Education News

PRIME MINISTER’S VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has launched the Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award. The award aims to raise the status of vocational study and recognise the achievements of students excelling in vocational education. The award award and $2000 prize money can be presented to the top student in each school.

NZCEO and APIS CEO Paul Ferris, strongly encourages all state-integrated secondary schools to apply for this award.

State integrated secondary schools, including composite schools can now apply for $2000 prize money to present with an award certificate to one top student – who has demonstrated excellence in vocational studies – at end-of-year prize-givings. The Ministry of Education will consider applications from schools against criteria that has been developed with industry representatives.

To find out more about this award visit the Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award website.

Nominations close 20 September 2019.

“WELLBEING IN EDUCATION”

The Ministry of Education has launched a new ‘Wellbeing in education’ page.

‘In the Kōrero Mātauranga | Education Conversation, we heard clearly that we need to make wellbeing a priority. In particular, New Zealanders want to see:

teachers, families, whānau, and communities working in partnership to support children and young people’s wellbeing
education free from racism, discrimination and bullying, and
learners with disabilities or learning support needs having access to the support they need

The new page puts many of our best wellbeing supports and resources together, in one place, for the first time.’

INDEPENDENT REPORT ON LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES HAS BEEN RELEASED

The Ministry of Education welcomes the independent report from KPMG on the Lockdown by schools and early learning services that took place during the tragic events in Christchurch on 15 March 2019.

“We commissioned the review to ensure that any opportunities for improvement are identified and acted on, so we can strengthen any future response should a similar event occur.” says Katrina Casey, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Education.

To read the full report click here.

INCREASED RESOURCES FOR ESOL IN SCHOOLS

More children and young people who migrate to New Zealand will benefit from specialised support to learn English, thanks to a $13.2 million increase in funding announced by Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa.

Being able to communicate effectively in English is vital for students’ sense of wellbeing and belonging, as well as for their success in education.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision in schools also includes encouraging and nurturing students’ first languages – this supports them to succeed in English.

In New Zealand, studies show that migrant students who receive our ESOL support achieve NCEA Level 2 to the same extent as students who are native speakers of English.

To read the full article click here

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 23-29 SEPTEMBER – RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) runs from 23 – 29 September. Limited edition school explore packs are available from the Mental Health Foundation that have information sheets and activity ideas to help your school celebrate MHAW, as well as an A3 wellbeing plan template.

There are also posters available in both English and te reo Māori.

The school explore packs are limited edition. Order yours online now and remember to register for MHAW updates on the campaign.

PŪTĀTARA: A CALL TO ACTION

Pūtātara: A Call to Action is a new curriculum resource for Years 7–10 for schools. Pūtātara promotes sustainability and global citizenship through inquiry learning using tūrangawaewae, kaitiakitanga and whakapuāwai as pou arahi. It provides tools for schools, teachers and ākonga (learners) to engage with sustainability and global citizenship in their own settings, and encourages ākonga to actively engage with activities that incorporate real world problems within their communities.

Pūtātara also aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum by encouraging schools and teachers to collaborate with whānau, iwi, industries, councils and stakeholders.

The resource is available at putatara.education.govt.nz