Frequently asked questions

We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions which may be helpful to you in applying for the Secondary Teachers' Sabbatical.

Select a category below to be taken to questions and answers relating to that topic.

General

Eligibility

Completing your application form

Approved professional learning activities

Principal and board of trustees/employer support

Submitting your application

 

General

What is the background for the Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical?

The Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical was negotiated as one of the professional learning provisions for teachers as part of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA).

What is this the purpose of this award?

The purpose of a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical is to provide a sustained period of time in a teacher’s career to engage in a balance of professional activities, reflection and rejuvenation.

The school receives relief funding, in accordance with the STCA, while the teacher is on a sabbatical.

Directly:

  • improve overall retention rates of experienced, effective secondary teachers
  • improve knowledge, skills and practice through engagement in professional learning
  • enhance teachers’ enthusiasm for teaching.

Indirectly:

  • enhance the learning experience of secondary students
  • enhance the professional learning cultures in 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, there are only 50 sabbaticals available each year and the selection process is always competitive. Please note that a key factor in the ranking of teachers is the length of unbroken service.

How long is the sabbatical?

A sabbatical is 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 sabbatical leave either in the last week of the term before or the first week of the term after, in agreement with your school.

What does a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical provide?

A Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical provides you with normal paid leave from school 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.

‘Normal salary’ includes all permanent salary units and allowances. Where fixed-term salary units and allowances are held, the teacher 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 any additional expenses associated with the leave.

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 assess your application. The first 40 successful applications will be assessed on the following:

  • Your proposal shows that the professional learning you’re planning to complete during the sabbatical is in one or more of the approved fields (see ‘Approved professional learning activities’ below).
  • Your application is clear and complete.
  • Previous Ministry funded leave.

The selection panel will then consider:

  • firstly, the length of most recent unbroken service
  • secondly, if necessary, the total teaching service
  • thirdly, if the first two steps do not clearly indicate a number of teachers equivalent to the number of sabbaticals available, teachers with equal ranking after the first two steps will enter a ballot to allocate the remaining sabbaticals.

If your application is unsuccessful against the above criteria, ten more sabbaticals will be allocated based on the following selection factors:

  • The quality of the proposal for professional learning.
  • The focus of the learning in one or more of the approved fields.
  • The contribution it makes to the profession.
  • The intentions to share and report on the sabbatical.

Note: The service criteria of having a total of at least 20 years’ teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools does NOT apply to the additional ten sabbaticals.

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.

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.

How many years continuous service do I need to be successful?

One of the key factors in ranking applications for the first 40 sabbaticals is your years of continuous service. The minimum number of years needed to be successful varies from year to year depending on the applications received, this can exceed 25 years of most recent unbroken service.

When can I take my sabbatical?

You can choose which term to take your sabbatical in as long your school is in agreement. Please make sure you notify TeachNZ of the dates you plan to take your sabbatical.

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 wish to change these dates, please note that your school must agree to the dates. Please notify TeachNZ if these dates change.

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 you check the application information to ensure that you are applying for the correct award.

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’ll be asked to choose which one award you would like to accept.

You must send in a separate application for each award.

Please note that to be eligible for a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical you must not have been granted a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical in the last five years.

Can I submit more than one application for the same award?

No, you can only submit one application for each award you apply for.

Do I need to return to the same school after completing my sabbatical?

There is an expectation that you will return either to your previous role or a similar one.

What if I’m offered a position at a different school?

If you’re offered a position at a different 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).

Can I postpone my sabbatical until the next 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 principals and board of trustees/employer’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 Teachers’ 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 by email to teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz.

Can I work while on a sabbatical?

No, the purpose of the Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical is to provide a sustained period of time in a teacher’s career to engage in a balance of professional learning activities, reflection and rejuvenation. You cannot work at your school, or another school while on sabbatical.

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Eligibility

What is the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for the first 40 Secondary Teachers’ Sabbaticals based on service, you must:

  • be employed under the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement or applicable Individual
  • Employment Agreement (IEA)
  • be a full-time registered teacher, with a total of at least 20 years’ teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
  • have a period of at least seven years of most recent unbroken service
  • not be currently under review for competence and/or conduct and discipline (as per clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the STCA)
  • have not received a sabbatical in the last 10 years.

To be eligible to apply for the remaining ten Secondary Teachers’ Sabbaticals, you must:

  • be employed under the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement or applicable Individual
  • Employment Agreement (IEA)
  • be a full-time teacher with at least five years teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
  • not be currently under review for competence and/or conduct and discipline (as per clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the STCA)
  • have not received a sabbatical in the last ten years.

