Reflect, rejuvenate and undertake professional learning with a paid sabbatical
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Last updated 4 June 2026
The Secondary Teachers' Sabbatical gives you paid leave for 10 school weeks so you can reflect, rejuvenate and undertake professional learning. Each year, we offer 50 sabbaticals to teachers in state or state-integrated secondary schools. 40 of these sabbaticals are based on service.
Application period now open
You must have ESL access to apply. Your ESL account must be linked to your current school with “TeachNZ Study Awards” role. Contact your school’s ESL Delegated Authoriser or visit the Applications & Online Systems website for help.
Applications for the 2027 Secondary Teachers' Sabbatical are open.
To apply for one of the 40 Secondary Teachers' Sabbaticals based on service, you must:
be employed under the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA) or applicable individual employment agreement (IEA)
be a full-time registered teacher, with at least 20 years' teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
have a period of at least 7 years of most recent unbroken service
not currently be under review for competence and/or conduct and discipline (as per sections 3.3 or 3.4 of the STCA)
have not received a sabbatical in the last 10 years.
If you want to apply for one of the remaining 10 Secondary Teachers' Sabbaticals, you must:
be employed under STCA or applicable individual employment agreement (IEA)
be a full-time registered teacher, with at least 5 years' teaching service in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
not currently be under review for competence and/or conduct and discipline (as per sections 3.3 or 3.4 of the STCA)
have not received a sabbatical in the last 10 years.
Professional learning activity
Outline the professional learning activities you will undertake.
Purpose
State the purpose of your sabbatical in terms of your professional learning. Explain what you will investigate, study and develop during your sabbatical.
Time commitments
Explain your sabbatical plan and timeframes. The planned work should occupy 50% of your time over the sabbatical period.
Reporting
Describe how you will share your sabbatical findings and who you will share them with.
Benefits of sabbatical
Outline the benefits of your sabbatical activities to yourself, your students, your school, and your community. You should describe the expected benefits of the sabbatical, including the impact on your students’ learning outcomes.
You will have a 250-word limit for each question. You will also need to provide generic employment information on the form.
If you are applying without support from your principal or school board/employer, please upload a letter confirming this to the online application form or you will not be able to apply.
Please upload this in the supporting documents section. You may choose either format.
Contact us
If you have any questions, we're here to help.
See our Contact us page for more information on how to get in touch.
