Frequently asked questions
We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions which may be helpful to you in applying for the Secondary Principals' Sabbatical.
Select a category below to be taken to questions and answers relating to that topic.
Approved professional learning activities
Sabbatical proposal requirements
Principal and board of trustees/employer support
General
What is the background for the Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical?
The Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical was negotiated as one of the professional learning provisions for secondary senior managers as part of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA).
What is this award?
The purpose of a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical is to provide a sustained period of time in a senior manager’s career to engage in professional learning activities, including time for reflection.
Please note that this leave is intended specifically for professional development.
The school receives relief funding, in accordance with the relevant collective agreement, while the senior manager is on sabbatical.
A senior manager is defined as a teacher who holds a position of assistant principal or deputy principal.
The terms ‘assistant principal’ and ‘deputy principal’ are defined by role, not necessarily by title. They are used in this context to indicate the role of senior teachers who have school-wide leadership, management and/or administrative responsibilities, and who formally deputise from time to time for one or more of the principal’s responsibilities. Please refer to clause 4.3B.2 of the STCA.
What does the sabbatical provide?
The Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical provides 10 school weeks’ paid leave at the senior manager’s normal salary in any term of the year following a successful application. ‘Normal salary’ includes all permanent salary units and allowances.
Where fixed-term salary units and allowances are held, the applicant should clarify with their principal whether these will continue to be paid.
The leave counts as service for most purposes.
Any salary increases or increments due during the sabbatical still apply, according to the provisions of the STCA.
The sabbatical does not include additional expenses associated with the leave.
What is the purpose of the Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical?
The purpose of the Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical is to:
- improve knowledge, skills and practice through engagement in professional learning that contributes primarily to the leadership and management of secondary schools
- enhance professional learning and management cultures in secondary schools
- improve overall retention rates of experienced, effective senior managers
- meet the Ministry of Education’s priorities.
How many sabbaticals are available each year?
Each year there are 10 sabbaticals, each of 10 school weeks’ duration (i.e. one term), available to senior managers in state or state-integrated secondary schools.
When will I find out the outcome of my application?
You will be notified by Thursday 10 September 2020.
Are all the sabbaticals allocated each year?
Yes, the selection process for Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbaticals is always competitive as there are only 10 available each year. Selections are made according to the criteria detailed on ‘How is my application assessed?’ further down this page.
What relief does a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical provide?
A Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical provides you with paid leave for 10 school weeks. TeachNZ (Ministry of Education) covers the relief costs to replace you while you are on leave, including any holiday pay due to a relief teacher.
Please note that there is no contribution to any additional expenses.
How long is a sabbatical?
A sabbatical is paid leave for 10 school weeks only.
If you choose to take your sabbatical in a term that is nine weeks in duration, you can choose to take the tenth week of your sabbatical either in the last week of the term before or the first week of the term after, in agreement with your principal.
What do I need to do to confirm dates for my sabbatical?
Can my sabbatical dates change? Please indicate on the application form the dates that you are planning on taking the sabbatical. If you are successful you will be asked to confirm the dates. If you do wish to change these dates please note that your school must agree to these. Please notify TeachNZ if these dates change.
Can I submit more than one application for the same award?
No, you can only submit one application for each award.
Can I work while on a sabbatical?
No, the purpose of a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical is to provide a sustained period of time in a senior manager’s career to engage in professional learning activities, including time for reflection. You cannot work at your school or another school while on sabbatical.
Do I need to return to the same school after completing my sabbatical?
There is an expectation that you will return to either your previous role or a similar one.
What if I am offered a position at a different school?
If you are offered a position at a different secondary school you will need approval from the new school’s board of trustees/employer and principal. You would need to provide TeachNZ with written confirmation of support from that principal and board of trustees/employer, so we can advise the correct school on how to charge teacher relief costs to TeachNZ (Ministry of Education).
When can I take my sabbatical?
You can choose which term to take your sabbatical as long as your principal is in agreement.
Can I postpone my sabbatical until the following year?
