To the Parents and Community of Otumoetai Primary School
These are the findings of the Education Review Office's latest report on Otumoetai Primary School.
Otumoetai Primary School is located in a residential suburb of Tauranga City. This attractively presented and well-maintained school caters for Year 1 to 6 students and in June 2009 had a roll of 537 students, 17% of whom were Maori.
The school places high priority on improving teacher capability through engagement in extensive professional learning and development programmes. Current developments include establishing a vision and ideas for 21st Century teaching and learning. For the past three years teachers have been primarily focused on raising student achievement in reading.
Reading achievement information gathered in 2008 for five year olds indicates that these students start school performing below nationally expected levels. However, the school's achievement data also shows that students at Y ears 3 to 6 are achieving at or above national expectations in reading and mathematics. Maori students perform as well as their non-Maori peers in these vital aspects of learning. The school has yet to gather, collate and analyse achievement information in other curriculum areas. Students have access to a wide variety of sporting, cultural and academic learning opportunities. There are also several opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate their leadership capabilities throughout the school.
Teaching and learning occurs in a settled, safe and caring environment. Respectful and reciprocal relationships between teachers and students underpin a developing culture of learning across the school. Well-embedded routines and positive student management contribute to smooth classroom operations. Team work and collegiality are highly evident amongst all staff members.
Learning occurs in print-rich, generously resourced classrooms. There are many examples of high quality teaching practice where students are actively engaged in purposeful learning. The challenge for senior leaders is to maximise the benefits from professional learning and development programmes in order to achieve greater consistency in professional practice related to programme delivery.
Teacher aides are employed to assist with the school's extensive range of additional learning support programmes. The work of these well-trained staff members is highly valued and appreciated by teachers and parents. The next step is for the school to evaluate and report the effectiveness of these important learning opportunities to the board of trustees.
Trustees, under the guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable chairperson, provide sound governance and ongoing support for teaching and learning. Board members have established positive working relationships with the principal and deputy principals. The principal is committed to building leadership capacity within the school as well as establishing strong links with other educational providers in the local and wider communities.
Future Action
ERO is confident that the board of trustees can govern the school in the interests of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Review Coverage
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student achievement and useful to this school.
If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz.
Dr Graham Stoop
Chief Review Officer