First-term checklist for beginning teachers (PDF)

First-term checklist for beginning teachers

Name	School
Mentor teacher	Term and year

Teaching Council registration and Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate in place (it needs a satisfactory police vet, so apply early) teachingcouncil.nz: apply for a Tōmua
Know who your mentor teacher is and when you'll meet. Your school should give you a formal induction and mentoring programme of at least two years teachingcouncil.nz: induction and mentoring
School email, logins and the student management system working
Read the key policies: behaviour, health and safety, emergencies, child protection and digital use
Find out the planning expectations, templates and the term's curriculum focus
Class list, plus any learning support, health or care notes (allergies, medical plans, who can collect whom)
Room set up: seating, a gathering space, resources where ākonga can reach them
First week planned in detail and the first few weeks in outline
A relief folder ready: day sheet, class list, routines and a spare lesson
Introduced yourself to the office team, caretaker and your team or department

Learn every name and how to say it correctly
Teach routines step by step and practise them: coming in, getting attention, transitions, toilets, devices, packing up
Agree class expectations with your ākonga and display them
Quick, low-stakes activities to see where learners are
A short hello to whānau: who you are, how to reach you, what's coming up this term
Know the fire, earthquake and lockdown procedures for your room
Start a list of questions for your mentor

First mentor meeting held and goals set together
Start your induction records: meeting notes, goals, reflections, feedback and observations
Arrange an observation of your teaching, and observe an experienced colleague
A positive contact with every family (a call, note or email)
Check in with your learning support coordinator or SENCO about ākonga who need extra support
Reteach any routine that isn't working yet
A simple system for assessment notes and work samples
At least one evening a week with no schoolwork

Meet your mentor regularly and keep notes from each meeting
Collect evidence against the Standards for the Teaching Profession as you go, not at the end teachingcouncil.nz: the Standards
Reflect after key lessons and file the reflection with the plan
Use any release time for planning, observing and professional learning
Note your Tōmua expiry date: it's issued for three years, and you're expected to move to a Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate within five
Ask for help early, from your mentor, your team or the school's leaders

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