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' Study Support Grant.

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

General

Eligibility

How is my application assessed?

Completing the application form

Proposed study

Study plan requirements

Principal and board of trustees/employer support

Submitting my application 

General

When will I find out the outcome of my application?

You will be notified by Friday 12 November 2021.

What does a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant provide?

A Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant provides you with study time of 0.16 FTTE (equivalent to four hours per week for the year awarded) while continuing to teach – for example, this may mean that you teach one less class for the year or have four hours of release time each week. Your school receives an additional staffing allowance of 0.16 FTTE for the year to cover relief costs.

You also can apply for reimbursement of up to $500 towards your course fees after successful completion of your course.

I am a part-time teacher – what will be the 0.16 FTTE time allowance I receive?

The time allowance provided with a study support grant is a fixed amount of 0.16 FTTE (or four hours per week) for all teachers and is not pro-rated for part-time teachers. The time allowance is provided to your school as an additional staffing entitlement to release you from four hours of teaching.

Can I use the time allowance flexibly throughout the year?

The time allowance of 0.16 FTTE (equivalent to four hours per week) can be used flexibly throughout the school year to suit your study requirements as long as it is in agreement with your school. For example, if you plan to study for the first semester only you could seek agreement with your school to use all the additional staffing entitlement in the first half of the year (e.g. eight hours a week for six months).

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 are successful in more than one application, you will be asked to choose which award to accept.  Please note you must send in a separate application for each award you apply for.

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

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

I work for Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School) and work 40 hours a week. What will be the 0.16 FTTE time allowance I receive?

A Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant provides 0.16 FTTE (equivalent to four hours per week) for all secondary teachers (including Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu) as per clause 6.6.6A (b) of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement. This means that the time allowance provided with a study support grant is a fixed amount of 0.16 FTTE (or four hours per week) for all recipients.

What if I am offered a position at a different school before I take up my study support grant?

You may transfer your study support grant to your new school with the support of your new principal and board of trustees/employer. Please tell them that you have been offered a study support grant and discuss your options with them. If you plan to continue with your study support grant, then you would need to provide TeachNZ with confirmation of support from the principal and board of trustees/employer so the additional staffing entitlement can be provided to the correct school.

If you then choose not to take up the study support grant, for any reason, please advise TeachNZ as soon as possible.

What if I am offered a position at a different school which will commence while I am studying?

You may transfer your study support grant to your new school with the support of your new principal and board of trustees/employer. Please tell them that you have been offered a study support grant and discuss your options with them. If you plan to continue with your study support grant, then you would need to provide TeachNZ with confirmation of support from your principal and board of trustees/employer so the additional staffing entitlement can be transferred to their staffing entitlement.

Can I postpone my study support grant until the next year?

No, you cannot postpone a study support grant.

Can I withdraw from a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant?

If you choose to withdraw from the study support grant, you can apply again in the future with no prejudice. You would need to let us know in writing that you would like to withdraw from the study support grant. We can accept this via email to teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz.

Back to top

Eligibility

If I am a secondary-trained teacher working in an area or primary school, can I apply for a 2022 Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant?

The study support grant you are eligible to apply for depends on which collective agreement you are employed under. You can only apply for a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant if you are employed under 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 Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement, you are not eligible for this study support grant but you may be eligible to apply for an Area School Teachers’ Study Support Grant. Please visit www.TeachNZ.govt.nz/studyawards to find out more.
Please note there are no study support grants available to teachers covered by the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement.

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

The study support grant you are eligible to apply for depends on which collective agreement you are employed under. Through the reorganisation of the RTLB service some RTLBs retained the employment terms and conditions they previously had before, so you will need to check which collective agreement you are employed under.

You can apply for a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant if you are employed under the terms and conditions of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement and meet all eligibility criteria. If you are employed under the terms and conditions of the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement, you are not eligible for this award but you may be eligible to apply for an Area School Teachers’ Study Support Grant. Please visit www.TeachNZ.govt.nz/studyawards to find out more.

Please note there are no study support grants available to teachers covered by the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement.

I am on a fixed-term contract; can I apply for a 2022 Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant?

No, you must be permanently employed to be eligible.

Can I apply if I am a long-term reliever?

No, you must be permanently employed to be eligible.

I am a part-time teacher; can I apply for a 2022 Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant?

Yes, if you are a permanently employed part-time teacher. Part-time fixed-term and long-term relieving teachers are not eligible to apply.

My registration is currently subject to confirmation. Can I apply?

Yes, but only if you will receive full registration status by December 2021.
Please notify TeachNZ if your registration status changes during the application or selection process.

I have Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) – can I apply?

No, you must be a fully certificated teacher to be eligible.

Can I apply if I have previously had a study award or sabbatical?

Yes, but please note that preference is given to teachers who have not received a study award or sabbatical in the last five years.

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 and state-integrated schools who are employed under the terms and conditions of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement and meet the eligibility criteria.

I am appointed to the Community of Schools Teacher (across community) role, am I able to take a study support grant?

Yes, apply as usual.

If I am appointed to the Community of Schools Teacher (within school) role, am I able to take a study support grant?

Yes, apply as usual.

Back to top

How is my application assessed?

How is my application assessed?

First, we will check that your application meets all of the eligibility criteria outlined on page 1 of the application guide. 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:

  • Study or research that furthers the Ministry of Education’s priorities in education including policy that aims to improve the learning outcomes for priority student groups, this includes:
    • Māori and Pasifika students
    • students from low socio-economic backgrounds
    • students with special education needs.
  • Study that will help in the development of the teacher’s practice and their students’ learning outcomes.
  • A relevant study path that benefits the teacher personally and professionally.
  • The completeness and clarity of the study plan.
  • Length of service in secondary schools.
  • Support from the principal and board of trustees/employer.
  • The professional isolation of teachers.
  • Equal opportunity factors.

