Kia ora koutou katoa,

It has been nice to feel the temperature getting warmer, with the promise of summer on the way. As we enter the business time of the year in schools, no doubt you are busy with students as we speed towards study leave and lots of lasts for our year 13s and those leaving. It is also a busy time in terms of submissions on various changes to government policy. You will all by now, no doubt, be aware of the VET consultation, as well as the proposed changes to the NELPs and the priorities of school boards (see below). I urge you to submit feedback on any issue that impacts you, your school and your students. CATE will be writing submissions, but the more voices, the better.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Tara Heta
Kaiārahi CATE NZ
kaiarahi@catenz.org

Government changes to school board objectives and NELP provisions
The Government’s new targets, priorities, and related work programmes are focused on lifting student achievement and attendance.

To help schools and kura focus on the right things so that every child gets the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability, the Government is proposing to clarify the obligations on school boards by amending section 127 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) to:

  • make educational achievement the primary objective for school boards. The other objectives in section 127 will contribute to, and be necessary for, this primary objective
  • introduce a new objective for school boards to take all reasonable steps to ensure the attendance of the students enrolled in their school
  • introduce a new objective for schools to use good quality assessment and aromatawai information to monitor and evaluate students’ progress and achievement, including from any assessment and aromatawai specified in a foundation curriculum policy statement
  • remove unnecessary references to relevant student rights set out in the Act, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993. School boards already have to comply with the rights set out under these Acts
  • re-order the Tiriti | Treaty clause by moving the requirement that schools achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students to the front of the Tiriti |Treaty clause to increase its visibility
  • strengthen the focus on the national curriculum by replacing the term ‘local curriculum’ with ‘teaching and learning programmes’.

In addition, the Government is proposing to consult on removing the NELP from the Act (from section 5 and other related sections in the Act and regulations). The current NELP document will remain in place. It expires in November 2025.

You can find out more here

Update on migrant school leaver work rights
In July, the government announced that it would increase access to part-time work rights for migrant high school leavers who are awaiting the outcome of a family residence visa application. We can now confirm that this change will come into effect on 1 October 2024. You can read more about this here.

Do you know about the free ZEIL CV builder App?
The Zeil app is free to download and includes a CV builder and a job search tool. You can find out more here

Lunchtime Byte—Competenz 
Friday 20th September, 12pm

Competenz will give an overview of its role as a nationwide organisation that represents (among others) mechanical engineering, fire protection, refrigeration and air conditioning, along with print, packaging and signmaking. They will explain how they support learners throughout their apprenticeships. Competenz will outline how they can assist you with finding your students' work experience opportunities to help pipeline them into their industries.
You can register here

Recording of the Careerwise Lunchtime Byte session
You can access the recording of the Careerwise lunchtime byte session here

SADD—Students Against Dangerous Driving
Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD is a youth-led, peer education programme that focuses on positive messaging, strategies for young road users and working together to educate our youth about adopting safer road user behaviours.

Within a framework of 4 key programme aspirations (Safe road users, Sharing our roads, Safe vehicles and Driver licence journey), SADD leaders are empowered to engage with their community needs and deliver interactive and inspiring messages and activities to enhance their peers’ awareness of road safety issues that affect them.

As a youth-led programme, students are supported by a dedicated team of Programme Delivery Leads nationwide to deliver the programme in their schools and communities. This also provides an opportunity for keen students to learn and develop key skills in areas such as leadership, event planning and delivery, facilitation, networking, and more.We have a dedicated section of our website to help students understand the value of these skills for their future career and study opportunities here

This month is SAFER September, which is an opportunity to celebrate youth voice, engage in activities ahead of the dangerous summer months on our roads, and take part in a nationwide youth movement. SAFER September is a fantastic time to get involved with the SADD programme and to start a culture of safe decision making and peer support when it comes to road safety and peer pressure.

For more information on the SADD programme and the opportunities on offer for youth to grow, check out www.sadd.org.nz and contact your local Programme Delivery Lead.

Te Mahi Ako (Skills Active) are delighted to offer their Pool Lifeguard Skills Award and Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate (20 credits) for Gateway to schools for 2025.
Te Mahi Ako is a tertiary education organisation specialising in work-based learning for people working or volunteering in the active recreation, leisure and entertainment sectors.

For secondary school students, it can be a fun and flexible job and a great entry point to an exciting and rewarding career in the aquatics or recreation industry.

Our Pool Lifeguard Gateway programme offers students ākonga | learners the opportunity to learn valuable health and safety and leadership skills and is a great introduction to the workplace. Ākonga will also earn credits towards NCEA.

Supported by Te Mahi Ako in partnership with secondary schools and local aquatic facilities, the Pool Lifeguard Gateway programme equips ākonga with both theory and practical learning that they can apply to their career pathway.

Prerequisites—Ākonga must:

  • Hold a current first aid certificate comprising of NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401 and 6402 or be booked to complete this before starting the programme. 
  • Be water confident and be able to competently swim 200 metres in under 6 minutes
  • Be aged 16 years or older.

Resources
Ākonga will be given a hard copy workbook to complete their Pool Lifeguard Skills Award assessment and to log their Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate hours.

They will also have access to an online training manual and checkpoint questions to test themselves.

Student Registration
Schools are required to complete an ākonga registration form for ākonga participating in the Pool Lifeguard Programme. 

  • The programme will be available under Gateway to schools from January 2025.
  • Gaining this qualification enables students to be employable in this sector straight away, opening up opportunities for part time and full-time work.
  • Further information will be available at CATE Conference

For any queries, please contact National Advisor—Youth & Volunteer—Kerri Hartley-Jones kerri.hartley-jones@temahiako.org.nz

Te Raupapa Waikato Management School is launching a new programme: Tupu Rangatahi—Tupu Ahuwhenua. 
This programme aims to grow the pipeline of graduates who will support and advise Māori primary sector businesses.   

The Tupu Rangatahi—Tupu Ahuwhenua programme:

  • 3-year programme where students will complete a Bachelor of Business majoring in Agribusiness, with a second major or other papers of their choice (i.e. Te Reo Māori, Earth Science, Law etc).
  • Students will be able to be involved in unique field trips, experience modules, internships, and events, in addition to having access to the Māori ki Waikato Māori support initiatives.
  • Applications are open to students of Māori descent and/or who can demonstrate a commitment to Māori.
  • There are scholarships (up to $5k for the first year) available to students on the programme. These can be held alongside other scholarships.
  • First cohort starting Feb 2025.
  • https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/options/subject-areas/business/maori-agribusiness/

Email enquiries: tupu_ahuwhenua@waikato.ac.nz

Taylor Swift: AUT to launch Australasia’s first university course studying Swift
Yes, you heard right—you can now study Taylor Swift at University. You can find out more here

A-Z of Maths Careers
This guide, produced by “Careers with Stem” has a fantastic A-Z of maths careers to share in your school. Click here

Submissions on the redesign the vocational education and training system
Submissions must be in by Thursday 12 September 2024.

To provide feedback, stakeholders can go to the MOE Site and submit it in three ways. 

EPIT free online event  
Join Professor Michael Barbour and Derek Wenmoth as they discuss the first annual Tuia Te Hononga Tāngata, Tuia Te Hononga Ao: Taking the Pulse of Distance Learning in Aotearoa New Zealand and answer your questions.

Read more here

You can sign up for the webinar on Tuesday 17th September here