Mike’s News Sep 1

Posted on by Mike Stone

 

31Aug-6Sep Chinese language week https://www.nzclw.com/ & https://www.nzclw.com/resources
1 Sep NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/
1-7 Sep Conservation week www.doc.govt.nz
1-30 Sep Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz
4 Sep New deadline to apply for PM’s Science teacher prize. Info here
7-13 Sep Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
8 Sep Deadline to register for the 2026 NZ Chemistry Olympiad Competition
8 Sep International Literacy day https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all
8 Sep Total lunar eclipse visible from NZ 3:30 – 7:30 am More info
10 Sep Mātauranga Māori & Science Fair PLD, 3:30 Mt Manganui Coll. More info. Register here.
12 Sep Deadline to apply for postgrad study award from MoE. Info here.
Moon FM Sep 8        3Q Sep 14        NM Sep 22        1Q Sep 30
  1. Talks that may be relevant for us
  2. Resources for Māori language week (the 50th anniversary)

Info

  1. Student opportunities:
    • Inspiring Explorers Expedition sails a tall ship to the Antarctic Peninsula 10 Jan – 10 Feb 2026. Open to NZ citizens aged 18-30, apply by 12 Sep. Info here. https://inspiringexplorers.co.nz/
    • International Young Physics tournament have released details for the 2026 event. Good activity to extend your more able year 11 & 12 students. So gather a school team, there will be a workshop in Nov. IYPT event 5-12 Jul 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. https://www.iypt.org/
  2. Digital tools:

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
  7. EfS

MoE/NZQA

  1. To find the info on the proposed NCEA changes go to https://www.education.govt.nz/consultation-ncea. There is an explanation for teachers and a link to a PDF of the questions asked in the survey for department/staff to discuss before submitting responses. Closes 5pm 15 Sep

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Physics teacher day (not HOD day as I incorrectly indicated last week) is Nov 28. Numbers limited so please register at https://sites.google.com/view/uoaptd2017/2025s-day-info
  2. Final dates for the free MWC Biology teacher PLD days: Taupō 3 Nov, Tauranga 4 Nov, Ak 5 Nov, Queenstown 10 Nov, Timaru 11 Nov. You can apply for PPTA funding. Register here. Full details: MWC Biology PD
  3. National Geographic PLD on using Mapmaker to explore Science. 11 Sep 4pm EDT (8am 12 Sep NZT). Register here
  4. Royal Society of Chemistry is providing free PLD on teaching biology with plants (SAPS). Th 18 Sep 7-8pm BST (8am same day NZT). Info and register here.
  5. For the ESS PLD at Ak uni 7 Nov, there is funding to support those who get no support from school or those who travel from afar (by car or plane). If you think that you qualify then use the subject heading Auckland ESS teachers day – funding support to email jenny@earthspacescience.org.nz .
  6. STEAM Education Summit 21-22 Oct Crown Plaza, Auckland. $900. https://brightstar.co.nz/events/steamsummit/
  7. Auckland Chemistry teachers PLD day is being planned for 14 Nov. You can suggest a workshop that would be useful by commenting on the NZ Chem T FB post.
  8. NAAE’s national conference 12-15 Jan 2026 on growing sustainable agricultural education https://vaahe.tidyhq.com/
  9. A reminder of the ESSE conference 22-23 Sep at Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga. Both PPTA & ESSENZ (ask on registration form) have funding to support this. Info here

Vacancies

  1. A Lab Technician is needed at Marcellin College (Catholic co-ed high school in Royal Oak, Auckland) for 18h/wk. Please contact Principal’s P.A. Lavinia Pone ponel@marcellin.school.nz

Cheers, Mike

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