Semester Timeline
Source: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/teaching/semester-timeline/ Parent: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/
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Semester Timeline
Stay on track with each phase of the semester with key teaching ‘touch points’ and just-in-time resources.
On this page
See also: Semester teaching days (charts) and exam dates and timetables.
Disclaimer: This will not suit all teaching schedules such as those on a quarter system, the Teacher Education Programme, UoA Online, and others. It is intended to be helpful but not comprehensive.
Summer School 2026
24 November–19 December 2025
Plan and prepare
Pre-semester
- Copy and update your Summer School Canvas site
- Create a welcome message (a brief video or text)
- Update Talis reading lists
- Prepare Canvas assignment groups and Gradebook settings
Resources
Canvas: Copy a page to another course
Welcome to the course (template)
Personal introduction (template)
Additional resources
TeachWell Consult service (bookable until mid-Dec)
Assessment of Courses Procedures (§23)
University closed
22 December 2025–2 January 2026
Summer School starts
5 January 2026
5–9 January 2026
Welcome and get started quickly
Week 1
- Deliver initial lectures and set course expectations
- Facilitate introductory activities to build community
- Facilitate election for class reps and add contact details to Canvas
- Monitor student engagement
Resources
Additional resources
Making effective use of class representatives
12–16 January 2026
Build momentum and provide feedback
Week 2
- Begin formative assessments
- Provide timely feedback on initial assignments
- Look for ‘at risk’ students
- Check your course is eligible for SET
Resources
Additional resources
19–23 January 2026
Strengthen engagement and learning
Week 3
- Continue with course content delivery
- Encourage peer collaboration and discussions
- Prepare students for upcoming assessments
26–30 January 2026
Check in and adjust
Week 4
- Gather mid-semester feedback
- Adjust teaching strategies based on feedback
- Ensure all students are on track with course requirements
- Submit exam questions
Resources
2–13 February 2026
Prepare for final assessments
Weeks 5–6
- Prepare for exams
- Review key concepts and answer student queries
- Finish marking coursework
- Dedicate class time for SET
Resources
Study break
14–15 February 2026
16–18 February 2026
Exam period
- Complete marking
- Submit final grades
- Share SET feedback with students on Canvas
Resources
During the exam (assessor responsibilities)
23–27 February 2026
Reflect, refresh and look ahead
- Document teaching activities for ADPR
- Reflect on SET results and other course feedback
- Reflect on student learning outcomes
- Coordinate a course review (course directors)
- Plan for Semester One (if teaching)
Resources
Additional resources
Semester One 2026
5–16 February 2026
Plan and prepare
Pre-semester
- Set up Canvas course template
- Review and update course content
- Update Talis reading lists
- Design assessments
Resources
Additional resources
Canvas Essentials (facilitated sessions)
Course design (self-paced session)
Blended learning (self-paced session)
Assessment for learning (self-paced session)
Teaching 101 (self-paced session)
19 February–20 February 2026
Fine-tune
Early semester prep
- Prepare Canvas assignment groups and Gradebook settings
- Create welcome message (a brief video or text)
- Check that your course is aligned with Canvas Baseline Practices
- Publish your Canvas course
- Check teaching spaces and acquaint yourself with the equipment
Resources
Assessment checklist for Canvas
Welcome to the course (template)
Additional resources
Canvas Assessment workshop (facilitated sessions)
Lecture theatre equipment familiarisation sessions
Teaching Well: Foundations of Learning and Teaching (PLS) (facilitated sessions)
Change One Thing Challenge (teaching award)
Teaching-related policies and frameworks esp. Assessment of Courses Policy
Assessment of Courses Procedures (§23)
23–27 February 2026
Set the tone
Orientation Week
- Set up introductory activities
- Check which students have learning and teaching adjustments
- Post a welcome announcement (a brief video or text)
Resources
Faculty Access Portal (disability case management system)
Personal introduction (template)
Additional resources
Semester One begins
2 March 2026
2–20 March 2026
Welcome and get to know your students
Weeks 1–3
- Focus on creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment
- Consider students requiring special conditions in tests and exams
- Facilitate election for class reps and add contact details to Canvas (weeks 1–2)
- Monitor student engagement
- Invite informal student feedback (week 3)
- Refresh knowledge on teaching and course engagement
Resources
Towards a sense of belonging (curated resources)
Special conditions and aegrotats
Formative evaluations of teaching and courses
Additional resources
Making effective use of class representatives
23 March–2 April 2026
Think about early feedback
Weeks 4–5
- Conduct first assessments
- Monitor participation
- Look for ‘at risk’ students
- Provide early progress feedback to students
Resources
Additional resources
Mid-semester break
3–17 April 2026
8–17 April 2026
Reset, recharge, and refine
- Review course progress
- Prepare upcoming materials
- Start curating exam questions
- Engage in professional development
Resources
