PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT:
WENTWORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
1. BACKGROUND
ERO reviews of private schools are significantly different in process and more limited in scope and reporting than those for state and state-integrated schools, focusing as they do on the Criteria for Registration set out in section 35C of the Education Act.
Section 35I of the Education Act 1989 requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for registration. The schools are privately owned and the legislative requirements are significantly different to those for state and state-integrated schools. Private schools are not required to follow the National Education Goals or National Administration Guidelines.
What does apply in place of the legislation imposed upon state schools by the Education Act is the contract between the persons paying for the tuition of the child at the school – the parents – and the school authority. Those are matters between the parent and the school’s governing body. More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website www.ero.govt.nz.
| Location | Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa |
| Ministry of Education Profile number | 605 |
| School type | Private School (Years 1 to 6) |
| School roll | 40 |
| Number of International Students | 2 |
| Gender composition | Girls 19, Boys 21 |
| Ethnic composition | New Zealand Pākehā 35 British 4 Dutch 1 |
| Review team on site | March 20 |
| Date of this report | 23 May 2014 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Private School Review June 2011 Private School Review August 2008 |
2. Criteria for Registration
Wentworth Primary School is a fully registered, private, co-educational school in Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa. It caters for students from Year 1 to 6. The school opened in 2008 and the student roll continues to increase. In response, the school has employed an additional classroom teacher. The school is managed by the Wentworth College Education Trust Board. The executive principal has overall leadership responsibility for both Wentworth Primary School and Wentworth College.
Strong links between the primary school and the college include an emphasis on school-wide principles and values. The school’s curriculum is based on the recently adopted International Cambridge Primary curriculum for mathematics, English and science, and The New Zealand Curriculum.
A sense of family, identified in earlier ERO reports on the school, continues to underpin the school tone.
The school meets requirements relating to the provision of a suitable curriculum. Since ERO’s 2011 review, the school has expanded its curriculum focus, using specialist teachers to provide an emphasis on science learning. The curriculum is very well communicated to parents in school publications and during parent evenings. The school partners with parents to meet the unique needs of each child. Students, teachers and parents collaboratively develop students’ academic and personal goals. Written reports to parents about their children’s learning and achievement in all curriculum areas are useful and informative.
Parents, students and teachers have high expectations for every student to achieve. Students achieve well in nationally normed assessments and there is good evidence of their progress throughout the year. Students benefit from very favourable student to teacher ratios and small class sizes. Wentworth school values are clearly demonstrated in relationships and caring for others. Students are encouraged to contribute to community wellbeing.
Students with special needs and abilities are very well catered for. Leaders have continued to investigate ways to enhance the already high levels of reciprocal collaboration with Wentworth College. This collaboration enables primary school students to experience a seamless transition to the college, as well as experiencing a variety of additional learning opportunities and interactions. There are many opportunities for students to develop and display their leadership capabilities. Teachers are continuing to consider ways of supporting students to further develop as self-managing and independent learners.
The school has suitable standards of tuition. Students are happy, confident and articulate. They enjoy warm, affirming relationships with teachers and their peers. Teachers provide well planned learning programmes with a focus on New Zealand’s context. Leaders continue to develop an emphasis on New Zealand’s bicultural heritage within the curriculum.
All teachers are registered. The executive principal mentors teachers towards full registration. Both teaching and non-teaching staff demonstrate a high level of commitment to supporting each child’s personal growth and development, learning and achievement. Specialist teachers from the college enhance the Wentworth Primary School curriculum in science, art, music and second language learning.
ERO’s 2011 report noted that the school’s performance management system was under review. The school and the college continue to work together to implement an effective, school-wide, annual performance appraisal system for all staff.
The school is well equipped for teaching and learning. Students learn in an attractive environment that is well suited to the size of the school and the delivery of its curriculum. Classrooms are well presented, bright, and reflect students’ work. An additional feature is the school’s access to high quality sporting resources through the use of college facilities and allweather Astroturf. Students are successful in their sporting ventures.
School managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G of the Education Act 1989 in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
3. Other Statutory Obligations
Good systems are in place to assure the Wentworth Education Trust Board that its other statutory obligations are met. Many health and safety policies and procedures are shared with the college. The principal agrees that it would be useful to ensure that there is a clear distinction between college and school documentation.
4. Other Matters
Provision for international students.
The school is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. No international students were enrolled at the time of the ERO review. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.
Since ERO’s 2011 review, the school has amended its prospectus information for international students attending the primary school. It now includes information about its provision for classroom-based second language learning.
5. Conclusion
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Wentworth Primary meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Dale Bailey
National Manager Review Services
Northern Region
23 May 2014
Discover More
Wentworth Primary
Wentworth College
School Events
International Programme
09 424 3273
Location
Linked In
Our school policies are reviewed and updated regularly.
To request a copy of any policy, please contact the Board Secretary and EA to the Principal, Bruce Tong by emailing Gail Clews at: gclews@wentworth.school.nz. Printed copies are also available for viewing at the school office.
