Teachers, principals and schools across New Zealand are being celebrated in the first inaugural Education Excellence Awards, Education Minister Erica Stanford hosted today. <\/p>\n
The inaugural New Zealand Education Excellence Awards \u2014 Ng\u0101 Tohu Kairangi M\u0101tauranga o Aotearoa, were held at Parliament in Wellington to recognise the outstanding work of schools and kura across the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Education Excellence Awards are about celebrating teachers, schools and kura that are driving change and achieving results,\u201d Ms Stanford said. <\/p>\n
\u201cRecognising that quality teaching and school leadership are the two of the most important factors impacting student learning. We need to celebrate the skills and dedication of those who bring that to life every day in the classroom.\u201d <\/p>\n
The national awards programme, launched this year, highlights outstanding progress and performance across four areas critical to student success: <\/p>\n
Student engagement and attendance
\nRaising student achievement
\nQuality teaching and instruction
\nEducational leadership. <\/p>\n
\u201cRaising student achievement is fundamental. Every student needs a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy to successfully progress through their education.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAttendance is equally critical; students need to be in the classroom to learn. Schools recognised today are using effective and innovative ways to get young people back into the classroom, engaged and excited about learning.\u201d <\/p>\n
The awards also highlight the pivotal role teachers and leaders have in driving education success.<\/p>\n
\u201cHigh-quality teaching has the biggest impact on student outcomes, and strong leadership ensures that great practice is consistent across a school. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe award commendations, finalists and winners show what is possible when schools focus on evidence-based teaching, set high expectations, and provide the right environment for their community of learners,\u201d Ms Stanford said. <\/p>\n
Ms Stanford says the awards are about more than prize money \u2014 they are about recognising the lasting impact of our teaching profession and lifting performance across the system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe leadership, professionalism, and commitment of our teachers and school leaders showcased today is making a real and lasting difference for communities. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile congratulating the schools recognised was a focus of today\u2019s award ceremony, the real opportunity here is to learn from these examples,\u201d Ms Stanford concludes. <\/p>\n
Finalists and winners were selected following a comprehensive selection process, including nominations from students, families, staff, and communities, and application assessment by panels of education experts. <\/p>\n
Editor notes: <\/p>\n
New Zealand Education Excellence Awards prize money, commendations, finalists and award winners<\/p>\n
Each winning school will receive $20,000, other finalists will receive $5,000 and schools that were recognised with a commendation will receive $1,000. <\/p>\n
All winners, finalists and commendations will receive framed certificate, and winners also received a trophy.<\/p>\n
School applications were assessed in the following education settings*<\/p>\n
Primary school with 150 students or fewer (known as U1, U2 and U3 schools)
\nPrimary school with over 150 students (known as U4 schools)
\nSecondary (any size)
\nArea schools could apply in either a primary or secondary setting category.<\/p>\n
* Not all education settings had an award winner.<\/p>\n
Finalists and Award Winners<\/p>\n
Excellence in Raising Student Achievement finalists and award winners<\/p>\n
Manurewa Intermediate, T\u0101maki Herenga Waka | Auckland South\/Southwest (Award winner \u2013 primary school over 150 students)
\nLong Bay College, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nRutherford College, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nAuckland Girls’ Grammar School, T\u0101maki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central\/East (Award winner \u2013 secondary school)<\/p>\n
Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance finalists and award winners<\/p>\n
Kaihere School, Waikato (Award winner \u2013 primary school 150 students or fewer)
\nKaiti School, Tair\u0101whiti | Hawke’s Bay(Award winner \u2013 primary school over 150 students)
\nR\u0101roa Normal Intermediate, Wellington
\nIqra School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nNelson College For Girls, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast
\nManiototo Area School, Otago, Southland(Award winner – secondary school)<\/p>\n
Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction finalists and award winners<\/p>\n
Sommerville School, T\u0101maki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central\/East (Award winner \u2013 primary school over 150 students)
\nLong Bay College, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nAlbany Junior High School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nAvondale College, T\u0101maki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central\/East (Award winner \u2013 secondary school)<\/p>\n
Excellence in Educational Leadership finalists and award winners<\/p>\n
Manurewa Intermediate, T\u0101maki Herenga Waka | Auckland South\/Southwest
\nGoodwood School, Waikato (Award winner \u2013 primary school over 150 students)
\nGulf Harbour School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West
\nNelson College For Girls, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast
\nRolleston College, Canterbury, Chatham Islands
\nWestlake Girls’ High School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata | Auckland North\/West (Award winner \u2013 secondary school)<\/p>\n
Commendation recipients<\/p>\n
School, region and commendation focus<\/p>\n
Bayswater School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata – Auckland North\/West – Embedding culturally responsive practice
\nChristchurch North College, Canterbury, Chatham Islands \u2013 Commitment to student wellbeing
\nMairangi Bay School, T\u0101maki Herenga T\u0101ngata – Auckland North\/West \u2013 Strong community focus
\n\u014cpunake High School, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawat\u016b \u2013 Engagement with students and wh\u0101nau
\nRotokawa School, Bay of Plenty, Waiariki \u2013 Innovative integration of AI<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Teachers, principals and schools across New Zealand are 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