Preference is given to those who have not had a study award or sabbatical in the last five years.
Priority is given to enabling teachers to:

  • complete a qualification or improve an existing tertiary qualification with studies at level 5 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework
  • begin postgraduate study
  • extend into other specialist teaching areas.
  • enhance knowledge and/or pedagogy in areas where there is pressure on teacher supply. For study in 2022 these areas are the sciences, technology, and mathematics (particularly at years 11-13) and te reo Māori.

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 Ministry of Education’s priorities for education?

Policy that aims to improve the learning outcomes for priority student groups, including:

  • Māori and Pasific students
  • students from low socio-economic backgrounds
  • students with special education needs.

You can find further information in the Ministry of Education’s current Statement of Intent (Page 10). You can find a copy on the Ministry of Education’s website: www.education.govt.nz.

What are equal opportunity factors?

The selection panel will consider equal opportunity factors, which are any barriers that could prevent a teacher form taking up opportunities.
Examples of equal opportunity factors can include:

  • family circumstances that prevent you from taking up professional development opportunities
  • it is hard to find relief teachers in your subject area so you have been unable to take up professional development opportunities.

What is considered ‘professional isolation’?

It is important that you outline any professional isolation as applications are judged based on the information you provide.

Examples of professional isolation include:

  • if you are the sole teacher of a subject area e.g. the only te reo Māori or chemistry teacher
  • if you are the sole mentor of beginning teachers in your school
  • if you are a teacher in a small isolated school
  • if you cannot access professional development opportunities because of distance and/or costs.

Back to top

Completing the application form

What does full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) mean?

Full-time teacher equivalent means one full-time teaching position which has a measure of 25 classroom hours per week (five hours per day).

Can I include my professional development in my qualifications on the application form (e.g. National Aspiring Principals programme)?

You may describe any aspect of your learning and study in support of your overall personal career plan and your application.

I have received a study support grant previously; does this count as supported study leave?

No, a study support grant is not supported leave, but if you have had one in the past it should be identified in your application. This does not preclude receiving another, but all applications in any year are in competition with each other and awarded according to the priorities and selection factors described in
‘How is my application assessed’ on page 2 of the application guide.

Back to top

Proposed study

Is there an approved list of qualifications?

You can apply to study any qualification you choose. You will need to justify your choice of qualification in your study plan.

What is research study?

For the purposes of the study support grant, research study must be part of a formal study programme provided by a tertiary institution.

Which tertiary institutions are approved for study?

You can apply to study at any tertiary institution, whether on campus or via distance learning.

Can I study overseas?

Yes, you can apply to study at any tertiary institution you choose.

How do I find out the level of the qualification I am studying?

You can find the level of the qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website
www.nzqa.govt.nz. Alternatively you can ask your tertiary institution.

What if the qualification I am planning on studying is not on the NZQA framework?

Please make sure you provide as much information as possible.

Do I need to be enrolled when applying?

No, but please contact your proposed tertiary institution to find out key enrolment dates. If you are awarded a study support grant you will be asked to provide confirmation of enrolment in February or March.

Can I apply to complete my postgraduate qualification, and start work towards my Masters?

Yes, you can apply to complete more than one qualification in the year.

Please make sure you provide the requested information for both qualifications in your study plan.

Can I change my course of study 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.

Back to top

Study plan requirements

How should I present my study plan?

Please see section 6 of the application form and complete your study plan in the requested format. This makes it easier for the selection panel to consistently assess study plans.

Why do I need to complete all the information on my study plan?

Your study plan is a key part of your application and you need to demonstrate to the selection panel that you have taken the time to carefully prepare it and followed the format structure. Failure to do so may result in your application scoring lower.

Why is it important that I explain what study I plan to do?

As you can apply to study any qualification at any tertiary institution, you need to clearly justify your choice of study and explain how this decision will benefit your teaching practice and students. This includes detailing your chosen qualification and papers in your own words and explaining why you have chosen that paper or qualification.

Can I submit more than one study plan?

No, you can only submit one study plan.

Back to top

Principal and board of trustees/employer support

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 Wednesday 22 September 2021.
Please note that support from your 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 of trustees chairperson/employer.
  • An email sent directly from the board of trustees chairperson/employer to TeachNZ.

Board of trustees/employer support, in one of the formats outlined above, must be submitted by Wednesday 22 September 2021.

Please note that support from your 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 sign your application form to confirm support for your application. Please ensure it’s clear the signature is that of the commissioner.

Who should sign to 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 sign your application form to confirm support for your application. Please ensure it’s clear that the signature is that of the limited statutory manager.
Please note that support from the board of trustees/employer and principal is a selection factor, and must be submitted by Wednesday 22 September 2021.

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 Wednesday 22 September 2021. Please provide an explanation in the box provided on the application form as to why the support of the principal and/or board of trustees is not included with your application.

Please note that support from the board of trustees/employer and principal is a selection factor, and must be submitted by Wednesday 22 September 2021.

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.

Back to top

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 Friday 17 September 2021.

How will I know that 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.

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 it is not in the correct format, the selection panel will not be able to fully assess it.

Can I send in additional information after submitting my application?

You may submit additional information up to Wednesday 22 September 2021 (one week after the closing date). This must be sent and postmarked with a reference to your application no later than Wednesday 22 September 2021, otherwise it cannot be considered with your application.

 

Back to top

 

New Zealand Teachers Council New Zealand Education Gazette New Zealand Qualifications Authority Immigration New Zealand