Want to know more about the negotiation of your collective agreement, or want a copy of the current agreement? Go to the Principals' Pay and Conditions page.

Latest News from NZEI

Fixed Term Employment: The Pitfalls

Ministry of Education data and NZEI surveys indicate that 66% of provisionally registered teachers and 60% of school support staff are employed on a fixed term basis. However, members should be aware of the law concerning the use of fixed term employment arrangements and the consequences of unlawful fixed term employment arrangements.

To read more, read the NZEI special circular sent to all schools.

2007 Start of School Year Information

The 2007 school year matrix is now available. This includes information on legal requirements and administration on the application of pay entitlements to teachers and principals. The date for the start of the 2007 school year has been set as Wednesday 7 February, the day after Waitangi Day.

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.

Surplus Staffing information

NZEI has produced information for principals dealing with surplus staffing in their schools. The special circular outlines action to be taken before the end of the 2006 school year if the school will have a surplus staffing and/or surplus salary unit situation for 2007. If your school is involved in a school reorganisation that will result in a surplus staffing situation, the entitlements for members are different. Contact your local NZEI field staff for details.

New Draft Curriculum

The Ministry of Education is seeking feedback on the draft New Zealand curriculum. The draft curriculum has been sent to all schools. Anyone who wishes to is encouraged to provide comment. Read more here.

Read about the ERO’s Approach to Reviewing the New Zealand 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.

What's going on with the NZEI Principals Council?

Read the latest update from your Council here.

What is the NZEI Principals' Council? Find out here.

Employing provisionally registered teachers?

Read guidance from NZEI on getting it right with new teachers.

Increase in the banking staffing recovery rate - 2006 banking staffing year

The Minister of Education has approved the increase of the banking staffing recovery rate from $50,000 to $53,000 per FTTE for the recovery of overused staffing from the start of the 2006 staffing year. As overused staffing is recovered in the following year, recovery at the new rate will not happen until 2007. The change will not affect the recovery of overused 2005 staffing which will be recovered at the rate of $50,000.

You can download a Ministry paper that sets out the background to the change and provides some data re results form the 2004 banking staffing year.
See also : www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/bankingstaffingfaqs