Week 4 - Term 4 - 2026

 Aroha tētahi ki tētahi.

To care for one another. 

Small acts of kindness build resilient people and lasting bonds. Whether it’s a warm smile, a helping hand, or a listening ear, every small gesture matters. Through aroha, we strengthen our connections because communities flourish when everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

Week 4 2 Noema - 6 Noema NZQA Assemblies - Wed 4  - Year 13 p2  - Year 12 p3  - Year 11 p4 Last Day for Seniors - Wed 4 LEF's Due - Wed 4 (Juniors only) School finishes after p4 (12.55pm) - Wed 4 Senior Prizegiving - Wed 4 Canterbury Junior Volleyball Champs - Fri 6 - Sun 8 International Students Christmas Dinner - Fri 6	Week 5 9 Noema - 13 Noema Senior End of Year Grade reports due - Mon 9 9PCB Taonga Hunt - Mon 9 Set up for NZQA examinations - Mon 9 p5 NZQA examinations start - Tues 10 SPACPAC Innovate (Yr 10)- Tues 10 9ANP Taonga Hunt - Tues 10 International Students A&P show - Thurs 12 Year 9 Dance Tip - Thurs 12 (TBC)  Staff Only Day - Curriculum Planning - Thurs 12 Show Day - Fri 13
Assembly Mon - Year 9 Wed - Year 13 Last assembly (Yr 10 PAC)	Assembly Mon - Nil Wed - Nil
Meeting  Mon: PL Embed Tues: Learning Area  Thurs: Nil	Meeting  Mon: Jnr HoD Tues: Learning Area Thurs: Nil

Information for Staff

1. Here are some possible guiding questions that could be considered as part of the new curriculum planning for 2027 Year 9 and 10 courses. This could help when reviewing existing units against the refreshed national expectations:

a. What do we want our ākonga to know and do: What foundational learning is non-negotiable? Have we clearly unpacked the essential knowledge, concepts, and skills for Year 9 and Year 10 so all teachers share the same target?
b. Coherent Sequencing & Pace: Does our programme build logically across Years 9 and 10? Is the scope realistically paced within our available teaching hours without rushing key progressions?
c. Anticipating Misconceptions: Where are ākonga most likely to get stuck or hold misunderstandings? Have we identified these hurdles ahead of time with ready-to-go response strategies?
d. Pedagogical Clarity: How are we actively guiding learning? Do our units clearly embed explicit instruction, modeling, worked examples, and culturally responsive approaches?
e. Formative Evidence & Retrieval: How do we routinely check that learning is sticking? Are regular low-stakes retrieval opportunities and formative checks woven into weekly lessons. 

f. Responsive Action & Reteaching: When checks show ākonga haven’t grasped a concept, how do we respond? Is deliberate time and flexibility protected in our term plans for targeted intervention?
g. Department Review & Collective Moderation: How do we measure our impact and refine our practice? What structured routines (e.g., student work moderation, student voice) will the department use to adapt units year-on-year?

Week 3 - Term 4 - 2026

I orea te tuatara ka puta ki waho

A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions

Week 3 26 Ōketopa - 30 Ōketopa Labour Day - Mon 26 Level 1 - 3 Art Exhibition - Tues 27 Senior Clearance starts - Tues 27 Arts Awards evening - Wed 28 Spirit of Adventure - Thurs 29 - Tues 3 Zonta Sports Awards - Thurs 29 Trial Building Evac - p5 - Fri 30 Year 13 Leavers Dinner - Fri 30 SI Rugby Sevens Tournament - Sat 31	Week 4 2 Noema - 6 Noema NZQA Assemblies - Wed 4  - Year 13 p2  - Year 12 p3  - Year 11 p4 Last Day for Seniors - Wed 4 LEF's Due - Wed 4 (Juniors only) School finishes after p4 (12.55pm) - Wed 4 Senior Prizegiving - Wed 4 Canterbury Junior Volleyball Champs - Fri 6 - Sun 8 International Students Christmas Dinner - Fri 6
Assembly Mon - Nil Wed - Sports, Cultural, Service colours	Assembly Mon - Year 9 Wed - Year 13 Last assembly
Meeting  Mon: Nil Tues: Professional Learning - Staff Thurs: PCT	Meeting  Mon: PL Embed Tues: Staff Meeting Thurs: Nil

Information for Staff

1. The Science of Learning in Practice: If you are interested in learning more about the Science of Learning, there is a free online course specifically for teachers that you can work your way through - Science of Learning in Practice.

