Our CollegeOverview

An overview of our college

Botany Downs Secondary College, located in East Auckland, is a large, multicultural co-educational state school for Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18 years) with approximately 2000 students and 200 staff.

Opened in 2004, we have a modern learning environment which promotes 21st-century competencies.

Our college is founded on the whānau concept, with six “schools within a school” providing for the pastoral care needs of learners.

Features

  • Purpose-built for modern expectations of learning and teaching
  • Built on the Whānau concept as the foundation of pastoral care for students
  • Emphasis on both academic challenge and personal development, with proven success in national qualifications and the development of young leaders
  • Support programmes for all students, including gifted and talented students, students with specific learning conditions, and those in need of literacy and numeracy remediation, including English as an Additional Language (EAL) support
  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) incorporated into the learning process focused on developing collaboration, communication and critical thinking, enabling self-paced, self-directed and anywhere-anytime learning
  • Integrated thinking and learning curriculum, developing metacognitive processes, reflection and goal-setting
  • Mentoring programmes, providing peer leadership and academic and career guidance
  • Authentic and contextual learning opportunities
  • Innovative teaching approaches from a dedicated, high-calibre staff

ERO Report

17 January 2023

Read the full report or visit www.ero.govt.nz

The Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO), is the New Zealand government’s external evaluation agency that informs and facilitates improvement in early learning services, kōhanga reo, puna kōhungahunga, kura and schools.

Their impartial and objective monitoring and evaluation is critical to the integrity of the New Zealand education system to ensure New Zealanders can have confidence in the delivery of pre-tertiary education in its institutions.

Mission

A forward-thinking education focused on challenging, innovative, personalised learning within a whānau-based community where learners are nurtured and inspired to achieve personal excellence.
As global citizens we embrace diversity, develop character and self-worth, and live our values of empathy, excellence, integrity and respect.

Vision and Values

Knowledge with Character

To be an exceptional whānau-based learning community. Our students will be confident, connected and self-managing lifelong learners who will seize our excellent learning opportunities. They will be innovative, creative and enterprising.

Our professional and highly motivated staff provide intellectual challenge through quality teaching and learning programmes within a safe, supportive environment.

We are contributing members of our local, national and global community and work towards sustainability.

Our school community recognises and values individual differences, the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi and our multi-cultural society.

As a school community we have high expectations that are expressed through our shared core values:

  • Respect

For self, others and the environment, through tolerance, equity and the celebration of diversity

  • Empathy

Through participation, teamwork and service

  • Integrity

Through fairness and honesty

  • Excellence

Through perseverance, effort, inquiry and critical thinking

Strategic Goals

  • EXCELLENCE  •  Kairangi  • Diverse needs, a unified teaching approach.
  • GROWTH  •  Whakatiputipu  •  Resourcing for the future.
  • PARTNERSHIPS  •  Kotahitanga  •  Building a strong community.
MISSION
A forward-thinking education focused on challenging, innovative, personalised learning within a whanau-based community where learners are nurtured and inspired to achieve personal excellence.
As global citizens, we embrace diversity, develop character and self-worth, and live our values of empathy, excellence, integrity and respect.
VISION AND VALUES

Knowledge with Character

To be an exceptional whanau-based learning community. Our students will be confident, connected and self-managing lifelong learners who will seize our excellent learning opportunities. They will be innovative, creative and enterprising.

Our professional and highly motivated staff provide intellectual challenge through quality teaching and learning programmes within a safe, supportive environment.

We are contributing members of our local, national and global community and work towards sustainability.

Our school community recognises and values individual differences, the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi and our multi-cultural society.

As a school community we have high expectations that are expressed through our shared core values:

  • Respect

For self, others and the environment, through tolerance, equity and the celebration of diversity

  • Empathy

Through participation, teamwork and service

  • Integrity

Through fairness and honesty

  • Excellence

Through perseverance, effort, inquiry and critical thinking

STRATEGIC INTENT
  • Provide EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES for all students
  • Maximise the resources and opportunities provided in the PHILOSOPHY OF THE WHANAU to support students
  • Attract, professionally develop, and retain the HIGHEST QUALITY STAFF who share the College’s vision, culture, philosophy, and pedagogical approach
  • Actively seek and provide NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES to encourage creative and innovative learning and teaching
  • Use communication and marketing tools to promote the college as an OUTSTANDING LEARNING ORGANISATION

Māori dimensions and cultural diversity

We recognise the values and diversity that our multi-cultural community offers, and the unique position of Māori culture in Aotearoa/New Zealand [Education Act s61(3a)]. This includes having a specific Achievement Plan for Māori, integrating tikanga and Te Reo Māori into the kawa (protocols) and curriculum (where appropriate) of the college.

All reasonable steps will be taken to provide instruction in tikanga Māori (Māori culture) and te reo Māori (Māori language) for full-time students if requested by their parents [Education Act s61(3a)].

Cultural diversity will be celebrated and promoted.

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+64 9 273 2310
575 Chapel Road, Howick, Auckland New Zealand