CONFIRMED
PRIVATE SCHOOL
REVIEW REPORT
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
May 2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
1
BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1
About the School ................................................................................................................... 1
2
EFFICIENT ................................................................................................... 2 Suitable premises ................................................................................................................... 2
Suitable staffing ...................................................................................................................... 3
Suitable equipment............................................................................................................... 4
Suitable curriculum ............................................................................................................... 4
Patriotism and loyalty .......................................................................................................... 5
3
STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS ...................................................................... 6
4
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 6
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CONFIRMED PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT:
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
1
Background
Introduction
The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of
private schools throughout New Zealand.
Under section 35A of the Education Act 1989, private schools are required to
be “efficient”. The Act defines “efficient”, in relation to a private school as -
(a) Having suitable premises, staffing, equipment, and curriculum;
(b) Usual y providing tuition for 9 or more students who have turned 5 but
are under 16;
(c) Providing suitably for the inculcation in the minds of students of
sentiments of patriotism and loyalty; and
(d) Giving students tuition of a standard no lower than that of the tuition
given to students enrolled at…schools of the same class.
This report focuses on the extent to which the school meets this requirement
and other statutory obligations.
This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures
approved by the Chief Review Officer.
About the School
Location
Motueka, Nelson
Ministry of Education profile
529
number
School type
Composite Private (Years 1 to 13)
Numbers of teachers
1
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
School roll
12
Ethnic composition
New Zealand European/Päkehä 8
Mäori
4
Gender composition
Girls 9
Boys 3
Review team on site
March 2006
Date of this report
24 May 2006
Previous ERO report
Private School Review May 2003
Accountability Review June 2000
Assurance Audit
May 1997
Assurance Audit
April 1994
2
Efficient
Suitable premises
Shiloh Christian Academy is a registered private school governed by the New
Life Trust, made up of the Church Pastor and a committee of elders. Financial
management of the school is the responsibility of the church’s finance
committee. The school is owned and operated as a non-profit organisation.
The day-to-day management is appropriately delegated to the principal. The
school is set in six acres of well-tended grounds that incorporate a large
playing field and an asphalt area for physical activities. Modern buildings
include a spacious learning centre, assembly hal , science laboratory, art room,
storeroom, kitchen, staff area and separate staff and students’ ablutions block
and showers. A caretaker is responsible for property and building
maintenance that is authorised by the principal.
Since the 2003 review, the Trust has completed the repainting of the school.
The premises are bright, light and airy with a large student-centred area that
has cubicles, or offices, where the students learn independently. There is also
an information and communications technologies (ICT) area where students,
once they have mastered keyboarding skil s, have controlled access to the
Internet for project/topic work.
Documentation for health and safety requirements is clearly stated. Indoor
and outdoor areas are regularly inspected to identify, minimise or eliminate
potential hazards or problems. The school has appropriately placed
evacuation notices and has recently had a fire dril and safety inspection. A
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SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
first aid kit is readily accessible. The policies and procedures ensure the
effective and efficient operation of the school.
The science laboratory is well stocked and secure and there is a clear
equipment inventory system.
Suitable staffing
A reflective and well-organised principal, who values the creation of a calm
and settled environment, effectively manages the school. It is expected that
al students wil meet high standards of respect, politeness and learning.
There is a strong emphasis on the teacher inspiring students to achieve and
for each student to have clearly defined daily goals. Students are friendly,
compliant and cheerful.
The principal is a ful y registered teacher. The learning to read supervisor, who
is also teaches music, is a teacher aide. Smal class sizes feature. Other staff
members are al police vetted and employed on the basis of their training,
skil s and evidence of Christian witness in their lifestyles. The Trust is acting as
a good employer.
The Trust receives a weekly operational report from the principal and any
major issues of employment or finance are discussed. Currently, no student
assessment data are presented to the Trust, although the achievements of
individuals and school successes are reported here, and within the Church
community honour roll. As the school is smal and there are high levels of
trust and parental involvement, there is frequent informal dialogue. Parents
are involved in weekly field trips and invited to observe students in the
learning-centre. A newsletter is produced on a regular basis to keep parents
informed.
Staff development has included the principal attending and speaking at
annual conferences, which have a strong Christian educational theme. He has
continued to be actively involved in the executive body of the New Zealand
Association for Christian Schools and the Fellowship of Accelerated Christian
Education in New Zealand. This year, staff members are actively involved in
the 30th year celebration of ACE in New Zealand.
