ERO Report 2025

Education Review Office (ERO) Final Report

A Story of Success and Support

It is my pleasure to share our Ministry of Education 2025 Education Review Office (ERO) report with our community. This report reflects what each of us brings to our school daily. Our board, staff, parents and students all go to make St Thomas’s the amazing school that it is. This external evaluation reaffirms the approach we take toward ‘changing learning in a changing world’. Moving forward we will build on this success to ensure we continue to provide the best facilities and programmes possible for our students and community.

Quality Teaching Practice

At St Thomas’s School, “learners experience high levels of success and make excellent progress; outcomes are similarly high for all groups.”  This success is no accident. It comes from the commitment of our teachers and leaders to ensure that every child thrives. “Learners benefit from excellent quality teaching practice that improves progress and achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.”

A Rich Curriculum for All

Our children don’t just learn the basics — they explore the world around them through a rich and varied curriculum. As ERO noted, “learners have rich opportunities to learn across the breadth and depth of the curriculum.” Importantly, “learners with complex needs are well supported to achieve their education goals.”

A Safe and Inclusive Environment

We are proud of the culture we have built. “The school successfully promotes learners’ engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.” Classrooms are not only about learning, but also about feeling safe, valued, and respected. “All staff promote a safe and inclusive learning environment that supports physical and emotional wellbeing, ensuring all learners feel valued, respected and can thrive.”

Leadership That Inspires

Our leaders and Board are committed to excellence. As ERO stated, “Senior leaders, staff and the School Board have high expectations for all learners to be successful.” We use data and insights to make good decisions: “The school board and leadership use a wide range of achievement and engagement data to inform decision making and equitably allocate resources to support all learners.”

We never stop improving: “A robust cycle of internal evaluation ensures that the school is continuously reflecting, reviewing and improving its practices to meet the needs of all learners.”

Progress and Achievement

The results speak for themselves. “The school is meeting Government reading; writing, mathematics and attendance targets set for 2030.” We also make sure our assessment practices lead to action: “Assessment information is used well to adjust teaching practices to ensure ongoing improvement in teaching and student progress.”

Welcoming the World

Our school is home to international students. ERO found that “St Thomas’s School has high quality processes for the provision of pastoral care of international students.” These students are welcomed into our learning community: “The school provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where students are well-supported to participate in a range of activities and integrate into the school’s community.”

The Heart of the Matter

ERO’s report of St Thomas’s School is clear: we are a community where children succeed, where they are supported, and where every learner is given the opportunity to be the best they can be.

Or as ERO put it: “All staff promote a safe and inclusive learning environment that supports physical and emotional wellbeing, ensuring all learners feel valued, respected and can thrive.”

Thank you to all our teachers, grounds staff, support and office staff for the outstanding work you do to make St Thomas’s School so successful.

Please see HERE for the full report.