There’s something quietly radical about a school opening its doors, not just to students, but to the wider profession. To ideas. To challenge. To dialogue. That’s exactly what we’re doing at Long Bay College as we prepare to host researchED New Zealand on Saturday, 2 May 2026.

At Long Bay, we’re deeply committed to grounding our teachers and leaders in the instructional core. We believe schools should be places of intellectual generosity, where ideas are shared, tested, and refined. Educators thrive when practice is shared, not hoarded or politicised. And we believe in the strength of professional networks that stretch beyond the walls of any one school.

The researchED ethos resonates strongly with our staff, as it does with educators across Aotearoa and around the world.

Founded with a simple but powerful mission, to bridge the gap between research and practice, researchED brings together teachers, academics, researchers, policymakers, and teacher-trainers to build healthy, collaborative relationships grounded in field-specific expertise.

“We aim to bring together as many parties affected by educational research… in order to establish healthy relationships where field-specific expertise is pooled usefully.”

— researchED.org.uk

We’re interested in rigour, relevance, and respectful challenge. That’s what researchED brings to the table. It’s not your typical educational conference, it’s low-key, grassroots, and deeply committed to accessibility. Prices will be kept to a minimum because professional learning should be inclusive, not exclusive. It’s for all teachers across the sector, the Science of Learning and research informed practice relevant to Early childhood, Primary, Intermediate and Secondary settings. If you’re a Trainee Teacher or a Principal, A Head of Faculty or a Day reliever, please hear: This an event for all Teachers and Educators across the sector.

And the timing couldn’t be more significant.

Aotearoa is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation in curriculum and assessment. The Ministry of Education is rolling out:

• A refreshed, knowledge-rich national curriculum
• A proposed replacement for NCEA, aiming to improve coherence, credibility, and clarity
• A renewed focus on structured literacy, numeracy, and evidence-based teaching

These changes are not just technical, they’re cultural. They ask us to rethink what we teach, how we assess, and what we value. They demand that we, as educators, are informed, connected, and courageous.

Hosting researchED in 2026 places Long Bay College at the heart of this national conversation. It’s an opportunity to bring together teachers and researchers, not just to listen, but to learn and to lead.

What excites us most is that researchED creates space for nuanced, respectful discourse. It’s not about avoiding hard topics, it’s about approaching them with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to evidence. It’s about recognising that we can hold strong values and still be open to challenge. That we can care deeply about equity and still ask, “What works?”

At Long Bay, we’re proud of our commitment to equity. But we’re equally committed to intellectual honesty, to asking whether our practices are effective, not just well-intentioned.

Hosting researchED is both a privilege and a responsibility. We want this to be more than a one-day event. We want it to be a catalyst, for professional growth, deeper collaboration, and a culture of inquiry that lasts long after the final keynote.

If you’re an educator who believes in the power of research, the value of professional dialogue, and the possibility of doing better, together, we’d love to see you at Long Bay College in May 2026.

Presenter expressions of interest will be going live shortly. Once our speaker lineup is confirmed, we’ll share full details ahead of what promises to be a fantastic day.

To stay updated, keep an eye on the College’s website, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, as well as through the professional networks we’re active in.

Looking forward to seeing you in May.