“Personal best, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Exploration.” These are not just words. They are the values that underpin everything here at Awhitu District School.
Awhitu District School stands proudly on Matakawau Road in Matakawau. It is a full primary school. This means it educates children from Year 1 to Year 8. Awhitu District School aims to empower students. They learn to care, adapt and succeed with PRIDE. That is the school’s vision.
Megan Allen is the principal of Awhitu District School. She leads a school with a roll size of around 113 students. Awhitu District School belongs to the Waiuku Community of Learning.
Awhitu District School focuses on several strategic priorities. These priorities aim to improve outcomes for all learners. Learning to Learn, Our Community Culture, and Our Environment are at the heart of it. The school wants to improve engagement and attendance. They want to lift achievement and create a local curriculum.
Awhitu District School has several strengths to support its goals. It provides an inclusive learning environment. Respectful relationships and strong systems support this. Teachers, leaders and the community focus on culturally responsive practices. Awhitu District School uses community networks to enrich opportunities for students.
The school is committed to growing in several areas. They want to improve teacher practice. They are focused on assessment for learning. Awhitu District School wants to build reciprocal partnerships with families. They want a local curriculum that reflects the community.
In 2017, an Education Review Office report noted several key points. Awhitu District School effectively responds to children needing learning acceleration. The school uses effective systems to monitor student progress. Leaders and teachers know which children are at risk.
The report also mentioned areas for development. Awhitu District School needed to develop a culturally responsive framework. This framework should bring coherence to ongoing improvement. A more robust curriculum review should result in deeper improvements.
The board is well-informed about children at risk of underachieving. Leaders have developed relational trust with the school community. Children benefit from the skills and knowledge of Maori community members.
Awhitu District School’s curriculum promotes student learning. The curriculum aligns with the principles of The New Zealand Curriculum. The school values underpin all aspects of school life. These values encourage students’ personal best. They promote respect, integrity, determination, and exploration.
The school promotes an inclusive culture. Students experience a positive climate for learning. Good use is made of the community environment. People in the community contribute to educational programs. Students are encouraged to give back to their community.
Awhitu District School fosters respectful relationships. There are high expectations for students’ behavior and learning. Teachers know students and their families well. They have established open communication that supports students’ wellbeing.
Awhitu District School stands as a beacon of learning. It is a place where children are empowered. It is a community working together. Awhitu District School prepares its students to care, adapt and succeed.