2023

December

Content updates

• We updated Classroom Release Time to show the allocations that will come into effect from term 1, 2024.

November

Content updates

• We made extensive changes to Daily School Bus content to ensure that the policies we provide are thorough and compliant with New Zealand legislation and Ministry of Education guidelines. Policies now cover schools with daily school bus transport funded by the Ministry, as well as schools that are using a Ministry-funded technology bus or operating privately funded buses.

October

Content updates

• To ensure content aligned with COVID-19 requirements, we updated Staff Leave, COVID-19 Health Measures, and Infectious Diseases. We also updated our sample Leave Application Form.
• We created an updated version of Firearms Policy Guidelines to help schools create their own firearms policies.
• As a result of internal reviews, we also updated Before and After School Supervision and Third-Party Use of School Property.

September

Content updates

• We updated Use of Drones and Drones Not Allowed to reflect the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
• As a result of internal reviews, we updated topics within the Health, Safety, and Welfare section:
  • Planning and Preparing for Emergencies, Disasters, and Crises
  • Emergency Kits and Supplies
  • Evacuation
  • Stand–Downs, Suspensions, and Exclusions
  • Plant and Machinery Safety
• We also updated topics in the Employer Responsibility section:
  • Employer Responsibility Policy
  • Flexible Working Arrangements
• We added the Before and After School Supervision topic to all sites.
• We updated our default Position Application Form to add a question about citizenship and work permits.

August

Content updates

• Following the scheduled review and legal review of the Alcohol/Drugs and Other Harmful Substances Policy and its subtopics, these updates have now been published to school sites.
• As a result of internal reviews, we updated Equal Employment Opportunities, Primary Duty of Care, and Minimising Physical Restraint.

July

Content updates

• We published changes to the Legislation and Regulations Policy section (previously Legislation and Administration Policy). This included updates to student attendance, enrolment, and uniform/dress expectation information.
• As a result of internal reviews, we updated Governance Documents and Lockdown and Shelter in Place (previously Reverse Evacuation).
• We introduced a new optional topic about Generative AI.

May

Content updates

• We made further changes to Minimising Physical Restraint in response to feedback from schools and consultation with the Ministry of Education to clarify the required timeline for physical restraint training.
• As a result of internal reviews, we updated to Third-Party Use of School Property (previously Using School Property Outside School Hours), Sleepovers at School, and Media.

April

Content updates

• We published updates to reflect the Education (Physical Restraint) Rules 2022 and Aramai He Tētēkura (physical restraint guidelines), which are covered in three topics: Minimising Physical Restraint, Reducing Student Distress, and Acceptable Physical Contact.
• Following scheduled review, we published updates to the Safety On and Off School Grounds section of Health, Safety, and Welfare policies. These include updates to the main board-level policy, the Getting to and from School Safely section, and the School Swimming Pool section. Safe Drinking Water topics have also been updated to reflect the Water Services Act 2021.
• Updates to the Concerns and Complaints topics that received legal review have been published to all school sites.

March

General update

• SchoolDocs has moved! We are now located at 226 Antigua Street, Christchurch Central. Our phone numbers remain the same.

Content update

• We have included wording from the Self-Review and Board Assurances list in each of the corresponding topics on SchoolDocs.

February

Content updates

• We updated the Physical Restraint topic to reflect new rules and guidelines on understanding student/ākonga distress and minimising physical restraint in schools. We have also removed the Physical Restraint Forms and Debriefs topic from sites.
• We updated topics in the Performance Management section to reflect the updated Professional Growth Cycle Process. The new system removes compliance activity requirements, while upholding the legal obligation to ensure that everyone holding a practising certificate meets the Standards for the Teaching Profession | Ngā Paerewa mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga.

January

Site update

• The new review tool was rolled out to all school sites, making submitting and viewing feedback much easier for schools.

Content updates

• We made further updates to SchoolDocs topics to align with the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP).
• We made updates to the Inclusive Education topic, which included moving information out of the previous Recognition of Cultural Diversity topic, and removing this topic from sites.
• Following scheduled review, updates to the Student Wellbeing and Safety and Staff Wellbeing and Safety sections have been rolled out and are live on school sites.