You may request to postpone your sabbatical under exceptional circumstances to either Term 1 or 2 of the following year. You must have your board of trustees/employer and principal’s support to do this and provide written confirmation of this to TeachNZ with a short explanation of the reason for this change.
Can I withdraw from a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical?
If you choose to withdraw from the sabbatical, you can apply again in the future with no prejudice. You will need to let us know in writing that you would like to withdraw. We can accept this via email to teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz.
Can I apply for more than one award?
Yes, but you can only accept one award. If you’re successful in more than one application, you will be asked to choose which award you would like to accept.
Please note that you must send in a separate application for each award.
What will happen if I have applied for the wrong award?
Your application will only be assessed for the award you have applied for. It’s important that you check the application information to ensure you are applying for the correct award.
How is my application assessed?
First, we will check that your application meets all the eligibility criteria. A selection panel, made up of representatives from the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) and the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA), will then assess your application on the following:
- the professional learning proposal will focus on improving knowledge, skills and practice relevant to the leadership and management of a secondary school, through the completion of one or more approved professional learning activities (see ‘Approved professional learning activities’ below)
- the senior manager demonstrates clarity about the purpose and programme of work within the allocated timeframe
- the senior manager has explained the benefits of this work for self, students and their school (e.g. contribution to the Ministry of Education’s education priorities and local school goals)
- the senior manager describes how they will report on their sabbatical
- any previous leave granted or awards received will be taken into consideration.
The selection panel’s role is to ensure that the selection process is open, fair, consistent and impartial, and that it provides for equal opportunity and non-discrimination.
What are the expectations if awarded a sabbatical if awarded a sabbatical?
If awarded a sabbatical, you must:
- Notify TeachNZ if you are accepting or declining the sabbatical.
- Notify TeachNZ of any changes to information included on the application form, (e.g. your employment status, contact details, your proposal, or if you take up a new position).
- Undertake professional learning activities as stated in your proposal.
- Produce a report from your professional learning, which can be placed online as a resource for other principals, within three months of completing your sabbatical.
If you are successful and then decline the offer of a sabbatical, you can re-apply with no prejudice in a subsequent year.
A sabbatical cannot be postponed to the next year. However, under exceptional circumstances the principal and board of trustees/employer may agree to postpone the leave to the first or second term of the following year, subject to notifying TeachNZ.
Eligibility
What is the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible to apply for a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical, you must:
- be employed under the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement or applicable Individual Employment Agreement (IEA)
- be a full-time teacher
- hold a full and current practising certificate
- be currently employed as a senior manager in a New Zealand state or state-integrated secondary school
- have a period of at least seven years’ unbroken teaching service
- be able to demonstrate that you will benefit from a period of professional learning related to your role as a senior manager
- intend to continue in a management role after the sabbatical not currently be under review for competence and/or conduct and discipline (as per sections 3.3 and 3.4 of the STCA)
- have not received a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical or Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical within the last five years
- have the support of your principal and board of trustees/employer.
You can apply for both a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical and a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical if you meet the eligibility criteria but you can only accept one sabbatical. Please note that previous Ministry-funded leave taken is a factor considered in the selection process.
I’m employed part time. Can I apply for a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical?
No, you must be employed full time to be eligible to apply.
I’m on a fixed-term contract. Can I apply for a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical?
Yes, but you will need to be employed by a school during the sabbatical, as TeachNZ provides relief funding to your school while you are on sabbatical.
Can I apply if I’m a long-term reliever?
Yes, but you will need to be employed by a school during the sabbatical, as TeachNZ provides relief funding to your school while you are on sabbatical.
I am appointed to the Kāhui Ako |Community of Schools Teacher (across community/schools) role, am I able to take sabbatical leave for Senior Managers?
Yes. A teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Kāhu Ako | Community of Schools Teacher (across community/schools) role may apply for senior managers sabbatical leave to be taken while they hold that role provided that any application has the support of their employing board which shall consider the needs of the wider Community of Schools.
If I am appointed to the Kāhui Ako | Community of Schools Teacher (within school) role, am I able to take Senior Managers Sabbatical leave?
