Attendance, achievement and assessment

Attendance rules 2025

The Secretary for Education has now issued rules setting out administrative and procedural requirements for attendance recording. These rules start from Term 1, 2025. The rules, along with advice and guidance can be found here:

Attendance rules [PDF, 460 KB]

New webpage: Schedule of Term 1 changes for schools | kura

Term 1, 2025 sees some changes in the Education Sector arising from Government’s priority work programme and achievement and attendance targets.

A webpage has been set up on Education.govt.nz as a single place where school leaders and staff can go to understand the full schedule of changes, and to access information and supports to prepare and implement these changes.

What's new for Term 1 2025 – Ministry of Education

Consultation on more learning areas and wāhanga ako coming soon

In Term 1, we will be asking for feedback on the Years 7 to 13 draft English and Te Reo Rangatira, and Years 9 to 13 maths and Pāngarau curriculum areas.

We’ll let you know here when the draft content and online feedback form are available on Tāhūrangi. Schools and kura are strongly encouraged to have their say – those valuable perspectives will help to shape curriculum content that is relevant and fit for purpose.  

The New Zealand Curriculum: Online and interactive

The updated NZC is designed as an interactive, online curriculum. An online format helps us bring the content to life, updating it over time so that it connects to new resources and supports. It also makes it easier to navigate and see the key parts of each learning phase.

We will not be distributing printed copies of the curriculum, but printable versions will still be available on Tāhūrangi under the ‘About this resource’ section of curriculum content pages.

Latest curriculum newsletter out now

Last week, we published the latest issue of the curriculum newsletter for schools and kura. 

The newsletter provides updates on all the recent changes for both The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and highlights resources to support you and your staff to embed these changes. This issue also includes the latest information for NCEA.

You can read the latest issue online here:

Te Poutāhū curriculum newsletter – 20 November 2024

Subscribe to the newsletter here:

Sign up to our Te Poutāhū curriculum newsletter – Mailchimp

Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā and Rangaranga Pāngarau workbooks coming next year

New kaiako workbooks (Mata Ako) are coming early Term 1 2025 to support Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā and Rangaranga Pāngarau. Each workbook is aligned to the revised wāhanga ako and identifies essential learning to help students learn using structured approaches to te reo matatini and pāngarau.  

Existing pāngarau resources that are popular in kura are also being updated into activity packs aligned with the new curriculum. Five sample kits will be distributed, with more being available to order as required. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Phonics check and Hihira Weteoro available early next year

A new phonics check will be available for all schools and kura to carry out with students in Years 1 and 2 from January next year.

Trials of the check, including Hihira Weteoro for those learning through te reo Māori, have been conducted this term to confirm their suitability and inform what guidance is needed for teachers and kaiako. Resources and supporting materials to carry out the checks will start to become available on Tāhūrangi from January. There will also be further information about training and PLD from early next year.

New School Journals and Junior Journal

The latest issues of the School Journal and Junior Journal will be arriving in schools | kura this week. The themes include uncovering the past at Level 2 and exploring identity at Level 3 and Level 4. The Junior Journal 68 is focused on flight.

If you haven’t received your copies by 16 December, contact our publishing team at [email protected].

We are currently updating the teacher support materials that come with the journals so that they embody structured approaches to literacy learning. They will be available on Tāhūrangi when they are ready to use.

More eLearn modules for beginning principals

The latest eLearn modules for beginning and aspiring principals will be available from 4 December. These focus on looking after property, the digital environment, and school finances. The modules are available on our Education Learning Management System:

Login – Education Learning Management System

You can also listen to our podcast series ‘The Principals’, where experienced tumuaki and other experts talk about the same fundamentals covered in the eLearn modules. You can find it on all major podcast networks:

The Principals – Podbean

Considering the review of NCEA Level 1

Last week, the Education Review Office (ERO) released their report on NCEA Level 1. You can find it here:

Set up to succeed – How well is NCEA Level 1 working for our schools and students? – Education Review Office

We will consider the findings in the review in relation to the future implementation of changes to Levels 1, 2, and 3. We have already implemented many of ERO’s recommended ‘quick changes’.

