ERO Summary

Please visit this link to see our last three ERO reports.

Last ERO Report to Parents 2009

20 February 2009

To the Parents and Community of Matarau School

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Matarau School.

Matarau School is situated in a rural setting close to Whangarei and caters for students Years 1 to 8. Staff, students and families show strong commitment to and support for the school, which is a focus for its community. Buildings are well maintained and are set in spacious, well cared for grounds. Since the last ERO review a large library/resource area has been developed and should be fully operational by the beginning of the 2009 school year.

Students are confident, articulate and engaged learners who are self-managing and respectful of adults and their peers. Positive leadership opportunities are available to students at all levels of the school both within and outside the classroom. Senior students have opportunities to be sports leaders, members of the school council, and to train as peer mediators. Students report that they feel valued and are proud of their school.

Most students are achieving at or above expected levels in reading and mathematics. Analysed student achievement data are used to track student progress and provide sound information for identifying students’ learning needs. Student achievement information is regularly reported to parents, the board of trustees and the wider school community. The school community is able to access school-wide student achievement information at any time from booklets available in the school foyer.

Teachers have positive, affirming relationships with students. Classroom programmes are well planned, with a focus on individual teaching and learning. The whole school environment reflects and celebrates all facets of student achievement. School values are exemplified by the virtues programme, which students, teachers, and parents support and are involved in. Weekly newsletters enable students’ successes to be shared with the school community.

Since the ERO 2006 review, teachers have been involved with other local schools in an Extending High Standards Across Schools (EHSAS) project and school-wide professional development in science and environmental education. Literacy exemplars have been developed and the school’s virtues programme has been extended. A new student management system has been introduced and is beginning to provide teachers with easier access to student achievement information.

Effective leadership is evident in all areas of the school. The principal supports and encourages innovation and sets high standards for staff and students. Self-review processes are well documented and inform strategic planning and reporting to the board of trustees and parents. The principal is well supported by senior leaders, staff and trustees.

The board of trustees works as team, bringing together relevant skills and experiences for the benefit of students. Trustees have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They are enthusiastic and committed to the school. The board supports and funds new initiatives, professional development opportunities for staff and trustees, and special programmes for individuals and groups of students. The principal provides the board with comprehensive reports on student achievement and trustees use this information when setting targets and developing strategic planning.

For this review ERO and the board agreed to focus on the impact of school initiatives on teaching and learning, with an emphasis on teaching programmes, leadership opportunities and students’ self-regulated learning. ERO finds very good performance in all areas investigated. ERO and the board of trustees agree that the principal, senior leaders and staff should continue with further planned professional development to strengthen formative assessment practices that will further develop student self-regulated learning.

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.

ERO is likely to review the school again as part of the regular review cycle.