The hugely positive outcomes for Rotorua Boys' High School last year is helping to set the tone for this year's Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards.
A focus on Māori potential led to exceptional results at the school, giving the young men the opportunity to achieve educational excellence while embracing their culture and language, supported by teachers and whānau.
The school won the Supreme Award at last year's Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards after teachers and hostel staff initiated positive male role modelling, strong connection with Tikanga Māori, whānau participation and individualised learning plans – leading to a 100 per cent NCEA pass rate, and the highest level of excellence endorsements for the school.
Set up in 2014 as a means of celebrating the teaching profession, the awards acknowledge and share best practice and results in kura, early learning services across Aotearoa.
Entries for this year's awards are now open, with education providers invited to enter and share their stories of best practice.
Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary for Early Learning and Student Achievement, Ellen MacGregor-Reid, says: "Behind every student success, is a group of dedicated educators who have worked together, with whānau and the wider community.
The awards is a great platform to shine light on these stories and show how great teaching is making a huge difference. If you know about or are part of a school, kura or early learning service that's doing great work, we encourage you to share your story by entering."
There are four categories in the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards: Excellence in Engaging, Excellence in Leading, Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and Excellence in Wellbeing Education. There is also a focus prize: this year's being Excellence in Environmental and Sustainability Education.
The judges come from a wide range of backgrounds, all within the discipline of education, and include principals, professors of education, and leadership experts. The panel is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, allowing for an independent in the judging process.
Sound educational practice needs to be at the core of the school's initiatives. Rotorua Boys' High School, for example, demonstrated that research-based practices underpinned the teaching which connected students with their culture and language.
Ideally, the winners and finalists will model practices other schools, kura and early learning services can learn from, an awards spokesperson says: "The main outcome we would like to see is the sharing of best practice. We really want teachers to inspire other teachers."
Education providers who win the awards are able to offer support and insights to others in their region.
Winning entries will be announced at a ceremony later in the year. Winners in each of the categories will receive a trophy, a certificate, a $20,000 financial award and professional development opportunities.
The winner of the Prime Minister's Supreme Award, chosen from the four category winners, will receive an additional $30,000.
They will be profiled in videos on the award's website, in the Ministry of Education's Education Gazette, and there are also plans for podcasts featuring winning entrants.
Schools, kura and early learning services throughout the country are eligible to enter. The entries are bilingual (Māori and te-reo) and English, Pacific and Māori-medium schools, kura and early learning services are all welcome to submit entries for consideration. Closing date for entries is April 10, 2020.
For more information, entry forms, and details on how to enter, visit https://www.pmawards.education.govt.nz/