The 2008 ERO Report made the following comments about Halswell Primary School ...
Halswell School is a full Primary School that caters for students from Years 1 – 8. Students learn in a well resourced and supported learning environment.
Students enjoy a variety of learning opportunities such as individual and group tuition for music, drama, sport and education outside the classroom. The Board provides specialist teachers for physical education and music.
Students benefit from a strong sense of identity and belonging within the learning community. Teachers know the students and their families well.
Students receive high quality teaching, particularly in Numeracy.
Students diverse learning needs are well supported by a wide range of programmes. These programmes for gifted and talented students, those who do not have English as their first language and students with specific learning needs are well planned, and supported by competent and trained staff.
Provision for International Students
Compliance with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and the Provision of English Language Support Halswell School is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. This is a requirement of all schools that enrol international students in terms of the Act. Schools are also required to provide English language support for their International Students. The school complies with all aspects of the Code.
Areas of good performance
Pastoral Care: Students and parents are supported by effective pastoral systems and procedures. Students new to the school are welcomed with a detailed orientation programme that ensures they have all relevant information. The teachers involved with the students make regular contact with parents. They respond promptly to any concerns of students or their families. Students have a trained buddy to help their transition and integrate with their peers. Students spoken with by ERO reported feeling welcome and safe from their first moments in the school, and that they had many adults and students they could approach for information and support.
Provision for English Speakers of Others Languages (ESOL): Students receive high quality ESOL instruction and assistance. Initial assessment is used to plan individual and group instruction. Instruction is provided each day initially, and achievement progress for ESOL and in class lessons are tracked. This information is analysed to inform each student’s programme and level of support. As students’ English competence builds, their ESOL withdrawal time is reduced, but in class support maintained.
Cross Cultural Focus: Students, their parents, and staff are well supported by the school’s ‘Global Focus Team’. This team of staff and parents was established in 2007 to support the integration of students from other cultures into the school. The global focus team’s planning provides an international component to class programmes and helps to develop positive interactions for all cultures in the school. Teachers and support staff benefit from the team’s well-planned programme.
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