Primary teachers' sabbatical
The Primary Teachers' Sabbatical is a period of 10 school weeks' paid leave for you to undertake professional learning, reflection and rejuvenation. Each year there are 50 sabbaticals available to teachers, in state or state-integrated primary schools, covered by the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement (PTCA).
Applications for the 2025 Primary Principals' and Teachers' Study Awards will be opening on Thursday 16 May 2024.
To apply for this award/sabbatical you are required to use your existing ESL role with an account and login. You can review your ESL account details here: https://applications.education.govt.nz/education-sector-logon-esl/how-use-esl/self-service
If you do not currently have an ESL role, please contact your school's Delegated Authoriser who will be able to set up an ESL role for you in the "Te Mahau Service Portal"
The Frequently Asked Questions can be found here
Am I eligible for a Primary Teachers’ Sabbatical?
If you wish to apply for a Primary Teachers' Sabbatical you must:
- be employed as a primary teacher in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school
- have support from your school's principal and board of trustees or employer
- hold a current Tiwhikete Whakaakoranga Tūturu Full practising certificate (Category One)
- have completed at least five years' service as a teacher, at least three of which must have been spent in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
- be employed under the PTCA or applicable Individual Employment Agreement (IEA).
Preference is given to applicants who have not received a study award or sabbatical in the last five years.
Completing Your Application Form
To assist you in completing your sabbatical application, please see below the required written questions, you will have a 250 word-limit to answer each question. You will also be required to provide generic employment information.
Purpose of your sabbatical: State the purpose of your sabbatical in terms of your professional learning, this will describe the work planned for the period of the sabbatical (250-word limit).
Programme outline: Provide a programme outline for the period of the sabbatical (250-word limit).
Benefits of sabbatical: Outline the benefits of your sabbatical activities to yourself, the students, the school, and the wider community. Your proposal should specify the expected nature of the benefits of the sabbatical, including the impact on students’ learning outcomes.
Professional isolation: Identify how the sabbatical will help address any disadvantages you have experienced because of distance or professional isolation, the socioeconomic status of the school or community, or specific requirements of the school (250- word limit).
Costing schedule: (Principals only) Please provide a detailed costing schedule for your proposal if your school board is covering some or all costs associated with your sabbatical (250-word limit).
Reporting intention: Describe how you will share your sabbatical findings and who you will share them with (250-word limit).
Previous recipients’ professional learning
You can read previous recipients' sabbatical reports here.
Contact Us
We're here to help. If you can't find the answer you're looking for in the application guidelines, get in touch with us by calling 0800 165 225 or email teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz