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Education Minister Hekia Parata has congratulated the New Zealanders who have received New Year Honours for their services to education.

Ms Parata says committed and passionate people are working in education throughout the country, and it’s wonderful to see some of the very best honoured.

“I congratulate the 2015 recipients for their immense contribution to education in New Zealand and internationally.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has thanked parents, whānau and staff across the education sector for their passion and commitment to making sure all kids get the best possible education.

“We’re making great progress with kids starting earlier in education, staying longer, and leaving better qualified, and we have built on that throughout this year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the recommendations of the Review of Statutory Interventions in State and State Integrated Schools.

The Working Group set up to conduct the review has recommended the Ministry of Education and schools work more closely together.

“We’re committed to raising educational achievement for five out of five kids so we need to make sure all schools operate successfully. The vast majority do, but a small number experience difficulties so they need extra support.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed an agreement between the Ministry of Education and NZEI to jointly work on ways to help raise educational outcomes.

Ms Parata says there will be focus on communities of learning, greater collaboration, improved transition through the education system for children, and better career pathways for early childhood and primary teachers.

“I have consistently said the door remained open to NZEI after it withdrew from the work around our $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has appointed an advisory group to help children get the best possible start to their early learning and schooling.

The Advisory Group on Early Learning will recommend practical ways to ensure children have consistent teaching and learning from birth to eight years old, including helping teachers to implement the early childhood education curriculum.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has approved the first communities of schools, saying they are a big win for thousands of New Zealand kids.

Ms Parata says the first 11 communities will begin from term one of next year as part of the Government’s $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative to lift educational achievement.

“We’ve had 71 expressions of interest so far, and today I’ve approved the first communities of schools which together have nearly 38 thousand students.”

Education Minister Hekia Parata says more kids are getting the best start to school, with early childhood education participation at its highest ever level.

Ms Parata says latest figures show 96 percent of children starting school in September this year had already participated in some form of quality ECE.

“That’s up from 94.7 percent in early 2012 when the Government set its Better Public Service targets.

A new survey has revealed the relevance of science and technology to Kiwis’ lives, with 90 per cent of respondents agreeing on the importance of studying those subjects at school.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata today released the Public Attitudes to Science and Technology survey, which was conducted as part of the Science in Society project – an education-science sector collaboration to lift engagement and achievement in science and technology.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the vote from secondary school principals on two key elements of the Investing in Educational Success initiative.

Ms Parata says the new leadership role across communities of schools and the principal recruitment allowance are important parts of the $359 million plan to lift educational achievement.

“The principals’ vote follows the strong support from secondary teachers for the new teaching roles we will also have when communities of schools begin operating from the first term of next year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed funding of $1.7 million from the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) for research projects to improve educational outcomes for students.

Eight recipients receive funding in the 2014 research programme for work to enhance the links between educational research and teaching and learning.

“These projects are in line with what the Government is focused on in terms of raising educational achievement,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has acknowledged the work and commitment of groups across the education system to help lift educational achievement for all students.

Ms Parata has met sector representatives, ranging from early childhood education through to senior secondary schooling, following her reappointment as Education Minister.

“I meet these groups regularly and it was important to share with them my priorities for this term of Government and to hear their views about how we continue to work together to raise educational outcomes for our kids.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says $8.6 million has been provided to help schools transition through decile funding changes.

Ms Parata says the Government knows that schools that have moved to a higher decile rating will need time to adjust, and an 18-month transition period and additional funding will assist them.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the vote of secondary teachers in favour of new roles being added to their collective agreement.

Ms Parata says the support for the new roles of Community of School Teachers is another significant step forward for the $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative.

“I’m extremely pleased that secondary teachers have seen the exciting opportunities presented by these new teaching roles, both in terms of lifting student achievement and for their own career pathways.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has congratulated all those who worked to establish the C Company Memorial House which opened in Gisborne today.

The new permanent space for the 28th Maori Battalion C Company exhibition will house photos, taonga and other military memorabilia, and is adjacent to the existing Tairawhiti Museum.

Ms Parata says C Company has a special place in the history of the East Coast region and New Zealand.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced a partnership with New Zealand Rugby League to improve the education, health and wellbeing of thousands of young people and families.

Ms Parata says It’s More Than Just a Game brings together NZ Rugby League (NZRL), the Ministry of Education, the Accident Compensation Corporation, the Health Promotion Agency and New Zealand Police.

“NZRL has a strong relationship with 40,000 players, their families and fans across the country, many of them in Maori and Pasifika communities.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced that applications have opened for the new $10 million Teacher-led Innovation Fund.

The fund is part of the Government’s $359 million Investing in Educational Success (IES) initiative to help raise students’ educational achievement. 

Ms Parata says the fund will allow great ideas to be put into practice and shared across schools.

“The heart of IES is about teachers learning from each other and schools working closely together, and this fund really supports that kind of collaborative approach.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has offered her best wishes to the 143,000 students sitting NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship examinations.

“This is an exciting time because it’s the culmination of many months of hard work and study, but it can also be stressful and demanding.

“I congratulate these students for all their work so far and wish them all the very best over the next three weeks.

“I know that parents will be doing everything they can to support their kids over the coming days, just as they have done throughout their lives.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the winners of The Challenge, a creative school competition honouring one of New Zealand’s finest fighting forces, the 28^th Māori Battalion.

The Challenge gives Year 7-13 students the opportunity to express what they learn about the Battalion using 21^st century media.

A multi-million dollar upgrade has been confirmed for The Gardens School in Manurewa by Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

Ms Parata says the redevelopment is expected to cost up to $22 million and is a significant commitment to the school and its community.

“This will help ensure The Gardens is a school where the kids from the local community can continue to get a great education.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today acknowledged the enormous contribution teachers across the country are making every day to ensure all children are successful in education.

Ms Parata says New Zealand Teachers’ Day, which is marked today, is an opportunity to thank teachers for the work they do to raise the educational achievement of students.

“Teachers do an incredible job helping our children and young people to be the very best they can be in life – it’s important to celebrate the magic that they create across our country every day.

Education Minister Hekia Parata today launched the 2015 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards.

Ms Parata says the awards recognise and celebrate excellence in teaching, leadership, community engagement and governance.

“The inaugural awards were held this year and were a great celebration of work being done across our education system.

“They give us an opportunity to acknowledge some remarkable people and the work being done to deliver better educational outcomes for our children and young people.