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Literacy, English, and ESOL Community Newsletter
24/4/2013
Find out about news, reports, resources, professional learning opportunities, events, and more in the April newsletter from English, ESOL, and Literacy Online
ASH Year 10 Snapshot 2013
18/4/2013
The ASH Year 10 Snapshot survey collects information about tobacco use among young people in New Zealand, as well as smoking rates in individual schools. The survey is conducted every year with around 30,000 Year 10 students, and is run by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA).
This year, the survey will be conducted in Term 2, from 3 June to 12 July, and school-level smoking figures will be available in Term 4. Principals of schools with Year 10 students received a letter in March 2013 inviting their schools to take part. Schools have until 19 April 2013 to register their involvement.
Schools that participate in the survey receive their school-level smoking figures, which can be compared with national trends.
For further information contact Deidre Patchett, (09) 520 4866 or dpatchett@ash.org.nz.
Health, physical education and home economics collaborate to raise student achievement
15/4/2013
Health and physical education and home economics are working together to improve outcomes for teachers and students. A focus for this year is supporting students to develop proficiency in the skills, knowledge and attitudes that they need to succeed at NCEA. This focus starts with preparing students at years 8, 9 and 10.
Regional workshops are being offered for middle leaders to come together to develop learning-focused communities for the three HPE subjects.
Ministry of Education Language Immersion Awards
15/4/2013
Teachers of French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Cook Island Maori, Samoan, Korean, Tokelauan, Tongan and Vagahau Niue in 2013 who wish to apply for an LIA can now download an application form here.
Applications close 12 July. Long or short term awards offer participants immersion in the language and culture of a host country where the language taught is spoken.
All placements are in 2014 and made by AFS. They are based on language not country choice.
Find out more from this website.
National Schools Poetry Award 2013
15/4/2013
The National Schools Poetry Award is on again in 2013. It is free and open to all year 12 and 13 students.
The entry deadline is 5 July and the winning and shortlisted poems will be announced on National Poetry Day, 16 August.
Full details are available from Victoria University of Wellington's Institute of Modern Letters and the Schools Poetry Award website.
Information packs were sent to schools at the end of March.
PaCT - Progress and Consistency Tool: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8/4/2013
In response to sector feedback, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) regarding the Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT). The PaCT is an online tool designed to help teachers make consistent judgments against the National Standards. We will continue to add to these as further questions arise.
Geospatial: Using Land-based Information, 28–30 May
5/4/2013
The main curriculum focus for this Term 2 virtual field trip (28–30 May) is Social Studies levels 3-5 and Geography levels 6-8. It fits with big ideas such as planet earth, land use, my property, ownership, community, oceans, and environment. Students will work with geospatial experts to learn where things are located and how we find them, and see how earthquakes have changed where things are, such as the land and seabed. They can follow the use of geospatial data in the Christchurch rebuild and board a ship to find out how it uses hydrographic charts.
Find out more about this LEARNZ field trip and related inquiry topics here.
Science Learning Hub – Satellites
4/4/2013
This latest context on the Science Learning Hub is intended for teachers of years 9-10, level 4-5, although there is also material suitable for younger students.
Based on NZ Research it covers satellites – natural, artificial, and communication satellites– and gravity. Read the profiles on four people leading the science in NZ in this field and see the article on Our solar system – revolutionary ideas and the interactive Timeline. There are activities for students in the Teaching and Learning Approaches section, and the context is supported by media that includes 14 Videos, and another 13 videos within the Satellites and orbits interactive.
e-asTTle training and support funded by MoE
2/4/2013
The Ministry of Education is offering initial e-asTTle training seminars and support throughout New Zealand at no cost to participant in terms 1 and 2, 2013. This professional learning opportunity is in the form of regional seminars, and some in-school support for those schools already using e-asTTle.
Human rights in New Zealand: What needs to change?
28/3/2013
Every four years New Zealand’s human rights situation is reviewed. Countries that are that are members of the United Nations Human Rights Council look at each other’s human rights practices and offer recommendations for improvement.
The Save the Children New Zealand’s Child and Youth Council (CYC) is a group committed to ensuring that children and young people are heard in decision making processes.
Find out here how students can participate in a survey that will inform a children's report to the United Nations in June 2013.