Resources
Scholarship 2026
For Colleges and students who may locate RSTAANZ in search of support for Scholarship RS in 2026.
Please note that continued support can only be provided to membership Colleges and individuals, however, please find here some helpful advice and resources for non-members.
The Scholarship theme for 2026 is War and Religious Traditions. Please start by exploring NZQA and covering the basics of what is required of RS Scholarship but looking at past papers, marking criteria etc.
https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/understanding-secondary-quals/nz-scholarship/
Then you need to plan so that the academic content of the theme can be explored. Planning support can be found here: https://www.canva.com/lesson-plans/templates/
Make sure that you explore the concept of war as much as the religious tradition you are going to cover. Dr Foote from NZQA adds the following comment, "At a recent subject association hui about whether the plural wording of the context statement from the 2026 Scholarship Religious Studies specs (“religious or spiritual traditions and war”) would require candidates to address more than one religious or spiritual tradition in their response. In short, this is not the case. While candidates may discuss more than one religious or spiritual tradition in their response they can meet the performance standard (at the highest levels) if they only reference one. "
Enjoy researching, learning, reading and planning the content BUT remember the marking criteria of Scholarship RS. Build your planning around the criteria: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/scholarship-subjects/new-zealand-scholarship-religious-studies/
Below are links to webinars on topics (with passcodes):
John Hall - Catholics and War - (referencing South East Asian conflicts of the 1960s-70s) - passcode: x291&?ns
Justine Delport - Caritas: Catholic Response to Conflict - passcode: W!67cJcT
Lisa Jenkins - Religious Women and War - passcode: ^bA?xz2R
Christopher Longhurst - War and Peace in a Nuclear Age - passcode: dEWf92^.
Zain Ali - Islam and War - passcode: sw2RV.3h
Finally, remember to create a quote page, so that you can build into your work amazing and well-integrated quotes to support your answer.
Good luck and remember you can always join RSTANNZ to receive further advice, information and resources.
Lisa Jenkins
Executive Member in charge of Scholarship.
Questions regarding Scholarship can be directed to RSTAANZ@gmail.com or ljenkins@baradene.school.nz
Useful Information
NCEA Level 1 resources