Attendance, Achievement and Assessment#

What you told us in Term 1 check-ins#

In the 29 April Bulletin we let you know that we would provide a summary of what you told us when our regional teams checked in with you in Term 1 regarding achievement, attendance, workforce and understanding of the open for instruction regulations.

A summary of what we heard and how we have responded can be found here:

What you told us in Term 1 2025 check-ins – Ministry of Education

Your local Director of Education can share more detailed insights from your region.

Feedback on the Stepped Attendance Response  #

We have published the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) and supporting resources to guide attendance practice. We’re now seeking feedback to understand what works well and where improvements may be needed. A short survey is available for you to provide feedback, if you wish: 

Stepped Attendance Response – STAR – Ministry of Education

Reporting to parents guidance#

New guidance to support reporting to parents and whānau on student and ākonga progress and achievement is now available on Tāhūrangi.

The interim progress descriptors can be found on our Reporting to Parents page on Tāhūrangi, and on Kauwhata Reo.

Reporting to parents and whānau – Tāhurangi

Guidance for kaiako reporting to parents and whānau on TMoA – Kauwhata Reo

See more in this new story on Tāhūrangi:

Assessment and Reporting Guidance – Tahurangi

Applications open for accelerated learning support in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa#

Te Hāpai Ākonga is an accelerated learning support for Tau 1 to 8 mokopuna who are not yet meeting expected levels of achievement in pānui, tuhituhi, kōrero, and pāngarau. It is designed to support the new Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau wāhanga ako, and will be delivered by specialists across Terms 2 to 4 this year.  

The programme provides a 12-week face-to-face programme tailored to the learning needs of mokopuna, and help for kaiako to support mokopuna during and after the programme.  
Applications are open between now and 12 May. Find out more and apply here:

Te Hāpai Ākonga Kura Registration Form – Microsoft

PLD for structured approaches to literacy and te reo matatini  #

Years 0 to 8 teachers can now apply for the next round of Ministry-funded PLD for structured literacy approaches and Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā (structured pānui and tuhituhi). Hihira Weteoro training is also included for teachers of learners in Tau 0 to 3.  

Applications will close on 26 May, and the PLD will be delivered in Terms 3 and 4 this year, and Term 1 of 2026. We will prioritise applicants who have not had any prior training in structured teaching approaches.

More information, including how to apply, is available at:

Structured approaches to literacy and te reo matatini PLD – Ministry of Education

Support packs available for structured literacy staffing resource#

Resource support packs for Ministry-funded structured literacy approach (SLA) teachers are now with you, adding to the initial guidance released in February this year:

Guidance on the Ministry-funded SLA staffing resource for Years 0 to 2 – Tāhūrangi

Each pack contains a dedicated copy of Ready to Read Phonics Plus games, and sound and phonics cards they can use for targeted sessions to accelerate literacy progress.

Order more packs at:

Home – Down the Back of the Chair

He Pūkete Aromatawai Pāngarau aligned to the redesigned Te Marautanga o Aotearoa  #

He Pūkete Aromatawai Pāngarau will be delivered to kura from week 1 of Term 2. It is a collection of aromatawai activities and associated guidance to help kaiako using Te Marautanga o Aotearoa to measure ākonga progress and achievement against the redesigned Pāngarau wāhanga ako. There are 20 aromatawai activities for ākonga from Tau 1 to 10. You can find He Pūkete Aromatawai Pāngarau on Tāhūrangi here:

He Pūkete Aromatawai Pāngarau – Tāhūrangi  
 

New webspace for parents and whānau available#

A new webspace is available that provides practical videos, activities, and resources to support learning which is easy to understand, empowering whānau to take a more active role in their child’s education.   

The webspace includes ‘parent-friendly’ versions of both The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga of Aotearoa, so they’ll know exactly what their child is learning, why it's important, and when they'll be learning it.  

You can explore the new webspace and view the available resources here:  

Parent Portal – Ministry of Education  
  
We encourage you to share this new webspace with your communities.  
 

New Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā and Pāngarau resources#

Kura using Te Marautanga o Aotearoa will be receiving resource packs to support Poutama Pāngarau and Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā from week 3. Both resources are for Tau 0 to 8 and include teacher guidance, lesson plans and more. You will be able to order additional copies of these resources at Down the Back of the Chair, and download digital versions for those resources that are available on Tāhūrangi.

Find out more at:

Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā and Pāngarau resources coming in Term 2 – Tāhūrangi  

Redesign of vocational education and training system#

On 24 April, the Minister for Vocational Education Hon Penny Simmonds announced further Government decisions on the redesign of the vocational education and training system.  

More information on this and proposed implementation timelines can be found here:

Redesign of Vocational Education and Training System – Ministry of Education

Maths trials – Phase 2#

Following the success of phase one of the Year 7 and 8 maths trial, we are now offering places to more schools and students to take part in phase two of the trial.

Schools that take up this offer will be entitled to funding for teachers and staff, training and support.

We will provide an online e-asTTle test for the trial. The first test for students joining phase 2 will need to be administered in the week of 9 to 13 June.

The trial will be used to design a nation-wide rollout of a similar programme next year. For more information, email [email protected]. The deadline for signing up to the trial is 16 May.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing#

Winter ventilation guidance and support#

Good ventilation helps reduce the spread of viruses, including COVID-19, flu and measles.

Fresh air remains the most important thing we can do to limit the spreading of viruses in our learning spaces and minimise risk for ākonga and kaiako.

The fastest and easiest way to ventilate classrooms is by opening the windows, doors and any vents. It’s good practice to fully open all windows during breaks and after school for as long as possible.

When it’s cold, adequate ventilation can be achieved by partially opening windows while still maintaining warmth.

You can use CO2 monitors to check the ventilation performance.

Guidance on ventilation for school buildings is available here:

Ventilation in school buildings – Ministry of Education

Governance, Planning and Infrastructure#

Applications for charter schools#

State and state-integrated schools that have submitted an expression of interest to convert to charter schools have until 27 June to submit a full application.

For schools that are still considering conversion to a charter school, this is an ongoing process. New application dates will be released each term, providing further opportunities for schools.

We encourage all interested schools to reach out by emailing [email protected] with any questions, or for guidance on the application process. 

Charter schools have considerable flexibility around teaching, curriculum, governance, hours and days of operation. They can decide how to use their funding and can set their own curriculum. In exchange for this greater autonomy, charter schools are accountable for delivering outcomes via their contract.

For more information, visit:

Converting schools – Charter School Agency
 

All-of-Government banking contract#

Your school can use the All-of-Government (AoG) banking services contract that consists of four banking services providers (ANZ, ASB, Citibank, and Westpac) and covers a range of banking services.  

More information on the contract can be found at:

Banking services – New Zealand Government

Any questions, contact [email protected]. 

School planning and reporting  #

A reminder that, from 1 May, the way we receive annual report submissions from you has changed. You’ll need to use the School Planning and Reporting Application to submit your 2024 annual report by 31 May.

School planning and reporting application login – Ministry of Education 

The application uses your Education Sector Logon (ESL). You will need to request access to it by contacting your delegated authoriser. 

More information about the new submission process is available at:

School annual reports – Ministry of Education

Additional funding for increased audit fees  #

As noted in your recent audit proposal, we are providing additional funding to support audit fee increases for the 2024 to 2026 audit contract round. This funding will be provided to you once you have filed your audited financial statements with us.  

This aligns with the Office of the Auditor-General’s guidance to its appointed auditors that schools will not be invoiced for the Ministry-funded portion until the audit has been completed, and the audited financial statements and audit report have been submitted to the Office.