The strategy has been developed in the context of the Government’s Digital Strategy for Aotearoa and the Strategy for a Digital Public Service. It outlines high level digital and data outcomes for agencies to pursue for the education sector.

Te matawhānui, the vision of the strategy, is threefold:

• Learners and educators can thrive – live, learn and work – in the digital world.
• People are digital and data capable, contributing to personal, community and New Zealand’s growth.
• Learning, teaching, assessment, and research make best use of data and digital.

The strategy is built on e toru ngā pūtake, three foundations:

• Te Tiriti – giving effect to the Treaty anchors the strategy to benefit all New Zealanders.
• Equity – trusted digital and data services can help all learners and whānau, educators and providers, to flourish.
• Agencies Working Together – by identifying long-term aims and outcomes, education agencies can help educators, learners and providers reap the benefits of digital and data.

Within the focus areas (te aronui) of connection, commitment and capability, the strategy identifies six areas of mahi and associated actions to guide digital and data initiatives across and within education agencies.

The strategy (in English and Te Reo) is available from the MoE website www.education.govt.nz/digitalstrategy

The strategy is supported by videos and stories of good digital practice from across the education sector – we hope you enjoy the links below:

• This example highlights the mahi of: Te ao Māori in digital design, from Rūaumoko Deaf Marae: where te ao Māori is impacting a virtual digital world for deaf learners. 
• This example highlights the mahi of: Transformed learning, teaching, assessment and research, from Avonside Girls’ High School where building teachers’ digital skills is sparking imagination in learners. 
•  This example highlights the mahi of: Transformed learning, teaching, assessment and research, from CoDriVR at Waimate High School where learning in a virtual world makes young Kiwis safer drivers. 

MoE are looking for feedback on proposed new mātāpono (principles) and Level 1 statements in the NCEA qualification document.

A new version of the NCEA Level 1 qualification document needs to be included in the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework to be ready for 2024.

They want to bring the outcomes and the purpose of NCEA to life through a new version of the formal qualification document.

They are seeking feedback on a new version that introduces new aspects to help all teachers, learners, and others connected to NCEA to see themselves reflected in it.

Read the summary here

Link to the survey here (English/te reo Pākehā)

Link to the survey here (te reo Māori)

NZQA is testing and gathering feedback on the latest pilot of our Assessor Practice Tool. The Assessor Practice Tool (APT) is currently in development to support the introduction of the new Achievement Standards being produced as part of the Review of Achievement Standards Programme.

The APT is designed to allow teachers to practise making assessor judgements on samples of student work, after which they will be able to view a moderation panel grade and the reasons for that grade being awarded. Student samples for technology (AS 91610 & 91611) and Design and Visual Communication (AS 91628 & 91629) as well as many other NCEA subjects are available to explore and provide feedback on in the current pilot phase of the APT.

The APT will eventually be located on Pūtake (the NZQA Learning Management System), but during development it is accessed via a test site. This can be found here (https://apt-pilot.nzqa.govt.nz). You can get access using your Education Sector Logon (ESL), as with the main Pūtake site.

If you have not had their ESL access activated, you can find information on how to do this here.

The APT pilot will be available for testing and feedback between 8 May and 16 June. Feedback from the sector is an essential part of the development during the pilot phase, and can be given via an online form within the APT.

Endangered Māori construction techniques which have been proven to be able to withstand major earthquakes will be used to rebuild an historic Bay of Plenty wharenui.

Read the full article here

The New Zealand government has announced a slowdown in the changes to the NCEA assessment system, with a priority given to the introduction of new maths and literacy assessments. Education Minister, Jan Tinetti stated, “We’ll prioritise mathematics, English, te reo Māori and pāngarau areas of the curriculum, by deferring the requirement for schools to implement the other areas by one year.” The new assessments will be introduced from next year and NCEA Level 1 for all secondary schools and kura will be fully implemented in 2024 as planned. 

The changes to the NCEA system were initially delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions. The changes will also involve a reduction in the number of credits required to gain the qualification, find out more about how NCEA requirements are changing here.

Linetti added “We share the same goals of wanting kids at school, attending regulancerly and learning the basics they need to live fulfilling lives. So we’ll keep on with the changes that are needed, but roll it out at a pace that works for teachers and principals – which is good for the education system in the long term,” Although the changes to the NCEA assessment system will be slower than initially planned, the government remains committed to making further changes to achieve their objectives.

Read the full announcement here

The draft Curriculum Framework, known as Te Mātaiaho, brings to life the refreshed curriculum design principles of giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ensures the refreshed curriculum is inclusive, clear about the learning that matters, and easy for you to use. Te Mātaiaho has been designed to weave together what has become known as the “front end” and “back end” of the 2007 Curriculum into one coherent whole.

At the end of last year, we asked schools to let us know what they thought of the draft curriculum framework Te Mātaiaho, and the refreshed Mathematics & Statistics and English learning areas. We have made changes based on what we heard to Te Mātaiaho and English and Mathematics & Statistics. We have also finalised some aspects of Te Mātaiaho that were still in development.

