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Matariki
14/6/2018
Matariki is the Māori name for a group of stars known as the Pleiades star cluster.
The Māori New Year is marked by the rise of this star cluster and the sighting of the next new moon.
Matariki is generally seen as an important time to celebrate the earth and show respect for the land, acknowledge those who have passed away and plan for the year ahead.
Matariki is an opportunity for Māori communities to share their stories and culture with other New Zealanders, and many events and activities are planned throughout the country.
This page from New Zealand Curriculum Online highlights many different ways you can celebrate Matariki with your students and the wider community.
2019 Teacher Study Awards, Study Support Grants, and Sabbaticals
14/6/2018
Information about 2019 study awards, sabbaticals, and study support grants is now available.
You could complete a qualification, take time off each week to study while teaching, move to another curriculum or subject area, or take time off to research a topic of interest.
Application dates and criteria can differ for each award type.
To find out about the opening and closing dates for the 2019 awards go to the Table of 2019 Study Awards, Sabbaticals and Study Support Grants.
A practical guide to assessment and reporting
12/6/2018
New pages have been developed on Assessment Online to assist schools with assessment and reporting in the post National Standards era.
The guide includes reviewing your school's assessment systems, measuring progress across the curriculum, making teacher judgments on progress and achievement, and school stories about approaches to assessment.
The future of NCEA – join the conversation
29/5/2018
Education should give every New Zealander the freedom and opportunity to be the best they can be. The National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) were introduced into secondary schools over 15 years ago, and are a widely respected qualification both in New Zealand and internationally.
This year, as part of the Education Conversation or Kōrero Mātauranga, New Zealanders have a powerful opportunity to explore ways to strengthen NCEA.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Education chose a group of independent and innovative leaders from a range of backgrounds to develop 6 "Big Opportunities" for how NCEA could be improved. These ideas are intended to provoke, inspire, and encourage healthy conversations about the future of NCEA.
Over the next few months the Government want to hear from you. They want anyone to have their say on how they experienced NCEA, and how it could be an even better qualification. What do you like about it and what do you dislike? What do you think about the 6 Big Opportunities?
It’s really important that the thoughts and ideas of everyone are captured – parents, students, teachers, whānau, iwi, employers, youth groups, tertiary educators, community groups, and organisations. Everybody can have their say through a quick online survey.
Those who want to make a more detailed contribution can participate in workshops, focus groups, hui, fono, or complete a longer survey or make a written submission.
There’s also a student voice NCEA "Make your Mark" competition for kids aged between 5–20 years old.
There are over $35,000 in prizes or grants up for grabs – #NCEAMakeYourMark.
Jump onto social media too, and start talking online – use the hashtags #NCEAReview, #NCEAHaveYourSay, #EdConvo18.
You can find out more about the big opportunities, and where, when, and how to get involved, and fill in the surveys by going to www.conversation.education.govt.nz/ncea.
Updates to progress tool launched
27/5/2018
As part of the wider focus on understanding and supporting all students to progress and achieve against the curriculum, the Ministry of Education has today launched redeveloped versions of the Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT).
The PaCT tool helps teachers and kaiako to understand student progress against the Learning Progression Frameworks.
The changes align judgements to all five levels of the curriculum for The New Zealand Curriculum. Those familiar with PaCT will know that previously it was aligned to National Standards.
As this will be an optional setting for 2018, teachers can continue to view results against National Standards if they wish.
The updated tool has been extended to include curriculum level 5 of The New Zealand Curriculum. This change will provide benefits to teachers and kaiako of students in Years 9 and 10, as well as provide a pathway view across Years 1 to 10, which will be particularly helpful for Kahui Ako.
Further information
To support teachers and kaiako using the Progress and Consistency Tool to achieve the maximum benefits for teaching and learning, the Ministry will be offering professional development throughout 2018. Find out more: PaCT and LPF support – Consortium for Professional Learning website
Using the Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT) – PaCT information website
Kaiako in Māori medium settings may be interested in the Te Waharoa Ararau (TWA) – information website
Samoan Language Week 27 May–2 June 2018
27/5/2018
Samoan Language Week / Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa is being held this year from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 2 June. The theme for this year is: “Alofa atu nei. Alofa mai taeao – Kindness given. Kindness gained”.
This page from New Zealand Curriculum Online has a rich selection of links to resources and ideas, events and activities to help students learn Samoan language and explore Samoan culture.
Technology Online webinar: Getting started with the learning progressions for digital technologies in primary
21/5/2018
Register now for this Technology Online webinar: Getting started with the learning progressions for digital technologies in primary
Wednesday, 30 May, 3.45 pm – 4.45 pm
Come along and hear Phillipa Dick (Hatch Education), Rebecca Allnutt (Maori Hill School), and Lisa Dixon (Balmacewen Intermediate) discuss the progress they are making together on their digital technologies programmes.
There will also be time for a question and answer section.
Play Your Best Card
21/5/2018
The Health Promotion Agency has produced a team-based card game for young people that aims to inspire critical thinking and encourage conversation about challenges that are going on for them right now, or that they might encounter in the future.
It encourages them to explore practical ways of dealing with situations as well as raising awareness of youth organisations that they can reach out to.
Play Your Best Card was co-designed with teens, secondary school teachers, and youth facilitators.
A free copy of the game was sent to high schools in May.
Change coming for PaCT and TWA users
18/5/2018
If your school uses the Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT) or Te Waharoa Ararau (TWA) you will soon have the option to have your settings aligned to the National Curriculum as opposed to National Standards and Ngā Whanaketanga Rumaki Māori.
On 28 May, updated versions of the PaCT and TWA tools will be released. The changes will align judgements to all five levels of the curriculum for The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga O Aotearoa respectively.
This enhancement is part of how the Ministry is supporting teachers, kaiako, and education leaders with tools to help all students progress and achieve against the curriculum.
More information is available on the Ministry of Education's website: Enhancements planned for the tools that help teachers and kaiako understand student progress
Consumer protection school resources - Years 11 and 12
17/5/2018
Resources to support Year 11 (NCEA Level 1) and Year 12 (NCEA level 2) have been added to the suite of Consumer Protection school resources.