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Top Outdoor Spot competition
13/12/2016
The Top Outdoor Spot competition for schools is returning in 2017.
Running throughout term 1 and at the start of term 2, the competition encourages New Zealand school children to send in a photo or drawing of their favourite outdoor spot and a short description about what makes it special for the chance to win.
The students who send in the "Best Photo", “Best Drawing” and "Best Description" will each win prize packs for themselves and prizes for their schools.
All photos, drawings and descriptions sent in between 30 January 2017 and the end of the day on 7 May 2017 will be in to win.
Pasifika dual language books
6/12/2016
The Pasifika dual language resources are designed to support the early language and literacy learning of Pasifika new entrant students in English-medium classrooms.
Teacher and parent support material accompanies these resources. Many of the dual language books are available as PDFs and all the books are available as MP3 audio files.
Print copies of the texts are available from Down the Back of the Chair.
The resources are in five Pasifika languages – Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean – and English.
New Venice Biennale digital learning resource in 2017
5/12/2016
In May 2017, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa will launch a digital resource for classroom learning about New Zealand at the Venice Biennale.
The resource will focus on artist Lisa Reihana, New Zealand’s representative at the 2017 Venice Biennale and will provide a set of teaching units for Visual Arts and Social Science learning areas, years 7–13.
Sign up to Te Papa’s learning newsletter for more information.
Ngāue Fakataha ki he Ako ’a e Fānau — Schools and Parents and Families Working Together to Better Understand and Support Pasifika Students’ Progress and Achievement at School
1/12/2016
Three reports are available on the research and development project Ngāue Fakataha ki he Ako ’a e Fānau — Schools and Parents and Families Working Together to Better Understand and Support Pasifika Students’ Progress and Achievement at School.
The reports include key findings and outcomes, recommendations, and guide tools.
Outcomes include a Talanoa Ako Fakataha/Talatalanoaga Faalea’oa’oga Cycle (‘Talanoa Ako Cycle’).
Professional learning and development – what happens now?
24/11/2016
The Ministry of Education has redesigned how it supports Communities of Learning / Kāhui Ako, schools and kura through centrally funded professional learning and development (PLD).
Community of Learning / Kāhui Ako, schools and kura can now put together proposals for PLD support, have them assessed by a panel based in their local area and, if they are successful, choose the PLD facilitator whom they think will best suit their own context.
This Education Gazette article answers some frequently asked questions about PLD in 2017.
School traffic safety team manual updated
24/11/2016
The School Traffic Safety Team Manual is the guide for New Zealand schools operating
- school patrols
- school wardens
- bus wardens.
The manual was revised in October 2016.
The manual can be downloaded as a PDF file and all of the chapters are available to read online.
Supporting documents can also be found on this page.
Te Whāriki update consultation
16/11/2016
New Zealand's early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, is being updated.
You are invited to help shape the update of the curriculum through a series of nationwide hui and by giving your feedback online.
Information about the consultation can be found here and feedback can be completed online until consultation closes at 5pm on 16 December.
Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards 2017
16/11/2016
The Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards 2017 are now open for entries.
The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in early childhood education, primary, and secondary schooling.
There are four award categories, and an additional Education Focus prize for an innovative use of digital technologies that meets the aspirations of students, their whānau and communities, and achieves improved outcomes for children and young people.
Entries close at 4:00pm, Friday 17 March 2017.
If you have any questions about your entry visit the FAQs page.
LEARNZ Free Virtual Field Trips 2017
16/11/2016
A variety of LEARNZ virtual field trips is planned for 2017 with themes of conservation, music, voyaging, civil defence, mapping, geohazards, sustainability, and much more.
Check out the new field trips for 2017 on the LEARNZ field trip chooser at www2.learnz.org.nz/core-fieldtrips.php
New online guide to help schools plan innovative learning environments
9/11/2016
Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the release of an online guide, Planning an inclusive learning environment to help schools plan new builds and building modifications that meet the needs of all students.
“This is a very useful and comprehensive resource. It takes schools through all the components they need to think about when planning a new learning environment,” says Ms Parata.
“New Zealand is diverse and every child has different learning needs. Each one of them deserves to feel included and valued at school. This guide will help principals, teachers and boards of trustees to take into account the different needs of students when planning innovative and inclusive learning environments.”
More information on Enabling e-Learning »
- Teaching in innovative learning environments
- Planning an ILE – information for school leaders
- Flexible learning spaces