Attendance, achievement and assessment#

Curriculum Insights Study: 2024 maths and writing results#

The latest Curriculum Insights results were released today, providing a clearer picture of how ākonga | students in Years 3, 6 and 8 are progressing in maths and writing.

New data emphasises focus on teaching basics – Beehive.govt.nz

The study team will present the results tomorrow at 3:30pm. Find the webinar details and reports here:

Curriculum Insights – Curriculum insights and Progress Study

Reports release webinar – maths and writing 2024 – Curriculum Insights and Progress Study

New 'Make It Write' action plan#

The 'Make It Write' action plan aims to lift student writing achievement, following the release of the 2024 Curriculum Insights and Progress Study. Read the announcement at:

Writing Action Plan to raise student achievement – Beehive.govt.nz

Key initiatives include:

• new targeted SLA PLD for specialist literacy teachers for all secondary and intermediate schools
• digital writing acceleration tool for Years 6 to 8
• updated handwriting guidance for Years 0 to 8.

These initiatives are designed to enhance writing instruction and support accelerated progress in student learning. You will receive further details as resources are rolled out.

Reminder of NCEA consultation#

Consultation on the proposal to replace NCEA is open until 15 September. Information about the consultation is available on the NCEA consultation page, including information about how you can provide feedback and register for the webinars we are holding for kaiako | teachers on 21, 26, 27 and 28 August.

Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

Structured literacy approaches staffing for 2026 applications#

If your school has not received structured literacy approach (SLA) staffing in 2025 and would like to apply for 2026, applications will open on 1 September. The staffing allowance is available for schools teaching the New Zealand Curriculum to support structured literacy approaches interventions for Year 0 to 6 students in 2026 (expanded from Years 0 to 2 in 2025).

For 2026 staffing, you will be asked to state how many students need support and answer a series of questions. Decisions on this staffing allowance will be shared by 30 September. More information is available at:

Ministry-funded SLA staffing resource for 2026 – Years 0 to 6 – Tāhūrangi

Clarification of SLA staffing application criteria#

Following feedback, we would like to clarify the role of the Phonics Checks as part of the application process for SLA staffing for 2026.

In the application process we have asked you to indicate if you have used the phonics checks in 2025 and if you would agree to use them in Terms 3 and 4. We know that the Phonics Checks are valuable tools and we encourage using them. We have changed the wording in the application to be clear that use of the phonics checks is not an eligibility criteria.

Phonics checks are planned to be a requirement from 2026.

More information is available at:

Ministry-funded SLA staffing resource for 2026 – Years 0–6 – Tāhūrangi

Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders#

To support education leaders to lead the significant changes to our National Curricula, we are hosting a Term 4 roadshow.

Leaders from each school or kura (Years 0 to 8, including area schools) are invited to register with no cost to attend. In partnership with regional principals’ associations, events will run in Christchurch, Lower Hutt, Auckland, and Rotorua, with in-person and online options.

Highlights include Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford’s opening, keynote Dr Nathaniel Swain, panels on structured literacy, leadership, evidence-based practice, and knowledge-rich curriculum resources to take away.

Early registration is encouraged:

Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders – Plan my event

Maths FTTE staffing for Year 0 to 6: Applications open 1 September#

The Structured Maths and Pāngarau Approaches (SMPA) initiative funds 143 FTTE to support Years 0 to 6 and Tau 0 to 6 ākonga | students not yet achieving at curriculum level.

Schools and kura can apply from 1 to 19 September, with decisions by 6 October.

Successful applicants will deliver the 12-week Maths Acceleration Programme (MAP), which includes teacher guidance, teaching materials, PLD and the development of professional networks. The focus is on accelerating progress, especially in Years 3 to 6 and Tau 3 to 6 for Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori settings.

Maths and Pāngarau Years 3 to 6 staffing resource – Tāhūrangi

Reporting to parents and whānau update#

Work is continuing on guidance and resources for schools and kura to help with reporting to parents and whānau.

Since releasing reporting information to schools and kura in May, we have been actively gathering feedback from schools, kura, parents, whānau, and internal external stakeholders.

We are also currently developing essential progress markers (EPMs) to describe the level of proficiency expected at each year level, for kaiako | teachers to gauge which tohu aromatawai | progress descriptor to use when reporting to whānau | parents on mokopuna | student progress.

