PRINCIPAL'S DESK

A Good Report

The school has received a very pleasing report from the recent Education Review Office (ERO) evaluation. The report coverage provides an evaluation on how effectively the school’s curriculum promotes student learning-engagement, progress and achievement. ERO is an independent, external evaluation agency that undertakes reviews of schools and early childhood services throughout New Zealand. ERO reviews are responsive to the school’s own self-review information including the areas for development and review most often identified through the school’s own self review processes.

Elmwood School’s report highlighted the good quality education that is being provided by the school through strong professional direction and leadership, effective teaching practice, high levels of student engagement, the extensive range of opportunities offered and the school’s comprehensive curriculum design. Further the report acknowledged the strong links the school has with parents and families, and the involvement of the community in school activities.

Some key statements made in the report include that
• The school is attractive, well maintained and resourced.
• The board and the staff have high expectations for students’ academic and social success. They have fostered a positive and reflective culture that is focused on school-wide improvements.
• Student’s benefit from effective teaching practices. They provide students with a wide range of learning opportunities that encourage their interests and motivation to learn.
• The board and the principal value the importance of the school’s special character as a designated provider of initial teacher education and have strong links with the key teacher training institutions.
• Teachers are involved in self review at various levels across the school to improve teaching practices and learning outcomes for students.
• ERO observed students well engaged in learning in effectively managed classrooms.
• Respectful relationships were evident between teachers and students, and among students
• ERO observed high levels of student interest and motivation in setting and monitoring their own goals
• ERO observed good to high quality teaching practices across the school and noted that teachers know their students well.
• The school has a robust appraisal process that recognises good practice and provides teachers and teaching teams with direction for continuous improvement.
• The principal and senior leaders have a consistent and focused approach to self review.

There was also recognition given to other features of the school including the provisions made for targeted teaching groups (extension and remedial), kapa haka and music groups.

The report affirmed the school’s current and future focus areas for development and review. These centre around the board setting measurable strategic goals (the board is currently reviewing its Strategic Plan), strengthening the strategies teachers use to meet the increasing diversity of student needs, evaluations of the programme impact through extending our achievement analysis of groups of student over time, and integrating bicultural perspectives and practice more consistently.

ERO also investigated a wide range of compliance requirements to ensure the school is meeting its legal obligations particularly in areas that have a potentially high impact on students’ safety and achievement. ERO reported that they did not identify any areas of concern. The school’s self review process for pastoral care, emotional and physical safety is robust and regularly monitored.

The final report will be published on our own school website www.elmwood.school.nz and the ERO website, www.ero.govt.nz. within the next few weeks.

Overall, a very pleasing report card for the school, and one that the school feels very proud of. It reaffirms our desire to be proactive about doing things better and “to be the best that we can be”.

Kevin Gooch
Principal

__________________________________________________________________________________

Elmwood Normal School, Aikmans Rd, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand ph: +64 3 55-7192 fax: +64 3 355-7116 office@elmwood.school.nz
©2009, Elmwood Normal School. All rights reserved.

Web Site design and management by 'Over the Moon Design'
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to exclude images/work of children whose parents have withheld permission for this to be published on the school site.