Professional Responsibilities and Relationships/Nga Tirohanga Whanui

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations. Work submitted may be analysed by the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. Where there is evidence that cheating or plagiarism has occurred students will be awarded an X grade and the matter will be referred to the Head of the School of Teacher Education.

Assessment procedures will follow the established policies of the Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education Assessment Guidelines.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA      Marks
A+          9      90 – 100
A            8      85 – 89.99
A-           7      80 – 84.99
B+          6      75 – 79.99
B            5      70 – 74.99
B-           4      65 – 69.99
C+          3      60 – 64.99
C            2      55 – 59.99
C-           1      50 – 54.99
D            0      40 – 49.99
E           -1       0 – 39.99

There are two pieces of assessment for this course, each assessment is weighted at 50%. Assessment are graded against the University scale A+ to E. Satisfactory completion of the course assessments to at least a C- grade overall is required. Both assessments must be submitted.

A student seeking credit in any course must attend such lectures, workshops and/or tutorials and perform satisfactorily such oral, practical, written and other requirements specified by the course coordinator

You are enrolled in a professional programme. As you enter a profession you also commit to a set of professional and ethical obligations.

Your classes are structured to prepare you for your professional experiences out in early childhood services. These classes are an important and integral part of preparing you for this professional experience and your future teaching profession. Students with less than 80% attendance are at-risk of not meeting the criteria for seeking credit in the course. The course coordinator may require evidence that they have actively engaged with the content and activities of the missed sessions.  Insufficient (less than 80% attendance in the course3 may result in the student being ineligible for teaching practice.

Formal and informal evaluation will take place in accordance with the relevant Course Evaluation Policy, to provide feedback to staff about the relevance and validity of what has been learned as well as the quality of course delivery.

Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education undertakes a process of internal and external moderation of assessment.  This is to ensure that the assessment system is fair, equitable, consistent and manageable.

Work submitted after the due date with no extension granted is considered late.  Late work will not be marked, unless exceptional circumstances apply (e.g. illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances).  Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the course-coordinator to make a decision about whether or not to mark late work.  No work will be accepted after assignments have been returned to students. The highest grade a piece of late work can receive is a C-.

Assignments must be processed in Times New Roman, 12 point font with 1.5 line spacing. Every page must be named and numbered.  APA format is required for references. Keep a copy of all assignments.

Extensions are reserved for exceptional circumstances only (e.g., illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances) and are not granted automatically. The course coordinator must be contacted by email at least two working days before the due date, and the application must be supported by relevant evidence (e.g. medical certificate, letter from counsellor). An extension will normally be for no more than one week and the date of the extension will be provided to the student in writing.

Extensions will not be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due around the same time. The procedure for extensions is fully outlined in the Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education Assessment Guidelines.

Resubmits are not permitted.

Where for reasons beyond their control, students are prevented from completing an assessment or suffer significant impairment, they may apply for what is known as “special consideration”. University of Canterbury Special Consideration provisions may apply to impaired performance, non-completion of assessment items, and to late discontinuation (withdrawal) from a course.

A detailed description of special consideration and materials to support the applications process are available at: Special Considerations Process.  


Generally speaking, applications for special considerations should be lodged within five working days of the due date of that assessment item. For more details on this, please refer to the Special Considerations Regulations.



This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

As well as attending classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site.
Where to submit and collect work

All students must submit their assignment through Turnitin via the course Learn site by 5.00pm on or before the due date.

Students will be asked to submit assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. If this option is available students will submit work through Turnitin and obtain a report, after submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site. It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  

Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated.

For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000.  Monday to  Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university holidays).   Assignments will be returned via the Course Learn Site.