More information on what we’ve already done to address those recommendations is available here:

Ministry to consider ERO review of NCEA Level 1 – NCEA Education

TIMSS results released this week

The results for the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2023) will be released this week: 10pm, 4 December.

The New Zealand reports will be available on Education Counts from December 5.

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 2023 – Education Counts

The main page for the international study is here:

TIMSS 2023 - IEA

All international publications will be posted here as they are released:

Publication List - IEA

There were 98 schools | kura participating in the Year 9 part of the study and 154 in the Year 5 study. Many thanks to the students, teachers, principals and whānau who contributed their time and efforts toward this research.

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study: 2026 field trial

This month, letters are being sent to 40 schools | kura selected to participate in the PIRLS 2026 Field Trial, taking place in March. PIRLS monitors trends, evaluates and provides insights into middle primary students’ reading comprehension.

Additional Information:

Any pātai, call 0800 470 008 or email [email protected].

For more information visit Education Counts website:

PIRLS – Education Counts

Health, safety and wellbeing

Health alerts and advice from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

You may wish to share this information with your staff and wider school community.

Pertussis (whooping cough) awareness and prevention

A pertussis epidemic was declared across Aotearoa New Zealand on 22 November.

Whooping cough epidemic declared across Aotearoa New Zealand – Health New Zealand

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) can be particularly severe, and sometimes fatal, for babies many of whom require hospital care.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is encouraging those who are pregnant or have regular contact with young babies or preschool children to check they are up to date with pertussis vaccinations.

Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine – Health New Zealand

Protect against measles

Measles is a serious and extremely contagious disease that affects adults and children.

Measles is increasing in countries that Kiwis travel to frequently, including South-East Asia, Europe and the United States.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is encouraging vaccination for people who do not have immunity to measles, particularly those who are planning to travel overseas in the school holidays.

Measles Immunity – Health New Zealand

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine – Health New Zealand

Funded meningococcal vaccines for eligible rangatahi

Meningococcal disease spreads easily in close living situations and can be fatal within hours.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is encouraging rangatahi to get a meningococcal vaccine if they are entering their first year of shared accommodation in a boarding school hostel, university halls of residence, military barracks or youth justice facility.

Meningococcal vaccines – Health New Zealand

Support with checking vaccination records

Advice about vaccines and immunisation records for children aged 16 and under is available from the free vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26, 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Māori, Pacific and disability support services are available to provide assistance.

Vaccination Healthline - Healthpoint

Heart Foundation workshops

The Heart Foundation is piloting a free workshop to support school staff in looking after their heart health.

The Heart Hauora workshop offers activities and strategies to support heart health and enhance overall wellbeing in the workplace. The Heart Foundation will work with you to find a suitable time and date.

You can express interest in the workshops by emailing [email protected] and help refine the workshop via a survey:

School staff workshop – Microsoft Forms

Workforce and resourcing

Resourcing key dates for 2025

Key resourcing dates for next year can be seen here:

Key dates for school staffing and funding – Ministry of Education

Estimated pay equity and collective agreement funding

On 1 January, schools and kura will receive the next instalment of estimated funding for non-teaching pay equity settlements and collective agreements. This funding will be paid via Pourato under the payment type ‘Non-teach support PE and CA funding’.

To assist with budgeting and forecasting, your funding letter contains information on how we calculate your funding. Refer to page 2 of your letter for more details. This letter will be made available via the Secure Data Portal (SDP) from 9 December.

We encourage schools | kura to download and retain a copy of their funding letter from the SDP, as this letter will only be available on the SDP for a 6-month period.

Further information about pay equity settlements and collective agreements can be found here:

Pay equity settlements funding - Ministry of Education

People and employment - Ministry of Education

If you have any queries about pay equity or collective agreement funding, please email [email protected].

Ministry Sector Service Desk transfer of function to Network for Learning

The Sector Service Desk staff and function have transferred to Network for Learning (N4L). N4L is a Crown company that currently provides digital services to schools and kura on our behalf.

For continuity of service, N4L has become a specified user of the NSN by regulation as per the Education and Training Act 2020.

There is no change to the services provided to the sector. This is a movement of staff and functions only.

