We need your photos for our website!

The NZCEO website is being refreshed and we are looking to feature our wonderful Catholic schools on our homepage. 

If you would like your school to feature share your photos by uploading them to our Dropbox account.  Photos need to be high resolution, and we need your permission to publish them.  Photos available from school websites are always welcome. 

We look forward to seeing your pictures!

Please ensure that you upload images in the highest resolution you can. Phone photos are totally fine but be sure to upload full size image files.

NZCEO National Aspiring Leaders Programme 2025-2026 Cohort 2

The NZCEO Aspiring Leaders Programme 2025–2026 recently gathered emerging Catholic educational leaders in Wellington for two days of formation, reflection, and connection. Led by Dr Kevin Shore and a team of experienced facilitators, participants explored themes of faith leadership, mission, and Catholic culture. Sessions included spiritual reflections, leadership development, and insights into evangelisation, with contributions from: 

• Lucienne Hensel, Pastoral Ministry Advisor, Family Ministry, Archdiocese of Wellington 

• Richard Kerr-Bell, Te Tumu Whakarae. Te Ope Whakaora (Salvation Army New Zealand), where he leads the National Maori Strategy for bi-cultural partnership and Gospel-centered service 

• Fr Mark Walls SM

• Rosalie Connors, Manager Special Character, NZCEO.  

These facilitators bring rich experience in Catholic education, pastoral ministry, and Māori spirituality, offering diverse perspectives.  

The programme continues for the next 18 months with online workshops, fostering growth and collaboration among Deputy Principals, DRSs, and teachers. Rooted in Pope Francis’ belief that “educating is an act of love,” the initiative emphasizes formation, collaboration, and Gospel-centered service. The gathering inspires participants to lead with faith, compassion, and purpose, preparing them to shape the future of Catholic education in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

NZCEO will commence another aspiring leader’s programme in 2027.  

Enliven your school's outdoor environment with Teamturf

Just in time for budgeting purposes, Teamturf have put together some price indications for converting various areas within your school to artificial turf.

School Multi-use courts Installing artificial turf over old asphalt courts -  from $30,000 + GST

For an existing  standard size asphalt or concrete court of 550sqm, which includes tennis and netball line markings and using our mid-range turf, suitable for primary through to intermediate school court areas. For secondary schools, or where hockey is a predominant sport, we recommend our top of the line Elite surface.

Playground surfacing  Includes base preparation, shockpad and artificial turf (150sqm) - from $60,000 + GST

This pricing indication applies for surfacing on either a new playground or replacement of existing surface on a mid-size school playground (approx 150sqm).  This includes our 35mm recycled proplay shockpad under the turf that provides a critical fall height of up to 1.5m, and includes the base preparation.

Cricket wickets

25m x 2.8m cricket wicket including the concrete base - from $18,000 + GST

This pricing is an approximate cost for a standard size 25m x 2.8m new cricket wicket (which includes construction of the  concrete base). 

Existing natural grass landscaping and courtyard areas

Convert existing grass to artificial turf-150sqm - from $33,000 + GST

This price is for removal of the top layer of soil, base preparation and supply and installation of the chosen landscaping surface. 

Existing concrete or asphalt courtyard - convert concrete or old discoloured asphalt  to artificial turf - 250sqm from $20,000 + GST 

(Around the size of half a basketball court). By transforming an old, dull concrete courtyard into an artificial grass area, the school not only creates a visually appealing space but also provides a year-round recreational space for students. A range of colours are available in our COOLplay range, games and educational elements can also be incorporated within the turf using our signgrass items.

Why Choose Teamturf?

✅ NZCEO-endorsed sponsor – Trusted by Catholic schools throughout NZ

✅ Nationwide Service – No matter your location, we’re ready to help

✅ Tailored Designs – Custom turf solutions using coloured turf and Signgrass® to reflect your school’s unique spirit

Caritas updates

SINGout4JUSTICE Shining Stars 

Our SINGout4JUSTICE competition, invited students from across New Zealand to "be the voice for hope,” connecting beautifully with this year’s Catholic Schools Day theme: ‘Shining like stars in the world’. Earlier this week, we were delighted to announce the winners and other notable entries.  

More than 270 students, from Year 1 to Year 13, showcased their incredible musical talents either by creating original compositions or performing their own covers of an existing song. Their powerful messages and musical talent have inspired us all. A big thank you to everyone who participated - your voices have truly made a difference! 

