Happier days at Herekino

Herekino School was beginning to pull itself out of a very deep hole when principal Richard Wilkinson arrived there 18 months ago, but happier days have officially arrived in the form of a very positive ERO report.

So delighted were Mr Wilkinson, his staff and trustees, that they threw a party on Tuesday, featuring a bouncy castle and games for the kids, a morning tea starring the biggest jam- and cream-smothered pikelets that side of the black stump, followed, in what seemed like very short order, by the serving of a hangi lunch.

Not too many of the adults were bouncing, on a castle or anywhere else, after that, but delight at the ERO's findings was universal.

"We were just coming out of a one-year review cycle when I came here, then it was a two-year cycle and now that's been extended to three years," Mr Wilkinson said.

"That says an awful lot about the work that's been going on here.

"We were in a pretty bad way not so long ago, but we've really turned a corner now. The community is showing lot of confidence in the school too, so we must be doing something right."

A "very robust" ERO visit, focusing on student achievement, had found that the children's education was well tracked, well documented, and that some hugely positive steps had been taken.

Children and parents had been interviewed along with the staff, so the ensuing report represented a comprehensive picture of how the school was working.

"We've still got some work to do but we've made huge progress," Mr Wilkinson added.

"We have a very student-based curriculum, and the community is right behind us. You don't achieve that sort of progress without a lot of hard work. We've had to make some hard calls, but now we're seeing the benefits."

The roll was steady (35 at the time of the review), and while a sizeable number of Year 8 pupils had left at the end of last year, some new entrants were expected in July, and a solid junior class boded well for the next few years.

And while many people could share the credit for what had been achieved, Mr Wilkinson made special mention of teacher Charmaine Foster.

"She loves this school, she loves the kids and she loves the job, and a lot of this success can be put down to her," he said.

"She would do anything for this school. She's totally committed, and a very solid practitioner, and we are lucky to have her."