Makikihi School is a small rural Year 1 to 8 school south of Timaru, and has a roll of 30 students who are taught in two multi-level classrooms.

The school’s overarching vision is ‘Preparing children for success in life.’ The vision is supported by guiding principles which include concepts of ‘prioritising literacy and numeracy’, ‘inclusive environment’, ‘family feel’ and ‘opportunities for all students to respect and understand te reo Māori and tikanga Māori’.

Three aims are guiding strategic work and these focus on academic improvement for all, effective relationships and partnerships, and effective governance to promote roll growth.

Leaders and teachers regularly report to the board, schoolwide information about outcomes for students in the following areas:

• literacy and mathematics

• students receiving additional support.

A new board chair and principal have been appointed since the 2015 ERO review. Leaders and teachers have participated in whole-school professional learning around promoting a positive school culture.

The principal and teachers value their involvement in the Waimate Kāhui Ako|Community of Learning (CoL).

From 2019  ERO Report