We extend our congratulations to the following winners for their outstanding contributions to this uplifting theme: 

Original Compositions: 

Junior (Y1-6): 'Shine Bright, Together' 

Miguel Legaspi, Christy Eldhose, Yuri Saladaga, Aloysius Shobin and Casey Kubala (Y5-6) 

St Mary's School, Dunedin 

Middle (Y7-10): 'Shining Everyday' 

Adrienne Walter-Laulu (Y10) 

St Mary's College, Auckland 

Senior (Y11-13): 'Don't Need To Give In' 

Sophie Waterman (Y13) 

Pompallier Catholic College, Whangārei 

Cover Performances: 

Junior (Y1-6): 'Sky Full of Stars' 

Amir Acedera, Anna Reneesh, Dakota Finlay, Elsie Dunlop, Grace Kennedy, Helga Shine, Maia Radics, Marcus Moby, Max Devoy, Max McFetridge, Olivia Collins, Phillip Joo, Savannah Jennings, Siena Aspinall, Tamsyn Liddall, Tony Kim, Yuna Stewart and Vera Tarpey (Y4-6) 

St Mary's School, Tauranga 

Middle (Y7-10): 'Sky Full of Stars' 

Leo Henderson, Rodeson Ferrer, Ahan Verma, William Gibert, Theo Gabito and Zeke Ho (Y7-8) 

Aquinas College, Tauranga 

Senior (Y11-13): 'Imagine' 

Georgia Jeffrey (Y12) 

Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth 

Visit our website to learn more and listen to some of these incredible entries.  

Kaitiaki2Share Competition Results Coming Soon 

At the end of last month, we received more than 220 amazing entries from more than 500 students for the Caritas Kaitiaki2Share competition. Students from all over Aotearoa shared their unique, imaginative and thoughtful ideas on how we can care for our common home. Their entries beautifully highlighted the power of collective action and reflected the Catholic social teaching principle of Stewardship.  

The judges have been impressed by the quality and creativity of all entries. We look forward to announcing the results in the coming week. 

Visit our website to explore the efforts of previous winners.  

Next week is Social Justice Week! 

We’re excited that Social Justice Week is just days away (7-13 September). As we enter the final year of our peace-focused journey, students and schools will explore practical ways to build peace together - guided by faith, action, and community.  

Just a quick reminder that our Caritas school resources are available online, including background notes, a liturgy, the new 2025 brick to add to the existing poster, peacebuilding blueprints designed as daily lessons, the special Pilgrims of Hope Peace Passport for students to record their learning and goals, stickers for the passport, and relevant videos that connect to the blueprints/lessons. 

It’s not too late to get in touch! If your school would like additional resources or support, please contact us at education@caritas.org.nz. 

Study with Tekupenga Catholic Theological College in 2026

Understanding the Role of APIS in New Zealand’s Education System

Ever wondered what the role of the Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools (APIS) is? The office is often asked to explain what APIS does and how NZCEO and AIS fit into the overall state integrated sector. This presentation explains the collaborative framework that APIS works within, and also provides information on funding streams for the state integrated sector.

APIS plays a central role in New Zealand’s unique state integrated school system. Established to represent the proprietors of all state integrated schools—both Catholic and non-Catholic—APIS acts as the sector’s official voice in negotiations with the government. Its primary function is to advocate for the collective interests of integrated schools, ensuring their needs and perspectives are considered in national education policy and funding decisions.

State integrated schools are part of the public education system but retain a “special character,” often religious or philosophical, which is protected by law. These schools were originally private institutions that chose to integrate into the state system under the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act 1975. While they receive government funding for operations and staffing, the land and buildings remain privately owned by the proprietors, who are responsible for maintaining the school’s special character.

APIS unites these diverse proprietors under one umbrella, fostering collaboration and shared advocacy. It provides a platform for addressing common challenges, such as property funding, legislative changes, and maintaining the integrity of special character education. APIS also facilitates communication between schools and government agencies, ensuring that integrated schools are well-represented in policy discussions.

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) plays a vital role within APIS. Constitutionally mandated as the Executive Secretariat of APIS, NZCEO acts as its agent, office, and secretariat. This means NZCEO not only supports Catholic integrated schools but also provides expert advice and administrative support to APIS as a whole. NZCEO’s leadership ensures that Catholic schools—by far the largest group of integrated schools—are actively involved in shaping the direction of the sector.