For more information about what to expect in Term 4 2025, visit:

Reporting to parents and whānau – Tāhūrangi

Reporting to parents and whānau – guidance for kaiako on TMoA – Tāhūrangi

Private School Subsidy Circular#

The 2025/01 Private School Subsidy Circular will be published on this website on 5 September 2025.

Workforce and resourcing#

School board survey for elections and member changes#

We have released a new survey to collect all school board data. The new survey collects the following information:

• school board elections details, including candidate information and election results
• new members starting on the school board
• members leaving the school board.

This form replaces the Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 form that was previously hosted by us and Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (New Zealand School Boards Association).

Find the survey here:

School board updates

If you’ve already submitted your 2025 Triennial Election data through previous old survey, this will be processed as usual and you don’t need to complete the new form.

Any questions or feedback on the form, contact us.

Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions related to the triennial elections, contact NZSBA.

Phone: 0800 782 435 (option 1)

Email: [email protected]

September roll return#

This roll return is for state, state-integrated and charter schools with students in Year 9 and above only. The roll count date is 1 September.

This return is used for funding purposes. Returns should be submitted no later than 8 September.

Refer to the school roll return guidelines for more information on completing your return:

School roll return guidelines – Education Counts

Send the Ministry of Education file from your student management system (SMS).

Those not using an SMS need to complete the manual roll return excel form provided on the Education Counts website and submit this via the SDP.

School roll return forms (September 2024) – Education Counts

Secure data portal (SDP) – Applications and online systems

If using the Excel template, the principal must complete the declaration tab to confirm they have checked the roll return for audit purposes. Complete this prior to submission, or your file will be returned.

If you have any questions about your September roll return process, email us.

Email: [email protected]

Staffing and funding calculator#

The staffing and funding calculator will be updated for 2026 by 12 September. This tool can be used to provide an estimate of your entitlement staffing and funding figures for the 2026 year based on predicted roll numbers.

Ministry of Education school staffing and funding calculator

Using this calculator will help you to understand whether a roll increase generates a staffing increase for the current year. We recommend using it before submitting a staffing roll increase application.

Request a staffing roll increase when your school's roll grows

Aspiring and beginning Principal programmes 2026#

In early 2026, a new Aspiring Principal Programme will start preparing up to 200 aspiring principals annually with the skills and confidence to successfully transition into principal roles.

A new beginning principal programme will also start 2026. This will replace existing support for principals who are new in the role. Participants of the current support programme will be transitioned to either the new Beginning Principal Programme or the Leadership Advisory Service.

We are currently seeking supplier(s) who can help us deliver the new Aspiring and Beginning Principal Programmes.

Aspiring and Beginning Principals Programmes – GETS

Governance, planning and reporting#

More assistance for converting schools#

Processes for schools that want to convert to a charter school are being simplified, and more support is now available. These changes are designed to make the conversion process as streamlined as possible.

Along with the Charter School Agency, we are refining processes around leasing property, managing assets and liabilities, staff transfers and cashed-up services.

One of our change managers will assist school boards to transition to a charter school. Additional support may also be provided to help sponsors prepare to open as a charter school.

Equitable digital access device decommission reminder#

The equitable digital access (EDA) programme has ended and we will decommission the management of all EDA devices and Ministry-created Microsoft accounts on 1 September.

Equitable digital access device decommission

Kia Manawaroa education pānui#

Kia Manawaroa is our dedicated newsletter for whānau Māori, sharing opportunities, updates and information about education. Share this free pānui with your communities.

Kia Manawaroa Issue 7 – Mailchimp

Subscribe to Kia Manawaroa – Mailchimp

For questions, feedback or story ideas email us.

Email: [email protected]

Matavai Pacific education e-newsletter#

Matavai is our monthly e-newsletter featuring the latest Pacific education updates, stories and upcoming events. Share Matavai with Pacific parents, carers and communities through your school.

Matavai Issue 5 – Mailchimp

Subscribe to Matavai – Mailchimp

Education Gazette poster to download#

Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero is now an online-only publication.

We’ve created a poster you can download and print for display in your school to give staff the opportunity to read the latest digital magazine, published each month in term time.

Read the latest Education Gazette [PDF, 1.06 MB]

The poster also includes an option to subscribe to the e-newsletter.

If you have any questions or feedback, email us.

Email: [email protected]