Rangiātea: Western Springs College

This case study and exemplar examine the journey Western Springs College is on towards realising Māori student potential. The case study looks at the strategies used by the school leadership team and reports on the key factors that are contributing towards lifting Māori student achievement. The exemplar steps through how a particular programme has been successfully used.

Project focus: individualised monitoring of student achievement

This is an awesome school, and you’ll do really well academically. If you come here, you won’t want to leave. (Māori student)

Western Springs College is a decile 8 co-educational school in Auckland. Māori students make up 17 percent of the roll.

Case study key points

Download the Western Springs College case study (PDF 372 kB)

Setting high expectations and standards for Māori students:

School-wide and department-wide targets set for students and teachers.
School strategic goals aligned to whānau aspirations.
Honest, non-blaming approach to evaluation of progress against targets.

Strategic resourcing to enhance Māori student achievement:

Needs of Māori students prioritised.
Resourcing for health centre and learning centre for homework support.

Focus on curriculum and teaching to enhance Māori student achievement:

Regular, systematic monitoring of Māori student progress.
Regular feedback from students, whānau and staff feeds into school planning.

Focus on orderly, supportive environment for Māori students:

Clear expectations for students and staff.
Students and whānau believe school wants them to succeed.
Focus on learning rather than on behaviour.
Focus on staff building positive relationships with students.

Powerful connections with whānau and community:

Whānau in Rumaki commit to regular support
like attending kapa haka,homework centre and weekend wānanga.

Whānau support group established for Māori students in mainstream school.
Board of trustees co-opts Māori members.

About the exemplar

Download the Western Springs College exemplar (PDF 476 kB)

The Western Springs College exemplar focuses on mathematics. For a number of years, students have achieved high levels of success in this area. There has been a programme of continuous, individualised monitoring of achievement in terms of both student progress and teaching effectiveness.