqueness, inclusiveness, and diversity

• inspiring learners to be proud contributors who connect with each other, their teachers, their whānau and their motu.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well school initiatives, such as changes to the structure of the school day, support the wellbeing, engagement, and attendance of learners.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

• to embed the positive, inclusive, and unique culture of the school

• to engage learners, particularly Year 13 learners, in whānau and pastoral time

• to evaluate the impact of time given to teachers to enhance pastoral support for all learners

• to improve engagement, attendance, and achievement of all learners in alignment with Waiheke Kahui Ako | Community of Learning (CoL) goals.

The school expects to see learners developing a strong sense of engagement that is evident throughout the school, supports their active participation in school activities, and improved attendance and retention. Students will be supported to embrace a school culture that is inclusive and values diversity.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support it in its goal to evaluate how well school initiatives, such as changes to the structure of the school day, support the wellbeing, engagement, and attendance of learners.

• overall good levels of progress and achievement that are increasingly equitable and excellent for all learners

• learners experience an inclusive school culture and climate that values and celebrates their strengths and talents

• well-established connections with the local environment, community, Māori whānau, hapu and iwi that promote a strong sense of belonging and support success

• leaders and teachers who work collaboratively within, and across Waiheke schools, to support positive outcomes for all learners.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• making changes to the school day to support engagement and attendance

• enhancing pastoral and whānau time throughout the school day

• working collaboratively with Waiheke Kahui Ako | Community of Learning school to meet their goals.

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

25 September 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