to view the Charter - Kowhai Intermediate School

Goal 5 Kowhai’s Pasifika students make sustained progress in literacy and mathematics to match or exceed national expectations for Year 7/8students (NAG 1).Targets1. 60% of Pasifika students attain the National Standard for reading.2. 40% of Pasifika students attain the National Standard for writing.Data1. Target: Met. 66% of Pasifika students attained the National Standard or better for reading.2. Target: Not met. 33% of Pasifika students attained the National Standard or better for writing.CommentOur Pasifika students are making strong progress in reading—however, as with other groups, writing standards are not yet where we want them. Theproportion of Pasifika students at or above the standard at the end of 2012 was 12% higher than at the end of 2011—so the levels of achievementare moving significantly in the right direction.For many teachers, Pasifika achievement became the target group for their appraisal. Pasifika students received personalised teaching in literacy andmaths through group teaching within classes. Samoan parents met, with the assistance of the Pasifika Board representative, to strengthen home andschool links. Teachers have taken particular care to use resources, activities and contexts that Pasifika students in their classes will relate to. Writingworkshops have been held in staff meetings on how to target students who are progressing below expectation. In the Samoan class (Gafoa le Ata)the teacher has networked with bilingual literacy professionals who have been providing in-class advice. With parent help, a reading assessment toolhas been purchased and adapted for use in bilingual Samoan teaching. A watertight absence and lateness programme is in place and is carefullymonitored daily by the school secretaries and Associate Principal. The Associate Principal has also taken great care to ensure that all Year 8students, including Pasifika, make secure enrolments at high school for 2013, including meeting with Year 9 deans to discuss student needs in detail.RecommendationThis goal should remain. New actions can be developed—including those developed by the Pasifika think tank and the latest Pacific LanguagesFramework.34