On the other hand, the Association of Integrated Schools (AIS) serves the non-Catholic integrated school boards and proprietors. While NZCEO focuses on Catholic schools, AIS focus on the voices of other integrated schools.  Together, APIS, NZCEO, and AIS form a collaborative framework that strengthens the state integrated sector. APIS provides the overarching representation, ensuring integrated schools maintain their unique identities while benefiting from the stability and support of the state education system.

In summary, APIS is the cornerstone of integrated school advocacy in New Zealand. It ensures that the diverse voices within the sector are unified and effectively represented.

Working with APIS to facilitate changes to your Integration Agreement

State integrated schools operate under an Integration Agreement with the Ministry of Education, which includes a specified maximum roll—the total number of students a school is allowed to enrol, including both preference and non-preference students. The Integration Agreement also includes provisions for the school’s property, specifying that the proprietor retains ownership and is responsible for maintaining the buildings and facilities to support the school’s special character and maximum roll.

If a school wishes to increase its maximum roll or change the school property included in the agreement, a formal process must be followed.  This presentation sets out the process for any change to the Integration Agreement.

For a maximum roll increase, the proprietor of the school must initiate the application, advising the school board of their intentions. The application must provide detailed justification for the increase, including enrolment trends, property capacity, and community demand. The Ministry uses this information to assess the viability and impact of the proposed change.

Approval from the Minister of Education is required for any change to the maximum roll. If granted, the change is formalised through a Supplementary Integration Agreement, which modifies the original agreement. This ensures that the school’s infrastructure and resources can support the increased student population.

The office is often asked to explain what APIS does and how it fits into the overall state integrated sector. In this context, APIS provides guidance and support to proprietors throughout the application process, ensuring compliance with Ministry expectations and sector standards.  All applications must be submitted to the Ministry via APIS.  Once the application is lodged, APIS monitor progress and keep the proprietor informed of its status in the decision-making process. APIS is also the only agency permitted to prepare the supplementary agreement which formalises a change to the Integration Agreement.

For more information view our website.

10 years of Laudato Si’ - ‘On Care for Our Common Home’

From Dr John Kleinsman,  Kaitohu / Director The Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics

The latest Nathaniel Report, a publication of the Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics, is a special themed issue commemorating the 10^th anniversary of Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ - ‘On Care for Our Common Home’.

In the decade since Laudato Si’ was issued, the need to attend to our environmental life support systems has only grown more urgent. As has been widely reported, over 75% of New Zealand’s native birds, reptiles and mammals are currently either threatened with, or at risk of, extinction. At the same time, the degradation our natural resources and contamination of our soil, air, and water presents an unprecedented danger to the health and wellbeing of both current and future generations.

The gravity and scale of this situation must translate into an imperative to act. To do otherwise would be to deprive our children and future offspring of the health and natural treasures that we have inherited; we have no such right. 

The voices of young persons have come to the fore on this issue in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. At a time when there is considerable vacillation amongst politicians about our commitment to environmental and ecological sustainability, it is important that this issue remains to the fore in the minds of teachers and students. This issue will, hopefully, send us all back to re-engage with the wisdom in Laudato Si. 

Follow the links below to download articles from this issue of the Nathaniel Report.

About the Nathaniel Centre

The Te Kupenga Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics was established by the NZ Catholic Bishops in 1999 and its key functions include:

• developing educational opportunities in bioethics
• acting as an advisory and resource centre for individuals, and professional, educational and community groups
• carrying out research into bioethical issues
• carrying out research and action to support the Church’s pastoral response to bioethical issues taking into account the needs of different cultures and groups in society

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA: Editorial by Dr Kevin Shore, CEO

Kia ora koutou

I had the privilege of attending an Australian religious education conference in Cairns in August. It was interesting to compare the New Zealand and Australian education sectors and note the similarities and the differences between both systems. The special character of the Australian schools, like our own, is a key element behind the successful outcomes they achieve and highlights how the values and beliefs embedded in special character impacts so positively on school communities across both countries.   

The Australian system is a much bigger beast than ours with the Catholic system in Australia, as an example, having 1750 schools compared to our 235. It’s also very noticeable that, in general, accessing religious schools in Australia comes at a significant cost to parents who are required to pay fees that total billions of dollars nationwide every year creating issues of accessibility for many parents and their children.

It is good to be reminded that one of the strengths of the state integrated school sector in New Zealand is that parents can exercise choice at a nominal cost (attendance dues) that while still significant for many does not create the same financial barriers as for our Australian cousins. The state integrated school system in New Zealand is a true taonga and one that we must continue to protect and nurture if it is to survive for another fifty years.