Now, we want to hear from you or any schools, or people in your organisation on Te Mātaiaho as a completed whole. Te Mātaiaho now includes:

• Mātaioho: the role national curriculum plays in local curriculum design
• Mātaiahika: obligation to learning through local relationships with tangata whenua and local communities

Later in 2023, all schools and kura can start to try out aspects of the refreshed curriculum as part of their classroom programmes. We would like to know how well placed schools are to implement the refreshed curriculum.

The curriculum refresh website curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz is designed to be the one-stop-shop on the Curriculum Refresh, until the Online Curriculum Hub is ready to go. Here – you will be directed to an online webinar to find out more, find a PDF of the content, videos and implementation supports, and fill out feedback surveys. From 17 March to 12 May, we are seeking your feedback on the draft of Te Mātaiaho | the Curriculum Framework. You can find a recorded webinar, registrations for live webinars and a link to our survey at https://curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz/get-involved

This year we have been refreshing the science, technology and the arts learning areas. We are seeking the school involvement the ‘fast testing’ of an early draft 29 May – 9 June. This would take approximately 2 hours – one hour to attend a webinar and one hour to provide feedback via a survey. Please ask schools to send their interest in ‘fast testing’ to National Curriculum Refresh [email protected]

Last Friday, Te Poutāhū | Curriculum Centre published updates regarding Te Mātaiaho | The Curriculum Framework as part of the NZC refresh, phase 1 of the Common Practice Model and resources for planning Teacher-Only Days. Please find key information and web links for each of these workstreams below.

Further feedback on Te Mātaiaho | The Curriculum Framework

We have made changes to Te Mātaiaho | The Curriculum Framework based on what we heard from schools at the end of last year. We have also finalised some aspects that were still in development.

Now, we’re seeking feedback on Te Mātaiaho as a completed whole. The engagement period is now open until 12 May. 

The Curriculum Refresh website – Curriculum Refresh | Education NZ is designed to be the one-stop-shop on the Refresh. Here – kaiako can be directed to an online webinar to find out more, find a PDF of the content, videos and implementation supports, and fill out feedback surveys. 

The Mathematics & Statistics and English learning areas have also been updated following engagement at the end of 2022. We expect to finalise and release these two learning areas for use by schools and kura in Term 2.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email the refresh team at [email protected]

Phase 1 of the Common Practice Model

The Common Practice Model is now available on our website: Common Practice Model – Education in New Zealand.

Phase 1 describes evidence-informed pedagogical approaches that support teaching and learning in literacy, communication, and maths through Te Whāriki: Early childhood curriculum and The New Zealand Curriculum. Broadly speaking, while the New Zealand Curriculum focuses on ‘what’ is taught, the Common Practice Model focuses on ‘how’ it is taught. The Common Practice Model is in service to The New Zealand Curriculum and the progress steps in the NZC will be integral to the Common Practice Model as we develop the practices.

Phase 2 will outline practices to help kaiako teach literacy, communication, and maths, and this will be released later in 2023.

There is a range of supporting materials on the Ministry’s website to provide additional context for the Common Practice Model, including short videos, one-pagers, illustrations, and links to Education Gazette articles.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at [email protected]

Resources for planning Teacher-Only Days

A ‘resource menu’ is now available to support Teacher-only day planning. 

Resources and focus points from across the Curriculum and Assessment Change Programme are now available on our Te Mahau website: Te Mahau | Teacher-only days 2023-2024.  

As Forest & Bird approaches its centennial celebration in 2023, the organisation is excited to showcase the incredible creativity and talent of Aotearoa New Zealand’s youth through a design competition for students across Aotearoa. The challenge, design and make a ‘special’ cake with a Aotearoa New Zealand nature theme that celebrates the country’s unique wildlife and wild places.

This competition, which is open to all primary, intermediate, and secondary school students, is an excellent opportunity for young people to showcase their artistic and culinary talents while learning about the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural heritage. Entries can be either edible or ornamental and must reflect the beauty and diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s flora and fauna. To support this exciting competition, the TENZ resource store offers a range of excellent resources that can help students to learn about the natural world while they plan and create their cake designs. 

By participating in this competition, students will not only have the opportunity to showcase their creative talents but also contribute to the important work of Forest & Bird in protecting and restoring Aotearoa’s wildlife and wild places. This competition is an excellent opportunity for students to engage with their local environment, learn about conservation, and celebrate the natural beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The winning entries will win one of Forest & Birds 10 mystery birthday prizes.. The competition is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their artistic and culinary skills, learn about conservation and biodiversity, and contribute to a worthy cause.

In conclusion, the Forest & Bird design competition is an excellent opportunity for students across Aotearoa to showcase their creativity and talent while learning about the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural heritage. With the support of TENZ resources, this competition promises to be a fun and engaging way for young people to learn about conservation and biodiversity while creating something truly unique and special. We encourage all students to participate in this exciting competition and help celebrate Forest & Bird’s centennial in 2023.