Papamoa Kindergarten is one of three education providers in the Bay of Plenty that have been named as finalists in the 2018 Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards.

The awards celebrate outstanding education practices in New Zealand, with 15 finalists selected from 127 entries this year.

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary for Early Learning and Student Achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid says the finalists' entries demonstrated excellent teaching practices that support student achievement.

"I'd like to congratulate this year's finalists in the Awards. We will celebrate their achievements and share their stories with the sector, communities, and whanau. I wish the finalists all the best for the announcement of the winners in July.”

Papamoa Kindergarten is a finalist for the Excellence in Engaging/Atahāpara Award – a category they were also nominated in last year.

A statement from the Ministry of Education says the kindergarten is committed to supporting all tamariki to become life-long learners.

'To help them achieve this, they collaborated with their community to establish an Assessment Whanau Group that will help develop and embed bicultural teaching, learning, and assessment framework into their practice.

'As a result, learners have clear ideas about their learner identity in different contexts over time and they're able to understand some difficult concepts. This led to improved and sustained outcomes for all children.”

The other schools in the Bay of Plenty that are finalists in the awards are Rotorua Girls' High School and John Paul College.

Members of the judging panel are visiting the finalists during May and June to see their work and speak with all involved. Winners from each category will receive $20,000 and a professional development opportunity.

The Prime Minister's Supreme Award is selected from the category winners. It is presented to the early learning service, school or kura that has had the greatest influence on education outcomes.

The Supreme Award winner will receive an additional $30,000 and an opportunity to represent New Zealand in an international education conference.

The Awards ceremony will be held in Wellington in July.

For more information on the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards, visit the website: www.pmawards.education.govt.nz