School wins 50k prize
Staff and students of a South Auckland school have much to be proud of.
Manurewa Intermediate School has won two awards at the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards announced on June 27, including the top prize.
It took home the Excellence in Engaging Award and the Supreme Award. It was also a finalist for the Excellence in Leading award.
Principal Iain Taylor says the win was totally unexpected.
‘‘I’m excited for our kids, more than ourselves, and our staff who
have been here doing the hard yards over the last eight and half years,’’ he said shortly after winning.
‘‘This affirms that a low decile school can be just as good as anyone else.’’
Taylor says one of the keys to their success has been the engagement of parents in the students’ learning and he hopes other South Auckland families can follow suit.
‘‘The biggest message [to everyone out there] is that parents need to get involved with their kids. They need to come to school and be passionate and excited about what’s going on with their kids.’’
This is the second year in a row that a South Auckland school has been recognised. In 2016, Otahuhu’s decile one McAuley High School won a $50,000 cheque in the same categories.
The honour is for how Manurewa Intermediate has created an environment where students looked forward to attending class and have engaged in their learning. This has resulted in average attendance rates rising from under 80 per cent to over 95 per cent.
Anne-Marie Rowney has been teaching at the school for 32 years. In a previous interview she recalled it being a ‘‘very hard place to teach with very challenging students’’ but says under Taylor the staff are all focused on increasing student engagement.
‘‘Since Iain’s come he’s made it more attractive to quality teachers. And the resources we have are succinctly levelled so that there’s always something for the lower end and the gifted end.’’ Sold by $580,000 by #TeamJared (Ray White Mangere Bridge)
Sunny three bedroom home in a convenient location, private backyard + lock up garaging.
See more at neighbourly.co.nz/ manukaucourier