Have something to share? Get in contact with one of our Across School Leaders – we would love to hear from you!
[email protected] Te Ao Māori
[email protected] Hauora
[email protected] Future Ready
[email protected] 21st Century Learning
[email protected] Structured Literacy
Curriculum Update: What’s happening in Term 1?
For Years 0-8
- Start using the English curriculum for Years 0-6 and the maths curriculum for Years 0-8.
- Check out the implementation hub on Tāhūrangi.
- Start using the new maths resources from the Ministry (for those schools that have chosen them)
- Access resources and guidance to start using phonics checks and Hihira Weteoro.
For Years 9-13
- Check out the implementation hub on Tāhūrangi.
- Take part in the consultation on English (Y7-13) and maths (Y9-13) curriculum.
- Review your 2024 NCEA and Co-requisite results.
- Start using the revised achievement standards and supporting materials for NCEA assessment.
What does the curriculum update timetable look like?
Check out the full update here. Curriculum update timetable
Assessment updates:
The new assessments look like they won’t be available until the Term 4 conference. Erica Stanford recently announced to the principals that e-asTTle will cease to be available as an assessment due to expense. We will wait with bated breath as to what may replace it. PAT looks set to remain according to Julie Roberts NZCER.
Meanwhile, a couple of PLD providers have realigned or created assessments for maths.
Marie Hirst (Special Addition ) and Dr Jo KnoxTo (Maths Development) have created :
Maths Snapshots Assessment Tool – Learning Phase 1
This resource includes:
- Maths Snapshots slideshow
- Student Response Recording Sheet
- Class Summary Spreadsheet
- Teacher Guide
Phase 1 Maths Snapshots are designed to be used with students in years 1-3 of school to quickly assess what a child can do and to inform the teaching and learning process as part of teachers’ formative assessment practice. The snapshots will allow you to assess the progress and achievement within the Number strand of a student in relation to years 1, 2 and 3 of Phase 1 of the revised (2024) New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). The tasks are grouped according to the sub-strands in Number: Number Structure (Counting, Identify Numbers, Subitise, Place Value), Number Operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and Rational Numbers.
This is a free resource and can be accessed by completing this form to gain access. Maths Snapshots Phase 1 Phases 2 and 3 are coming soon.
Meanwhile, PLD providers Cognition have realigned the JAM maths assessment for junior schools to have Year levels instead of Stages. JAM Years 1-3
To finish with something fun: Try this game with your class. Often called Capture the Flag, this is Capture the Cones with variations making it suitable to be played with students 5-18.
Have a great week!
A quick look list for Hauora on our Kahui Ako Website
Sometimes we have the best of intentions to spend some time looking at the resources available on our Kahui Ako Website. We all get busy!
Here is a ‘quick look’ list of the Hauora resources available on our website, listed in their categories. Print the list and pin it to your noticeboard. When you are looking for information, ideas, resources, curriculum levels, year levels, clarification, PD, or local events associated with Hauora/Wellbeing and Mental Health, the list will help you see what is available and what section it is in.
Here is a quick link to the Hauora section of the Kahui Ako ki Orewa Website
Could your class be a bi-lingual class? You may be closer than you think
With the rise of te ao Māori across our kura, without even being aware, many kaiako are inching closer to an official level of bilingualism without being aware. With a few changes to your practice and the structure of your day, some kaiako may be able to enter this level.
You may not have the knowledge or skills to be the rumaki (immersion class) but you can be a part of a movement that helps to restore te reo Māori and tikanga Māori to their rightful place as a living taonga in your classroom.
Level 4b is the lowest funded level where the amount you teach brings your classroom into an officially funded space. Ministry documents state; Level 4(b) At least 3 hours: Students are learning Te Reo Māori as a separate subject for at least 3 hours a week.
Although 3 hours (180 minutes) sounds like a lot, when spread out over a week it’s very achievable, in fact, the official number of 4b spaces in our Kāhui is growing year on year as we speak.
You can achieve this through things like:
- Greetings students in te reo Māori before the day starts
- Morning hui each day (Hīmene, Karakia, Mihimihi, Waiata tautoko, te reo Māori learning. Kāhui Morning Hui / Hui o te Ata Middles
- Roll call in te reo Māori Kāhui Morning Hui / Hui o te Ata Middles
- Our Te Reo Māori Lessons Māori Lessons Overview Years 0-8 Levels 1-3 2025 Kāhui Ako o Orewa
- Karakia in the morning, before kai and at the end of a day
Karakia Kai and Mihi ki ngā Ringawera
Karakia Mutunga/Whakakapi Tēnei te Huinga
- Everyone attending kapa haka every week
- Simple instructions in te reo Māori (Planned for, taught, and used with intent)
- Mau Rākau/Hine Toa
- Following tikanga Māori during assemblies
If you would like further guidance or information please feel free to contact [email protected]. You may be a lot closer than you ever imagined.
Canva @ teachcheat
Canva is constantly coming up with new ways to support kaiako in teaching and learning resources. If not already check out classroomcreations_ on Instagram. They post some great teacher hack videos. Below is one timesaving hack that you will wish you knew sooner!
Warm-Up Math Activities
Polymath gets students excited to practice maths in the classroom! How? It’s adaptive, giving each student the questions they need to focus on, and it’s fun without being distracting!
Polymath was made in collaboration with teachers and is designed to work for your classroom. Play together, independently, at the beginning of class or at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4efCKUiids
Brisk Feedback Tool
Use Brisk to generate target feedback for each of your learners. You can now upload photos of student work or use work completed online. Check out the basics in this video. Link
How to Instantly Provide In-Line Targeted Feedback on Student Essays with the Brisk Chrome Extension
Fluency in Reading
Fluency is essential for skilful and motivated reading but is often misunderstood. Fluent reading is NOT fast reading! Jan Hasbrouck defines reading fluency and clarifies the link between fluency and comprehension.
Listen to six experts who discuss fluency and what is reading fluency. They clarify the link between fluency and comprehension and the role of fluency assessments and effective fluency instruction. There is a lot of information upfront, presentation starts at 6mins 20 seconds.
Hui Dates
Thursday 20th March – ASL @ Dairy Flat – WSL @ Orewa College
Thursday 3rd April – ASL @ Orewa Beach – WSL @ Orewa College
