Changes to our New Zealand Curriculum
There have been changes to our NZ Curriculum in the past two years. This has had a knock-on effect on the assessment of your child, and the resulting reporting to parents. Because of this, you could see a change in your child’s progress or achievement compared to previous years, which may be the result of changes in the curriculum expectations for your child’s year level. Ministry of Education
These changes are based on the following aspects:
Competencies To Knowledge Rich
The previous curriculum was based on the learning outcomes we were expecting our students to achieve at each curriculum level. This new curriculum has more emphasis on the knowledge expected to be taught at each year level.
Exposure To All Learning In A Year Level
The new pedagogy, or way of teaching, is based on the Science of Learning and brain theory. Features that are different include whole class teaching of new concepts so that all children are exposed to them, rather than missing out because they are not considered ready to learn them.
Learning Outcomes Happening Earlier
The new curriculum has a scope and sequence for learning for each year level. There are increased expectations for each year level which means that concepts that might have been taught in Year 3 are now being taught in Year 1 or 2, or ones previously taught in Year 6 now being taught at Year 4 or 5.
Information about the new New Zealand 2026 Curriculum
The Ministry of Education has a very good Parent Portal which gives information about the new 2026 curriculum and what to expect at each year level.
As you will be aware, this year the New Zealand Government mandated that schools across the country administered a standardised test for all students in Years 3 – 10 in terms 2 and 4. Schools were given the option of 3 assessment tools to use. We have chosen to use the new SMART assessment tool.
If you would like to read further information about the assessment, please use the links below.
Freemans Bay School uses Linc-Ed Hero to report to parents and whānau on their child’s progress and next steps. There are no longer paper copies on reports sent home twice a year. Instead, you can access your child’s learning goals, reflections and posts at any time and from anywhere. We also communicate school notices and newsletters through Linc-Ed Hero.
WHAT WILL I SEE IN HERO?
You will need a log-on to access Hero, follow this link if you have not yet done so. The account is connected to the email address that is on file at school and provides you with access to learning information for all your children enrolled at Freemans Bay School. Each parent can have access to their own account.
OTHER WAYS WE REPORT
We also report to whānau kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) at different times.
- Whānau day at the beginning of the year – the student and their parents meet with their teacher and connect (or re-connect after the summer break). The focus is on ensuring that we know your aspirations for your child and how we can build a reciprocal partnership
- Student-led conferences in the classrooms – your child will lead this conference by sharing their learning achievements with you. At Freemans Bay School the child is at the heart of the learning process. Research highlights the benefits of students sharing their learning, communicating what they know and building on their knowledge
- Conversations between teachers and whānau as and when needed