Any pātai, 0800 422 599 or [email protected].

Education Gazette online-only from 2025

From Term 1 2025, the Education Gazette I Tukutuku Kōrero will no longer be printed. It will become an online-only publication and will be produced 12 times a year, instead of 16. The shift is designed to modernise our communication, support our sustainability goals and manage costs.

You can expect the same high-quality content, which will be published on the Education Gazette website and as a digital magazine on Issuu, where you will have the option to download and print.

Home – Education Gazette

Education Gazette - Issuu

There will be no change to the online education vacancies, professional learning and development (PLD) opportunities, or notices.

We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and appreciate your continued support.

You can subscribe here:

Subscribe to Education Gazette – Mailchimp 

Governance, planning and infrastructure

Gangs Act 2024

Police have new powers to disrupt and directly target gang activity through the Gangs Act 2024. Police are actively enforcing this new law and can now arrest anyone wearing gang insignia in any public place, which includes schools | kura.

More information about the new Act can be found here:

What you need to know: Gangs Act 2024 [PDF, 684 KB]

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the new legislation, or enforcement of the Act, contact your local Police station:

Find police stations by map – New Zealand Police

School planning and reporting for 2025

We are conscious of your time and need to focus on teaching and learning.

In that context we want to make the expectations for planning and reporting as light as possible for 2025.

You do not need to develop a new strategic plan for 2025, however your board can amend your current strategic plan if you wish.

You will need to develop:

• an annual implementation plan for the 2025 year, required under legislation to be published on your school website by 31 March. This does not need to be submitted to us.
• an annual report on the 2024 school year, required to be submitted to us by 31 May and published on your school website.

We would recommend you focus your implementation planning on the two core priorities of increasing student attendance and increasing student achievement.

This could look like setting targets:

• relating to actions you are taking to implement/prepare to implement curricula, assessment and aromatawai changes. Where relevant, this could include establishing baseline information for where your students are at in relation to new curricula being implemented in 2025.
• relating to actions you are taking to lift attendance and reduce absence.

For help with your planning and reporting please contact your local Te Mahau office:

Regional offices – Ministry of Education

2025 dates for all-of-Government electricity contract

Schools | kura can join the all-of-government contract for buying electricity. Interested public sector customers including schools | kura are added to this contract twice-per-year.

The first intake for 2025 will be added in May/June. If interested, schools | kura must register their interest as soon as possible, but before the end of January.

The second intake for 2025 will be added in approximately September. If interested, schools | kura must register their interest as soon as possible, but before the end of June.

It is important to register your interest as soon as possible and provide all necessary information in-time.

Point of contact [email protected]

New Property Project and Programme Management panel

Last year, we sought your feedback on how we can improve our project management procurement and engagement processes for school property. From the result of this consultation, we were able to design and establish our new, mandatory Property Project and Programme Management Panel (PPPM). This will officially be rolled out in the school-led property space effective 3 March.

We’d like to invite school leaders and/or representatives to attend an online briefing session with our Property and Procurement teams on 13 February, from 4 to 5pm.

You can register your attendance here:

Online briefing for schools: Property Project and Programme Management (PPPM) Panel – Microsoft Teams

School bank account changes

New Zealand’s main banks will be providing a new service, Confirmation of Payee (COP), from the end of November. The changes allow customers to match bank account names and numbers to provide increased certainty and security. Each bank is providing its own communication to customers.

The COP service will generally not be available for use by schools | kura, business and corporate customers (except small businesses maybe) until later in 2025. It is dependent on individual bank platforms. For example, schools | kura who use the Westpac Corporate Online platform will not be able to use the new service at this stage.

Schools | kura will generally be unaffected by the bank changes. However, schools | kura should check to make sure their bank account name is spelt correctly and ideally not have any initials or abbreviations to aid bank name and account matching, by those that pay to the school’s bank account.

Westpac customers, can click on this link:

Confirmation of payee checks your digital banking payments – Westpac

Additionally, there is also specific information and FAQs to help navigate this change through the official COP provider, Get Verified:

Home – GetVerified

Any pātai, contact your individual bank, as each bank is managing its own rollout and communications.