Learning Committee – Student Research Partners with the Education Review Office (ERO)

ERO are in the midst of a major nationwide study which is evaluating how well the education system is performing. An important part of this work is for ERO to gather student voice from a range of students and schools. As part of this work, ERO launched the Student Research Partners Programme this year. Riccarton High was selected for this programme through Deputy Principal, Shane Morrow’s, connection to their Leadership Partners Programme.

The Learning Committee spent time with Wellington-based professional researchers from ERO learning about research methods, ethics, constructing research questions, gathering and making sense of data. The group experienced some face-to-face time and the marvels of online meetings due to limitations on travel this year. They also learned how complex research can be!

The Learning Committee undertook two research studies at Riccarton High School:

• How might teachers and students more effectively utilise learning preferences?
• What range of diversities are amongst Riccarton High School students, and what are the acceptance, respect and challenges experienced by diverse students at Riccarton High School?

These student-led studies included the use of surveys, experiments, and focus groups - and were a rich source of data about how our students experience schooling here at Riccarton.

We have shared the research outcomes and analysis with ERO and look forward to them informing our work at Riccarton High School next year. We are also exploring how Riccarton High School students might contribute to ERO’s own national study research in 2022.