Avondale College

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

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

Avondale College is a large secondary school located in the rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki in central-west Auckland and provides education for students from Years 9 to 13.

The diverse community that the school serves is reflected in the makeup of the school population. The school promotes their values of honesty, endeavour, atawhai, respect and tenacity throughout the curriculum.

A new principal was appointed in 2020 and an associate principal role was established in 2021.

Avondale College’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• sustaining evaluative practices for school improvement for excellence and equity

• embedding culturally responsive teaching and learning strategies that promote students’ engagement in learning and develop their wellbeing

• a commitment to promoting Māori and Pacific success. 

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well the provision of effective teaching and a responsive curriculum contribute to enabling all students to achieve success and equitable outcomes for all.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to: 

• respond to the school’s goal of promoting excellence and equity for all students  

• empower students to achieve their aspirations and to determine their success.

The school expects to see effective teaching and learning strategies that promote student engagement in learning and the provision of high-quality learning opportunities through a responsive curriculum to ensure success for all.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its evaluation of how well effective teaching and a responsive curriculum contribute to enabling all students to achieve success and equitable outcomes:

• a school culture that promotes high levels of student success

• the provision of broad career pathways in the curriculum

• strong systems and processes to support students’ wellbeing

• teachers' commitment to professional learning to advance their teaching strategies

• established evaluative processes for reflection and school improvement.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• ongoing development of teachers’ effective teaching and learning practices to enhance students’ engagement in learning, wellbeing, and success

• innovative curriculum design, which is increasingly responsive, meaningful, and accessible.

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.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

11 April 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

Avondale College has an on-site Early Childhood Centre, which is governed by the School Board. This school owns and manages the Taurewa Camp for outdoor education near National Park.