Some Truly Remarkable Results in 2022

As a school and Board, we track student achievement very closely. At a classroom and syndicate level, a highly personalised approach is often taken to help all kids individually succeed to the best of their ability, and at a Board level we look at this in the aggregate.

We wanted to share some of the results that our school team was able to achieve in 2022 across some of the main curriculum areas. Other areas are important too of course, but these areas are at the core of education:

• Reading: 95% of Maungaraki students achieved at or above curriculum level expectations.
• Writing: 93% of Maungaraki students achieved at or above curriculum level expectations.
• Maths: 94% of Maungaraki students achieved at or above curriculum level expectations.

Yes, there are still some that need more support, and I know as a fact that our school team will continue to work with these and all kids over the next years. However, these results are massively above the national average, both overall and for comparable schools. While schools can’t and shouldn’t be directly compared these days, it’s safe to say that these outcomes would place Maungaraki School in the top few percent of schools both in the region and across NZ.

But these results didn’t “just happen”. 

Huge commitment from our school team.

They say that the true character of a person doesn’t emerge until they’re faced with truly difficult times.

Personally, I think the tough times we’ve all faced over the last 2-3 years, and how people have reacted to these in New Zealand and around the world, has really borne out that statement – for better or for worse.

However, you really don’t have to look far to find a team of people who have genuinely stepped up and worked incredibly hard in disrupted times to make sure our tamariki (children) had the best possible opportunity to learn in astable, safe and inspiring environment.

I’m talking about Maungaraki School’s teaching team, support staff and the school leadership who have driven some incredible outcomes this year. And on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I just want to take this opportunity to pass on our community’s huge gratitude for their dedication and effort.

Many will have seen some of the really sad statistics around education in New Zealand currently – both in terms of things like attendance, but also in outcomes – both educational and social. It’s truly heartbreaking how widespread this is now, and how many children are really struggling across NZ.

And it’s on that backdrop that we should be incredibly proud of the support that our school team have given our tamariki over 2022, and the results that we see above.

Maungaraki School’s HEART values, underpinned by a genuine desire across our entire school team to ensure that every child individually has the best possibly opportunity to learn and grow, has helped lead us through what (form any people) was some incredibly difficult times.

So as the 2022 school year draws to a close, we should all reflect on the fact that these results only came about because of a huge effort by an incredibly talented and dedicated team at school, from the leadership right through to every teacher, support staff and more. And backed by a great community who have been hugely supportive of our school.

To the leadership of our school and on behalf of the Board of Trustees – Shane, supported by Darian, Brigitte, the lead team and more – thanks for your continued focus and dedication to absolute excellence.

We’ve seen it first hand and it really is remarkable.

And to our school’s wonderful staff, thank you so much for the huge effort you’ve put in this year. We see the work you do, and we – as a community –appreciate it massively. Have a great break – you’ve really earned it.

And lastly, for those moving on to other schools, all the best for your future and we hope your time at Maungaraki School was as special to you as it has been for us.

2022 – that’s a wrap!

Nga mihi,
Paul Matthews
Chair, Board of Trustees

On behalf of the Maungaraki School Board of Trustees