Yes, apply as usual.
My registration is currently subject to confirmation. Can I apply?
Yes, but only if you will receive full registration status by December 2020.
Please notify TeachNZ if your registration status changes during the application or selection process.
Can I apply if I have previously had a study award or sabbatical?
Yes, but to be eligible you must not have received a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical or Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical in the last five years.
Please note that one of the selection factors is whether you have been granted any previous leave or received awards at any time.
Can I apply if I’m not a member of a teachers’ union?
Yes, the sabbaticals are open to all senior managers in New Zealand state or state-integrated secondary schools who meet the eligibility criteria.
Completing your application form
Why do I need to provide a detailed employment history?
To be eligible you must have a period of at least seven years’ unbroken teaching service. To help the selection panel accurately assess applications please provide a detailed employment history, and note any breaks. You may want to provide an explanation for any breaks in service.
Periods of relief and part-time teaching count as service but will be prorated. For part-time work, provide the proportion of an FTTE (hours paid per week divided by 25) and for any periods of relief teaching estimate the number of days worked.
What is considered a break in service?
A break in service is any break or leave you have had from teaching longer than one term.
Use the information below to help complete the ‘Employment history’, ‘Breaks in service’, ‘Continuous service’ and ‘Previous award/supported leave’
i) Employment service that is counted
Employment service includes:
- teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
- overseas teaching as part of a government scheme or other exchange scheme (e.g. Commonwealth Exchange)
- teaching in a Pacific Island where the teacher was appointed from New Zealand under a scheme of
- Cooperation
- working as a moderator or as a teacher educator in a tertiary education institution
- secondments and appointments to advisory services.
ii) Employment service details not counted
Employment service that is not counted:
- overseas teaching (except as listed)
- tertiary teaching (except as listed)
- teaching in an independent school
- time as a teacher trainee.
iii) Employment service is not broken by:
Employment service that does not break your service:
- any leave or break of 10 weeks or less
- leave or breaks longer than 10 weeks for secondment/appointment to advisory services, as a moderator or as a teacher educator in a tertiary education institution
- breaks of up to four years for childcare
- Please note that although a period of childcare, up to four years, does not break your service, it will not count towards your years of teaching service for this award.
- paid sick leave
- periods of relief and part-time teaching (these will be prorated and count as service).
How do I work out my years of continuous service?
Count back from the end of 2020 until there is a point which breaks service.
I took maternity leave from 2013 to 2018 does this break my service?
Yes, for the purposes of this award your service is broken.
Approved professional learning activities
What are the approved professional learning activities?
Approved professional learning activities
The professional learning you’re planning to complete during your sabbatical should be one or more of the following activities (examples only):
- Spending a sustained period visiting schools and/or organisations.
- Completing study with a recognised tertiary institution, that enhances your role.
- Undertaking an investigation or research project.
- Developing a programme that aligns with the strategic goals of the school.
- Attending a conference or course.
Please note: Your regular day-to-day work is not considered an approved learning activity.
Where can I find information on the professional learning activities completed by previous sabbatical recipients?
Reports by successful applicants from previous years can be found on the Educational Leaders website www.educationalleaders.govt.nz.
Can I change my sabbatical project after submitting an application?
Yes, but not substantially. Please notify TeachNZ of any proposed changes in writing, and provide details of this and an explanation of the reason for this change as this will need to be approved.
Sabbatical proposal requirements
How should I present my proposal?
Please ensure you provide enough information for the selection panel to judge whether your sabbatical proposal meets the selection criteria and is realistic and achievable within the period of leave. You must complete your sabbatical proposal on the application form. This makes it easier for the selection panel to assess applications consistently.
Can I put in a joint sabbatical proposal with another teacher?
You can put in a joint application for a sabbatical, but each application will be assessed separately by the selection panel, so they may be ranked differently.
Can I submit more than one sabbatical proposal with my application?
You can only submit one sabbatical proposal with your application.
Principal and board of trustees/employer support
What do I need for approval of a sabbatical?
