School Charter

PAIHIA SCHOOL - Charter

And
Policy Framework
For the period
1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011

“Together we learn and prepare for the future”

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2008

Background to our School

Situated in the heart of the ‘birthplace of the nation’ Paihia School boasts a proud tradition of bi-culturalism, innovation and achievement. With a current roll fluctuating between 160 and 190 students Paihia School has seen a gradual but steady increase in numbers over the last several years.

Underpinning the culture of the school is a philosophy that puts people above all else. The school’s focus is simply stated in its charter… “Paihia School is a place of learning. When students leave our school at the end of year 8 we want them to be fully prepared for their continuing education, wherever it may take place. We want all people involved in the school to experience a warm caring and supportive environment that provides challenge, support and reward for success.

We promote self-acceptance and the acceptance of others, self pride and responsibility and adhere to the philosophy of “treat others as you would like to be treated”. We celebrate our cultural heritage and we value the contributions all cultures make to our society.

Students attending Paihia School are immersed in learning and teaching programmes derived from cutting edge learning theory. Teachers at the school have all participated in extensive professional development programmes that have generated outstanding student achievement results in key areas of the curriculum.

Outside of the core curriculum, students get to choose from a wide range of activities including performing arts, web design, environmental action, Judo, waka ama, and sports events.

Paihia School is a decile 5 school. Our students are 65% Maori, 31% Pakeha and 4% other ethnicity.

Children attending the school come from a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds, due to the unique nature of the population in the Paihia School area. This in turn provides for a wide range in pupil achievement and readiness for school entry. Our children come from the Paihia, Waitangi, Opua and Haruru Falls areas.

There are 8 teaching positions for 2008. This is in addition to the Principal. Paihia School has several staff in teacher support roles with a range of responsibilities from managing the school office, to the library, to the IT network. We also provide a Reading Recovery programme. The school has 9 teaching spaces, Library, Wharenui, Solar heated swimming pool and adventure playgrounds and playing field.

For secondary schooling there are options of Bay of Islands College, Kerikeri High School or Springbank School, all within twenty minutes by school bus.

National Education Priorities

Paihia School recognizes the Government’s National Educational Priorities:

• Success for all
• A safe learning environment
• Improving Literacy and Numeracy
• Better use of student achievement information
• Improving outcomes for students at risk
• Improving Maori student outcomes
• Providing career guidance (year 7 and above)

Reporting

The school integrates the National Educational Goals and National Education Priorities at Governance and Operational levels by giving them full consideration when planning school developments or school/class programmes. Literacy and numeracy are currently recognized as curriculum priorities in years 1-8, (see strategic goals). Achievement results are carefully analysed each year to identify students or groups of students at risk. Planning ensures that strategies are put in place to improve achievement outcomes. Career education is integrated into our Years 1 to 6 programmes and is addressed in discrete modules in our Years 7 to 8 Social Sciences programmes (See “Cultural Diversity” below).

Cultural Diversity

The Board has made the commitment to provide instruction in Tikanga Maori (Maori culture) and Te Reo Maori (Maori language) through its involvement in Te RITO Maori, a professional development programme aimed at raising teacher and student competencies in Te Reo Maori.

When developing policies and practices for the school every endeavour is made to reflect New Zealand Cultural diversity and the unique position of the Maori culture.

Parents of the students identified as Maori are consulted each year as to how the school can support their achievement. Using achievement data and in conjunction with the teaching staff, specific targets are identified for Maori students. This year:

• All Maori students who are having difficulties to be given extra help through additional programmes to ensure Maori students are given opportunities equal to non Maori.
• In light of reading achievement data, we have established firm achievement goals for our Maori students and are targeting specific learning and teaching strategies to make sure our targets are met.

Procedural Information

The planning year for the board will be from 1 January to 31 December.

The updated charter and annual report will be lodged with the Ministry of Education by June 7 each year along with the consultation plan (see Appendix).

Strategic Plan

Vision

Paihia School is a place of learning. When students leave our school at the end of year 8 we want them to be fully prepared for their continuing education, wherever it may take place. We want all people involved in the school to experience a warm caring and supportive environment that provides challenge, support and reward for success.

We promote self-acceptance and the acceptance of others, self pride and responsibility and adhere to the philosophy of “treat others as you would like to be treated”. We celebrate our cultural heritage and we value the contributions all cultures make to our society.

Mission

Values

The values that we have all agreed to have been written by the children, parents and staff of Paihia School. They encompass respect, support, honesty, fairness, safety, affirmation, thinking, discovery, challenge, pride and independence. Each of these areas is supported by a list of statements describing how we can demonstrate that which we value (Supporting Documentation).

Strategic Directions /Themes/Goals

• High Academic Achievement
• High levels of achievement in personal growth and development (physical, social, emotional and moral)
• High quality teaching
• High levels of community satisfaction in the school’s performance
• Excellence in organisational efficiency

These strategic directions/themes/goals have been chosen as a result of the environmental scan including:

• stakeholder consultation as outlined in Appendix 1
• an assessment of the current state of student achievement (in Introduction )