In the next two weeks we will gather at the Convention in Wellington and enjoy time together. In the meantime I am mindful that there are a number of conversations in our communities about what schools might look like in the future and what changes might be suggested by the review of Tomorrow's Schools.

It is important to remember that no recommendations or plans have been sent to the Minister at this point but the conversations around NZ need your participation. If a local hui is held I encourage you to go and see what the prevailing trends are.

Catholic education in this country is an important part of the state’s provision of schooling and whatever iteration comes from the review we need to be a voice in shaping it.

Mā te Atua e manaaki,

Paul Ferris, CEO

THANK A TEACHER
 
At the Catholic Education Convention this year let's celebrate the amazing work happening in our schools and Thank A Teacher! Whether someone who taught you or someone you work with, Catholic schools have many inspiring teachers we would love to hear about. Click here to contribute.

SHOWCASE YOUR SCHOOL

This is your school's contribution to the opening ceremony and will be used to create a beautiful collage in the TSB Arena.

Thank you to schools who have submitted their artwork - reminder - this is due ASAP and must be submitted prior to Convention.

For this Convention, we are asking schools to contribute a piece of artistry to represent the uniqueness and creativity of your schools, with a link to the Convention theme.

Christ’s Call: to love, to be, to do
Ko Tā Te Karaiti Karanga: kia aroha, kia tūturu, kia ora

We ask that the submittal:
- Represent the school
- Link with the Convention theme
- Be A4 sized and portrait orientation
- Include a one paragraph description, separately
- Be submitted us ASAP (via email as the postal deadline has passed)

They are the only constraints! It may be on card or paper, colour or black and white. It may be a digitally created and a photo, or hand-drawn image using crayons, paints or pens. We encourage schools to reflect their creativity and uniqueness.

The final request is that with the piece, send one paragraph on a separate page with their school name and city and no more than 50 words describing the piece of art. This will be displayed with the piece of art.

Please send via email to nzceooffice@nzceo.org.nz

Any questions, email nzceooffice@nzceo.org.nz

Join leaders from New Zealand schools, and education technology experts Tribal, for a complimentary breakfast networking event on Thursday 14th June, 7:00am – 8:15am where you can network and share ideas with other education leaders to improve your strategies for addressing 2018’s technology-driven education trends.

Spaces are limited!

Click here to register online.

BRIGHT SPOT AWARDS

These Education Hub awards are open until June 1 and worth up to $75,000 over two years to support the design, development and evaluation of within school innovation Visit their website for more information.

MAXIMUM ROLL INCREASE APPLICATIONS

The Ministry of Education has invited us to remind Proprietors to allow six months for the processing of maximum roll increase applications, due to the consultation required. Some schools may also require a site plan update beforehand if their information is not current. To check if a site plan update is required please contact Sarah Taylor (sarah.taylor@education.govt.nz).

EDUCATION COUNCIL - SEEKING PARTNERS

The Education Council is asking teachers and professional leaders to help with developing resources and facilitating workshops for the Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession Ngā Tikanga Matatika mō te Haepapa Ngaiotanga me Ngā Paerewa mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga. Click here to find out more.

The Ministry of Education and the NZ Symphony Orchestra have created a new interactive, online story book to teach kids about about kindness and bullying. A free resource, it could be used as part of a Religious Education or English programme or any Health and Wellbeing aspects of the curriculum. It is designed for 4-7 year olds, is available in English and Te Reo and comes with associated activities. Click here to access.

One of our sponsors, Alsco, recently brought to our attention a Low Emission Vehicle Contestable Fund that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) operates. The Fund exists to encourage innovation and investment to accelerate the uptake of electric and other low emission vehicles in New Zealand. Round five is expected to open in August 2018. Visit their website for more information and to sign up for updates.

TALK TO US AT NZCEO CONVENTION - STAND 11

Go in the draw to win a Defibrillator (AED) and Portable First Aid Kit for your school.

Alsco is extremely proud of our record of charitable donations and contributions to organisations that work for the betterment of our communities and neighbourhoods, such as sports clubs, and just as importantly to welfare organisations that attend to the needs of those Kiwi’s that do not enjoy the sort of lifestyle that many of us take for granted.

Alsco has embraced the concept of gifting product no longer of use to us from a commercial perspective, but perfectly suitable for repurposing to those less fortunate.  What started with the repurposing of useful first aid products that have reached their nominal expiry date to third world countries has now extended to other products such as used bed linen and blankets which have no further use for our commercial rental customers - but perfect for those families in our local community that have nothing.

During 2015-2017 Alsco gifted over 14,000 items, a number which is growing.  There are now over 15 organisations benefiting from our charitable donations including Medical Aid Abroad, City Mission, Shine, SPCA, Healthy Homes and Rotary to name a few.

For more information check out our website www.alsco.co.nz

Well done to the two winners of the SINGout4JUSTICE song writing competition. In the Y7-10 section, Sophie Frame from Hillcrest High School, Hamilton and for the Y11-13 section, Shanille Lat and Ngarangi Sadlier-Patmore from Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt. Visit this site to hear the songs performed and see the highly commended participants.

Congratuations to De La Salle College, Auckland and John Paul College, Rotorua who have been selected as finalists in the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards. De La Salle College, Auckland for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and John Paul College, Rotorua for the 2018 Education Focus Prize. More information about what they have achieved is available online here.

Research/Professional Learning Project

The Christchurch diocese, along with local schools, is working on a research/professional learning project (RPLP) that aims to provide a digital structure/platform with
student-centred learning activities and assessments for the Religious Education (RE) curriculum. They are trying to maximise flexibility of classroom delivery approaches and, ultimately, to make the entire RE curriculum visible for all teachers and students, in order to be able to meet the individual needs of all students. Click here for an article from the Christchurch diocese with more information.

St Mary's College, Wellington student, Dhys Faleafaga (Y13) has been contracted to the Black Ferns.

Hato Paora, Fielding was recently congratulated in national news for encouraging students to get their drivers license before leaving secondary school. The National Driver Training Centre, based at Manfeild in Feilding allows students gain at least a learner or restricted licence, associated NCEA credits and a defensive driving certificate.

The 2017 Dux for St Peter's College, Auckland, Alec Van Helsingden, was presented with a Premier Scholar Award at Parliament in Wellington last week.

For more of the amazing work of Catholic school students and staff, click here.

One of our staff recently attended the National Catholic Education Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is a summary of one of the seminars attended, about the evangelisation of children through their families.