AUCKLAND - Hillary College: much improved; better attitude noticeable; taking a pride in its appearance; room for further gains.
That is the Education Review Office's impressive report for the Otara secondary school. Four years ago, the office slammed the school, recommending that the board be sacked unless management improved.
Theoffice now says there has been a big improvement in the way the school is being run. There is a new sense of purpose evident, and a greater unity has emerged among staff and students.
"Trustees and the principal share high expectations of staff and students, and have established a clear vision for the school," says the report.
It said concerns raised in previous reports had been addressed. Improvements could be attributed to better leadership and the success of two intervention projects.
It said the school looked much better. Buildings and classrooms had been repainted, and many dangerous hazards had been eliminated.
But the report noted that there was still a small number of teachers whose performance was of serious concern.
The positive report follows similar praise for another Otara school, Tangaroa College, also severely criticised in the past.
In 1995, the review office highlighted problems at Hillary College which included student gang intimidation, fights between pupils and poor curriculum management.
Three years ago the office found that half of the 43 schools in Mangere and Otara were under-performing. It has since launched an initiative, Strengthening Education, in the suburbs.
Robin Staples, who became principal of Hillary College 18 months ago, said he was pleased the students' important contribution in setting a direction for the college had been recognised.
He said the improvements had not gone unnoticed.
This year, for the first time in many years, it had an increase in its roll.
