Teachers involved in New Zealand research conducted to develop forward-looking literacy pedagogy explained they needed ongoing support to make their new practices sustainable. This article responds to that request. We begin with a whistle-stop tour of the rapidly evolving literacy landscape, briefly reviewing key concepts of critical multiliteracies and the ...

Awareness of mindfulness in New Zealand school communities is growing, and many teachers are becoming aware of its significance to support health and wellbeing in the classroom. This article discusses qualitative research on a 6-week mindfulness programme for teachers and students which showed that teachers perceived specific mindfulness activities reduced ...

In November 2015, 469 submissions posted to a select committee inquiry into identification and support for students with the significant challenges of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders in primary and secondary schools were downloaded. This article includes comments selected from a group of submissions from 141 direct family members ...

The term assessment capable was introduced in New Zealand to distinguish between the more formulaic use of assessment-for-learning practices, and those that empower students to become self-regulated learners. This article explores the concept of assessment capability. It considers what it means to be an assessment-capable teacher in New Zealand, the ...

Victoria University Associate Professor Liz Jones is passionate about helping a range of professionals harness the potential of portfolios to improve their practice. Teacher portfolios are especially dear to her heart given Liz’s long career in education as a primary school teacher, principal, educational psychologist, teacher educator, and university academic ...

This article supports teachers to think about their students’ acts of learning, as well as their own as teachers. It draws on research about young adults’ most profound learning during their apprenticeships, cadetships, and vocational immersion programmes. The experiences of GP registrars, carpentry apprentices, and engineering technician cadets, and the ...

Creating the conditions for effective teacher collaboration has been seen as a critical component of the work that leaders have been engaged in at Stonefields School since it opened in 2011. Acknowledgement that collaboration can be an opportunity, but also be challenging at times, has informed elements of ongoing professional ...

A performance-appraisal system is often fraught with tensions between the dual purposes of accountability and development. In practice, the nominated appraiser is responsible for evaluating the performance of a colleague and at the same time building a relationship that fosters development. Appraisal systems in New Zealand schools have been criticised ...

We describe new PAT: Mathematics assessment items that focus on students’ maths self-efficacy (students’ belief in their ability to correctly solve particular maths problems). In 2017, schools using PAT: Mathematics online will be able to give their students an opportunity to respond to these items to help build a picture ...