Relationship with the Minister of Education

The Association of Proprietors Integrated Schools (APIS) would like to thank principal Bernadette Murfitt and the school community of the Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Thorndon for hosting Minister of Education Erica Stanford on Thursday 24 July. Minister Stanford used this occasion to do a media briefing releasing detail on the State Integrated Growth Initiative (SIGI) funding. The Government agreed in the 2025/26 Budget to fund almost $30M across four years to support growth in the state integrated school sector. APIS has been negotiating for this outcome for the last eighteen months and it was complicated given Policy Two funds have been off the table.

SIGI funding will be delivered directly to school boards who will ‘own’ the new classroom facilities and effectively lease these facilities at a peppercorn rate to the proprietor. This is not the model that APIS necessarily wanted but was the only option available to the Minister at this time. APIS is grateful that Minister Stanford was prepared to find a way to make this work and we appreciate her support.

APIS is currently negotiating with the Ministry of Education on the process and systems that will need to be in place to ensure these resources are used to best support the state school network. A significant amount of work is required in a short timeframe, but we are hopeful that by the time of the Association of Integrated Schools (AIS) conference we may have further details to share or at the very least be able to discuss the issues that we are negotiating with our stakeholders.

The other important matter that APIS discussed with Minister Stanford was a possible mechanism for supporting the professional development of special character for teacher trainees. Our sector lost the support we previously enjoyed in the Education Act when the Act was reviewed in 2016. This support from the Crown was lost as they no longer had responsibility for tertiary teacher training establishments with most being transferred to universities across New Zealand. It has been an issue that has been sitting in the background until recently and APIS have decided to give this issue a stronger focus.

Education Reform

The process of education reform by the current government is leading to some anxiety for those in our schools. The scope and pace of change is challenging with almost all parts of the curriculum being reviewed and the Minister signaling that the qualifications system is next up for change. One of the disappointing aspects of the current change agenda (and to be fair this has been the case for some years) is the limited time allocated for consultation. This limits feedback and leaves the impression that the views of the sector and other interested groups is not valued which is disappointing and a lost opportunity in my opinion.

The review of NCEA is a case in point. The current qualification system is by no means perfect but there are aspects of the current system that have promoted equitable outcomes and engagement of the students. Any change should heed the lessons of the past, build on the strengths of the current system and change that which is needed. It is unlikely that a change in the qualification system will lift student achievement. Rather it will be the impact of efforts to improve literacy and numeracy skills at an early age and quality teaching across every part of the system that will make the most difference – and I am supportive of the work the current Minister of Education is doing in this space. However, I am concerned that the use of such small windows for consultation work against gaining a comprehensive set of views or voices and that ultimately works against obtaining the best decisions and outcomes.

I would like to thank our fantastic school leaders and staff for the work they continue to do in enabling the students in our schools to thrive. A state school integrated education is focused on ensuring great academic outcomes but, more importantly, ensuring our students leave with a set of values and beliefs that set them up to create a world characterised by love, compassion and justice. We have much to be thankful for and it is important to recognise our wonderful school leaders, teachers and staff.    

Development of APIS & NZCEO Websites

Deputy CEO Karen Raitt is leading a piece of work to improve the functionality and usefulness of the APIS and NZCEO websites. The office, with the support of Adam Raitt, carried out a review and evaluation of the websites in 2024 and identified several aspects and features that we wanted to make improvements on. These improvements are being implemented currently and we would like to think that once completed the sector will find it much easier to navigate across these websites.

Visibility of State Integrated Schools

At a recent Catholic primary schools’ principal gathering I talked to the audience about the current lack of representation of state integrated school principals on government agencies and advisory groups. About two weeks later, I received an email from Patrick Walsh (principal Sacred Heart College Auckland) outlining his similar concerns. If I look at the current peak body groups, advisory groups and school leadership agencies there is a clear lack of the state integrated participation in the membership in these agencies and advisory bodies. It is crucial that our state integrated principals and leaders consider opportunities to be involved in these national groups so that are unique needs are considered. Patrick is one person who has continued to take on these national roles and currently sits on the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.  We need more of our leaders on these national groups if we are to have our needs met and continue to thrive.  

Celebrating 50 Years as State Integrated School

APIS is continuing to gather the significant history of integration for each of our special character or philosophical school affiliations. We would like to thank those proprietor representatives who are giving of their time to support us in this work. APIS is working to a very tight timeline which is very challenging but we remain focused on trying to complete and release this resource across our sector on 10 October.

