Educational Leaders news

Canterbury earthquake information for schools

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:55:54 GMT

Visit this page for general advice to schools following the earthquake in Canterbury, for information about school closures, and for traumatic incident advice.

Go to earthquake advisory page

Important information about redesigned professional development

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:08:37 GMT

The Ministry is strengthening its Professional Learning and Development (PLD) to provide consistent and high quality professional development for teachers and school leaders across the country.

PLD will focus on improving outcomes for students through effective professional learning, specifically:

accelerating the learning of students who are traditionally underserved
building school capacity in leadership and effective teaching for continuous improvement
Māori enjoying educational success as Māori.

As part of the redesigned PLD, the Ministry is currently tendering for Leadership and Assessment, elements of Literacy and English Language Learning, e-Learning, Learning Languages and Online te reo Māori.

What is not changing?

There is no change to the overall amount of PLD funding.

The Ministry remains committed to equitable provision of PLD across New Zealand, and to supporting leaders and teachers to make significant improvements to student outcomes so that every learner achieves their potential.

Why is PLD changing?

The PLD redesign identifies clear outcomes and focuses on building capability across the sector.

The redesign has been influenced by evidence from a range of programmes that improve student outcomes through a combination of highly effective teaching and professional leadership.

What does this mean for your school in 2010 and 2011?

For most existing PLD, providers will contact schools from Term 4 about what is on offer and how to access it.

Schools will be contacted during Term 4 by the Ministry’s regional offices regarding Leadership and Assessment PLD for 2011. About half the Leadership and Assessment PLD will be allocated by the end of 2010 and the remainder will be allocated during 2011 to cater for emerging needs.

What centrally-funded PLD is available for schools in 2011?

Primary and intermediate schools can request support in:

implementing a school-based curriculum based on the New Zealand Curriculum and informed by National Standards (includes NZC networked learning communities).

In addition, primary, secondary and Māori-medium schools can request support in:

Leadership and Assessment
Numeracy
Literacy and support for English Language Learners
ICT
te reo Māori (years 1-8)
Learning Languages (years 7-10)
Ako Panuku (years 7-13)
support for provisionally registered and overseas trained teachers.

Secondary schools can also request support in:

Curriculum, assessment, and pathways and transitions (this includes support across the learning areas of the Curriculum, Achievement Objectives, Teaching and Learning Guides, Achievement Standards and Assessment Resources).

In addition, Māori-medium schools can request support in:

Ngā Whanaketanga Rumaki Māori implementation
Whakapiki Reo
Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
Wharekura Pāngarau.

What does this mean for ICT clusters, the Secondary Literacy Project, the Secondary Numeracy Project, Te Kotahitanga, He Kākano or Pasifika School Community Parent Liaison (PSCPL) project?

Schools participating in ICT PD clusters, the Secondary Literacy Project or the Secondary Numeracy Project will continue their involvement through to the end of their current contracts.

No new ICT PD clusters will be selected from 2011. As clusters exit the ICT PD programme, funding will transition to e-learning PLD that is regionally-based and develops schools’ capability to take advantage of educational opportunities available through ultra-fast broadband.

Schools participating in Te Kotahitanga, He Kākano and PSCPL will continue their involvement as planned.

What support will be available for principals?

New first-time principals will be provided with management and mentoring support from the beginning of Term 1. A national programme for aspiring principals will also be available in 2011.

Further information on this will be available later this month at www.educationalleaders.govt.nz

Applications now open for the 2011 National Aspiring Principals Programme

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:56:10 GMT

Applications are now open for the 2011 National Aspiring Principals Programme (NAPP). The programme is designed to prepare aspirants for principalship in a range of New Zealand schools.

There are 230 places available.

Applications close on 29 October 2010.

The Ministry of Education will coordinate the application and selection criteria for the 2011 cohort. The selection will be made by a group of sector leaders, and all applicants will be notified of their acceptance or otherwise in December 2010.

Information and application forms can be downloaded from this page.

Support for secondary middle leaders

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:54:15 GMT

If you're a secondary middle leader check out the dedicated middle leaders area on the New Zealand Curriculum Online website. It focuses on helping you to work with your department to implement the NZC.

From August 2010 regular topics in a series will be published that focus on a central theme. Each topic is structured around key questions to:

• Engage - drive discussion and thinking
• Inform - evidence or research
• Support - templates, exercises or tools, talking points.

The current topic is Effective Learning Pathways.