At the time of the review, there are two practising teachers on site. The school
also has available an ACE curriculum development specialist, who is also a
practical science teacher, two art tutors, a cooking and sewing tutor and a
teacher aide.
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SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
There is an informal process for reviewing teaching methods. This may now
be an opportune time to consider formalising the performance appraisal
system to ensure good quality teaching practices are continued.
Suitable equipment
There is a good range of inventoried equipment for students’ use. Property
management documents and policies clearly state the requirements for
suitable equipment. The school is well resourced and includes a well-stocked
library.
Suitable curriculum
The school’s philosophy and expectations for student achievement and
behaviour are clearly stated. Shiloh Christian Academy offers a curriculum
focused upon the principles of Christian leadership, self discipline, individual
responsibility, personal integrity and good citizenship. The curriculum is
effectively managed and is designed to al ow each student to develop his or
her abilities to the maximum.
School of Tomorrow (also known as Accelerated Christian Education, ACE) is
the major curriculum resource for teaching the core curriculum areas of
mathematics, English, social studies and science and includes a phonetics-
based, learning to read programme. A series of self-instructional personal
ACE documents (PACE) al ows students to work at their own rate with
appropriate provision of materials and teacher assistance.
ICT-based instruction is an integral part of the morning programme and
provides interest and flexibility in teaching and learning. As well as learning
computer keyboard skil s, students produce high quality work using a range of
specialised word processing and spreadsheet software. Other information
technologies such as video and audiotape, facsimile and photocopying
equipment are available for student use.
Afternoon class and group activities provide variety and interest. They include
visual and performing arts (platform), health, physical education and sport,
science and clothing and sewing technology. At primary level, these are
supplemented with animal science, Bible reading, literature and creative
writing. At secondary level, students can choose from a wide selection of
elective courses. An annual student convention provides a stimulating
balance to the PACE programme. Senior students are encouraged and
assisted in preparing for this week of competition in events that include music,
athletics, platform, arts, crafts and academics, writing, science and ICT. This
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SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
convention broadens students’ horizons and enables them to meet with
others from similar schools and backgrounds.
Regular weekly field trips enable students to visit a variety of venues and
places of interest. They are an incentive for students to meet the school’s
“minimum responsibilities for the week”, which include a series of tasks that
need to be completed and achieved during any one week. A range of rewards
and awards acknowledge student achievement, initiative and leadership.
Senior students are able to take leadership roles in the school including
responsibility for computers, as librarians and for preparing attractive displays
to enhance the classroom environment. All students have the opportunity to
contribute to chapel readings and interpretations.
Staff have high expectations for behaviour and achievement. Student books
are regularly monitored and contain some generalised and specific written
feedback related to learning. This is good practice that would positively
enhance student achievement if increased in frequency. The quality of work in
student books is of a high standard, both for content and presentation.
Homework is set and checked regularly. Parents receive regular reports about
their children’s progress and standards achieved.
Annual assessment, utilising New Zealand and overseas norm-based tests, is
used to check the progress of students. These tests do not provide a measure
of performance against other New Zealand students. A consideration for the
future could be to investigate other tests that would provide this information.
Patriotism and loyalty
The school’s sentiments for patriotism and loyalty are appropriately referred
to in the parent and student handbook. The philosophy acknowledges the
Christian character of the school and the importance of preparing to live a
good life. The interactions between the teaching principal and students show
mutual respect and independent, self-paced learning. All students are
engaged in their learning and there is a strong reliance on self discipline. Staff
successful y teach and model suitable attitudes and values. This is reflected in
the students being respectful and polite to their teachers and each other.
There is a focused, calm and settled learning environment. The New Zealand
flag is flown every day, and at weekly assemblies students pledge al egiance to
the flag, the Bible and the Government.
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SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
3
Statutory Obligations
The school is meeting its statutory obligations to be efficient as defined by
Section 35A of the Education Act 1989.
4
Conclusion
The school employs well-qualified staff who identify strongly with the culture
of the school, contribute to its vision, have an active involvement with the
school’s Christian philosophy and work well as part of the team. The principal
and staff manage student behaviour positively. They treat students with
respect and have a genuine caring concern for their spiritual and Christian
well-being. Students are respectful and polite to their teachers and each
other. There is a focused, yet calm and settled, learning environment.
SIGNED
Lane Mohi
Area Manager
for Chief Review Officer
24 May 2006
EDUCATION REVIEW OFFICE
24 MAY 2006
CONFIRMED PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT
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Document Outline