Staff at APIS are excited to be doing this work and it is a privilege to be able to gather the stories that sit behind the journey of our state integrated schools in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Finally

I am looking forward to seeing many of our stakeholders at the AIS Conference which starts on Thursday 11 September. I know that there has been wonderful support for the conference with between 140 and 150 registrations so it will be nice to have a full house once more. I want to thank Nicola Geuze and Rhonda Thorpe and the AIS Executive for their work in putting such a comprehensive programme together and both the Deputy Prime minister David Seymour and Minister of Education Erica Stanford will attend events at the conference which highlights great support from the current government for our sector.

Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou.

Kevin Shore, Chief Executive Officer

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✅ NZCEO-endorsed sponsor – Trusted by Catholic schools throughout NZ

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✅ Tailored Designs – Custom turf solutions using coloured turf and Signgrass® to reflect your school’s unique spirit

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Below: Turf installation at St Patrick's Catholic School, Taumarunui

Education Minister Announces $30m To Be Put Towards New Classrooms At State Integrated Schools

State Integrated Growth Investment (SIGI) Funding

Yesterday morning, the Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced that $30M of Crown funds (allocated at a rate of $7.5M per year for four years) will be allocated to state integrated schools for new growth classrooms. APIS has been in negotiation with the Minister about this funding for the last twelve months and I am grateful to Minister Stanford for prioritising these funds in the 2025/26 budget.

It is important to acknowledge her efforts on our behalf in what we know is a very tight fiscal situation. The Minister acknowledged that her government views state integrated schools as an important part of the state education sector and that her government is supportive of choice for parents within the state school provision. Her words of support for our sector were welcomed and appreciated. Minister Stanford also reflected in her media announcement that there continues to be strong demand for places in our state integrated schools and that these funds would provide classrooms for at least an extra 1250 students in our sector.

This funding is not a universal fund where every proprietor will be guaranteed to get a share of these funds. The funds will be allocated by the Ministry of Education according to how the proprietor application meets the priorities that will be set by the Minister and her team at the Ministry of Education.

The Minister of Education mentioned eligibility and prioritisation criteria which APIS were not aware of before her media statement. Criteria that she articulated as priorities for assessing applications for growth classrooms included attendance, achievement rates, and pressure on the school roll. The Minister mentioned that state integrated schools requesting a high level of donations may be given a lower priority for SIGI funding. This was a surprise but is consistent with some of her conversations with APIS in recent times, where she has expressed her concern regarding state integrated schools which request large donations from their school community.

State Integrated Growth Investment (SIGI) funding is not Policy Two funding. SIGI funding will be delivered directly to state integrated school boards who will then retain ownership of these new buildings. This is a different method of funding for growth in state integrated schools and has enabled the Minister to use the Crown’s capital funding to support state integrated school growth aspirations. APIS will now negotiate with the Ministry of Education the various policies, processes and application format that will be needed to ensure these funds are used in our best interests.

APIS will now, under urgency, start negotiations with the Ministry of Education on the criteria for assessing applications for SIGI funding and the design of the application form that will be used to apply for these funds. The clock is ticking if our sector is to fully use the $7.5M allocated for the first year in 2025/26.

APIS will ensure we continue to update our stakeholders as we progress through these negotiations. Please understand that at this point APIS cannot answer many of the questions that we know you will have regarding the building and ownership of these growth classrooms. Rest assured we are aware of the complexities involved in the allocation of these funds and will work in your best interests with the Ministry of Education to ensure we clarify all the issues and work towards an outcome that will be beneficial for all parties.

These SIGI funds are great news for our sector and an acknowledgement from the Crown and the Minister that they have confidence in our ability to provide high quality students outcomes and a proven record of delivering low-cost, high-quality classroom facilities. APIS is very grateful to Minister Stanford for her support.

An RNZ article on her announcement can be found here and the Minister’s press release can be found here

From Carmel College to the Vatican: Inspiring the Next Generation of Carmel Girls

Reproduced with permission from Carmel College School News

Former top scholar Mia Boothroyd (Class of 2019) has written to share an extraordinary academic and personal experience – one she hopes will inspire other Carmel students to aim high, follow their passions, and maybe even meet the Pope.

This year, Mia attended the prestigious Vatican Observatory Summer School (VOSS) in Albano/Castel Gandolfo, Italy, alongside 23 other astronomy students from 22 different countries. VOSS is hosted by the Vatican Observatory, one of the oldest active astronomical institutions in the world, operated by Jesuit scientists and astronomers.

