Sustainability Education in Secondary Schools
Exploring Change and Support in 2026
Join NZAEE for an online presentation and discussion focused on navigating change and providing support for environmental sustainability education in secondary schools this year. With dedicated funding from the Ministry of Education, experienced secondary educators Lyn Rogers and Becky McCormack will be providing online and in person support for secondary teachers and kaiako. We want to make connections between teachers across the country, to share and celebrate the amazing mahi you’re already doing, and hear about any challenges or support you need.
Our discussion will include:
- Curriculum and assessment changes relevant to Yrs 9 - 13
- Timeframes for change and reassurance about continuing current programmes
- Links to resources and support from NZAEE and other providers
- Networking and discussion with other teachers around the motu
We’ll have resources to share with those who attend, including the Education for Sustainability teaching resource and lists of regional organisations / providers.
This webinar is free to attend but please register using the button on the top left to receive the Zoom link.
If you can’t make it live, the webinar will be recorded (just the presentation section) and we will share a written summary of the discussion (this part won’t be recorded for privacy reasons and so you can talk openly).
About the Speakers
Lyn Rogers
Lyn is an experienced and innovative educator, working as a teacher, resource writer and professional development mentor in secondary science, biology, environmental education and sustainability over the last 40 years. She has written numerous teaching and learning resources including: workbooks to support NCEA Science and Biology education; a guidebook for NCEA Sustainability educators; exemplar materials for MoE; on-line content for the Science Learning Hub. Lyn has provided a range of engaging professional learning and development opportunities in sustainability, science and culturally responsive pedagogies, and in curriculum and programme development. She is extremely passionate about te taiao and has supported many teachers to incorporate and utilise aspects of their local environment as contexts for learning, while actively fostering Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage; honouring and acknowledging Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supporting the incorporation of maatauranga Maaori into her mahi.
Becky McCormack
Becky worked as a secondary teacher for nine years, including curriculum development and assessment roles within science and biology departments. She also led professional learning as the Specialist Classroom Teacher, with a focus on cultural responsiveness, place-based and project-based learning. Becky taught Education for Sustainability within senior science courses and worked with colleagues in Outdoor Education to incorporate EfS and action projects. She also led student and staff environmental groups and initiatives within her school, integrating these within courses and long-term projects. Becky then worked as an environmental educator for seven years, before moving into her current role with NZAEE in 2022. She is passionate about nature connection and place responsive learning, with a focus on how these can be applied at different levels of the education system to empower and engage ākonga through authentic connections with community, te ao Māori and te taiao.