You will need written confirmation from your employing principal and board of trustees/employer is required confirming that, should an offer of a sabbatical be made, leave will be approved.
The timing of the sabbatical is to be agreed by the teacher and the principal, taking into account the needs of the school and the needs of the teacher.
If you have not yet received support from your principal and board of trustees/employer you may still apply but will need to provide this information by Tuesday 21 July 2020 (two weeks after the closing date). In the meantime you will need to explain why you have not included written confirmation your principal and board of trustees/employer with your application.
What can I provide as evidence that my principal supports my application?
We can accept one of the following as principal support:
- A signed letter of support from your school principal.
- An email sent directly from your school principal to TeachNZ.
- Principal support, in one of the formats outlined above, must be submitted by Tuesday 21 July 2020.
Please note that support from the principal is an eligibility factor.
Who can support my application if my principal is away?
The acting principal is the only person who can support your application on behalf of your principal. Please make sure it is clear that the signature is from the person acting in the role of the principal.
Who can support my application if I am acting principal?
The principal should support your application. If your principal is unable to provide support in one of the approved formats please provide an explanation in the box provided.
What can I provide as evidence that my board of trustees/employer supports my application?
We can accept one of the following as board of trustees/employer support:
- A copy of the relevant board of trustees minutes confirming support for your application.
- A signed letter of support from the board chairperson/employer.
- An email sent directly from the board chairperson/employer to TeachNZ.
Board of trustees/employer support, in one of the formats outlined above, must be submitted by Tuesday 18 June 2019. Please note that support from the board of trustees/employer is an eligibility factor.
Who has the authority to support my application on behalf of the board of trustees chairperson?
The deputy chairperson or another trustee who has delegated authority in the absence of the chairperson or their deputy. Please make sure this is clear on the application form.
Who can sign my application form if the board of trustees has been disestablished?
Please ask the commissioner acting in place of the board of trustees to confirm support for your application by signing your application form.
Please ensure its clear the signature is that of the commissioner.
Who can support my application if my school has a limited statutory manager employed?
If the limited statutory manager is acting in place of the board of trustees for employment matters, ask the limited statutory manager to confirm support for your application by signing your application form, otherwise the board chairperson should sign. Please ensure it’s clear that the signature is that of the limited statutory manager.
What if I can’t provide confirmation of principal and board of trustees/employer support when I submit my application?
If you have not yet received support from the principal and/or board of trustees/employer you may still apply, but please send this in by Tuesday 21 July 2020.
Please note that support from the principal and board of trustees/employer is a selection factor, and must be submitted by Tuesday 21 July 2020.
I am a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) and work in a number of schools. Which board of trustees/employer and principal should I ask to support my application?
RTLBs are employed by the cluster lead school’s board of trustees/employer. The schools where RTLBs are located, but not employed, are called host (or satellite) schools. Please ask the principal and board of trustees/employer from your lead school to support your application.
Submitting my application
What happens if my application is late?
Late applications will not be considered. For your application to be considered, it must be sent and postmarked on or before Tuesday 30 June 2020.
How will I know you have received my application?
You will receive an email to confirm that your application has arrived. Please contact us if you have not heard from us by Tuesday 21 July 2020.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
It’s important to ensure you’ve submitted all the required information. If your application is incomplete, or is not in the correct format, the selection panel may not be able to assess it fully.
Can I send in additional information after submitting my application?
You may submit additional information for your application up to Tuesday 21 July 2020 (two weeks after the closing date); otherwise this cannot be considered.
What will happen if my application is postmarked after Tuesday 30 June 2020?
Your application will not be considered.
Can I email you my application?
No, we can only accept applications sent in by post or courier. For your application to be considered, it must be sent and postmarked on or before Tuesday 30 June 2020. You can apply online at www.teachnz.govt.nz/studyawards
Can I post a digital copy (on a disc or USB stick) of my application?
No, please submit a printed, unbound document on A4 paper.
Can I apply online?
Yes, just complete and submit your application form online at www.teachnz.govt.nz/studyawards before Tuesday 30 June 2020.