Upper Clutha schools are taking a national school curriculum review in their stride.

Kōrero Mātauranga, the government’s plan to refresh curriculum content from years 1 through 13, has identified changes to NCEA and the curriculum to better support students’ learning and educational outcomes.

The curriculum review is underway, with the New Zealand Histories curriculum up for review first. Over the next three to four years other learning areas will be reviewed and updated. 

Mount Aspiring College principal Nicola Jacobsen told the Wānaka App the project has increased the workload for teachers and schools, but the Ministry of Education has provided teacher-only days and workshops for school leaders to help outline the changes.

“In terms of the impact of Covid and lockdowns, yes, this has disrupted things and our planning for the next three to five years will need to include provision for these changes to ensure that teachers are not over-burdened with the workload associated with these changes,” she said.

Te Kura O Take Kārara principal Jodie Howard told the Wānaka App school principals have raised questions about expectations and timeframes in light of current workloads, as well as queries about ensuring there would be support and teacher professional development to accompany the refresh roll out.

Take Kārara principal Jodie Howard

However, Jodie said she had no concerns about the review from a primary school perspective.

“There has been information presented to principals through our principal's federation, NZSTA and by the Ministry of Education,” she said, adding the information included what the curriculum refresh will look like and information about how the implementation will be staged within the different curriculum areas.

Nicola said while time is needed to review the new curriculum documents and ensure that teaching and learning programmes meet the needs of the curriculum and the needs of learners, schools can look closely at one learning area at a time, rather than the entire curriculum.

“The changes to NCEA follow a similar programme - next year we have the ability to trial some of the new NCEA Level One standards in order to better prepare for the changes ahead.”

But what doesn’t change in education is that “expert and well-resourced teachers provide excellent learning experiences for our young people,” Nicola said.

“The curriculum might be different, and the assessments might change, however, how teachers engage and support students with their learning is the critical part to ensure student success.”

PHOTOS: Supplied