2. There is now an updated video available around the New Zealand Curriculum from Dr Wayne Ngata. Reminding us around Te Mataiaho and the setting up of the kaupapa that is currently being undertaken. A good reminder of the 'why we are here' and that we are still using the framework that was originally developed.

Week 2 - Term 4 - 2026

 Tē tōia, tē haumatia 

Nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and a way of doing things This whakatauki speaks to the importance of having a ‘plan of attack’. 

It could be used to guide conversation or lead a discussion in the planning of an event or community initiative.

Week 2 19 Ōketopa - 23 Ōketopa Cricket Regional Finals - Mon 19 SPACPAC Leaders Breakfast - Tues 20 Year 9ZOO trip - Tues 20 LEF's Due - Wed 21 DVC Exhibition - Thurs 22 - Fri 23 Māori and Pasifika awards evening - Thurs 22 Junior Writing Competition - Fri 23 L1 - 3 Art Exhibition - Fri 23 Pink Day - Fri 23	Week 3 26 Ōketopa - 30 Ōketopa Labour Day - Mon 26 Level 1 - 3 Art Exhibition - Tues 27 Senior Clearance starts - Tues 27 Arts Awards evening - Wed 28 Spirit of Adventure - Thurs 29 - Tues 3 Zonta Sports Awards - Thurs 29 Trial Building Evac - p5 - Fri 30 Year 13 Leavers Dinner - Fri 30 SI Rugby Sevens Tournament - Sat 31
Assembly Mon - Year 13 (Gym) and Year 12 (PAC) Wed - Sports Awards	Assembly Mon -  Wed - Sports, Cultural, Service colours
Meeting  Mon: HoLA Tues: Learning Area Thurs: Nil	Meeting  Mon: Nil Tues: Professional Learning - Staff Thurs: PCT

Information for Staff

1. Earlier this week, there was further information uploaded onto the Ministry website Tahurangi regarding the new qualifications that are to be rolled out (HERE).
A quick summary reminder:

• New Qualifications & Timeline: The New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) and New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) will roll out for their first cohorts in 2029 and 2030, respectively, replacing credit accumulation with whole-subject qualifications.
• Curriculum-Driven Assessment: Qualifications will be aligned directly with the refreshed curriculum and guided by three standardized national components: Assessment Criteria, Grade Descriptors, and Assessment Guides (Te Arawhata Aromatawai).
• Whole-Subject Structure: Students earn a single subject grade determined by a balanced combination of a written exam and 2–3 non-exam assessments. Subject weightings will be either 50% exam / 50% coursework or 25% exam / 75% coursework.
• Grading & Endorsements: Achievement will be reported on a 6-point scale (A+ to E). Students passing at least 5 subjects can earn overall qualification endorsements:
• B Grade Endorsement: 5 subjects at C grade (with 3 at B or higher).
• A Grade Endorsement: 5 subjects at C grade (with 3 at A or higher).
• Reduced Teacher Workload: The model aims to reduce excessive marking and summative assessments, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching and learning.

Key Implementation Dates:

• Late Term 1, 2027: Assessment criteria and transition details for affected cohorts released.
• Term 4, 2027: Full subject Assessment Guides and Grade Descriptors published (one year before implementation).

2. Something that could be of use with regards to unit/topic summary for students:

How to Create a Sketchnote

Prompt to copy/paste/edit for Step 1: Summarize the attached file into a one page bulleted list of the most important content. Be specific and to the point. Provide relevant examples. Audience is [define the sketchnote's audience]

Prompt to copy/paste edit for Step 2: Create a hand-drawn sketchnote visual summary of these notes. Use a pristine white paper background (no lines). The art style should be 'graphic recording' or 'visual thinking' using black ink fine-liners for clear outlines and text. Use colored markers (specifically teal, orange, and muted red) for simple shading and accents. Center the main title in a 3D-style rectangular box. Surround the title with radially distributed simple doodles, educational icons, stick figures, and graphs that explain the concepts. Use arrows to connect ideas. The text should be distinct, handwritten, all-caps printing, legible and organized like a professional brainstorming session. Format to print on A4 paper.

NOTE: Try other graphic styles for Step 2:  4 panel comic, infographic, chart, etc.

Week 1 - Term 4 - 2026

 

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou 

Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing 

This whakatauki refers to the importance of learning for it is key to your wellbeing. If you follow the path of learning, the world will be your oyster. 

