Study Awards for Primary Teachers

Primary Teachers' Study Award

Each year there are 75 full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) study leave positions available to teachers and principals, in state or state integrated schools, who are covered by the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement (PTCA) and the Primary Principals' Collective Agreement (PPCA). The award provides time for part-time or full-time study in agreed educational priority areas.

The recipient's school receives relief funding, in accordance with the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement (PTCA), while the recipient is on leave.

Purpose

A study award is to provide time away from teaching to enable you to:

• complete a qualification or improve an existing qualification
• undertake study to obtain qualifications in a new or different curriculum area
• undertake research or other study of relevance and value to education
• obtain practical knowledge and skill related experience in a curriculum area
• engage in research or study into effective school management and leadership.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a primary teachers study award, you must be:

• a primary teacher or
• primary principal

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Primary Teachers Sabbatical Leave

Each year there are 50 paid positions, each of one term based on ten weeks duration available to teachers, in state or state intergrated primary schools, covered by the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement (PTCA).

The recipient's school receives relief funding, in accordance with the PTCA, while the recipient is on leave.

Purpose

The purpose of the sabbatical leave scheme is to provide a sustained period of time as part of a teachers' career pathway , to engage in a balance of professional learning, reflection and rejuvenation.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a sabbatical award, you must:

• have completed at least five years' primary teaching service (three must have been spent in the New Zealand state and state intergrated primary sector)
• believe that your committment and enthusiasm for teaching will benefit from a period of rejuvenation, reflection and professional learning related to your teaching
• intend to continue teaching after the sabbatical
• not currently be under review for competence and/or discipline or be suspended (as per clauses10.7, 10.4 or 10.5 of the PTCA)
• have the support of your principal and board of trustees

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Māori Medium/Bilingual Teaching Study Award

The Māori medium/bilingual education study award targets teachers or principals who work in designated level one (80-100%) and level two (51-79%) reo Māori classroom settings in state or state integrated schools, or early childhood centres.

Each year there are 42 awards available. The award provides time off for study to attend for one year an approved course at specific institutions.

Recipients of the award receive time off for study and a contribution towards fees, accommodation and travel or removal expenses. The recipient's school receives relief funding while the recipient is on leave.

Purpose

The purpose of the Māori medium/bilingual teaching study award is to increase the supply of quality teachers and encourage teachers to increase their proficiency and skill in Te Reo, Tikanga Māori and their skills as Māori medium teachers.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a Māori medium/bilingual teaching study award, you must be:

• fully registered as an early childhood, primary or secondary teacher
• permanently employed in a Kohanga Reo, Puna Reo, chartered early childhood service or a state or state integrated school.

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NZ Sciences, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowships

This fellowship enables fully registered primary or secondary teachers to spend up to a year on leave from their school working with a host organisation. The Scheme, funded by the Government and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand, seeks to raise the profile of science, mathematics, social sciences and technology within the wider community by allowing teachers to undertake a project that will benefit themselves and their host.

The Fellows are hosted by industry or institutions such as tertiary institutions, local or territorial authorities, community groups or research institutes. Their projects encompass all areas of sciences, mathematics, social sciences or technology. The Scheme is not constrained to teachers of these subjects; teachers of music, arts, classics, and careers advisers have been awarded Teacher Fellowships where their project addresses the Scheme's objectives.

For further information on the eligibility criteria and and what the fellowship offers please visit the Royal Society website.

Applications and Enquiries should be addressed to:

Teachers Fellowships
Ph (04) 470 5764
Email teachers.fellowships@royalsociety.org.nz [no spam]

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Reading Recovery Tutor Training Study Award

The Reading Recovery tutor training study award targets teachers who work in state or state integrated schools. There are four awards available which provide full-time study for one year at the National Reading Recovery Centre, based at The University of Auckland Faculty of Education.

Recipients of the award receive paid time off for study and a contribution towards fees, accommodation, travel or removal expenses.

The recipient's school/institution receives relief funding while the recipient is on leave.

Purpose

To maintain a pool of qualified Reading Recovery tutors to enable the consistent delivery of the intervention.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Reading Recovery tutor training study award, you must:

• be a teacher in a permanent relevant position in a state or state integrated school and have at least three years teaching experience

Other applicants must:

• have a relevant background
• be in a permanent position in the NZ education sector

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Edna Joyce Howe Scholarship

The scholarship fund was established under the terms of the will of the late Edna Joyce Howe. One scholarship of up to $15,000 is available each year. The scholarship shall be tenable for one year and shall be payable either by instalments or in one sum.

The Ministry of Education will fund the employment of a relief teacher for up to 10 school weeks provided the scholarship is awarded to a staff member of a state or state integrated primary school, intermediate school, area school or secondary school and subject to the granting of leave with pay to the scholar by the board of trustees. The scholarship may be held concurrently with any other scholarship or bursary and is non-taxable in New Zealand.

Purpose

For trained teachers of, and undertaking higher studies and /or research in the curriculum areas of: Food Technology, Clothing, Textile and Design Technology, Home Economics or other Home and Life Science Development.

When to apply

Applications for the Edna Joyce Howe scholarship must include full details of the applicant's educational qualifications together with details of the proposed further training. Applications must reach the office of Albert Alloo & Sons, 67 Princes Street, P O Box 292, Dunedin not later than 15 October each year. Candidates are required to submit copies of two references as to character.

Eligibility

To be eligible applicants must be New Zealand citizens or residents and plan to study or carry out research at an approved tertiary institution. In order to qualify for support from the fund applicants must have a minimum of three years' teaching experience with at least half that teaching time in the areas of Food Technology, Clothing, Textile and Design Technology, Home Economics or other Home and Life Science Development subjects. Applicants are expected to continue to work in the education sector after completing their studies for a reasonable period of time.

A written report is to be submitted to the trustees at the conclusion of the project.

Applications and enquiries should be addressed to:

Vern Chettleburgh
Tel (06) 357 5823
Email vernchett@xtra.co.nz [no spam]

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Linking Minds Scholarship

Linking Minds is a prestigious international award for young teachers who identify themselves as emerging leaders. The award is sponsored by the NZ – UK Link Foundation, the British Council, the New Zealand Teachers Council and the Ministry of Education. The award funds four New Zealand teachers to spend two weeks in the United Kingdom over the New Zealand school holiday period. Awardees are attached to a Local Authority in the United Kingdom and will explore best practice in a given area. The costs of travel, accommodation and general living expenses including interview and selection costs will be met.

The Ministry of Education will fund the employment of a relief teacher for eight days, provided the scholarship is awarded to a staff member of a state or state integrated primary school, intermediate school, area school or secondary school and subject to the granting of leave with pay to the scholar by the board of trustees.

Purpose

The programme aims to recognise and promote effective teaching by providing international experience for teachers early in their careers.

The focus area is professional leadership. Selected teachers will have opportunities to build on and develop new knowledge, skills and confidence in their leadership capacity both as classroom teachers and as leaders in their schools.

Eligibility

Participants must be in their first five years as a fully New Zealand registered teacher in the schools sector and must be under 35 years old.

When to apply

The Linking Minds award are available in 2010. Please see the application form for the confirmed closing date, updated criteria for the award can be found on the British Council website.

For further information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship benefits please visit the British Council website.