Opunake High School
Tasman Street, Opunake · Taranaki & Manawatū
Latest ERO review
2023-01-26 · Phil Cowie, Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
- Clear strategic intent to improve literacy schoolwide through carefully aligned school systems
- Planned and ongoing professional learning of effective literacy strategies in place
- Internal expertise and knowledge available to lead and embed effective literacy practices across the school
- New permanent principal appointed in term 3, 2021 providing fresh leadership direction
"deliberate use of literacy strategies used across the curriculum"
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
Māori achievement at Opunake High School improved significantly between 2014 and 2017. In 2014, Māori student achievement was 'slightly lower than schoolwide results overall,' but by 2017, the disparity had been substantially reduced, with Māori achievement now 'similar to their peers in the school for Level 1 and 2 and above their peers for Level 3 and University Entrance in 2016.'
2014-09 → 2017-11 diff source
Opunake High School made substantial progress on equity between 2014 and 2017. While the 2014 report noted a "strong commitment to Māori education with increased retention to Year 13 and improved Māori achievement over three years," the 2017 report demonstrated that "previous disparity for Māori has been reduced" with achievement "now similar to peers at Level 1-2 and above peers for Level 3," and the school achieved "strong progress toward achieving equity in educational outcomes."
2014-09 → 2017-11 diff source
Both reports highlight strong governance, but the 2017 report emphasizes trustees as drivers of innovation and future-focused leadership, whereas the 2014 report noted governance was 'sound' with 'well-developed trustee guidelines.' The 2017 report shows governance evolution toward strategic visioning and community collaboration.
2014-09 → 2017-11 diff source
The curriculum evolved from being driven by student needs and interests with innovative timetabling to a more structured approach featuring increased course flexibility and learning academies. Both reports emphasize responsiveness, but the 2017 report highlights formalized curriculum reviews and the development of learning academies as deliberate extensions of opportunity.
2014-09 → 2017-11 diff source
Leadership strengthened notably between 2014 and 2017. While the 2014 report noted leaders used achievement information well, the 2017 report describes senior leaders as actively driving innovation and improvement with stronger educational relationships. The 2017 report also highlights experienced trustees as 'future focused' and innovation-driven, whereas 2014 described governance as merely 'sound' with 'well-developed' guidelines.
2014-09 → 2017-11 diff source
Audited financials
Year ended 2023 · Audit opinion: unmodified
Total revenue
$6.64M
Surplus / (deficit)
+$243k
Net assets / equity
$1.32M