“It was such an amazing time – we learnt so much and met so many people from around the world,” Mia shared. The 2025 programme focused on new discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope, covering topics like exoplanets, astrochemistry, and galactic phenomena. Outside of lectures, the group explored ancient ruins in Ostia Antica, visited monasteries in Subiaco, and walked the historic streets of Rome.

A highlight of the programme? “We were lucky enough to have an audience with the Pope… It was so amazing to meet him,” Mia wrote. The students were also granted special access to areas of the Vatican not usually open to tourists. “When I met the Pope, I told him I was going to send the photo to my school teachers, so I better keep my promise!”

Now beginning her PhD in Denmark, researching meteorites and planetary formation, Mia credits Carmel with helping ignite her love of science: “It was actually at Carmel I first learnt about the Vatican Observatory… without which I never would’ve known about VOSS!”

VOSS runs every two years (the next in 2027), and is open to students studying astronomy, physics, or mathematics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. To learn more, visit: Vatican Observatory Summer School

Mia closed her email with a message of gratitude and hope:
“I wanted to remember my teachers at Carmel who first taught me science – thank you! – and to share some of this joy with others. I hope in the future, a Carmel girl may attend VOSS again and have an amazing time in Italy too.”

Shepherding and Serving: The Nature and Formation of Leadership in Catholic Schools

Rosalie Connors, Special Character Manager, NZCEO

What constitutes genuine strength in a leader? Who is the leader we are looking for, and hoping for, in Catholic education?

These are critical questions in determining the intended nature of leadership in Catholic schools. An article from the Monographs Series from the Ontario Institute for Catholic Education (OICE) addresses these questions by suggesting that leadership requires emotional intelligence, dedication to service, the ability to deal patiently and constructively with conflict, and the courage to maintain integrity as essential strengths. These qualities are evoked in the metaphor of ‘shepherd’ that provides a powerful invitation to choose a way to lead characterised by righteousness, care and compassion.

While leadership in Catholic education does not demand or require perfection, it does require a willingness to grow and change-to continue to be formed into our true self as a person and a leader. For a baptised Catholic, formation is a lifelong process that encourages us to move to deeper levels of faith understanding and commitment. This transfers to our leadership so our personal dimensions of leadership are reflected on and developed.

Like me I hope you find this article thought provoking and challenging to think deeper on faith as an essential dimension in my vocation as a Catholic educator.

The full article Shepherding and Serving: The Nature and Formation of Leadership in Catholic Schools from OICE can be found here:

Parish Ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand

Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is offering a webinar on “Parish Ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand” with Emily Sit, the director for mission and evangelisation for Palmerston North. This webinar is on Wednesday, 20 August 5:00-6:00pm via Zoom. To register, follow the link below

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA: Editorial by Dr Kevin Shore, CEO

Kia ora koutou

I had the pleasure of speaking at the New Zealand Association of Christian Schools Conference recently in Auckland. The conference was hosted by KingsWay School in Auckland. I would like to thank Graeme Budler and his wonderful staff and students for their manaaki and the care that they took in hosting all the guests and participants. It was a privilege to visit the school and mix and mingle with so many proprietors and stakeholders from the Christian school’s sector that I have got to know in my role. One of the highlights was spending some time with the main conference keynote Lynn Swaner who leads thought leadership and research initiatives for the Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI). Her work on Flourishing Schools Research resonated with me and I managed to walk away with her book “Flourishing Together’ which I am looking forward to reading by the ‘fire’ over winter.

Development of Further Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools (APIS) Resources

We have received a few comments lately that some proprietors and stakeholders would like APIS to clarify and demystify the processes when applying for maximum roll increases and other common changes to integration agreements such as site plan updates, change of name, change of proprietor, changes to special character statement etc. Karen Raitt from our office is developing this work at speed and only yesterday she shared her first draft of this work with me. Karen has attempted to design these resources so they are in a graphic and simple format and I am confident that they will be embraced by the sector when these are released shortly. Before they are released to the sector, APIS is likely to seek feedback from some of our stakeholders to ensure these resources have been fully evaluated and are fit for purpose.

It is important to point out that the integration agreement is a contract between the proprietor and the Minister of education allowing the school to become a state integrated school. There is only ever one integration agreement and any subsequent changes must be made via a supplementary integration agreement. A supplementary integration agreement only identifies the change (or variation) that has been agreed to from the original integration agreement. Proprietors and school boards must read their integration agreement alongside any supplementary agreements to get the full picture of what has been agreed to.

