Botany Downs Secondary College becomes first New Zealand school to join Microsoft Innovative Schools Programme

Today, Microsoft New Zealand announces Botany Downs Secondary College will be the first New Zealand school to be accepted to the global Microsoft Innovative Schools Programme.

Botany Downs was chosen after a rigorous application process, and joins a global community of 80 schools in 46 countries. Over the next 12 months, Microsoft New Zealand will work with educational experts to assist staff and students through a process of whole-school transformation, aimed at creating a community focused on innovative teaching and learning practice.

Mike Leach, Principal at Botany Downs anticipates admission into the programme will mean great things. 

“It is an honour to be chosen for this programme and we look forward to setting the innovation pace for schools all around the country. Technology plays a huge part in education and we are very excited about learning from other schools around the world and, with Microsoft’s assistance, implementing our vision for the school through better technology.”

Paul Muckleston, managing director at Microsoft New Zealand shares Botany Downs excitement and is thrilled to see a New Zealand school recognised on a global level.

“Botany Downs Secondary College has been selected because they are an excellent example of integrating innovative teaching and learning into the school. They have proven they have the community and professional support to drive change, supported by strong leadership. Leaders at Botany Downs have articulated a vision for what they want to achieve and Microsoft will now help refine, strengthen and implement that vision”.

The Innovative Schools Programme is part of Microsoft’s 10 year, US$500 million, Partners in Learning initiative to help teachers and school leaders to use technology to help teach and learn more effectively. Supporting unique approaches to assessing, improving, and evaluating a schools learning environment the program will help schools to successfully move beyond traditional learning models and help to encourage thought leadership, the discovery of best practices and leaving lasting models that any school can adopt and use.

This year 54 new Pathfinder and 16 new Mentor schools have been admitted to the programme. They join nearly 3,000 schools from around the world participating in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Program. Botany Downs has been admitted as a Pathfinder school.

There are three types of schools represented in the programme:

·         The Pathfinder Programme annually selects schools who demonstrate strong school leadership skills with a proven record of innovation and successful change implementation.  The Pathfinder Schools have been chosen because of their vision for learning, and the fact that they have already started on the road to whole school transformation.  

·         The Mentor Schools are global exemplars of innovative teaching practice.  Their innovations in the learning and teaching environment are applied and shared across countries.

·         The third level in the Innovative Schools Programme is open to any school worldwide. Known as Participant Schools, these schools have access to online resources that are available on the Partners in Learning Network. These schools can use the online toolkit, attending online training events and participate in local Innovative Education Forums.