West Coast New Zealand

Investment in education

Between 2005 and 2008, 33 West Coast primary schools and early childhood centres participated in the Literacy Project - a Development West Coast intitiative to lift student achievement levels in literacy throughout the West Coast.   

The  joint research and development project was led by Professor Stuart McNaughton of the Woolf Fisher Research Centre (University of Auckland), with the support of Learning Media Ltd, University of Canterbury Education Plus and the Ministry of Education. 

The $1.8m project has been a real success. By the end of 2006, results indicated the average student was above the national norm and making faster progress than national expectations. By 2008, 42 percent of Coast children were moving into the top bands of achievement.   

Principals and leading literacy teachers are keen to build on the gains made through the Literacy Project. They have designed The West Coast Way, a framework to sustain the project and continue its achievements. We showed our support for this initiative by contributing $79,533 towards its implementation.

Vision

"To strive for excellence in literacy for all West coast students by the continuous building of teacher capacity, through evidence-based practice and engagement in effective, professional, learning communities."

 Strategic Goals:

1. To raise student achievement in literacy through high levels of student engagement and the use of effective literacy teaching practices
2. To develop and sustain a network of Professional Learning Communities within and across West Coast schools to maximise professional learning opportunities and build teacher and leadership capacity
3. To develop an evidence-based culture of teaching and learning in all West Coast schools
4. To raise community awareness of the value of high literacy achievement