ERO Praises One Tree Hill College

13 May 2009

ERO Praises One Tree Hill College

One Tree Hill College, Auckland, has received a glowing report from the Education Review Office (ERO), reflecting strong governance and leadership, effective teaching, a “safe” college culture, high staff and student morale and improved academic results.

The office praised progress at the college, formerly known as Penrose High School, noting that staff and students were proud of their campus and had a strong sense of belonging. It identified improvements in the teaching of Maori and Pacific Island students as contributing to the college’s turnaround.

ERO said the restorative justice system dealing with student behaviour, the reintroduction of the whanau (house) system and the Pathways career induction programme contributed to the settled and positive college climate.

ERO also acknowledged the strength of the Board of Trustees which, it said, had established a collaborative and co-operative climate at the college that supported continuous change.

It said students acknowledged the improvement in the college culture brought about by the property development at the college. (The $15 million property project, which has transformed the college and is virtually complete, was offically opened by Prime Minister John Key in March. It coincided with a rehanging and rededication of the college’s world-class art collection.)

Principal Iva Ropati said the ERO report was a fitting endorsement of a policy of continuous improvement over the past five years.

“Management systems and teaching practices have grealy improved and, with the strong support and governance from the Board of Trustees, the college has entered and important phase of renewal in its 54-year history.”

Mr Ropati said for the first time in five years the college roll had incresased sharply –– up by more than 100 students since 2008 –– reflecting achievements across the board.

“The One Tree Hill College community embraced last year’s name-change from Penrose High School as signalling the start of a new and positve era for the college.

“The new buildings and revamp of the college are the physical signs of change. But the most important changes have been the improvement in teaching practices and the recruitment of key staff.

“We believe students should be at the centre of college education. My staff understand this and have adapted their teaching plans and practices accordingly. This approach, in keeping with the philosophy of the New Zealand Curriculum, has also lead to a vast improvement in college discipline.

“Students now take more responsibility for their actions than they did when I came to the college five years ago and also have a clearer understanding of the boundaries of good and had behaviour. The college has been helped in this regard by the strict enforcement of discipline by the Board of Trustees.

“We expect students to behave well and our pastoral care programme is well tuned to assist those with learning and behavioural problems. But students who persistently break the rules –– not many, I’m pleased to say –– are not welcome at One Tree Hill College.”

Board of Trustees chair Garth Biggs said the ERO review gave trustees and staff great heart and boded well for the future.

“The challenge for the board and senior leadership team is to lift the standards even higher and make One Tree Hill College the school of choice for parents and students in the local community.

“We have an excellent, well-appointed campus, strategically placed to deliver first-class education on the Auckland isthmus. The future could not be brighter.”

Board of Trustees deputy chair Graeme Hunt, who led the college’s name-change project last year, praised the support of alumni in the rejuvenation of the college.

“Changing the name of Penrose High School to One Tree Hill College was a big event but it won the backing of the local community and a strong majority of past students. The timing could not have been better.

“The positive ERO report underscores the foresight of the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team and, in my view, heralds a new dawn in quality secondary education in Auckland.”

A community letter from the Education Review Office is attached and the full ERO report is available on the One Tree Hill College website, www.onetreehillcollege.school.nz
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