PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT: WENTWORTH COLLEGE
1. BACKGROUND
Introduction
The Chief Review Officer has the statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.
Under Section 35 A of the Education Act 1989, private schools are required to be “efficient”. The Act defines “efficient” in relation to a private school as –
- Having suitable premises, staffing, equipment, and curriculum: and
- Usually providing tuition for 9 or more students who have turned 5 but are under 16; and
- Providing suitably for the inculcation in the minds of students of sentiments of patriotism and loyalty; and
- Giving students tuition of a standard no lower than that of the tuition given to students enrolled at schools of the same class.
This report focuses on the extent to which the school meets this requirement and other statutory obligations.
This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.
About the School
| Location | Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa |
| Ministry of Education Profile number | 484 |
| School type | Secondary (Year 7 – 15) |
| School roll | 48 |
| Number of foreign fee-paying students | 15 |
| Ethnic composition | Pakeha 26, Korean 2, Other 20 |
| Gender composition | Male 29, Female 19 |
2. SUMMARY
Wentworth College is an independent, co-educational school designed to cater for students from Year 7 to 15. The school began operation in January 2003 with 42 students and 13 staff. The founders are committed to providing a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that will provide high quality education in a positive, caring school environment.
The foundation principal and his staff have made a very good start to implementing the founders’ vision. Energetic and enthusiastic leadership, high calibre appointments and generous staff/student ratios have resulted in high quality teaching and pastoral care. Traditional values of respect, courtesy and consideration are clearly articulated and students respond positively to the expectations of their teachers.
Classroom programmes are based on the New Zealand curriculum and students will be able to prepare for national qualifications. The generous provision of specialist teachers and teaching facilities enables students to work to a high standard and to meet personal and academic challenges. Students are confident and articulate, and enjoy the diverse range of sporting, cultural and leadership opportunities available.
Wentworth College provides suitable premises, equipment, staffing and curriculum. The students receive a high standard of tuition and the school meets all statutory obligations. The school is deemed to be efficient under Section 35 A of the Education Act 1989. The Education Review Office accordingly recommends that Wentworth College be registered as a private school.
3. EFFICIENT
Suitable Premises
Wentworth College has been purpose built to provide high quality teaching facilities. The attractive buildings contain broad corridors and verandahs custom-designed to provide shelter from the rain, wind and sun and to reduce noise. Generous classroom provision and specialist facilities such as science laboratories, a technology suite and music room, are all in place. There are plans for future growth and further provision of resources for the school library.
Sport is an important element of the school programme. The school’s large and attractive gymnasium with weights room and dance studio will continue to cater for the growth of the school and is also available for community use. A feature to the student recreation area is an adventure trail specially designed for younger students to develop upper body strength.
Suitable Equipment
A challenge for staff has been obtaining suitable resources for teaching while getting classes and programmes established. Prudent long-term planning has resulted in programmes that are adequately resourced and equipment that meets the developmental needs of individual programmes.
Staff commitment to meeting student needs includes the provision of extensive co-curricular activities, particularly in sport and music. Students take advantage of the attractive facilities to take part in a wide range of activities, including a golf academy.
Suitable Staffing
Wentworth College has a very favourable ratio of staff to students. The principal has been able to appoint specialist teachers to ensure high quality curriculum development in the essential learning areas. In addition, many staff also have special expertise in middle school teaching from Year 7 to Year 10. An appraisal system has been established to allow staff to reflect on their performance as classroom teachers and on their contribution to the wider life of the school.
The senior managers articulate a clear vision for the school grounded in the best traditions of New Zealand education. Under the leadership of the senior managers, staff have achieved a great deal in a short time to establish the school. School documentation is based on the National Education Goals and National Administration Guidelines because the school considers that these documents provide a sound and ethical framework for meeting the needs of the all students.
Suitable curriculum / standard of tuition
High quality teaching is evident throughout the school. Teachers are well prepared for classes. Students enjoy the challenge of meeting teachers’ high expectations, and are secure in the knowledge that staff will provide any additional support needed. Relationships between staff and students are mutually respectful and courteous. Students receive useful oral and written feedback on work that identifies development points as well as acknowledging individual achievement.
Classroom programmes are based on the essential learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum and will allow students to prepare for a number of national qualifications. The documentation of schemes of work is thorough and includes good guidance on assessment and moderation of student work. Lesson planning takes account of student interest as well as curriculum requirements and teachers cater well for the diverse range of students in classes.
The school’s strong commitment to pastoral care is clearly evident in the house system, which ensures that all students have opportunities for a variety of leadership and service roles. Staff know the students well and value their partnership with parents in providing breadth of learning for students, including extensive opportunities for co-curricular activities.
4. STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
The school meets all statutory obligations.
Staff inculcate appropriate patriotism and loyalty in students through their professional delivery of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the New Zealand curriculum.
5. OTHER MATTERS
Provision for foreign fee-paying students
Wentworth College makes very good provision for the pastoral care of foreign fee-paying students. Systems are carefully documented and clearly spell out expectations for students and their families, and for home-stay families. Staff knowledge of the needs and interests of individual students, and their evident concern for student well-being, result in students who are confident and settled at school.
6. CONCLUSION
The founders of Wentworth College have made an excellent start to providing high quality education for students based on the New Zealand curriculum. Their emphasis on encouraging breadth of achievement has been supported by the generous provision of facilities for sports, music and classroom study. Staff and students share pride in the school and are working enthusiastically together to build school traditions.
Wentworth College will be reviewed again as part of the regular schedule of ERO reviews.
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.