St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua)
Lisa Crescent, Western Heights · Bay of Plenty
Composite score
Developing
Below median
Rank #167 of scored NZ schools
Best suited for
Students in Western Heights looking for a state-funded setting.
Is St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) a good school?
Based on the most recent Education Review Office report, St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) scores 49/100 (Developing) on our composite — below median of scored NZ schools. Trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. Read the underlying ERO report below for the full evidence.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Valued connections and relationships with kaumatua, whānau, priests and the St Michael's Parish
- School-wide priority to provide a caring and inclusive environment where learners are encouraged to be the best they can be, empowered through the Catholic faith
- Collaborative and committed staff who are focused on improving outcomes for all learners
Summary derived from ERO reports + audited financials + MoE records. Every claim links to its source — see data transparency at the bottom of this page.
Latest ERO review
2023-04-04 · Phil Cowie, Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
- St Michael's Catholic School is a small state integrated school in Rotorua serving Years 1-6, prioritising Catholic character, Mercy Charism, cultural diversity and family values
- ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well all learners are spiritually and culturally empowered to achieve personal success
- The school's strategic priorities include meaningful encounters with Christ, learner choice and agency, equitable opportunity across curriculum, and enhanced teaching capabilities
- School strengths include valued connections with kaumatua, whānau and parish; a caring and inclusive environment; collaborative staff; and an established pedagogical network
"Collaborative and committed staff who are focused on improving outcomes for all learners."
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
St Michael's Catholic School experienced a significant deterioration in achievement outcomes for Māori students between 2015 and 2018. The 2015 report highlighted that the school 'effectively promotes educational success for Māori as Māori' with strong iwi partnerships and integrated cultural values, while the 2018 report identified a 'Significant and ongoing disparity for Māori students in reading, writing and mathematics' and noted the school was 'unable to show accelerated progress for Māori and other identified at-risk learners,' with non-compliance in Māori community consultation.
2015-03 → 2018-10 diff source
Equity outcomes for Māori students deteriorated significantly between 2015 and 2018. The 2015 report highlighted the school's effective promotion of educational success for Māori with well-integrated cultural values, while the 2018 report identified a "Significant and ongoing disparity for Māori students in reading, writing and mathematics" and noted the school was "unable to show accelerated progress for Māori and other identified at-risk learners."
2015-03 → 2018-10 diff source
The curriculum dimension shifted significantly from a strength to an area of concern. In 2015, the school had a well-integrated, connected curriculum with strong alignment to NZ Curriculum and effective promotion of Māori cultural beliefs. By 2018, while teachers still engaged students in meaningful learning contexts, leadership for learning needed strengthening in curriculum review and shared expectations, and the school faced significant achievement disparities for Māori students that it was unable to address through accelerated progress.
2015-03 → 2018-10 diff source
Leadership for learning declined significantly between 2015 and 2018. The 2015 report praised the principal's 'strong professional leadership' with a 'collaborative approach,' but the 2018 report identified that 'Leadership for learning needs strengthening in curriculum review, shared expectations about teaching and learning, and appraisal processes.' The school's overall rating dropped from 'well placed' (85) to 'developing' (35).
2015-03 → 2018-10 diff source
Achievement overall declined significantly between 2015 and 2018. While the 2015 report noted students achieving well with a significant majority at or above National Standards, the 2018 report identified a critical gap: most students still achieve at or above expectations, but a 'significant and ongoing disparity for Māori students' emerged, and the school demonstrated inability to show 'accelerated progress for Māori and other identified at-risk learners.' The score dropped from 82 to 65.
2015-03 → 2018-10 diff source
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua).
- no score yet
Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)
Contributing · 0.6km · 439 roll
- no score yet
Kaitao Intermediate
Intermediate · 0.7km · 270 roll
- no score yet
Sunset Primary School
Contributing · 0.9km · 158 roll
- no score yet
TKKM o Hurungaterangi
Composite · 0.9km · 91 roll
- no score yet
Aorangi School (Rotorua)
Contributing · 1km · 119 roll
- no score yet
Western Heights High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1.3km · 1,120 roll
Frequently asked
Is St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) a good school?
Based on the most recent Education Review Office report, St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) scores 49/100 (Developing) on our composite — below median of scored NZ schools. Trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. Read the underlying ERO report below for the full evidence.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2023-04 review identified 4 key findings. St Michael's Catholic School is a small state integrated school in Rotorua serving Years 1-6, prioritising Catholic character, Mercy Charism, cultural diversity and family values
How do I enrol my child at St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua)?
Contact the school directly on 07-3481362, email admin@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz, or visit www.stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz. For state schools, check your home address against the school's enrolment zone — some schools are in-zone-only.
What are the fees?
St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) has 102 students, with an EQI of 444 (mid-range socio-economic context).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) in 2023-04, signed by Phil Cowie. 4 ERO reports are on file in our archive.
Data transparency
Every fact on this page links to its source. We never publish a claim without provenance — read our methodology for the full rules.
Sourced from
- ero.govt.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz