Learning hampered by absences: ERO

The Education Review Office (ERO) has found that the positive learning environment at Taipa Area School is hampered by student absences and a high rate of stand-downs are affecting achievement levels.

The roll of 326 students from Year One to 15 is 76 per cent Maori, with most students having a link to Ngati Kahu.

The ERO report from last month has been released and principal Pateriki Toi said he was pleased to see recognition for the hard work staff have put in around improving the level of teaching.

"We have focused on being more responsive to achievement data not on a term-by-term basis but on a day-by-day basis," Mr Toi said.

He said there has been a marked improvement in attendance rate since the beginning of term one, and cites a formal letter and meeting process as the reason.

"We maintain good connections with our families. If we see that attendance of a child is dropping below 80 per cent then a letter is sent home to the parents. If it continues to drop the next step is a formal meeting in my office to try to get to the bottom of things."

The school recently stood down a student following a violent outburst where he broke doors and a window.

"We try out best not to stand-down any students. We work with family and try to avoid having to take that step," he said.

The review said the school's initiative of setting up academic support days was successful.

Support days are for parents, students and teachers to meet and discuss students progress towards national standards.

Attendance of parents and whanau at these meetings is high and Mr Toi said it is useful to set specific goals.

The review praised teaching staff who care about their students and know them well. Teachers engage the support of families and community groups and use the local environment and its histories to enrich student learning, the review said. ERO said Mr Toi is a capable, respected principal who promotes positive school development.

Moving forward, ERO said the school is well placed to sustain good practices and improve its performance.

The report said the board of trustees and senior staff have high expectations of the school and aim to develop exciting and high quality teaching.

The school is well placed to lift student achievement and continue to encourage parents and whanau to support their children's learning goals, the report said.