Education Review Office Report 2008
To the Parents and Community of Manurewa Central School
These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Manurewa Central School.
Manurewa Central School continues to promote students’ sense of well-being and a focus on learning.
Students are proud of their school and report that they feel safe and supported. Eighty-six percent of the
students reside outside of the school zone. Since the 2005 ERO review the diversity of the ethnic and socio-economic
backgrounds of students has increased. The number of students funded for English language support has more than doubled
between 2005 and 2008. In the same period the decile rating of the school has dropped from 5 to 3.
The senior management team and the board of trustees have a strong commitment to children and to the school community.
The principal, ably supported by senior managers, provides effective leadership and works to ensure that the school is a safe
place for students. The principal is well known to students and is visible around the school during recess times and at the end
of the school day. He encourages communication between parents and the school. Parents are very well informed about the school
through regular newsletters. Informal meetings are held to discuss aspects of education so that parents are provided with good
strategies to help their children to learn.
The school regularly collects and analyses achievement information for reading and numeracy at all year levels. This information
suggests that students generally make appropriate progress in reading and numeracy. Students achieve well in the arts and sports.
End of year assemblies and school productions are used to showcase the quality of student performance in music, drama, dance and oral language.
The school buildings and grounds are well presented and maintained. The auditorium, library and information centre continue to be well
resourced and provide facilities that support learning. The board has been strategic in building a new teaching facility for children who
require support in learning English as an additional language. The new artificial turf provides an all-weather playing surface for a variety
of activities and complements the attractively planted grounds.
The school’s culture features positive and affirming relationships and adults who care about children. Students show respect and consideration
for each other, staff and property and socialise in cross-cultural groups. Teachers encourage children to be busy and active during breaks by
providing a wide variety of sporting equipment and quiet indoor activities. Children are generally on task and the focus during lessons is on
teaching and learning rather than on behaviour. Students get many opportunities to participate in sporting and cultural activities.
The board asked ERO to evaluate the extent to which the school is providing for the diverse needs of students. This report identifies aspects
of school operations that are working well and makes suggestions for further improvements. It evaluates progress in improving student achievement
for Māori and Pacific students and compliance with health and safety matters. The report recommends that senior managers continue to seek ways to
cater for the needs of an increasingly diverse student population and strengthen formative assessment practices and the analysis and use of student
assessment data in order to improve school-wide achievement information and promote student learning.
Future Action
ERO is confident that the board of trustees can manage the school in the interests of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.ERO is likely to review the school again as part of the regular review cycle.
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.
Elizabeth Ellis
Area Manager
for Chief Review Officer