If you are a senior manager, you can apply for both a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical and a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical, if you meet the eligibility criteria but you can only accept one sabbatical.

Please note that to be eligible for a Secondary Senior Managers’ Sabbatical, you must not have been granted a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical within the last five years.

If I’m a secondary trained teacher working in an area or primary school, can I apply for a 2020 Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical?

The sabbatical which you are eligible to apply for depends on which collective agreement you are employed under. You can apply for a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical if you are covered by the terms and conditions of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement and meet all eligibility criteria. If you are covered by the terms and conditions of the Primary or Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreements, you may be eligible to apply for a Primary or Area School Teachers’ Sabbatical. Please visit www.TeachNZ.govt.nz/studyawards to find out more.

I am a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) who works in secondary schools, but my lead school is a primary or area school. Which sabbatical can I apply for?

The sabbatical you are eligible to apply for depends on which collective agreement you are employed under. You can apply for a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical if you are covered by the terms and conditions of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement. Although you are working in secondary schools, if your lead school is a primary or area school you may be employed under the terms and conditions of the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement or the Area Teachers’ Collective Agreement.

If you are covered by the terms and conditions of the Primary or Area Teachers’ Collective Agreements, you may be eligible to apply for a Primary or Area School Teachers’ Sabbatical. Please visit www.TeachNZ.govt. nz/studyawards to find out more.

I am a part-time teacher. Can I apply for a Secondary School Teachers’ Sabbatical?

No, you must be a full-time teacher to be eligible to apply.

I am on a fixed-term contract or long term reliever. Can I apply for a Secondary Teachers’ Sabbatical?

Yes, if you are employed as a full-time teacher, but you will need to be employed by a school during the sabbatical, as TeachNZ (Ministry of Education) provides relief funding to your school you while you are on sabbatical.

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 one of the key factors considered when assessing applications is the length of most recent unbroken service. You need to provide details of any leave of more than one term’s duration. Please see section 3 on the application form for more details.

Can I apply if I’m not a member of a teachers’ union?

Yes, the awards are open to all teachers in New Zealand state or state-integrated secondary schools who meet the eligibility criteria.

If I am appointed to the Community of Schools Teacher (within school) role, am I able to take teachers sabbatical leave?

Yes, apply as usual.

I am appointed to the Community of Schools Teacher (across community) role, am I able to take teachers sabbatical leave?

Yes, a teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Community of Schools Teacher (across community) role may apply for 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.

Which sabbatical should I apply for if I am a teaching principal?

Which sabbatical you are eligible to apply for depends on which collective agreement you are employed under.
As a teaching principal, you will be covered by an employment agreement as a secondary principal. You can apply for Secondary Principals’ Sabbatical if you meet the eligibility criteria.

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Completing your application form

Why do I need to provide a detailed employment history?

Your years of continuous service and total teaching service are key factors in ranking applications. To help the selection panel accurately rank applications please provide a detailed employment history, and note any breaks. You should provide an explanation for any breaks in service.

Periods of relief and part-time teaching count as service but will be prorated, so please provide an estimate of number of days worked for any period of relief teaching and for part-time positions, the proportion of an FTTE (number of hours paid divided by 25).

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?

The professional learning activity you’re planning to complete during your sabbatical should be in one or more of the following approved fields:

  1. Literature reviews in relevant pedagogical curriculum knowledge.
  2. Assessment and its impact on student outcomes.
  3. Personal study of adult learning and teacher efficacy.
  4. Investigation of other teaching and learning systems.
  5. Investigation into the relationship between pedagogical style and student learning.
  6. Personal research of subject content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge or educational theory.
  7. Investigation of the learning needs of diverse students.
  8. Investigation of the learning needs of Māori and Pasifika students.
  9. Investigation into student development or student behaviour.
  10. Action research into specific aspects of student learning.
  11. Curriculum design.

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 teachers from previous years can be found on the TeachNZ website www.TeachNZ.govt.nz/studyawards.

Can I change my sabbatical project after submitting an application?

Yes, but not substantially. Please notify TeachNZ of 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.

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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.

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 a selection 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 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 21 July 2020. Please note that support from the board of trustees/employer is a selection 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 board of trustees/employer you may still apply, but please send this in by Tuesday 21 July 2020. 

I am a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) and work in a number of schools. Which principal and board of trustees/employer 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.

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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 (over two weeks after the closing date), otherwise this cannot be considered with your application.

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.

 

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