News archive
Newsletter archive
Subscribe
Subscribe to the newsletter and keep up to date with what's happening.
What's new
ERO Guides for Parents: Asking the right questions at school
17/3/2014
The Education Review Office (ERO) has published booklets to help parents ask questions at school about the learning and wellbeing of their child. The most recent booklet focuses on effective teaching and includes questions parents can use when discussing their child’s progress with the school.
Essay Competition – New Zealand’s Democratic Process – Y12–13
13/3/2014
The Association of Former Members of Parliament is promoting this essay competition to encourage secondary school students to think about ways to increase young people’s understanding and participation in the democratic process.
Competition closes 4 July.
See Principals and HODs for details of entry and prize or enquire: former.members@clear.net.nz
Musicians mentoring in schools programme returns
13/3/2014
The NZ Music Commission is accepting applications for the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme. Professional musicians are placed in schools for short-term mentorships - coaching, songwriting, and performance, and supporting NCEA assessments. This programme is funded by the Ministry of Education and is free to schools.
Places for the 2014 school year are limited so schools should apply now.
See the online application form on this page.
5-minute “tree test” of the new Ministry of Education site – win a $200 Prezzy card!
12/3/2014
The Ministry of Education is redesigning their website to make things easier to find. They’d like to test two possible “site trees” with real users, so they can see which works best.
About 5 minutes. It's a “tree test”, which is a bit different (and more fun) than a traditional survey. Think of it as an online scavenger hunt.
You’ll be entered in a draw to win a $200 Prezzy card, which you can use in most places VISA is accepted.
March webinars to help schools use the Network for Learning
10/3/2014
Two free webinars have been arranged for this month to provide advice and support to schools using digital technologies in teaching and learning.
- 18 March: Preparing your school to take up opportunities from the N4L managed network.
- 25 March: Preparing your school for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).
Science in Primary Schools PLD Cluster Programme
7/3/2014
A series of workshops to introduce the science capabilities framework is planned to be offered to all schools catering to Y1–8 in the North Island. These workshops are at no cost to schools and are designed to stimulate knowledge and use of the capability framework and related materials. Expressions of interest are being sought from schools in the North Island who would like to participate in these workshops. Schools that have already been allocated to this programme by their regional ministry need not apply again. Closing date for the expressions of interest: 14 March 2014
Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Fund
3/3/2014
The Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Challenge (a multi-media experience) will be offered to Years 7–13 students in Term 1 of 2014, opening in March and closing in September. The traditional essay competition has been re-designed to promote the use of 21st century technologies. In addition to an essay category, the competition will offer a range of media categories such as short film, art work, and waiata through which the students can present their research about Ngārimu and the 28th (Māori) Battalion values and deeds and their relevance today. Find out more...
Seaweek 1-9 March 2014
28/2/2014
Seaweek is New Zealand’s annual national week about the sea. Co-ordinated by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek focuses on learning from the sea and includes a wide range of events, activities, opportunities, competitions, and calls to action. See the Seaweek website for resources, events in your region, and more...
Trade Aid education resources
28/2/2014
Trade Aid offers a range of different activities and resources that can contribute to learning programmes in your school, including free online and print resources, links to interactive activities, and educators who are available to visit your school.
Guidelines for school food programmes
26/2/2014
Practical new guides for schools wishing to introduce food programmes have been released by Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills. The guidelines provide clear advice to schools, whether they are thinking about where to start or wanting to improve an existing food programme. They can be used by primary, intermediate and secondary schools of all deciles and in all communities. Available in PDF. Find out more....