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
   • Cafe Scientifique on Our Place in the Cosmos by Dr’s Tim Corballis & Yvette Perrot. Nibbles at 5:30pm for a 6pm start, 10 Sep at Southern Cross Garden Bar, 39 Abel Smith St, Te Aro, Wgtn
   • Prof Richard Easther on how NZ contributes to big science projects. 7:30pm 2 Sep Wellington. Face-to-face & online. Details here https://www.was.org.nz/
   • Dr Peter Heenan talks about biodiversity in Niue. 7:30 pm, 23 Sep, Napier. Details here https://events.humanitix.com/a-botanical-lens-on-biodiversity-in-niue-microcosm-of-southwestern-polynesia-napier
2. Resources for Māori language week (the 50^th anniversary)
   • PPT from Kōtui Ako/Virtual Learning School: Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Resource 2025
   • Activities on the official website https://www.reomaori.co.nz/ – challenges, resources, webinars
   • Science Learning Hub resource on using te reo in science https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2690-opportunities-for-using-te-reo-maori

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:
   • A new LEARNZ virtual field trip to BoP focussing on natural hazards starts 13 Oct. https://www.learnz.org.nz/hazards254

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A table of crash course videos with question sheets. Link here
   • Gummy bear osmosis https://teachingbiologyisfun1.blogspot.com/2024/05/osmosis-gummy-bear-lab.html
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • A hydroponics resource https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5c469df2395cd53c3d913b2d/611058b1bc2bd7855e6cf189_ExploringHydroponics.pdf
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • A star gazing guide: The September Night Sky
   • National Geographic lessons using a digital mapping tool to explore erosion, mountains, earth-quakes, seasons, effect of latitude & elevation on temp, biomes, tectonics, volcanoes. See PLD
4. Chemistry:
   • Chem Tutorials from physics classroom https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Chemistry-Tutorial and chem concept builders https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Concept-Builders
   • Some resources to develop an understanding of MP & BP using Johnstone’s triangle https://edu.rsc.org/johnstones-triangle-resources/melting-and-boiling-points-developing-understanding-11-14/4021600.article
5. Physics:
   • Exploring conservation of energy with a bouncy ball or with a pendulum
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Kids Greening Taupō have revamped their Online Nature Classroom units – lots of resources, activities & links, in time for Conservation week. https://www.kidsgreeningtaupo.org.nz/online-nature-classroom
7. EfS
   • Conservation lessons from Predator Free NZ https://predatorfreenz.org/toolkits/schools-toolkit/lesson-plans-and-activities/

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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