PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT: WENTWORTH COLLEGE
1. BACKGROUND
The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.
Section 35I of the Education Act 1989, requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review fully registered private schools, and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for full registration.
This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.
The school is a fully registered private school. It caters for students from Year 7 to 15. It has a roll of 172 students, plus 32 international students.
About the School
| Location | Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa |
| Ministry of Education Profile number | 484 |
| School type | Secondary (Years 7 to 15) |
| School roll | 204 |
| Number of International Students | 32 |
| Gender composition | Girls 53%, Boys 47% |
| Ethnic composition | NZ European/Pakeha 66% Maori 7% British/Irish 8% Asian 3% South African 3% other European 11% other 2% |
| Review team on site | August 2016 |
| Date of this report | 21 October 2016 |
| Most Recent ERO report(s) |
Private School Review, September 2012 |
2. CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION
Wentworth College at Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula is a private, co-educational school for Year 7 to 15 students. The school continues to provide students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and curriculum. Standards of tuition remain high. A sound framework of policies and procedures guides the school’s operations.
The school was founded in 2003 and is governed by the Wentworth College Trust Board. It has close links with the adjacent Wentworth Primary School, which operates under the same principal and management board. The school has three guiding principles that underpin all aspects of teaching and learning. They are the provision of high quality education for all, participation in co-curricular activities, and the importance of shared values and high standards.
The curriculum is broad and inclusive, reflecting the intentions of the school’s founders. In Years 7 to 10 the curriculum is based on The New Zealand Curriculum aligned to the Cambridge International Examination (CIE) syllabus. From Year 11 to 13 the primary focus is on the CIE. Programmes aligned to the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) are also available to students. Students make good progress across the school and achieve well at all levels. Senior students’ achievement in the CIE is high, and over 90 percent of Wentworth students leave school with University Entrance.
Since the 2012 ERO review, the curriculum has become increasingly future-focused with the introduction of programmes in critical thinking, marine studies, psychology and computer science. Students are able to personalise their course of study to meet their aspirations regarding future study and career choices. The school’s curriculum is well documented and shared with parents. Regular communication and reporting ensures that parents are well informed about learning programmes.
Teaching methods reflect the school’s guiding principles and support the academic focus of the school. Teachers encourage positive interactions with students and between students. Students participate with confidence in an extensive range of co-curricular activities and those that extend beyond the classroom.
The social and emotional wellbeing of students is very well supported by a pastoral care system that reflects the school’s commitment to the value of respect for self and for others. By working together as a community, students develop a sense of empathy, personal responsibility and resilience that continues to benefit them throughout their time at school.
Staffing levels are generous, with small classes ensuring that students receive individual teaching. Teachers are suitably qualified and bring a wide range of curriculum strengths and interests to their teaching. The breadth of the curriculum is supported by specialist teaching and additional learning support. A robust performance appraisal system supports teachers to reflect on and continue to improve their teaching practice.
The buildings and grounds continue to be well presented and maintained. Teaching facilities are spacious and well resourced. Good use is made of facilities and resources in the local community to support both academic and co-curricular programmes.
The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
3. OTHER STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.
4. OTHER MATTERS
Provision for international students
The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) was introduced on July 1st 2016. The school is aware of the need to update its policies and procedures to meet the new code requirements by 1 December 2016.
At the time of this review there were 32 international students attending the school, including 0 exchange students.
The school is making good progress in aligning its policies and procedures to meet requirements for the 2016 Code.
5. CONCLUSION
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Wentworth College meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern
21 October 2016
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.