Administration
| Animals in School |
| Behaviour Management |
| Complaints |
| Board Conflicts of Interest |
| Personal Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices |
| Privacy |
| School Reviews |
| Use of ICT by Staff and Students |
Administration
- Academic Excellence
- Assessment & Reporting
- Assessments for Students with Special Needs
- Copyright
- Counselling & Career Guidance
- Curriculum Delivery
- Curriculum Review
- Homework
- Parent Interviews
- Patriotism and Taha Māori
School Life and Rules
Wentworth College school life and rules are printed at the front of the Wentworth College homework diary. A full copy is available from the school's office.
Wentworth Primary school life and rules are printed in the Guide for New Parents Handbook that new families receive on enrolment of their child.
Transport
Wentworth College offers a dedicated contracted bus service with convenient pick-up points at Silverdale, Orewa, and various locations along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
In addition, the College operates seven of its own buses, providing transport for students from a wide range of areas, including Matakana to the north, Kaukapakapa to the west, and Albany Village, East Coast Bays, Dairy Flat, and Milldale.
This extensive network ensures students from across the region have reliable and accessible transport to and from school each day.
The School Day
The Primary School day runs from 9am to 3.10pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks, or before / after school and on Saturdays.
The College teaching day runs from 8.40am to 3.20pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks or before/after school and on Saturdays.
Sport
At Wentworth College we offer students the opportunity to participate in as many different sports as possible
Summer Sports (Terms 1 & 4)
Athletic
Badminton
Basketball
Cricket
Golf (Premier League and 'Learn to Play')
Rowing
Sailing (Academy and ‘Learn to Sail’)
Summer Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Touch Rugby
Volleyball
Winter Sports (Terms 2 & 3)
Badminton
Basketball
Cross country
Hockey
Netball
Rugby*
Water Polo
*composite team with other schools
Pastoral Care and Guidance
Wentworth operates a family ‘House’ pastoral care structure, with each student placed in a House from the time of their enrolment. Within each House, students are assigned a Tutor Group which meets once a day with the Tutor’s role being to keep an oversight on each student’s attendance and progress, and to counsel them if needed. Deans also operate as part of the caring and guidance system, being there to help the students and guide them when necessary. As students move into the senior school, careers guidance is also available through the Deputy Principal.
The College is committed to the pastoral care of students. This commitment enables every student to make a confident transition from school to work or tertiary study.
Standards of Behaviour
While at school students are expected to behave with courtesy and consideration, thus contributing to an environment of mutual respect and support.
Behaviour Outside School
When travelling to and from school, the school uniform must be worn correctly and a high standard of conduct exhibited at all times. Students should be aware that when in uniform, their conduct reflects upon both themselves and the reputation of the College.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
Students must not be involved with cigarettes, alcohol or drugs at school, or to and from school, or on any occasion when they are wearing school uniform, or at any function held under the control of the College. The school will view such involvement (in possession, use or association with the activity) as a serious offence. The Police Youth Aid will be given the details of any Wentworth student who becomes involved in criminal activity while at school or while taking part in any event associated with the school.
General
Students are under the school’s authority from the time they leave home until they return home, or at any function held under the control of the College.
Electronic games, CD players, I’pods, matches, lighters, or any dangerous implements must not be brought to school.
All clothing, books and sports gear must be clearly named. No responsibility will be taken for lost property, but considerable effort will be made to find it if clothing and equipment are named.
Students are not to chew gum.
No school-age or personal friends of students may be on school grounds during school time.
Bicycles may not be ridden in the school grounds and there must be no doubling.
Damage, such as broken windows, must be reported to the school office. Students must be prepared to pay for damage caused.
If parents wish to locate their children during the day or after school, they are requested to enquire at the school office. If parents wish to discuss a problem with teachers, they are requested to make an appointment.
Internet and Computer use
All students at Wentworth College are issued with their own individual login name and password, giving them access to the school’s internal network, email and internet. Prior to being given their login details, both the student and a parent/caregiver must sign an Computer Agreement, indicating their acceptance of, and agreement with, the conditions of use stipulated in the Agreement. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student found to be breaching the terms of the Agreement.
Download the 
Internet /Computer and Computer Peripherals Agreement.
Homework
Students receive regular homework, set to allow them to practise and consolidate skills previously taught at school and to develop personal study skills. Homework is expected to be completed or a note should be produced. Because students work at different speeds, it is difficult to lay down guidelines for hours of homework, but students in Years 7 and 8 will normally have about 45 minutes of homework each night, whilst students in Years 9 to 11 will normally need to do one to two hours homework.
Homework includes:
- reading and background research
- preparation of new work
- learning vocabulary
- revision and practice exercises
- revising for tests/examinations
- preparation of projects or assignments
Parents can assist by:
- taking an interest in homework
- checking a student’s homework
- helping students plan their time
- providing a quiet place or room
Textbooks and Stationery
It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that school textbooks are cared for and returned after use in the best possible condition. Damage resulting from a lack of care will be charged. Stationery lists are posted on the school website showing the requirements for each subject, with each list broken into 2 sections. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase items in the first section, whilst items in the second section will be supplied by the school and invoiced to parents.
School Lunches
Most students bring a packed lunch from home, but we also have a same day food delivery service through www.ezlunch.co.nz If you place a food order by 9am, it will be delivered at lunchtime. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you can place an order for sushi, and Thursday and Friday is a range of items from Go-Deli catering. You can see the full menu here Term 1 Menu.