Eighty-eight percent of the roll of students are Pacific students. In keeping with the ethos of the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley High School aims to provide an education that enables young people to rise above the barriers of poverty and to achieve to their potential regardless of their background. The tone in the school is respectful and purposeful. The girls achieve high levels of success academically. Their achievement rate of McAuley High School has extremely effective systems in place to build links with the community and gain a deep understanding of the backgrounds and circumstances of its students.
Senior leaders act on the information gained to ensure that all students arrive at the school in full uniform, fully equipped and ready to learn. When students start school they already have a sense of belonging and wear their uniform with pride. Where possible, the principal employs staff to reflect the ethnicities and the identified needs of the community.
The school has Pacific language speakers on staff who are often the first point of contact for families. The school maintains a positive relationship with the police, having an officer as a regular presence on campus.
Initially this role was to help curb violence in all South Auckland schools. The current, visible presence, now helps to provide students with an excellent role model who can help and support them, and also bridges the gap between the community and the police. The board and senior management have led change over the past 10 years. Previously, the school had stand-downs and suspensions due to physical violence. Overall student achievement was poor.
The school needed to focus on making the school a secure place to be so that work could then be done on raising achievement. The success of this is evident in the academic results that exceed the BPS target and very low number of stand-downs and suspensions.