Visit Support for Secondary Middle Leaders

New video resource for leaders supports self-review tools

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:54:01 GMT

A new learning module for school leaders is now available in the Leading Change area of Educational Leaders. It looks at how the leaders, teachers and board at Russley School in Christchurch are using the Self-review Tools for National Standards to focus on improving outcomes for students. The module comprises a series of videos and reflective questions that examine different aspects of using the tools. Go to self-review tools learning module

Tū Rangatira released

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:09:36 GMT

Tū Rangatira - Māori Medium Educational Leadership has recently been released by the Ministry of Education. This document, in both English and Māori, presents a model of leadership that reflects some of the key leadership roles and practices that contribute to high-quality educational outcomes for Māori learners.

It focuses on lifting the achievement of Māori medium learners through effective teaching and learning practices that reflect the social, cultural, educational and economic aspirations that whānau have for their children. This is a key goal for leadership in kura kaupapa, wharekura ā-iwi, kura motuhake and Māori immersion and bilingual units.

You can access hard copies of this document from Down the Back of the Chair (0800 660 662) or by email at: orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz. Ask for Tū Rangatira ISBN: 978-1-86969-433-3.

You can also download it from this website at these links:

Tū Rangatira (Māori)

Tū Rangatira (English)

Update on He Kākano

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:26:59 GMT

In partnership, the University of Waikato and Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi have been contracted to provide He Kākano to 100 secondary schools across the country. Professor Russell Bishop is directing the programme and Paora Howe and Hine Waitere are the programme managers.

The He Kākano team is undertaking school orientation visits to all participating schools through August and senior leadership teams will attend the first wānanga in the Wellington region in Week 6, Term 3, 2010.

Click here to find out more about He Kākano

Principals' sabbatical reports recently added

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:24:25 GMT

Principals' sabbatical reports added to Educational Leaders in June and July 2010 look at:

the range and effectiveness of career services offered to secondary students. (Rob Burrough, Linwood High School)

transition programmes across Auckland for Year 6 students moving to intermediate school and for Year 8 students moving to secondary school. (Patricia Conrad, Mansell Senior School)

innovative interventions / programmes that are implemented in decile 1 and 2 primary schools that contribute to increasing student engagement and / or improving student achievement and outcomes. (Christopher Dibben, Tawhero School)

critical, school-wide self-review. (Jacqui Duncan, Cashmere Primary School)

the potential of e-learning to support learning across the curriculum. (Michael Harrison, Motueka South School)

how schools support and develop professional conversations that engage teachers in reflecting on and improving their classroom practice. (Christina Herrick, Taieri College)

innovative programmes and practices that support student achievement in schools with particular emphasis on Years 6 to 8 students. (Jon Johnson, Karaka School)

improving leadership skills and researching best practice in teacher coaching. (Gil Laurenson, Otahuhu College)

improving leadership of the special character of this school by capturing some best practice through visits to similar schools. (Philip Mahoney, St Patrick's College, Silverstream)

the sustainability of Reading Recovery and deeper learning through the integration process. (June McMillan, Chapel Downs School)

the key elements for effective leadership and governance within large, corporate, not-for-profit and educational institutions. (John Petrie, Gulf Harbour School)

home-school partnership practices. (David Robinson, Dunsandel School)

ways that school outdoor environments have been developed to better meet the needs, particularly well-being, of emerging adolescents. (Cleve Shearer, Waimea Intermediate School)

identity and role in principalship: experienced principals' perspectives. (Gregg Weaver, Rangiora New Life School).

Reminder about concurrence

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:41:34 GMT

Concurrence refers to the process of agreement to pay additional remuneration to employees for duties performed beyond their normal responsibilities.

Under the State Sector Act 1988 the State Services Commissioner has delegated the authority to the Secretary for Education to agree (grant “concurrence”) to a board of trustees paying an employee remuneration and other benefits that are in addition to those specified in the collective agreement or promulgated individual employment agreement (IEA) covering that employee.

An agreement between a board of trustees and employee to provide additional remuneration or benefits is not legal or binding without the Secretary’s concurrence.

A new section in the Managing Your School guide, Understanding School Employment, explains concurrence in detail and what the process is for boards wishing to apply for it. Read this new section at this link:

Concurrence

Free legal literacy workshops for Auckland schools

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:39:09 GMT

YouthLaw is a nationwide legal centre for under 25-year-olds.

The centre is currently offering free legally-focused professional development workshops to Auckland principals and teachers across these areas:

The right to an education and the rights of others.

School discipline and Section 14.

Searches, confiscations and freedom of expression.

Relevant legislation in educational practice.

Restorative justice in New Zealand's youth justice system.

Advocacy for guidance counsellors and school nurses.

Download a leaflet for contact details and information on how to book a workshop.

Legal literacy workshops (PDF 230 kB)