The following in an extract from the most recent Education Review Office (ERO) report. It is called the 'Community Page' and summarises the finding of ERO. For the full report please click here.

To the Parents and Community of Ngamatapouri School

This supplementary review evaluates the quality of education received by students and the performance of the commissioner and management in relation to specific terms of reference.

This supplementary review evaluates the quality of education received by students and the performance of the Board of Trustees in relation to specific terms of reference.

The Education Review Office [ERO] evaluation of Ngamatapouri School follows.

Ngamatapouri School is set in attractive grounds with extensive recreational areas and facilities.  The small numbers of students contribute to their environment.  They have developed a map of the school environment with parents and marked in proposals for landscaping for future generations.  The vegetable garden is one aspect of an integrated, long-term approach shaping students’ attitudes towards a sustainable future.

Students make significant progress and achieve well across a range of curriculum areas.  Assessment tools, instigated in 2007, target the achievement of students in reading, writing and numeracy.  Through self-assessment students know about their learning and are eager to share this with others.  Well-resourced learning environments include displays of student work showing achievement and progress.  Students are highly engaged in learning.

Students appropriately help each other in the classroom.  A family atmosphere and tone pervades the caring, nurturing environment.  Staff and students share positive, clearly defined school values.  Relationships between students and between staff and students affirm a learning environment where each is appreciated and respected.

Since the June 2006 ERO report a teaching principal was appointed.  Strengths and successes of previous staff are built on with useful guidance from the Lead Administrator (Board of Trustees Chairperson).  The principal constantly reflects upon and effectively uses analysed assessment information for resourcing decisions impacting on individuals and groups of students.  Through careful analysis of student achievement the principal, as the teacher, regularly reviews and improves learning programmes for individual students in a multi-level classroom. 

The community is involved in the school and its operations.  Families interact to support the learning and achievement of their children.  Communication is open and ongoing around the many tasks required to effectively manage a small school.  The board chairperson supports the principal with collaborative decision-making processes. 

Staff access planned and well targeted professional development.  This balances catering for the needs of an isolated professional principal with teaching demands of a teacher implementing a national curriculum.  Enthusiastic staff are committed to school improvement for all students to achieve and progress.

Future Action

ERO is confident that the board of trustees can manage the school in the interests of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.  Therefore ERO will review the school again as part of the regular review cycle.

When ERO has reviewed a school we encourage boards to inform their community of any follow-up action they plan to do.  You should talk to the board or principal if you have any questions about this evaluation, the full ERO report or their future intentions.

If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz.

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