Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 6 months of the Education Review Office and Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau 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 

Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau is a new school that opened in February 2022 and is situated in the rapidly growing area of Hanley’s Farm and Jacks Point in Queenstown. It caters for learners from a diverse range of cultures in years 1 to 8. The teaching and learning programmes are underpinned by the school’s vision of “Our place to Gather, Learn, and Grow” and the school values of manaakitanga (nurturing), whanaungatanga (belonging), and kotahitanga (unity).

Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau identifies the strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are to:

• develop strong and authentic connections with whānau, hapū and iwi in relation to teaching and learning

• enhance inclusive practices and programmes that promote the development of social relationship skills and emotional intelligence

• strengthen connections with whānau and runaka to develop and enhance staff and community knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• identify and reduce barriers to education that learners face.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on the website of Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how leaders and teachers are improving learner outcomes by creating a learning environment where tamariki are confident in their identity and have a sense of belonging at school.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to:

• ensure equity and excellence for all tamariki

• ensure the school curriculum has meaningful connections to Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and tikanga Māori

• ascertain if the school vision is building an inclusive culture across the school

• review the coherence of school systems and processes to ensure consistency and clarity across the school in creating an inclusive school environment and curriculum.

The school expects to see:

• consistency of teaching and learning practice across the school for equitable and excellent outcomes

• ongoing review and assessment of existing and new systems and processes

• learners who are confident in their own identity and have a sense of belonging at school

• strengthened learning partnerships with whānau.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goal to create a learning environment where tamariki are connected to their culture, confident in their identity, and have a sense of belonging at school:

• an inclusive and learning focused culture

• strong leadership and teaching capability across the school

• cohesive and connected strategic planning that focuses on the whole child

• a strong vision that drives the direction of the school

• a supportive and diverse community.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• strengthening their culturally responsive practices and their cultural connection with parents and whānau

• further development of the school’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• ensuring that systems and processes are able to easily respond to the changing demographics of the school connected with ongoing roll growth.

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

15 May 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