Information from outside sources, endorsed by the New Zealand Principals' Federation.

It was fantastic to attend last week’s Trans-Tasman Principals’ Conference in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, where we gathered with education leaders from both sides of the Tasman.

The theme, TOGETHER Leading Learning, emphasized the powerful collaboration between New Zealand and Australia, showcasing the value of shared knowledge and experience in improving educational outcomes.

As NZPF’s exclusive sponsor for all artificial grass, sports, and playground surface solutions, we thoroughly enjoyed connecting with so many dedicated principals. We very much appreciated the open discussions about your school space challenges and how SmartGrass can help enhance them to support student learning, play, socialisation and all the other associated benefits.

A special congratulations to Kim Blackwood from Arthur Street School in Dunedin, who won our $3,500 custom logo design and installation prize! We’re excited to collaborate on the school’s design and have it installed.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the NZPF and helping schools unlock the full potential of their spaces across the motu.

With school holidays starting next week, we wish everyone a well-deserved break and recharge.

For more about taking spaces and making them great places for students to connect and grow, see https://smartgrass.co.nz/products-services/schools/ 

Ngā mihi, 

Kerry

027 247 4739

Chatter that matters - How Headstrong is boosting NZ teen mental health

It's no secret that digital solutions are the key to reaching the hearts and minds of today's youth. Recognising that essential mental health skills can be learned early and preventatively, Headstrong is an innovative app that meets young New Zealanders in their familiar digital realm, a space they are more likely to turn to than a doctor or parent. It offers practical skills and psychoeducation based on cognitive behavioural therapy, positive psychology, mindfulness, relationship science, Te Whare Tapa Whā and harm-minimisation strategies. Headstrong is the brainchild of a University of Auckland research initiative, and thanks to funding from Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, it is now freely accessible to all New Zealanders, ensuring widespread availability and support.

To find out more, visit: www.headstrong.org.nz

Notice from the ERO Research Team

ERO is currently working on three research projects, all of which will be published later this year. These projects look at:

• how effective the supports for students with persistent absence from school are at getting students back to school

• how relationships and sexuality education is going – what is working and what needs improvement in this key area of our health curriculum

• how the implementation of the NCEA Level 1 changes are going.

In addition to this ERO is starting to think about new projects – so watch this space…

NZPF members can find more information and ongoing updates about upcoming projects on ERO’s evidence website: https://evidence.ero.govt.nz/questions-we-are-answering , and on social media (search for ‘Te Ihuwaka Education Evaluation Centre’).