 Celebrating 50 Years of State Integrated Schools

APIS has initiated a project to gather the significant history of integration for each of our special character or philosophical school affiliations. This is not focusing on individual schools but on each of the main religious or philosophical affiliations including, Anglican (incorporating Anglican Māori), Catholic (incorporating Catholic Māori), Non-denominational Christian, Hare Krishna, Islamic, Jewish, Māori, Methodist, Montessori, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, Steiner and special education philosophies.

The official 50th anniversary of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (PSCIA) is 10 October 2025 and APIS would like to complete a media publication that incorporates a short history of each of the different affiliations that make up the state integrated sector. This publication would then be released to media and we are looking to invite the Minister of Education to be part of this release. We have a very testing timeline so APIS has approached particular stakeholders in each of the affiliations who have knowledge of their history to support this project. Some have replied positively to us already; however, we are desperately needing responses from those who are yet to reply. APIS will follow up on this urgently as we need to meet remotely with these key people to go over the parameters of what we require from them.

Whether we can meet the 10 October deadline will depend on the level of support we receive from the sector. However, we do appreciate how busy people are and want to make this as easy as possible for those involved.      

Relationship with the Minister of Education 

I am very appreciative of our stakeholders after my reminder in the last Kōtui that APIS is your body to negotiate in your interests with the Minister of Education. In the last few weeks, APIS has received correspondence from proprietors who are wanting to communicate issues with the Minister. This is the correct process and I am grateful for your support in working with us.

Unfortunately, this editorial must be submitted before my meeting with Minister Stanford on 17 July. It is always a privilege to have the opportunity to engage with her and there are several significant issues that are on the agenda. APIS has been waiting for the Minister to release a statement that impacts on state integrated schools so please rest assured that we will communicate directly with you once we have the information and the support of the Minister to share this information.

Finally

The AGM for APIS will be held as part of the programme at the Association of Integrated Schools (AIS) Conference being held at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September. Minister Stanford has signalled her willingness to be the opening speaker at the conference as she was in 2024. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour will also briefly attend the conference dinner on Thursday evening and cut the cake to celebrate 50 years of state integrated schools. Nicola Gueze (CEO AIS) and Rhonda Thorpe work hard to put together a great programme and relevant workshops so I encourage our stakeholders to join us and support our conference organisers.

Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou.

Kevin Shore, Chief Executive Officer

Association of Integrated Schools Conference

The Association of Integrated Schools (AIS) is holding its annual conference on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September 2025 at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington. The AIS conference in 2024 was very well attended by representatives of state integrated schools including our Catholic sector and I would encourage you all to join with us in celebrating our state integrated schools.

The Pope’s Astronomer, Br Guy Consolmagno SJ – Speaker Series

From Catholic.org.nz

The director of the Vatican Observatory will soon make his fourth visit to New Zealand, taking in the Southern Hemisphere skies and sharing his insights on theology, astronomy and science. Br Guy Consolmagno SJ first travelled to New Zealand in 1996 as part of a trip that featured collecting meteorites from the East Antarctic Plateau and a New Year’s Eve concert headlined by iconic band The Muttonbirds.

His visits have included astronomical observations from Lake Tekapo, exploration of Great Barrier Island and a well-attended speaking tour in 2019. During the upcoming visit, Br Guy will give talks in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Timaru in early August, as well as spending time at a number of world-renowned sites for stargazing.

As a member of the Society of Jesus, his tour will commence with an event at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College in Drury, which opened last year with a Jesuit charism. He will speak at other Catholic schools, at Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute campuses, at a Christchurch parish and at universities as he makes his way down the country.

While he is looking forward to renewing friendships and offering his thoughts with new groups of people, Br Guy concedes the Southern Hemisphere skies hold great appeal. “New Zealand is one of the few places of dry land on Earth that’s at the same latitude south as the places where I have lived in the north. Southern stars are not to be missed,” he said.

“But I say that in part because I know that the stars (if not the clear skies needed to see them) can be predicted. The more important part of the trip, the people, can’t be predicted; I am prepared to be surprised.”

Br Guy concedes that life as a scientist and a professed member of a religious order often prompts some interesting questions. After decades of speaking around the world, he has detected a change in recent years. “I’ve noticed in the past five years or so a fascinating shift in the sorts of questions I get and the attitudes that people have,” he said “My fellow scientists are much more open now to questions of faith than they were 30 years ago, while there’s been a lot less faith in science among the general public. “I will be fascinated to see what sorts of questions and conversations I have when I get to New Zealand, to see how these changes are playing out there.”

