Success of Maori students critical for Boys' High: ERO

The Education Review Office (ERO) report was released in January

A recent report on Whangarei Boys' High School found a growing gap between the achievement of Maori and Pakeha students.

The Education Review Office (ERO) report released in January put the school on a one to two year review cycle, rather than the regular three year cycle.

While ERO overall found the school provided a "good standard" of secondary education, one of the largest issues raised was the achievement of Maori students.

"It is critical that the school continues to focus on successful ways to help realise the potential of, and accelerate the success of, Maori students," the report said.

Maori student achievement in NCEA was "significantly" below the overall level of achievement at the school, with the gap between Maori and Pakeha students growing.

Acting headmaster Allister Gilbert said the comments about Maori achievement were no surprise, though the school already had a number of programmes in place to address the issue.

The school held a whanau conference at the start of the year which was attended by 90 per cent of Maori parents, as well as another conference in the middle of the year with the student, their parents and teacher.

"It's important for all students but the triangle between the school and the boys and the whanau is the success triangle," Mr Gilbert said.

While overall 37 per cent of the school was Maori, 57 per cent of Year 9 students were Maori.

The report praised the school's overall increase in merit and excellence endorsements, as well as the extra circular options.

"I think there's a lot of very good commentary and we're obviously doing things well," Mr Gilbert said.

Mr Gilbert took over the role after the resignation of Al Kirk who had been headmaster for the last 15 years.

The resignation came about the same time as the first draft of the ERO, which was a complete "coincidence" according to board of trustees chair Tim Robinson.

Overall the board was happy with the report, Mr Robinson said.

"Obviously there's a number of things we need to keep focusing on."

Maori achievement was an area where the school really needed to "lift the game".

According to the report, the board actually asked to be on the one to two year review cycle.

"ERO recommends that the Ministry of Education consider providing support for the board in order to bring about improvements in student learning outcomes, particularly for Maori students; to strengthen self review; and to further support school property development," the report said.

The Ministry of Education was undertaking a review of the schools buildings with recommendations expected over the next few months.

While Mr Kirk does not officially finish until July, he is on study leave for term one and will be on sabbatical in Europe for term two. The school was currently advertising for his replacement, to start on July 20.