AUT School of Education · Te Kura Mātauranga – Sonia Online Portal

Kia ora and welcome to the School of Education Practicum Portal for Early Childhood programmes (BEd, MTL, PGDipTL).

This is your central hub for everything practicum — preparing for placement, viewing your placement details, completing required forms, and tracking your progress. You’ll find all key links, dates, and contact information in one place.

Practicum Dates (2026 – Semesters 1 & 2)

MTL/PGDipTL – Semester 1, 2026

  • ECET803 Practicum 2 (students who started Jul 2025): 30 Mar – 12 Jun (42 days)
    No practicum: Easter 3–7 Apr, mid-semester break 8–17 Apr, ANZAC Day (observed) 27 Apr, King’s Birthday 1 Jun.
  • ECET802 Practicum 1 (students who started Feb 2026): Part A: 23 Feb – 13 Mar (15 days)  •  Part B: 30 Apr – 5 Jun (26 days)  →  Total 41 days
    No practicum: King’s Birthday 1 Jun.

MTL/PGDipTL – Semester 2, 2026

  • ECET803 Practicum 2 (students who started Feb 2026): 24 Aug – 30 Oct (39 days)
    No practicum: mid-semester break 28 Sep – 9 Oct, Labour Day 26 Oct.
  • ECET802 Practicum 1 (students who started Jul 2026): Part A: 27 Jul – 14 Aug (15 days)  •  Part B: 14 Sep – 30 Oct (24 days)  →  Total 39 days
    No practicum: mid-semester break 28 Sep – 9 Oct, Labour Day 26 Oct.

Bachelor of Education (ECE) – Semester 1, 2026

  • ECET504 (Year 1, Practicum 1): 28 Apr – 15 May (14 days)
  • ECET607 (Year 2, Practicum 3): 28 Apr – 22 May (19 days)
  • ECET704 (Year 3, Practicum 5): 28 Apr – 29 May (24 days)

Bachelor of Education (ECE) – Semester 2, 2026

  • ECET505 (Year 1, Practicum 2): 24 Aug – 18 Sep (20 days)
  • ECET608 (Year 2, Practicum 4): 24 Aug – 18 Sep (20 days)
  • ECET706 (Year 3, Practicum 6): 24 Aug – 25 Sep (25 days)

How to Log In

Student Login

  1. Select Student as your role.
  2. Enter your AUT username and password.
  3. Click Sign in.

Evaluative or Mentor Lecturer Login

  1. Select Evaluative Lecturer as your role.
  2. Enter your Sonia username (em# or AUT username) and password (default = firstinitiallastname).
  3. Click Sign in.

Your Practicum Journey

Each practicum has three key stages. Completing the required tasks at each stage will help your placement run smoothly and successfully.

🌱 Pre-Practicum

  • Complete the Pre-Practicum Information Form. Go to: Sonia > Forms  
  • Read and acknowledge the Practicum Placement Guidelines.
  • If applicable, complete the ECET704 Student Preferences  
  • Check and update your Arion address at arion.aut.ac.nz.

🏫 During Practicum

  • View placement details under Sonia → Practicums → Details.
  • Contact your early learning service for a pre-visit.
  • Report any absences using the Practicum Absence & Special Leave Request Form (PAF).
  • Confirm your Associate Teacher can access the AT Report.

🎓 Post-Practicum

  • Ensure the AT Report is submitted within 48 hours of finishing.
  • Save your AT and EL/ML Reports from Sonia → Documents.

Need a Hand?

Last updated: 05/12/2025