With the 2025 school year starting, Northland educators are ready to head back and tackle the challenges.
With the 2025 school year starting, Northland educators are ready to head back and tackle the challenges.
Despite a challenging 2024 marked by staff shortages, shifting curriculums and economic pressures, Northland’s educators are standing firm in their mission to nurture the next generation, holding on to hope for a better 2025. Yolisa Tswanya reports.
Pat Newman, Hora Hora School principal and Tai Tokerau Principals' Association spokesman, said last year was probably the worst experienced since his education career started in 1981.
“It was a culmination of social problems. Many of our parents were on the bones of their backsides and doing their best and on top of that there were all the curriculum changes.
“Every two years we get a new minister that comes in and thinks they know it all. They come in and say, ‘stop what you are doing and do it this way’, and then they wonder why the whole system is failing.”
Newman believed Northland had great principals and staff and had hopes they would do their best for their students.
“We care about what is happening to our kids and I would say 95% of the parents care about what is happening to their kids. When you turn up each morning and see their faces, you remember why you do it.”
Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president and Hora Hora School principal Pat Newman says the extra funding will be a big help, but more is needed. Photo / NZME
Newman said the development of a 20-year plan for education and an advisory service to provide schools with experts would be the start in correcting issues schools faced.
“Those are among the few things that would change our jobs immensely.”
Ministry of Education northern leader Isabel Evans said the ministry had worked closely with schools and kura to provide support and guidance in preparation for changes this year.
Ministry of Education northern leader Isabel Evans says the ministry has worked closely with schools and kura to provide support and guidance in preparation for changes in 2025.
This year schools will be delivering structured approaches to teaching reading and writing, pānui and tuhituhi, in Year 0-3.
Schools will be using the updated English and Te Reo Rangatira (Year 0-6) and the updated mathematics and statistics and Pāngarau (Year 0-8) curriculum content.
“This includes meeting the legislative changes, planning and reporting, curriculum, attendance and NCEA. We also fund a First Time Principal programme, access to Professional Learning Programmes, Governance Support and Kahui Ako Clusters that enable schools to collaborate.”
She said they remained committed to providing all students with access to high-quality education.
“We are actively addressing the challenges of growing student populations through strategic planning, targeted investment, and close collaboration with communities and local authorities.”
Evans said teacher shortages were not unique to New Zealand and teacher supply varied across regions.
“Workforce in the region is an acknowledged challenge … Teacher supply shortages are a global challenge.
“We are supporting schools with a range of initiatives to attract and retain valued teaching talent.”
Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association president Brendon Morrissey said it was an ongoing challenge trying to keep up with new rules and regulations.
Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association president Brendon Morrissey wished staff a better 2025.
“I hope principals and staff had a good rest as this will be another challenging one with the changes that are coming.
“While there are so many goals for this year, one standout one is looking after people in the schools, the people that are running the schools. They are amazing people, have amazing dedication.”
