Information for principals on provisionally registered teachers
NZEI has sent information to all primary and area schools regarding provisionally registered teachers (PRT). The guide and checklist included is meant to assist principals in their roles in supporting provisionally registered teachers. Similar information has been sent to PRTs and NZEIworksite representatives.
Guidelines on Physical Contact with Children
NZEI has released its new guidelines on physical contact with children, to assist its members who work as teachers and support staff in schools and early childhood education centres. You can read our media release or download a PDF of the Guidelines.
New Draft Curriculum
The draft New Zealand curriculum has been sent to all schools. The Ministry has been seeking comment from teachers, principals, and school communities. A timeline for consultation is available here.
Although it is expected that the national curriculum (English medium) will be finalised and available by late 2007, schools will have time following this to implement it.
The draft document up for discussion contains a vision, principles, values, an outline of the five key competencies, descriptions and achievement objectives of eight learning areas, discussion about effective pedagogy, and designing a school curriculum. These curriculum changes also introduce greater alignment with the early childhood education curriculum, Te Whariki.
Have you seen the supporting documents? The Ministry has sent to schools a set of eight charts - Achievement Objectives by Learning Area and the booklet A Framework for Discussion to assist schools with their reflection. The booklet also includes a CD ROM with Powerpoint. The Powerpoint is available for download.
Read NZEI's Special Circular on the Draft Curriculum
Principals' Guide to Teacher Recruitment Resources
Principals of Area and Secondary School: Teach NZ has just expanded and reprinted the booklet, The Principals' Guide to Teacher Recruitment Resources, which summarises the incentives and support that are available to assist you in planning your staffing needs for 2007. If you would like more information, or a copy of the booklet, please contact Irene Lynch at irene.lynch@minedu.govt.nz.
Success in the Middle
The recognition of middle years’ education as a unique part of our education system is critical to success for all students. NZEI National President Irene Cooper's letter to The New Zealand Middle Schooling Review, a new professional journal published by NZAIMS, shows how international and national evidence supports this view. Read the full article here.
Classroom Release Time
Read NZEI's guidelines on developing policy and implementing practical responses to Classroom Release Time here.
Good Teaching Seminars
The NZEI Good Teaching Seminars have finished, but the lessons are still being passed on. At the highly successful seminars, Professor Terry Crooks outlined the 10 principles he believes will motivate and guide students to learn. Terry’s keynote address, which was the highlight of the seminars, can be seen in video or read in a summary below.
Some Principles for Guiding Student Learning Effectively (video)
Some Principles for Guiding Student Learning Effectively (podcast, MP3 file)
Some Principles for Guiding Student Learning Effectively( written summary, PDF)