The Evidence is in Two: Data for the School Leavers of Every High-School in NZ

The WORST schools in each decile!

I have spent the last month acquiring and processing significant data on the leavers of every high school in New Zealand – with great help from the good people at Education Counts. This is far more important than the cohort data (by Year level) that comes out in February.

Last week on Kiwiblog I highlighted the top school in each decile in NZ. Many of these are breaking the link we are told exists that means that schools just can’t succeed with some kids. This week I am contrasting them to the bottom school in each Decile.

I have chosen not to name the bottom schools – not for the adults involved but through consideration for the attending children.

The comparison for schools in each decile is by University Entrance achievement (schools with 75 or more students) and retention.

All measure are for LEAVERS across year levels.

Top: Decile 10: Diocesan School for Girls

UE at 96.6% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 2.7%.

Bottom Decile 10: Anonymous – relatively new – $50m+ build/development

UE at 39.8% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 15.8%.

Top Decile 9: Woodford House

UE at 96.2% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 3.8%.

Bottom Decile 9: Anonymous

UE at 30.8% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 24%.

Top Decile 8. St Peter’s College (Epsom)

UE at 89.8% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 3.3%.

Bottom Decile 8: Anonymous

UE at 28% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 29.3%

Top Decile 7: Marist College (Auckland)

UE at 89.4% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 0.9%.

Bottom Decile 7: Anonymous

UE at 12.2% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 34.4%

Top Decile 6: St Catherine’s (Kilbirnie)

UE at 73.7% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 0.0%.

Bottom Decile 6: Anonymous

UE at 13.6% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 40.9%.

Top Decile 5: Manukura (Palmerston North)

UE at 76.5% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 17.3%.

Bottom Decile 5: Anonymous

Three schools with UE at 0.0% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 25+%

Top Decile 4: Selwyn College (Auckland)

UE at 70.5% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 9.6%.

Bottom Decile 4: Anonymous

Two schools with UE at 0.0% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 30%

Top Decile 3: Zayed College for Girls (very closely followed by Auckland
Girls Grammar)

UE at 70% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 0.0%.

Bottom Decile 3: Anonymous

Two schools with UE at 0.0% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 50%

Top Decile 2: St Paul’s College (Ponsonby)

UE at 84.1% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 4.5%.

Bottom Decile 2: Anonymous

Two schools on 1.4% (including the high school I attended) and one with UE at 0.0% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 40+%

Top Decile 1: McAuley High School (Otahuhu)

UE at 65.8% for leavers. Leaving before 17yo – 3.9%.

Bottom Decile 1: Anonymous

One school with UE at 1.7% for leavers and two on 0.0% (all Northland). Leaving before 17yo – 50%

These gaps are astonishing and inexcusable. They cause incalculable harm.
The key systemic takeaways:

• Socio-economics is not determinant of school outcomes – we need to bury that excuse.
• Ethnicity is not determinant of school outcomes – we need to bury that excuse also.
  It is about clear vision and aspiration, quality leadership (including engaging parents), quality teachers, a world class programming.
  NZ cannot afford this pattern to continue and to be frank, Hipkins and Ministry have shown no interest in changing things – let alone the Teachers Council and Unions. They do not care for the children – they are about mediocrity, power and control.

The information is of high value educationally and has taken a considerable amount of time and expertise. I can make it available for use within a school (under copyright) or professional organisation at a relatively small price.
For personal use happy to supply on a donation basis.
Please email me for details: alwyn.poole@gmail.com