Schools to get performance boost

Media Release

25 July 2007

For immediate release

Schools to get performance boost through unique partnership

Westpac signed a partnership with Mt Wellington’s Bailey Road Primary and Intermediate School this week, as part of a roll-out of a unique alliance between the bank and a group of low-decile Auckland schools.

After a successful pilot with Rongomai Primary School in South Auckland, Westpac announced today it would help five more schools through the ‘Building Better Schools’ initiative, starting with Bailey Road.

In the case of Rongomai Primary School, Westpac formed a strategic alliance when a Westpac regional manager was elected to the school board as a supporting trustee. A series of practical projects resulted from this, including providing 170 rain jackets for students and staff, helping with fundraising, taking the senior pupils to the Zoo, and helping in their annual school camp. After just one year of the alliance, the Education Review Office (ERO) report improved significantly and in the last two years its school roll has increased from 125 to 160 students. Absenteeism has also dramatically decreased.

Speaking at the signing of the partnership at the school today, Westpac CEO, Brad Cooper said the Building Better Schools scheme is a first of its kind in New Zealand whereby a major business has taken such a ‘hands-on’ role in supporting education.

“Westpac has been at the heart of New Zealand communities for the past 145 years making a social contribution through our people, sponsorships and the services we provide as a bank. We have identified the education sector as a key area where we can make a positive difference to the future generations of New Zealanders,” said Mr Cooper.

The Building Better Schools programme has been designed to strengthen the interface between low decile schools, businesses and communities and thereby improve school performance resulting in enhanced social outcomes. It was originally developed as part of the Committee for Auckland Future Auckland Leaders Programme and it is currently run under the auspices of the non-profit organisation, the Committee for Auckland.

Principal of Bailey Road school Derek Linington said after speaking to the head of Rongomai, Tina Voordouw, he was very impressed with the outcomes and dedication from Westpac.

“We’ve got real strengths as well as real challenges here at Bailey Road. It is our overall goal to continue to raise student achievement for each and every child at the school. After meeting with Westpac staff, we are excited about how they might help us achieve this goal, by helping develop teaching and learning, the school environment, systems and processes and school resources.

“We’re really excited that Westpac is on board to help us achieve our goal of becoming a school of excellence.”

And Tina Voordouw said she could see benefits the other way, too:

“I know from speaking to Westpac people that it’s been great for them in learning more about a key part of their community, and also for bringing out leadership potential in their managers – I’m sure that some of them should be teachers! And the kids really loved having them around, too.”

As well as the signing of the partnership, Westpac’s practical support for Bailey Road School started today with the donation of 15 laptop computers. The computers, which are just three years old but have depreciated, have been re-imaged and are ready for school use.

Over the coming two years, Westpac will help Bailey Road School in the development of a strategic plan that will guide them to achieve their vision, Mr Linington said. A Westpac manager will help develop leadership at all levels within the school, especially amongst the children. Further support and resources will be discussed and decided through this strategic relationship.

Westpac and Building Better Schools is currently in discussion with four other schools, to bring the total supported to six.

--ENDS--

© Scoop Media