Paper marae suspended from the ceiling by string.

ECE and Support Staff Scholarships

NZEI Te Riu Roa ECE and support staff scholarships

Applications for the 2023 scholarships have now closed.

The scholarships are set up to advance the strategic direction of NZEI Te Riu Roa “Leading the Profession” by providing an opportunity for early childhood education and support staff members to enhance their skills and knowledge within the workplace and in education generally.

Who is eligible?

You must be a fully financial member of NZEI Te Riu Roa for at least one year. There is also an expectation that the eligibility criteria will continue to be met during the scholarship year. Any change in employment circumstances related to eligibility, either prior to accepting a scholarship offer or during the year of the scholarship, must be communicated to NZEI Te Riu Roa.

You should be:

  1. A teacher employed in an early childhood service; or,
  2. A support staff worker employed by and early childhood service; or,
  3. A support staff worker employed by a primary, area or secondary school at the time of applying

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed on how well your project meets the purpose of the scholarship by showing clearly how it:

  • develops and strengthens your ability to communicate to your sector
  • aligns with NZEI Te Riu Roa kaupapa – specifically Mōku te Ao.

You will also be assessed on your project plan, demonstrating how you will manage, share and evaluate the success of your project. 

Read the full selection criteria below. 

Scholarship Timeline

Friday 6 May 2022 5pm - Closing date for applications

September 2022 - Successful and unsuccessful applicants advised

October 2022 - Scholarship recipients announced at NZEI Te Riu Roa Annual Conference
First instalment of scholarship money deposited into recipients’ bank accounts

Late 2022 - Recipients presented with Scholarship Certificates by their area council/branch/aronui tomua

June 2023 - Milestone Report due
Final instalment of scholarship money following receipt and acceptance of Milestone Report

December 2023 - Recipients complete their projects

Final report due January 2024

The list of the 2023 recipients of the ECE and Support Staff Scholarships

Pala Fisher - learning support assistant at Waiheke primary School. Pala’s project is Creative Therapies in Schools - to nurture and care for the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of tamariki.

Kate Griffin
- teacher aide and English language assistant at Island Bay School. Kate’s project is entitled Me ako tonu/keep learning: In pursuit of best practice for learning and wellbeing.

Dale Manson
- office assistant, and health and safety coordinator at Cockle Bay School. Dale’s project is entitled Hangaia he mahere - Make a Plan.

Victoria Goode
- teacher aide at Nelson Central School, with her project The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups.

Related campaigns

Take a look at our current campaigns and find out how you can get involved.

Pay Equity for Librarians and Library Assistants | Mana Taurite

  • Kaiāwhina Tautoko
  • Mana Taurite

The Pay Equity claim for librarians and library assistants was raised by NZEI Te Riu Roa in November 2020. Investigation of the claim began in October 2021 and was completed in September of this year. Through this process, a gender neutral assessment of claimants and comparators was undertaken. The results of this investigation showed that school librarians have been subject to gender based undervaluation and the claim will now proceed to bargaining.

Ako atu