One line of questioning he’s preparing for is how the new Pope views faith and science. Br Guy said, of Pope Leo XIV: “Since he’s a mathematician by training, I know he understands the beauty of finding God in our academic search for truth. “His name is also a good clue; his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, was the Pope who founded the Vatican Observatory!”

Te Kupenga acting chief executive John Kleinsman said the tertiary provider is pleased to be supporting Br Guy’s visit. “The Catholic tradition is one steeped in the interaction between faith and science, and Br Guy stands at the forefront of that connection today,” Dr Kleinsman said. “We encourage people to come and hear about some of the wonders of our creation from someone who gazes upon it and reflects on it through a lens of faith.”

A programme of event's has been published on Te Kupenga's Website:

National Liturgy & Liturgical Music Conference

From the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network

We are pleased to share with you that the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network and the National Liturgical Council will present a joint national conference at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide from 1 to 3 October 2025. The conference theme, Pilgrims of Hope: Transformed Through Sacrament & Song reflects and builds on the theme of our 2025 Jubilee Year.

Featured keynote speakers include leading US presenters, composer and theologian, Rev Dr Ricky Manalo CSP and liturgist, theologian and author, Rita Ferrone. They are joined by internationally acclaimed Australian speaker Rev Dr Richard Leonard SJ.

Additionally, six breakout blocks containing over fifty workshop options are on offer. They include focused streams for primary and secondary teachers along with workshops addressing parish/school relationships from a liturgical perspective. Workshops will be facilitated by an array of highly experienced Australian liturgists, pastoral musicians, composers, and educators.

We ask you to encourage the leadership and teaching staff in your schools to participate in this event. Your office might consider sponsoring the attendance of key Religious Education, Identity & Mission, and music staff to attend. The conference occurs during school holidays for most of the country so teachers can participate without disruption to teaching commitments.

Semester 2 at Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College

Independent Schools NZ Teacher Symposium 2025

From Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ)

ISNZ is running a Teacher Symposium in Auckland on the first two days of the July school holidays. We would love to have teachers from state integrated schools. 

Teachers, we are delighted to invite you to attend the inaugural ISNZ Teacher Symposium!

30 June – 1 July 2025 | Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland | Members $245 | Non-members $295 |Trainee Teachers $120

By teachers, for teachers, this two-day gathering is an exciting opportunity to network, collaborate, and connect with passionate professionals from schools nationwide. The symposium has been developed to give teachers the space to share innovative practices, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a meaningful, practical way. It has been shaped by a dedicated planning committee, with representatives from independent schools across the country. Together, they’ve crafted a rich, engaging programme that offers valuable professional learning in a collegial, supportive environment.

From Generation Resilient to Surviving AI,  and Concept-Based Learning to Imbuing Cultural Narrative, the symposium provides interest for all attendees. 

We will also hear from external keynote speakers including:

Vince Ford, ‘Connection before Curriculum’

Do you remember the teacher that truly saw you, that recognised your potential and made you want to turn up and be the best you could be? How much did they influence your life? In this keynote we dig into the neuroscience of connection, examine the ways we connect and discover the secret to engaging with students and staff in a way that builds lasting bonds of trust.

Annabelle March, ‘Neurodiversity in the Classroom: A Lived Experience and Practical Approaches for Educators’.

This session draws Annabelle’s experiences as a neurodivergent student - diagnosed later in life with ADHD and Autism - to highlight how classroom environments and teacher practices can shape the educational experiences of neurodivergent learners. The focus will be on creating classroom environments where these learners can participate, learn, and thrive without needing to constantly adapt or mask who they are.

David Ferguson, ‘How did that happen? A story about teacher, a curious series of events and staying true to your values’

Prior to taking on the CEO role at The Teachers Institute, David was Headmaster of Westlake Boys’ High School for 15 years. He was also instrumental in launching the Auckland Schools Teachers Training Programme in 2020. We look forward to hearing David’s thoughts, ideas and passion for the teaching profession.

Whether you're presenting or attending, you'll gain fresh insights, practical strategies, and renewed energy for your teaching journey.

“The For-Teachers-By-Teachers Symposium is a unique opportunity for educators to share, learn, and grow alongside colleagues from across the independent school sector. I am excited to send my staff to engage with other passionate professionals, exchange best practices, and build meaningful connections. This symposium fosters collaboration, innovation, and inspiration—don’t miss this chance to be both challenged and empowered in your teaching journey!” Peter Cassie, Principal of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School.

We look forward to seeing you soon!