Week 1 12 Ōketopa - 16 Ōketopa DRA201 - Major Production - Mon 12 - Wed 14 Year 13 Howell Travel Scholarship Interviews - Wed 14 Year 12 and 13 Film Festival - Thurs 15 Snr Performing Arts - Hadestown Movie trip - Fri 16	Week 2 19 Ōketopa - 23 Ōketopa Cricket Regional Finals - Mon 19 SPACPAC Leaders Breakfast - Tues 20 Year 9ZOO trip - Tues 20 LEF's Due - Wed 21 DVC Exhibition - Thurs 22 - Fri 23 Māori and Pasifika awards evening - Thurs 22 Junior Writing Competition - Fri 23 L1 - 3 Art Exhibition - Fri 23 Pink Day - Fri 23
Assembly Mon - Year  13 (PAC) and Year 10 in the gym - 8.30am The rest of the year levels will be in Ako at 8.30am for check and connect for the start of term 4. Wed - Welcome Back	Assembly Mon - Year 13 (Gym) and Year 12 (PAC) Wed - Sports Awards
Meeting  Mon: TWH Tues: Staff Meeting Thurs: Nil	Meeting  Mon: HoLA Tues: Learning Area Thurs: Nil

Information for Staff

1. Welcome back to Term 4, hope you all had a restful break.

A couple of quick date reminders for the term:

• Māori and Pasifika Awards evening - 22 October
• Arts Awards Evening 28 October
• Year 13 Leavers Dinner - 30 October
• Last day for seniors is 4 November
• Senior Prizegiving 4 November
• NZQA examinations start - 10 November

You may have also seen that a number of the Senior Curriculum documents have now been released for their final version. You can see the full list on the Ministry website and then head to the Learning Area to find the relevant information.

2. To help your seniors with revision for the end of the year you may want to make use of the 'guided learning' mode in Google Gemini.

This gives you an extra tutor that you can access in class.

• Go to Gemini - https://gemini.google.com
• Click on the + button in the prompt section and select guided learning
  
  
  
• Add in your NCEA question and a prompt that students can use.

Week 9 & 10 - Term 3 - 2026

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga

Fill the basket of knowledge

Week 9 14 Mahuru - 18 Mahuru Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori  Mon  Derived Grade Examinations - Seniors Tues Derived Grade Examinations - Seniors Numeracy CAA Willowbank - 9ELL & International  Wed - Fri  Derived Grade Examinations - Seniors Fri - Sun  Aerobics Nationals	Week 10 21 Mahuru - 25 Mahuru Year 11 & 12 French Trip  20th Sept. - 11th Oct. Manu Kōrero - National Competition 21st Sept. - 26th Sept.  Year 11 Music Assessment  21st Sept. - 26th Sept.  Mon  Year 13 Tourism Trip  Tues Year 13 Tourism Trip  SPACPAC Youth Awards  Wed  Year 13 Tourism Trip  Thurs Year 10 Aerobics (TBC) Fri - Sat WOW Trip
Assembly Mon - Year 9 (PAC) Wed - No Assembly (Gym used for Derived Grade Examinations, see adjusted period times)	Assembly Mon - Year 9 & 10 Values Assembly (Gym) Wed - 150th Assembly (adjusted period times)            Year 9 in PAC
Meeting  Mon: Junior HoD Meeting (TBC) Tues: Learning Area Meeting  Thurs: Nil	Meeting  Mon: Nil (moderation & exam admin)  Tues: Staff Meeting  Thurs: PCT Celebration of Inquiry Mahi

Information for Staff

Classroom Observation Strategies 

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (aitsl) introduces some common observation strategies. Their short videos and prompt questions provide food for thought in our context at Christchurch Girls’ High School Te Kura o Hine Waiora. This week we will look at: 

• Peer Observation 

Peer observation aims to support the sharing of practice and builds awareness about the impact of your own teaching to affect change. 

https://www.aitsl.edu.au/resources/peer-observation

• Learning Walks 

Learning walks aim to foster conversation about teaching and learning in order to develop a shared vision of high quality teaching that impacts on student learning.

https://www.aitsl.edu.au/resources/learning-walks

Suffrage Day Aotearoa 

Suffrage Day in New Zealand falls on Saturday, September 19, celebrating 133 years since women gained the right to vote in 1893.

Some events brought to you by the National Council of Women of New Zealand: 

https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/suffrage_day_2026

Some information from Manatū Wāhine: https://www.women.govt.nz/about-us/history-womens-suffrage-aotearoa-new-zealand

Here's a website and short clip that you might like to share with ākonga:

https://youtu.be/ApeDQ__4yb0?si=bv7xi_UmI_otGH6q