20 April–8 May 2026
Gather feedback and adjust
Weeks 6–9
- Check your course is eligible for SET
- Gather mid-semester feedback
- Request a peer teaching observation
- Adjust teaching strategies as needed
- Submit exam questions
Resources
Additional resources
Canvas Marking and Grading (facilitated sessions)
New Special Conditions in Tests and Examinations Procedures
18 May–5 June 2026
Gear-up for marking
Weeks 10–12
- Prepare for exams
- Review key concepts and answer student queries
- Finish marking coursework and academic term tests
- Set up marking teams for the final exam
- Dedicate class time for SET
Resources
Study break
8–10 June 2026
Additional resources
Aegrotat and compassionate consideration
8–29 June 2026
Exam period
- Complete marking
- Submit final grades
- Share SET feedback with students on Canvas
Resources
During the exam (assessor responsibilities)
* Exams are scheduled Monday to Saturday
Additional resources
Final grades drop-in (facilitated sessions)
Inter-semester break
30 June–17 July 2026
30 June–3 July 2026
Reflect, refresh and look ahead
- Document teaching activities for ADPR
- Reflect on SET results and other course feedback
- Reflect on student learning outcomes
- Coordinate a course review (course directors)
- Plan for Semester Two (if teaching)
Resources
Additional resources
Teaching Well: Foundations of Learning and Teaching (PLS) (facilitated sessions)
Teaching 101 (self-paced session)
Semester Two 2026
6–10 July 2026
Refine teaching strategies
Pre-semester
- Review and adjust course content (consider feedback from last run)
- Create welcome message (a brief video or text)
- Refine assessments as needed
- Update Talis reading lists
- Prepare Canvas assignment groups and Gradebook settings
- Publish your Canvas course
Resources
Canvas – copy one page at a time
Welcome to the course (template)
Additional resources
Canvas Essentials workshop (facilitated sessions)
Canvas Assessment workshop (facilitated sessions)
Course design (self-paced session)
Blended learning (self-paced session)
Assessment for learning (self-paced session)
Teaching 101 (self-paced session)
Assessment of Courses Procedures (§23)
13–17 July 2026
Prepare for teaching
Orientation Week
- Set up introductory activities
- Post a welcome announcement (a brief video or text)
- Check that your course is aligned with Canvas Baseline Practices
- Check teaching spaces and acquaint yourself with the equipment
- Check which students have learning and teaching adjustments
Resources
Welcome to the course (template)
Personal introduction (template)
Faculty Access Portal (disability case management system)
Additional resources
Lecture theatre equipment familiarisation sessions
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grants (start writing your application)
Teaching Excellence Awards (September deadline)
Semester Two begins
20 July 2026
20 July – 7 August 2026
Welcome and get to know your students
Weeks 1–3
- Focus on creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment
- Consider students requiring special conditions in tests and exams
- Facilitate election for class reps and add contact details to Canvas (weeks 1–2)
- Monitor student engagement
- Invite informal student feedback
- Refresh knowledge on teaching and course engagement
Resources
Towards a sense of belonging (curated resources)
Special conditions and aegrotats
Formative evaluations of teaching and courses
Additional resources
Making effective use of class representatives
10–28 August 2026
Think about early feedback
Weeks 4–6
- Conduct first assessments
- Monitor participation
- Look for ‘at risk’ students
- Provide early progress feedback to students
- Check your course is eligible for SET
Resources
Mid-semester break
31 August–11 September 2026
Reset, recharge, and refine
- Review course progress
- Prepare upcoming materials
- Start curating exam questions
- Engage in professional development
Resources
Inspera exam process for teachers
TeachWell Professional Learning Series
Teaching Well: Foundations of Learning and Teaching (PLS) (facilitated sessions)
14 September–2 October 2026
Gather feedback and adjust
Weeks 7–9
- Gather mid-semester feedback
- Request a peer teaching observation
- Adjust teaching strategies as needed
- Submit exam questions
Resources
Additional resources
Canvas Marking and Grading (facilitated sessions)
New Special Conditions in Tests and Examinations Procedures
5–23 October 2026
Gear-up for marking
Weeks 10–12
- Prepare for exams
- Review key concepts and answer student queries
- Finish marking coursework and academic term tests
- Set up marking teams for the final assessment
- Dedicate class time for SET
Resources
Study break
26–28 October 2026
Additional resources
Aegrotat and compassionate consideration
29 October–16 November 2026
Exam period
- Complete marking
- Submit final grades
- Share SET feedback with students on Canvas
- Review course outlines (course directors)
Resources
During the exam (assessor responsibilities)
Reminder: Final results are due
Additional resources
Final grades drop-in (facilitated sessions)
17 November–22 December 2026
Reflect and unwind
In the last weeks
- Document teaching activities for ADPR
- Reflect on SET results and other course feedback
- Reflect on student learning outcomes
- Coordinate a course review (course directors)
- Plan for Summer School (if teaching)
Resources
Additional resources
Page updated 13/02/2026 (added link to class reps guide)