An Auckland principal's push to increase exam pass rates for his students has the school tracking ahead of national averages for Maori and Pacifica students.
At Kelston Boys High School in West Auckland Maori and Pacific Islanders make up three quarters of the roll.
The school's principal Brian Evans says in the last two years the pass rate for Year 12 students, sitting NCEA Level 2, has gone up nearly 30%.
Mr Evans says it is important to encourage the boys.
He says it's easy to buy into the belief students are part of a failing group, but the school was changing views and tell everybody they believe and expect the boys to pass.
Mr Evans says although the school is underperforming with university entrances, the students are starting to believe in themselves and he is hoping to change that, as well as get better Level 3 results.
