At Netherton School, managing multiple platforms had become part of daily life — but there was a clear opportunity to simplify things for both staff and families.
The school was using one system for reporting, assessment, and attendance, and another to share learning with families. Both had their place, but together they created inefficiencies and added complexity.
After hearing positive feedback from a nearby school, Principal Brook Bowman decided to explore Hero. It didn’t take long to see the difference.
“We decided to look into it and we have never looked back.”
One of the most immediate changes was the simplicity of having everything in one place. Instead of switching between systems, staff could access and manage attendance, pastoral information, learning data, and reporting within a single platform.
“I love the fact that everything is all in one place… it can all be collated quickly and easily for reports.”
For teachers, this has made day-to-day work more intuitive and efficient. Information is easy to access, and insights are available in real time, supporting more responsive teaching and decision-making.
In the classroom, Hero has also brought flexibility — particularly important in a rural, multi-level setting. Teachers can create groups, track progress, and set goals in ways that reflect how their classrooms actually operate.
At the same time, Hero has strengthened the connection between school and home.
Families now have ongoing visibility of their child’s learning journey, attendance, and progress, rather than waiting for formal reporting points.
“At any given time, parents can look at their child’s attendance, learning journey and how they are tracking… they’re not having to wait to know how their child is going.”
This shift has made communication more timely, more transparent, and more meaningful for whānau.
Behind the scenes, the support from the Hero team has also played a key role in the school’s experience.
“The team at Hero are so responsive… this is so greatly appreciated.”
As the school continues to build confidence and expand how they use the platform, the impact is becoming even more evident.
“Everything is aligning and the systems we use are so helpful.”
For Brook, Hero represents one of the most valuable changes the school has made — not just in terms of efficiency, but in how it connects people, information, and learning. For other principals considering the switch, her advice is simple:
“100% do it. This is one of the best changes we have made.”
If you’re interested in exploring how Hero supports Rural schools, and in hearing stories of success, feel free to get in touch for further information.
