School goal setting is often described as a key leadership practice for school improvement. Important for the effectiveness of goal setting is the close monitoring of progress. This article examines goal-monitoring practices in three schools that were seen as being effective and contributing to improvement. The findings highlight the importance ...

COVID-19 relevance: Parents supporting learning at home / Language learning / Te Reo Māori

Common approaches to language teaching in many New Zealand schools typically show a lack of attention to students’ own language-learning strategies. This article argues that the success or otherwise of language immersion programmes, in particular within ...

COVID-19 relevance: Helping students deal with witnessing family violence

Jade Speaks Up is an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)-funded programme. It supports teachers to use process drama and other activities to introduce the topic of domestic violence while at the same time developing emotional literacy, trust, and self-calming skills. This article ...

COVID-19 relevance: Evaluating online information

Evaluating information quality is a key skill students need to develop as they navigate the complex information landscape. Students need to develop an awareness of effective ways to evaluate information given the abundance of information (and misinformation) available online. This article introduces the Rauru Whakarare ...

COVID-19 relevance: Wellbeing

The website of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience (NZIWR) states that it is dedicated to increasing wellbeing for communities and organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Within education, its mission is to build whole-school wellbeing. Set contacted NZIWR to help give our readers insight into ...

COVID-19 relevance: Wellbeing

There are currently very few resources available in New Zealand for teaching mental health education (within the Health and Physical Education learning area). Outside providers are, however, offering different programmes for sale to schools (in areas such as positive psychology, mindfulness, and growth mindset). These tend to ...

“Respect” is a value that underpins Pasifika ways of being, Pasifika learner success and wellbeing, and strong home–school partnerships with Pasifika families and communities. When teachers acknowledge and respond appropriately to students’ Pasifika values, such as respect, learning is enhanced and cultural identity nourished. To inform our work with student ...

This article describes a study that captured the voices of six Niuean boys and their views on senior secondary schooling and the pursuit of higher education in New Zealand. Their tutala give insight into their relationships, identity, career goals, family support, and church life. With growing emphasis on culturally responsive ...