Katikati Primary in top 12 per cent of NZ

Katikati Primary School staff, students and Board of Trustees are proud to be one of the best schools in the country.

Katikati Primary School is in the best 12 per cent of schools in the country following a recent visit from the Education Review Office.

ERO members spent several days assessing the standard and quality of the education that the primary school delivers. The review involved parents, students, teachers, the principal and the deputy principals, and the Board of Trustees and was conducted in a spirit of collaboration and positivity.

Principal Andrea Nicholson says everything was reviewed.

"No stone was left unturned. It really was an intense few days, but it was a very positive experience."

The great news is that the school was rewarded with the best possible outcome: a four to five years return review.

"The return to review period is the accepted measure of ERO's confidence in what is happening at the school," says Board of Trustees chairperson David Freeman, "and to receive a four to five year return review is absolutely wonderful."

Of note in the report was how the school positively responds to its multi-cultural diversity.

"When our children are adults they will be working in ways we cannot even begin to understand and will be communicating internationally on a regular, if not constant basis. Therefore, we see our diversity as a strength," explains Andrea.

"We benefit from exploring and understanding our cultural differences and this helps to prepare our children for the global stage."

The result puts Katikati Primary School up with the best 12 per cent of schools in the country and, along with Katikati College, proves that you don't have to be in a major population centre to receive the best education available within New Zealand.

"It is a real credit to Andrea and her team," says David.

"They are all passionate and committed to ensuring that every child has every opportunity to reach their full potential."

Extensive review processes mean the school is aware of its strengths and weaknesses and so the excellent result was not a surprise, but more of a confirmation that they are on the right track.

"We are focussed on continuous improvement," says Andrea, " so while the result is enormously satisfying and we have celebrated it, it's now back to work delivering an even better school for our community. It's all part of our Good to Great journey."