Secondary Principals' Sabbatical
2018 Secondary Principals' Sabbatical
Applications for the 2018 Secondary Principals' Sabbatical are now closed.
Applications for the 2018 Secondary Principals' Sabbatical closed Tuesday 6 June 2017.
Sign up for a reminder email
If you'd like to know when the 2019 application form is available for download, sign up here and we'll send you an email.
If you're thinking of applying, we can also offer you some helpful advice before you complete your application form. Get ready to apply by clicking here.
What is a Secondary Principals' Sabbatical?
A Secondary Principals' Sabbatical provides 10 school weeks' leave for principals to engage in a balance of professional learning activities, reflection and rejuvenation.
How many sabbaticals are available each year?
Each year there are 40 paid full-time equivalent sabbaticals, each of 10 school weeks' duration, available to principals in state or state integrated secondary schools covered by the SPCA. Principals are able to apply for a ten-week sabbatical (which may be taken in two blocks), a five-week sabbatical or a three-week sabbatical. Note: this may result in sabbaticals being awarded to more than 45 secondary principals during one school year.
What does the sabbatical provide?
A Secondary Principals' Sabbatical provides you with paid leave from school for 10 school weeks. TeachNZ (Ministry of Education) covers the relief costs to replace you while you are on sabbatical, including any holiday pay due to a relief teacher.
The sabbatical funds relief costs to the school, in accordance with the SPCA, for the duration of the sabbatical.
The sabbatical may be taken in one or two blocks, with the board of trustees' approval. The blocks must be whole weeks in duration, with a block being a minimum of 3 weeks.
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible for a Secondary School Principals' Sabbatical, you must:
- be employed under the Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement or applicable Individual Employment Agreement (IEA)
- have at least five years' service as a secondary or area principal in a state or state-integrated school at the time of taking a sabbatical
- have the support of the board of trustees/employer, including any agreed costs
- intend to continue a role in the education workforce.
How are applications assessed?
Each application is assessed by a selection panel comprised of representatives from the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA), Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) and the Ministry of Education. Applications are ranked on the quality of the application provided, and how well they address the selection factors outlined on page 2 of the 2018 Secondary Principals' Sabbatical application information. The professional learning activity to be completed must also be within an approved field.
What professional learning have previous recipients completed?
You can read about previous recipients' professional learning on the Educational Leaders website here.
Contact Us
We're here to help. If you can't find the answer you're looking for in the application FAQs, get in touch with us by calling 0800 165 225 or email teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz.