Newsmonth : September, 2011 (Vol.31 / No.6)

Print Post: 225007/0002 – ISSN: 0728-4845

NEWSPAPER OF THE NSW/ACT INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION [ VOL 31 #6 ] September 2011

p15p10

Teachers at North Sydney-based English language school

Milton College are voting at press time on a new agreement netting significant pay increases and a range of improvements, writes IEU ELICOS Organiser Kendall WARREN.

Negotiations for this agreement were long running, but significant progress was made over the last few months, allowing the parties to come to an agreement in principle in late August.

The IEU-negotiated agreement provides for a 5% pay rise upon approval by Fair Work Australia, and an additional 3% in both July 2012 and July 2013.

In addition, the casual employees who form the bulk of Milton’s teaching staff will get an extra 1% in casual loading in each of the three years of the agreement.

Other improvements include clearer notice periods for casuals, improvements to the classifications process and

greater recognition of the High School Preparation Program.

These improvements, achieved in a difficult bargaining environment, are a credit to the resolve of our members to see things through (and also to the Milton management for engaging with the process).

The agreement is expected to be approved by mid-October.

These improvements, achieved in a difficult

bargaining environment, are a credit to the

resolve of our members to see things through.”

11%+ increase for Milton College teachers

Senior AIS and IEU officials are approaching parliamentarians

and officials from the Australian Labor Party as part of an ongoing lobbying campaign to secure funding for Catholic and independent schools.

IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman said the joint approach “demonstrates the importance to everyone in the non-government sector of seeing a fair outcome to the school funding review”.

“What is at stake here is the continued viability of schools, including affordability and accessibility for parents wanting to provide their children with a non-government education, and the protection of job security, working conditions and salaries for employees.”

Visits to NSW and ACT Labor and independent MPs have been a particular focus of the IEU’s campaign in relation to the Gonski funding review, with recent visits occurring in western

Sydney, the Hunter and the ACT and more visits scheduled during September.

A delegation from Port Macquarie area schools also met at independent MP Rob Oakshott’s office in August and a meeting with Tony Windsor in Tamworth was scheduled at press time. Federal MP for Page, Janelle Saffin, is scheduled to attend the IEU’s women’s forum in Lismore on 28 October.

Visits have placed a particular focus on the vital issue of indexation of funding via the AGSRC (average government school recurrent costs) or a similar measure.

Please contact the IEU if you would like to participate in a meeting with your local federal MP. IEU members’ knowledge of the needs of their own schools is vital in ensuring that MPs are fully aware of funding issues in the non-government sector.

For more information contact [email protected].

Employers and Union join forces on school funding

The joint approach demonstrates the importance to everyone in the non-government sector of

seeing a fair outcome to the school funding review.”

IEU EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

AEW Seminar forging connections

ECS Conference inspiring action

p12Women's Conference advancing equality cause

No school to lose dollar?IEU Executive Member Peter Mullins and IEU Organisers Berna Simpson and Jackie Groom met with Andrew Leigh, Member for Fraser in the ACT, to discuss the review of school funding.

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2 NEWSmonth – Vol 31#6 2011

www.ieu.asn.au

Gloria TaylorIEU DE p U t y SE c r E ta r y

Carol MatthewsIEU aS S I S ta n t SE c r E ta r y

The following motion endorsed by IEU Council

highlights the range of issues that must be considered as part of any new agreement in NSW Catholic schools. An IEU survey has also been sent to staff in these schools.

Special needs Council motion That this meeting of Council

notes the increasing enrolment of special needs students in primary and secondary Catholic systemic schools and an increasing range and complexity of these students’ needs.

Council further notes:

n the impact that these issues are having on teacher and staff workloads and on teaching/learning in mainstream classes, and

n current under resourcing and lack of support for special needs in Catholic systemic schools in comparison with the government sector.

While the Union welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of $200 million for support for students with disabilities in schools, it is vital to ensure that the funding results in practical improvements in the delivery of services and support in schools.

Council notes that the Union, in its submission to the Gonski funding review and its lobbying of politicians, has called for full funding of special needs students irrespective of the schools they attend.

This meeting of Council therefore calls upon Catholic employers to:

1. ensure that recent federal funding increases are used to boost provision for special needs teachers and aides in the classroom, and

2. commit to improve staffing and resourcing of special needs students at classroom level and in the provision of specialist support.

IEU EnvIronmEntal ConfErEnCE 2011

friday 21 october 2011, 9am — 4pmlevel 2, mercure Hotel, 818-820 George St, Sydney

KEynotE SpEaKEr’S JON DEE

&COSTA

GEORGIADIAS

RESOURCESENGAGE

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for early registrations contact Iva at [email protected]

WORKSHOPSi

The Union is continuing to support members in Christian

schools who have raised concerns about access to maternity leave.

Some members in Christian schools have reported problems with advice provided by Christian schools concerning entitlements to this leave.

Under the Fair Work Act, a teacher is entitled to start parental leave at any time up to six weeks prior to the date of birth but no later than the date of birth.

Clause 25.5 of the NSW Christian Schools Teaching Staff Multi-

Enterprise Agreement 2011-2012 states that a teacher is eligible for a maternity bonus as a make-up pay for the period that the teacher receives payment under the Paid Parental Leave scheme.

Clause 25.2 states that if make-up pay is payable the teacher must be paid at the usual times and intervals that other teachers are paid at or, if the teacher asks for two weeks in advance and the school agrees, a lump sum is paid when the teacher leaves.

This provision of the Agreement appears to have been ignored in an advice document to schools.

The Christian Schools Australia advice states that “a school is not required to make a payment to a teacher on maternity leave in the period before the birth, or following it, until the teacher is receiving payments under the scheme.

“The MEA does not seek to address the period of time during a teacher’s parental leave prior to the birth of the teacher’s child.

“Schools should discuss with teachers proceeding on maternity leave that the school is under no obligation and may not make any payment to them during this period.”

If a teacher starts leave before the expected date of birth, it is clear under the Agreement that the teacher should be paid make-up pay in accordance with the usual pay schedule of the school, commencing with the first pay day after the teacher begins the leave.

The Union will not hesitate to take action to support any member in a school that fails to adhere to the provisions of the Agreement.

Union warns of maternity leave breach in Christian schools

Preparations are going well for the IEU Growing

Education for Sustainability Conference on Friday 21 October. Members who have already taken up the early bird tickets offer can look forward to some truly enjoyable and informative presentations and workshops, and plenty of resources to take back to classrooms. Speeches by 2010 NSW Australian of the Year Jon Dee and SBS Gardener Costa promise to inspire and the ‘market place’ outside the event will be buzzing. Book now to take advantage of the early bird offer.

Special needs – let's get it right

Early birds flock to environmental conference

3NEWSmonth – Vol 31#6 2011

Salaries and conditions claim for Catholic systemic schools

The following information was emailed to all IEU members who have provided the Union with a valid email address.

Many NSW public sector unions endorsed a stop work or strike action on Thursday 8 September in protest at the NSW Government’s 2.5% salary cap and the sidelining of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).

The power and independence of the IRC has been legislated away by the NSW Government in relation to public sector workers.

The IEU is supportive of the actions proposed by public sector unions.

NSW membersThe IEU did not endorse the

8 September rally as we are no longer under the jurisdiction of the NSW IRC.

Salaries and working conditions are regulated by federal agreements since the former NSW Government referred its power to Canberra in December 2009.

Our federal teacher agreements do not expire until 31 December 2011. We need to reach agreement on new agreements through direct negotiations with Catholic employers.

We have no access to arbitration in Fair Work Australia, the federal tribunal.

Salaries and conditions claimOver the past month IEU chapter

representatives have received multiple copies of a NewsExtra detailing the Council-endorsed claim we seek to serve on Catholic employers. We ask all members to meet, discuss and vote on the claim.

Industrial action by the IEUAll members should note that the

Catholic employers now have a clear choice.

They can ‘bargain in good faith’ on our claim. This would necessarily require accepting a responsibility to try and negotiate a settlement.

Or they can claim that their ‘hands are tied’, that they will not negotiate on anything, other than the NSW Government's salaries policy.

The response of the Catholic employers to this fundamental question – ie will they act, as required by law, as responsible employers – will determine the IEU position regarding future industrial action.

Please meet in your school to consider the salaries and conditions claim.

There will also be a resolution demanding that Catholic employers take a clear position on whether or not they are willing to negotiate.

on the ground

Dick ShearmanIEU GE n E r a l SE c r E ta r y

MOTIONS FROM IEU COUNCILCouncil notes the NSW Government has put a ceiling of 2.5% pa on salary increases for public sector workers.

Council condemns the decision of the NSW Government to legislate in order to prevent the NSW IRC arbitrating any increase above 2.5% pa in accordance with current wage guidelines.

Council also condemns the decision of the NSW Government to require any increase above 2.5% to be funded by reducing employee costs.

Council calls upon Catholic school employers to reject the notion of funding pay rises by reducing staff entitlements.

Council authorises the Union to commence bargaining around the following claim.

1. Council endorses the following claim for negotiation by the officers with the CCER on behalf of Catholic dioceses:

n pay claim of 5% from February 2012, 2013 and 2014

n in addition, principal salaries to be increased

• to create parity of salaries in primary and central schools with secondary schools

• by reviewing the appropriateness of the current enrolment bands in setting principal salaries

n payment by the employer of membership fees required to be paid to the NSW Institute of Teachers for full-time and part-time teachers

n creation of an additional Coordinator position in every school with such Coordinator to have responsibility for the mentoring and support of New Scheme teachers

n incorporation of key workload elements in the enterprise agreements applying to all dioceses, such as:

• release from face-to-face teaching in primary schools

• face to face teaching and duties in secondary schools

• limits on meeting times

• release for teachers in promotions positions, and

• an increase in the support provided to teachers of large classes in K-2.

2. Council also endorses the negotiation of comprehensive and up-to-date workload agreements with all dioceses.

3. Council calls on IEU officers to negotiate improvements in guaranteed release time for New Scheme teachers and teachers in their beginning years on the following basis:

n in the first year of a temporary or permanent teaching position, 15 days per annum (half a day per fortnight plus five additional days) and 10 days to be used by the supervisor or mentor (half a day per fortnight)

n in the second year of a temporary or permanent teaching position, up until the completion of New Scheme teacher requirements, 10 days per annum (half a day per fortnight), and

n a teacher returning to teaching after an absence of five years is to be provided with half a day per fortnight release for the first two terms.

4. Council notes that support staff in CEO schools received a 2.5% interim increase from 1 July 2011. Council also endorses a claim of 5% pa for support staff.

“As our salaries are now regulated by federal agreements, we call upon Catholic employers to accept their legal responsibility to directly negotiate the Union claim and 'bargain in good faith' with the Union in an attempt to seek a settlement. We also call upon the Union to conduct a ballot on industrial action if Catholic employers refuse to negotiate responsibly with the Union.”(Member resolution in support of the pay and workload conditions claim)

ACT Catholic school teachers consider industrial actionTeachers from the ACT Catholic schools system were meeting at press time to

discuss progress in negotiations for a new salaries agreement.

Members gathering at Canberra’s Press Club were briefed about discussions with the CEO and considered whether to ballot members for an industrial campaign.

A full report of the meeting will be sent to CEO schools.

There is an unacceptable gap between the pay rates for ACT teachers compared to their NSW counterparts, with teachers at the top of the scale in ACT diocesan schools receiving 7.5% less than equivalent teachers in NSW.

At the meeting the IEU will assess the progress of negotiations and consider a proposal for industrial action in response to the Canberra-Goulburn Catholic Education Office’s failure to agree to the Union’s claim for improved wages and working conditions.

Stop press Stop press Stop pressAt deadline teachers accepted an offer of 7.5% at the top of the scale, subject to further clarification a range of matters. Hopefully this issue can be satisfactorily resolved.

Employers on notice — time to bargain in good faith


www.ieu.asn.au

Salaries claims for teachers and support staff in Catholic

schools, the Union’s disaffiliation from the ACTU and lobbying strategies for the school funding review were among hot topics at August Council.

IEU members representing branches throughout NSW and the ACT endorsed motions calling for pay parity between NSW and ACT teachers and calling on Catholic schools to reject the NSW Government approach to funding pay rises above 2.5% by reducing staff entitlements (see p3).

Regarding school funding, IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman said the Union looked forward to re-affiliating with the ACTU under new terms once its education policy made it clear that all education systems were supported.

He said education facilities “should not be looked at in terms of public, private or community, but in terms of need and what is required – with the

most money going to the most needy schools”.

Meanwhile, fresh from a successful Australian Services Union campaign that saw the Federal Government commit extra funding for social and community sector workers’ pay increases, NSW/ACT ASU Deputy Secretary Michael Flinn shared his insights on successful political lobbying.

Calling his presentation ‘Storming the hill and winning’, Mr Flinn said the issue must be widely understood in the relevant parts of the electorate, with the constituency and MPs all well briefed, with a clear picture of the actions they need to take, and well planned follow-up. He said that while pressure needed to be maintained, patience was required.

“Be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint,” he said, urging members to research the issues and get to know the key players. “Use the strengths and diversity of your own union."

Council prepares to storm hill

A decision has been taken by the NSW Education Minister

to delay the introduction of an Australian National Curriculum by 12 months.

The decision by Education Minister Andrew Piccoli to take time to get the Australian Curriculum right and to provide teachers with time to prepare is welcome, Sandra White, IEU Education Issues Committee Convenor, says.

“It is reassuring to know that the NSW Government is listening to the profession, at least in regard to education.”

Recently the IEU wrote to the Minister advising that a second round

of consultation on the K-10 English, maths, science and history was needed.

The Union has also advised the Board of Studies and the NSW Institute of Teachers that both the Australian Curriculum and the national teaching standards should not be introduced into NSW schools in the same year, as was being considered.

“The news to delay the introduction of the Australian Curriculum until 2014 is a sensible and wise move,” Sandra says.

“It will provide the best opportunity to proceed in a satisfactory and reasonable way.”

Australian Curriculum delay welcome

The Fairtrade Education Project (FEP), run by The Edmund Rice

Centre of Justice and Community Education, shows people how they can help eradicate poverty by changing the brands they buy in their weekly shop.

Fair trade programs enable the farmer, or the producer, to sell the products of their labour for a fair price. Coffee, tea, chocolate, rice sugar, clothing and even sports equipment are available.

Danny Long, Fair Trade Project Leader at The Edmund Rice Centre, says: “Fair Trade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world”.

“It is an alternative model of international trade. It’s an ethical process which provides respect for equality, race, gender and the environment.”

The FEP works with schools to deliver the fair trade message through areas of study such as human rights, geography, economics, history, society and culture, business studies, community and family studies and many other subjects which examine the global economy.

The FEP has worked with a number of schools including: Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School, ACU, Waverley College, Christian Brothers High School in Lewisham, Kildare Catholic College in Wagga Wagga, Sacred Heart Primary School in Pymble and St Edwards College in Gosford.

It has also worked with a range of organisations including Archdiocese of Sydney, Catholic Education Office, Leichhardt Council, Strathfield Council,

House Of Welcome, CCJP and St Michael’s Family Centre.

The FEP program includes:

n in-service on the principles and working of the fair trade movement

n guest speakers focusing on fair trade for meetings or talks or DVDs and/or PowerPoint presentations

n presentations and workshops

n samples of products for educational purposes

n fair trade goods for purchase for schools offices or individuals (including delivery)

n assisting and/or arranging events such as fair trade fiestas, markets and expos for fundraising or educational information

n stalls at schools or community events /meetings.

n supplying tea coffee for breakfast talks or events

n providing fair trade gift packs to give to guest speakers.

n overall support to any request to assist in the education or expansion of knowledge to move forward support of fair trade

n worksheets, puzzles, literature and information sheets for students, and

n educational brochures, flyers andposters of the fair trade label.

Details: Danny Long, phone 8762 4224 or email [email protected]

“It’s is an ethical process which provides respect for equality, race, gender and the environment.”

Shop fairer

ASU Deputy Secretary Michael Flinn with IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman.

IEU Council members from schools and centres throughout NSW and the ACT.

5NEWSmonth – Vol 31#6 2011 5

www.ieu.asn.au

Council prepares to storm hill

The National Museum of Labour wants to create a new home

to display the untold stories of everyday Australians and their battles for rights at work, writes work experience student Tinnika PHAR.

Artifacts from past victories, such as the eight-hour day movement and the vote for women are an important part of Australia’s democratic history.

“It’s a really important story to tell about our social fabric and what makes us Australians, what created the freedom and the democracy we enjoy today,” the Museum’s chairperson Kim Sattler says.

Since last year the Museum has been to working to collect important historical items. They have discovered more than 200 locations where collections are housed, including small museums, Labour Councils, libraries, university archives and people's homes.

Kim believes gathering material in a central Canberra location will contribute towards informing students and adults about an overlooked part of our history.

Previously there was no central repository for personal collections.

“As people were getting older and the materials were getting damaged or destroyed, there was a danger much could be lost, including collections that comprise campaign banners dating back to the 1860’s, badges, iconography and documentation,” she says.

Over 160,000 students visit Canberra every year to see national institutions, but none focuses on “their rights at work nor the history of their rights and entitlements”.

The Museum is lobbying the Australian Government to allow it to become a “new national institution in the parliamentary triangle in Canberra”.

Inspired by the People’s Museum in Manchester, UK, the museum would feature working exhibits hosting artisans active in the early trade unions, as well as displays of banners, iconography, badges and artefacts.

Students and the public could also access an array of film footage archived at the Museum.

“There is a magnificent collection of film, such as from the waterside workers film unit, which actually started making films at the turn of the century.

“They are quite amazing, and give you an insight into what life was actually like at that point of Australia.” Kim says.

Aboriginal workers’ history — a 'completely untold story' — and modern campaigning, such as the ‘Your Rights at Work’ campaign and it’s social media front, will be included.

“A People’s Museum should be open to everybody and should be free,” Kim says.

Funds are needed to build the Museum, which would feature a placard to acknowledge foundation members. You can become a member. From as little as a $45 membership fee, or $495 to be a foundation member, you can help make this Museum a reality. Find out more at www.nml.net.au.

Preserving union history National Museum of Labour

The IEUA stands in solidarity with Fiji Teachers Union and

Fijian Teachers Association members and all other members in Fiji as they face a further attack on their human rights, their working rights and their rights to union association, writes IEUA Assistant Federal Secretary Christine Cooper.

On 29 July the military regime of Fiji published a Decree that if enacted would violate international law and Fiji’s human rights obligations.

The Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree removes all collective bargaining rights, curtails the right to strike, bans overtime payments and makes void existing collective bargaining agreements for workers in key sectors of the economy including sugar, aviation and tourism.

The Decree also authorises employers in government designated enterprises to dictate working conditions while denying workers their right to a union.

The Decree states that bargaining units must have at least 75 workers employed by the same employer – which means that organisations with fewer employees

can not form with a union.

This latest Decree follows many other anti-democratic processes including:

n the abolition of the Fijian Constitution, the High Court, Appeals Court, Supreme Court and the Public Service Appeals Boardn the removal of freedom of speech through control of median proclamation of Public Emergency Regulations (PER) which outlaws the meetings of more than four people without permits, hence curtailing Trade Unions ability to meet with their membersn the unfair dismissal of Tevita Koroi (President of Council of Pacific Education) from his duties as Head Teacher, for speaking in favour of Democracy at a Union meeting, andn the Pension and Retirement Allowance decree which removes pension allowances from any public servant deemed to speak against the regime.

Rights deniedWithout their right to freedom of

speech and now working rights and

rights to union association, Fijian individuals and their families are vulnerable to discrimination and violence.

These Decrees give absolute powers to the Fijian regime with the rights and terms of employment of workers having been rendered meaningless.

IEUA members can be left with no doubt that the military dictatorship in Fiji is not a benign regime. The regime has adopted intimidation tactics to install fear.

Union members attackedOn 3 August 2011, the President of Fiji

Trades Union Congress (FTUC) President Daniel Urai and Nitin Gounder, a union organiser with the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Union were arrested for holding a meeting with union members to prepare for a collective bargaining with hotel management.

This follows the brutal bashing and harassment of FTUC General Secretary Felix Anthony and Mohammed Khalil, President of the Ba Branch of the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union earlier this year.

The harassment of trade unionists are a violation of ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

International actionThe ILO has expressed grave concerns

and has issued a letter to Commodore Josaia Voreque Bainimarama, warning of an international campaign to mobilise communities to condemn the actions of the Fiji regime.

The IEUA is in current discussion with the Australian Government and stands ready to assist our Fijian colleagues as the situation in Fiji seriously deteriorates.

IEUA members are being called upon to send messages of support and solidarity to our Fijian colleagues for the protection of their working rights, safety and wellbeing. For more information visit http://tiny.cc/v-lb1f

Support for Fijian workers’ rights

"The decree removes all collective bargaining rights, curtails the right to strike, bans overtime payments and makes void existing collective bargaining agreements."


www.ieu.asn.au

{Presenttense

ELICOS NEWS

The IEU has concluded an agreement with Milton College, an

English language school based in North Sydney (see p1 for details).

The improvements gained are particularly significant as they were achieved in a difficult bargaining environment (this column has regularly noted the dire state of the ELICOS industry over the last 12 months).

Voting was taking place as this column went to press, and the agreement is expected to be approved by mid-October.

n The Union has also recently started negotiations with Navitas for a new agreement for Navitas English Services (formerly Australian College of English).

The log of claims includes demands for significant pay rises, partly to cover

the gap between the NES rates and those applying at ACL (another arm of Navitas).

As Navitas has merged a section of ACL into NES, the Union has also included claims to protect the wages and conditions of those transferring staff, and there are also claims for additional annual leave, personal leave and paid parental leave.

Negotiations are ongoing, and the Union hopes to have a settlement by Christmas.

On a related matter, in early August Navitas announced an increase in profits of over 20%, with a net profit for the 2010-11 financial year up to $77.39 million (from $64.3 million the previous year).

While not all sections of the company are doing equally well, it is clear that the company is well placed to offer decent pay increases in both the current NES negotiations, and next year’s discussions for a new ACL agreement.

n n The ongoing strength of the Australian dollar continues to be concern for the international student market in this country, but it appears there is a silver lining.

In June, The Australian reported an increase in working-holiday visa holders enrolling in ELICOS colleges, attracted by the possibility of earning Aussie dollars while they are here.

There were approximately an additional 6000 students on working holiday visas during 2010, which helped to offset the

large drop in student visa enrolments over the same period.

n n n The IEU will be holding its annual seminar for workers in ELICOS and other private colleges on Tuesday 22 November, as usual with a 4pm start. The seminar will look at the state of play industrially in the sector, as well as how the new Work Health & Safety (WHS) laws might be used in your centre. The Union will write to all relevant members closer to the time, and more details will be provided in the next edition of Newsmonth.

If you would like a particular issue discussed in this column, or if you would like to know what the IEU can do to assist you in your workplace, send me an email via [email protected].

rep spotlight

In the four years Kathryn Van Kolken has worked at St Lucy’s, she has not

known it to have an IEU Rep. Now that she has put her hand up, Kathryn tells IEU Journalist Tara de Boehmler why it was important to volunteer.

As a Special Education Teacher, Kathryn knows major job satisfaction. Working with first-year students, who all live with various levels of disability, she gets to witness and play a significant role in the gains they make throughout the year.

“I absolutely love the kids we work with and even when the gains they make might be small – just to see that progress in their development is incredible.”

Working with a team of dedicated staff, Kathryn says she understands the importance of “protecting the workers that work so hard” and wants to assist her Union in this regard.

“I know negotiations for a new agreement are coming up and if there are going to be changes I want some support and knowledge around these. I also want to be able to inform my fellow members quite thoroughly so everyone understands what they mean.”

Kathryn says she already has a helping hand, with her IEU Organiser assisting in holding a school chapter meeting and

working to support Kathryn in settling in to her new role.

“It has been incredibly important to have that support and guidance from someone so kind and patient, who has also worked in schools before. He has been like a mentor to me, answering all my questions and being there.”

Kathryn says she has also had good support from her colleagues and school leadership.

“I told the Principal before I applied for the Rep role and she and the Deputy thought it was a fantastic idea. The members have also said ‘Good on you’ for taking it on.

“In fact it’s not only members that are aware, because at our first school chapter meeting everyone could come. Now they all know I am the Rep and that a new agreement is on the way.”

Kathryn is also keen to build on her own confidence and knowledge base by taking advantage of the Rep Training Days held by the IEU.

To find out more about IEU Training Days for new reps, and Advanced Rep Training Days for more experienced reps, check out the IEU professional development calendar on p9.

Kathryn Van Kolken Support from the start

“It has been incredibly important to have that guidance from someone so kind and patient, who has also worked in schools before.”


on the ground

7

I EU Organisers Donna Widdison and Ann-Maree McEwan were

invited to speak to the recent Sydney CEO Inner West Teacher Librarians meeting held on 31 August.

The teacher librarians met at St Michaels’ Primary School, Belfield where the school’s Teacher Librarian Mary Hill had the school’s new BER funded library proudly on display.

The teacher librarians took the opportunity to ask questions and clarify working conditions specific to their specialist role.

Paul Cronin, the regional consultant responsible for teacher librarians in the Inner West provided helpful insights in the discussion from his experience.

The recommendations from the House of Representatives Standing Committee’s Report on school libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia was also highlighted as an opportunity to promote among school communities the importance of the library to literacy and student achievement.

Amy Cotton, the IEU’s Professional Development Officer will be running a PIP (Pedagogy in the Pub) workshop Cyber Savvy, at the next meeting of the Inner West Teacher Librarians. This will be held in the library at St Mary’s Concord on 10 November.

Inner West teacher librarians who are IEU members and are required to maintain accreditation will be able to receive two hours recognised professional development by attending.

Pictured above: Paul Cronin,

Donna Widdison and Inner West teacher

librarians.

Library important to literacy and student achievement

St Michael’s Belfield Library

The IEU Publications team would like to thank St Andrews Cathedral College in Sydney for making its

wonderful staff available to us for use in a photographic shoot.

The pictures will be used in a variety of IEU publications and on the website.

We are now looking for an early childhood centre and a language school to feature in a photoshoot.

Email [email protected] if you would like to take part.

Thanks St AndrewsHow long has it been since you

last logged onto the Institute of Teachers website?

New Scheme Teachers should regularly check their accreditation status on the Institute’s website.

Being aware of your due dates can help you avoid rushing to fulfil the requirements and the risk of compromising your employment in NSW.

If you allow your accreditation status to lapse, you will not be able to continue to teach in NSW.

Even if your employer wants to keep you as a teacher, they will not be able to under current state legislation.

The IEU offers members personalised help with their accreditation. Elizabeth Finlay and Amy Cotton, both from IEU, are available to help with your Professional Competence report, maintenance of accreditation report and professional development requirements.

This is a free service for members, whether they are New Scheme Teachers or supervisors/mentors.

Should you find yourself in a situation where your accreditation is due to end very soon and you have not met the requirements, contact your IEU organiser urgently.

New Scheme Teachers — check your accreditation status

Tips:n Check that the Institute has your

current school and position on its online records

n Update any changes from casual, temporary, and part time to full time work or vice versa on the Institute’s online system. You may be receive a longer period if you have worked as a casual, temporary or part time teacher

n Did you have a break from teaching in NSW for six months or more? Tell the Institute – this will extend your current period

n Need free Institute Registered PD close to you? The IEU offers free Institute Registered PD to its members, statewide. Contact your organiser to find out how to arrange an event close to your school.

Having trouble meeting the requirements? Ring the IEU for help!


www.ieu.asn.au

IT WizardBY DANIEL LONG

The growth of tablet computing and cloud technologies is a great

opportunity for teachers and schools.

Just as digital whiteboards changed the way teachers interacted visually with students, so will the transformation from clunky desktops to mobile computing — a change not just in form-factor, but also in the overall user-experience that will provide teachers with a suite of innovative learning applications, with the potential to change the way students learn forever.

Not too long ago, the previous Rudd Government declared better access to portable computing as the panacea to improving education in Australian schools. However, it didn’t take long for the fly in the ointment to emerge: many of the netbooks provided to students were anything but the appropriate choice to steer the education revolution on course. Some students have complained that these low-cost, 10 inch mini-laptops are underpowered, over-burdened with processor-hungry software and, as a result, completely underutilised as a viable learning tool.

Fast forward a few years and the growth of tablet computing, chiefly fueled by the hoopla which emerged at the launch of Apple’s iPad - is now fueling a massive worldwide demand for light, book sized computers, designed entirely to interact with cloud technologies, that tangible buzzword used to describe software applications kept on online servers.

Smartphones have emerged as useful for teachers in social networking connectivity - teachers can now download lesson plans, animate, draw, edit video, compare and contrast scientific and geographic data, and they remain extremely student-friendly.

Younger students, particularly in primary schools, will usually find touchscreen controls easier to navigate (thereby promoting natural creativity and learning through self-navigation) than being made to learn complex keyboard commands and intrusive software ideology.

Then there’s Amazon’s Kindle, which quietly owns the e-book space, offers amazing battery life and boasts the world’s largest e-book library.

Recently, Amazon has started to experiment with e-textbook rentals in the US, giving students the unique opportunity to rent digital copies of popular textbooks (as in the paper kind) at a fraction of the paperback cost.

It is precisely a device like Amazon’s Kindle (and the soon to be colour Kindle 2 arriving around Christmas) that is going to give teachers another opportunity to transform learning and student engagement. E-textbooks offer portability, regular updates from the publisher (if necessary) and cost-effectiveness over time for parents.

More so, early hands-on reports from geek blog, TechCrunch, is calling the Kindle 2 an iPad styled e-book hybrid, a Frankenstein creation of mobile computing thought to be the sweet spot between size (at around 7 inches), cost ($US 250) and connectivity (3G and WiFi, with browser and app). All will be linked to the Android operating system, which has prospered as a viable, open-source competitor to Apple’s own products.

For more information on the growth of the e-classroom and e-textbooks in particular, be sure to check out the November edition of IE magazine. To share your e-learning experiences contact [email protected]

Mobile computing expands e-learning opportunities

The IEU website (www.ieu.asn.au) carries regular updates of local and international news with a trade union flavour. IEU Assistant Secretary John QUESSY reproduces below some recent items.

LabourBites{

Captive audienceSwedish furniture giant Ikea used

East German political prisoners in the 1970s and 1980s to help build sofas, according to German media reports.

During the 1970s, Ikea developed a strong manufacturing presence in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), establishing operations in 65 locations across the country to produce parts and furniture, according to a report by German public broadcaster WDR.

Citing documents taken from the Stasi archives, the broadcaster found evidence of deep cooperation between Ikea and East German authorities. A former prison chief told WDR that prison labour was an expected part of furniture production.

On the day the program was broadcast Ikea issued a statement claiming they hadn’t found any evidence of prison labour, but was nevertheless sorry if it did indeed occur. (Source: The Local)

China’s deadly labourThe world’s largest electronics

manufacturer, Foxconn Technology Group, has a plan for ending the grisly run of worker suicides that have drawn it unwanted attention over the past two years: replace human workers with one million robots.

It seems the best way to interrupt rising global outrage over worker abuse in iPhone factories is to just get rid of the workers.

With a labor force of 1.2 million people, Foxconn is China’s largest private employer and biggest exporter. It has contracts with Apple, Motorola, Nokia, Hewlett Packard, Dell and Sony and makes the computers, phones, laptops and printers that we use daily.

In their highest-paying factories workers earn just $1.18 an hour, and

that only after a recent 30% increase in wages. “Labor conditions are very poor, but its root causes are low prices from multinational companies and tight delivery schedules,” says Li Qiang, executive director of China Labor Watch. “Workers are only seen as fitting production needs rather than as individual human beings.”

Foxconn became notorious when a dozen workers attempted suicide in the spring of 2010. They were not the first, however. A combination of non-stop work and social isolation has driven 25 Foxconn workers to attempt suicide since 2007, including seven in May of 2010 alone. Twenty-one workers have died, the majority by jumping from dorms or work buildings. (Source: Sacom)

Resigning is illegalIn a unanimous ruling, the Israeli

National Labor Court issued an injunction ordering more than 1000 medical residents who signed letters of resignation to report to work as normal in government hospitals and health clinics without any further interference or disruption.

The court’s ruling, which spans 42 pages, decided that the resignation letters signed by the residents were illegal because of their collective nature, and were therefore invalid.

The mass resignations came after residents objected to the agreement signed between the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) and doctors’ employers regarding working conditions. The residents argue the IMA does not represent them or their interests.

The issues looks like heading to the country’s High Court of Justice. (Source: The Jerusalem Post)

Comment, share your views and get engaged in your union.

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"Amazon has started to experiment with e-textbook rentals in the US."


on the ground

Wk 1: 10 Oct – 14 Oct14 Oct: EREA Conference, Sydney

Wk 2: 17 Oct – 21 Oct19 Oct: PIP Be Wary Be Wise, Revesby

20 Oct: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Tamworth

20 Oct: PIP Be Wary Be Wise, Ramsgate

21 Oct: Environment Conference, Sydney

21 Oct: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Tamworth

Wk 3: 24 Oct – 28 Oct26 Oct: PIP Cyber Savvy, Gymea

27 Oct: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Sydney

28 Oct: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Sydney

28 Oct: Women in Education Forum & Dinner, Lismore

Wk 4: 31 Oct – 4 Nov3 Nov: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Ballina

4 Nov: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Ballina

Wk 5: 7 Nov – 11 Nov10 Nov: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Erina

10 Nov: PIP Cyber Savvy, Concord

11 Nov: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Erina

Wk 6: 14 Nov – 18 Nov17 Nov: PIP Conflict Resolution, Dapto

17 Nov: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Port Macquarie

18 Nov: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Port Macquarie

18 Nov: Reps Training Catholic Systemic, Sydney

Wk 7: 21 Nov – 25 Nov22 Nov: ELICOS Seminar, Sydney

23 Nov: Women in Education Forum and Dinner, Parramatta

24 Nov: PIP Conflict Resolution, Camden

24 Nov: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Newcastle

25 Nov: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Newcastle

25 Nov: Reps Training, Tamworth

Wk 8: 28 Nov – 2 Dec1 Dec: Outdoor and Maintenance Staff meeting/dinner, Appin

1 Dec: WHS (OHS) Through the Maze, Gymea

2 Dec: WHS (OHS) You and Your Centre, Gymea

Term 4 IEU PD and Training Calendar

Note: You must register for all courses.

Pedagogy in the Pub courses count for two hours of registered PD with the NSW Institute of Teachers for Elements 5, 6 and 7.

The dates included in this calendar may change for unforeseeable reasons.

Contact your IEU Organiser on 9779 3200 (1800 467 943) or email Franca ([email protected]) to register and to get updated information on venues and dates.

Key:n NSW Teachers Institute registered course

PIP: Pedagogy in the Pub

WHS (OHS) Seminars: Work Health and Safety legislation implementation program for NSW Non-Government Schools

WHS for ECS Seminar: You, your centre and WHS

Save the dateWe Connect - Educators Online ConferenceFriday, 2 March, 20128.30am to 3.30pmMercure Hotel, Sydney

Cyber savvy school communities

Best practice use of tech resources

Safe use of social media

Online breakthroughs with the IEU

PD on the web

Technology for special needs

ICT innovators - panel session

Institute registered workshops

For further info contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or email [email protected]

Members $90 Non-members $220

Early bird pricE Members $75

Non-members $150 by 23 September 2011

iEU ENviroNMENtal coNfErENcE 9am — 4pm friday, 21 october, 2011 level 2, Mercure Hotel, 818-820 George Street, Sydney

GRoWING EDUCATIONFOR SUSTAINABILITY

Costa georgiadis Costa’s garden odysseyi

Jon dee - prominent environmentalist2010 NSW australian of the year


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Participants at a packed IEU Early Childhood Conference

held in Sydney on 10 September were alternatively riveted, provoked and informed by an array of speakers ranging from educational and health specialists, to practicing experts in early childhood.

Campaign Tshirts were in hot demand and the funding review station was an opportunity for conference participants to have their say and inform the NSW Government’s funding review into early childhood education.

Hot topics at morning tea and lunch were the insights of Professors Hough and Bhindi from the University of Wollongong into generational differences. Their presentation traversed issues like: the rise of vocal parents, the push and pull factors impacting Generation X and Y parents, the place of values in professional practice and the importance of having a defendable philosophy of practice.

Professor Jackob M Najman, Director of Queensland’s Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre ((QADREC) gave an enlightening presentation on an Australian longitudional study which identified correlations between academic and life success and IQs. A key finding of the research has been that aggressive delinquent behaviour at age five has a massive impact on a child’s outcomes later in life.

ECS Vice President Gabe Connell urged participants to get involved in the IEU’s Teachers are Teachers campaign, saying that a positive outcome was not guaranteed without committed support from those on the ground and that it was time they made it a priority to commit to pay parity.

People wanting to attend next year’s conference are urged to enrol early to avoid this year’s lengthy waiting list.

ECS Conference Generations, delinquents and pay parity

NSW/ACT IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman, urges conference participants to visit their MPs and get the message out to government that you’ll get more ‘bang for your buck’ if you invest properly in early childhood.

Professor Michael Hough, Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong (left)The NSW Government should fund early childhood education because we’re now realising the very important economic contribution that early childhood makes to the whole economy. That would save money we now spend on older children in corrective services, in social security and assisting them after they’re damaged. It couples very well with the preventative model of health. We just can’t afford to pay for a system that waits for a problem and pays specialists and very expensive people to fix it.

Professor Narrotam Bhindi, Director of the Australian Centre for Educational Leadership, University of Wollongong (right)I have a great deal of resonance in terms of the contribution early childhood teachers are making and continue to make to the growth of our young children. Now I am also a grandparent I see early childhood teachers in a new light, I realise they are really the foundation stone for the growth, development and wellbeing of our young children.

Workshop participants consider the challenges of the campaign – getting results for children, the community and early childhood teachers.


on the ground

While the gap between those working in DET

preschools and the rest of the early childhood sector continues to grow — it now stands at a gap of $18,000 — the Teachers are Teachers campaign has a once in a generation chance to see this reversed. The NSW Government is running an independent funding review chaired by Professor Deborah Brennan from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of NSW.

All early childhood teachers and directors are urged to contribute to this view. To help you there’s a submission template available at http://teachersareteachers.org.au/fundingreview/ to have your say.

It’s important to personalise your submission with anecdotes from your experience. Perhaps you are having issues finding trained teachers, or you can’t keep good staff, or you’re about to retire and can’t find a replacement. Perhaps you’re a newly graduated teacher who loves early childhood but you can’t afford to stay in it. We need your stories so the people making the decisions hear your experiences.

Teacher Costs Contribution Scheme – need to support teachers and directors

By now you should have sighted a letter to management committees asking them to put the one-off payment from the NSW Government’s Early Childhood Teacher Costs Contribution Scheme for 2011/12 into retaining and investing in their teachers.

The IEU can visit services to speak with committees if necessary.

Social Media – Twitter account launched

Please visit http://www.facebook.com/teachersareteachers to keep in the loop and be engaged on this critical issue. The campaign has also launched a Twitter account.

To join the immediate conversation visit www.twitter.com and follow @ecteacherspay

Funding Review The IEU held a funding review station to encourage participants to put in a submission. If you missed it visit www.teachersareteachers.org.au/fundingreview/ to make your voice heard. Pictured are campaign stalwarts, Anne Lajoie, Lisa Bryant and Tina Smith.

Teachers are Teachers campaign Members urged to act

Karen from Mayflower Preschool, Jannali

“I’m wearing my Tshirt because I believe in the cause that Teachers are Teachers and should absolutely be paid the same as any qualified teacher in primary or secondary schools.”

Katrina McCabe and Christine Merchant

Katrina supports the campaign because "I really believe in equality". Christine says “I think it is really important to keep high quality teachers in early childhood facilities. We will lose them to schools if we don’t get pay parity”.

Sharron Ribeiro, St Peters Preschool Armidale and Julia Cameron Werris Creek Preschool.

“I believe that as a university trained professional we’re entitled to the same wages as teachers in primary and secondary schools” says Sharron. Julia says: “I can’t find an ECT in my area. I believe we’re at the forefront of early childhood education. I believe we need to be recognised for that and the research around the importance of early childhood needs to be recognised and acknowledged. The flow on from that is pay parity.”

What would you do with the extra pay in your pocket? Participants in the Advocacy workshop share their ideas.

Sidonie Coffey Principal, St Joseph's Primary Taree

"Early childhood teachers can engender a positive attitude to learning at a very young age and support parents in the initial transition from home to school. We value highly the partnership we have established with local preschools in our area as we work together to support children in their next important phase of learning. The voice of these highly committed professionals needs to be heard."


www.ieu.asn.au

The challenges facing women in the workplace, in the

community and internationally were the focus of this year’s IEU Women’s Conference on 19 August, writes Organiser Pam Smith.

Over 120 women from NSW, the ACT and from inter-state participated in the conference held at the Mercure Hotel in Sydney. This year’s conference incorporated the launch by IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman of the Union’s updated Guide to Parental and Personal/Carer’s Leave.

An international perspective was provided by observations by IEU President Christine Wilkinson who participated in the recent Education International Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. In particular, she

highlighted the serious plight of women and families facing famine and war in Somalia and other parts of East Africa.

IEUA Assistant Secretary Christine Cooper presented an update on the human rights crisis in Fiji and its impact on union members, including teachers and school staff. She strongly encouraged conference participants to support the IEUA’s Fiji postcard campaign.

Keynote speaker ACTU President Ged Kearney provided a comprehensive overview of women and work in Australia, including historic union campaigns for equal pay and maternity leave. She highlighted the role of unions in achieving the national paid parental leave scheme and in the ongoing campaign for pay equity.

A highlight of this year’s Women’s Conference was the input of panel members Annette Gainsford, Christine Cooper, Roseann Dengate and Leah Mireylees in focusing on the achievements and challenges facing women in new government education.

Women’s Conference participants were inspired by Indigenous member Annette Gainsford’s personal and professional journey towards her current leadership role at MacKillop College in Bathurst.

This year’s Women’s Conference workshop sessions included:

n support for early career teachers and their mentors

n new 2012 Work Health and Safety framework

n protecting and enhancing equity in

the workplace – the role of diocesan Equal Opportunity committees

n building confidence at work,

n equity in the classroom for students with special needs – practical strategies, and

n cyber safety in schools

The IEU Women and Education Committee thanks all involved in the planning and delivering of the 2011 Women’s Conference and will hold a teleconference on 19 October to review this year’s conference and to commence planning for 2012.

Other Women in Education Committee activities this year include gatherings in Tamworth on 15 September, Lismore on 28 October, Canberra on 15 November and Parramatta on 23 November.

Women’s Conference – celebration and challenge in the IWD centenary year

Annette Gainsford used to think university was “only for highly

intelligent and rich people”.

But she has become an example of the transformative powers of education, and a role model not only to her own children, but to the many Aboriginal children she has encountered in her role as AEW, and now teacher.

Annette told the Women’s Conference that she was from a poor family with an Aboriginal father and a white mother who was illiterate.

Neither of her parents valued education or understood the importance of homework.

She attended 11 different schools.

“I went into Year 7 not knowing what a fraction was,” Annette said.

At age 14 she decided to leave home due to her father’s alcoholism and domestic violence.

Even though the family wasn’t Catholic, nuns supported her.

She spent six months in a children’s home where she met another girl from school, and they could do their homework together.

She was able to get a job as a trainee with an accountancy firm, but found it “too boring”.

“I decided I was a people person.”

So she applied for an office job at All Saints College in Bathurst.

“I felt my achievements and abilities were honoured at All Saints. They made me feel like I had something to offer. I’ll always be thankful for that.”

Annette started working in the boarding college and became head of Marsden House. After 14 years helping in boarding she decided, at age 37, to train as a teacher.

“A position was a advertised for an AEW at MacKillop College, Bathurst, and I got the job. With it came a university block release program.

“I was really excited and grateful for the block release program at the Australian Catholic University, as this meant I could study to be a teacher.”

The block release program is specifically designed to allow Aboriginal people from remote areas the chance to study for 10 days each term at the Strathfield campus, thereby not leaving their communities for months at a time.

Nevertheless, coming into the city was a big challenge for Annette.

“I’ve never been on a bus and don’t plan to get on a bus. I walked to uni every day.”

Annette and many of the other Aboriginal women on the course faced many challenges.

They lacked self-confidence and self esteem. The remoteness of their homes and transient lifestyles were barriers.

Having English as a second language or poor health were other problems.

Annette recalled women suffering diabetes or having to leave the course due to seizures.

Alcoholism, crime and domestic violence played a role in some of the students’ lives.

“I was inspired being with determined and talented Aboriginal women gaining a better life for their families and tackling great challenges.”

Annette gained a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Religious Education Certificate, as well as two Dean’s listings for academic excellence.

Annette is now Assistant Director of Boarding at MacKillop and is Indigenous Representative on the EOWW Bathurst Diocesan Committee.

“Education was never valued in my family. I want to show my children and the children I work with that education is the way forward.

“Never let your address or your past determine your future.”

Your past does not determine your future

“Education was never valued in my family. I want to show my children and the children I work with that education is the way forward.”


feature

While women no longer get sacked for having babies

or getting married, or get asked about contraceptive use during job interviews, there are still challenges ahead.

Retired member Roseann Dale Dengate, a teacher for 40 years and activist for many of those, recalled anecdotes that affected teachers in the past. Roseann herself was asked about her husband’s profession during an interview for promotion.

She was a leading figure in the union campaigns for equal pay from the 1950s onwards, and her participation in demonstrations lead her to become a ‘person of interest’ to ASIO.

Times have changed, but as IEU Assistant Federal Secretary Christine Cooper pointed out, much still needs to be done.

While the IEU’s 2011 Guide to Parental and Carer’s Leave, launched during the conference, exemplifies many of the gains made by women, it also highlights the gaps

For instance, paid parental leave does not include superannuation.

Christine said on average women earn $150,000 less than men in super, so

have less choices upon retirement, and are two and a half times more likely to end up in poverty.

Women still earn 83c in the dollar compared to men and have to work 63 extra days a year to match men’s average earnings in a financial year.

And while school teachers enjoy pay equity, in the female dominated early childhood sector, teachers earn 20% less than their school counterparts.

Flexible work arrangements after 12 months parental leave could be requested but were not a right.

“What if you make the request and the answer is no. There needs to be a right of appeal,” Christine said.

“Let’s not get depressed about it, let’s get even.

“The booklet shows how you can achieve things through membership and campaigning.

“Not all women have high union density in their sectors so let’s fight for those who don’t.

“Let’s celebrate and educate and use our rights, so we can move this book on.”

Don’t get depressed, get even

The child sitting in your classroom could have a

completely separate identity, lived online.

It’s vital teachers have an understanding of the language and use of technology to effectively counter cyber bullying.

At the Cyber Safety in Schools workshop Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) representative and former teacher Kellie Britnell said teachers must engage with social media to understand their students’ activities.

Kellie said ACMA recently undertook qualitative research which showed there were five styles of behaviour among students using social media.

“And when I say social media, in terms of kids I’m actually talking about Facebook, so we need to know the language of Facebook – tagging, checking in, likes.

“Kids love Facebook because they like to be able to create their own identity and Facebook provides feedback, although it’s not always positive.”

‘Conformists’ are the first category of students, and they tend to listen to advice from teachers and parents, and maintain their privacy settings.

‘Relaxed maintainers’ are usually older students who don’t check their privacy settings regularly, and like to push the boundaries a little to extend their friendship circle.

More worrying is the ‘vulnerably influenced’ group. This could be students who may not be fitting in at school, and turn to Facebook because they can create an identity that is more accepted.

“Kids may be friends on Facebook yet they won’t speak to each other in class. I suppose there’s some positives in that,” Kellie said.

These students are more likely to engage in cyber bullying, because they could never do this in ‘real life’ and the boys are more likely to

access porn or other inappropriate material, while girls could be vulnerable to ‘sexting’.

‘Responsible risk takers’ are students who push the boundaries but believe they are in control and understand the risks. They are unlikely to take advice from parents and teachers.

The final category is ‘knowing naughties’ who are breaking all the boundaries, and are likely to meet people offline that they have met online.

“They think they are untouchable.”

Kellie said these students are likely to be problematic in class too.

Cyber bullying must be dealt with in the same way as all bullying; the school must have a stated policy which must be followed consistently.

Records must be kept carefully in case a court case follows.

Bullying can start in preschool years

and is an indicator for high-risk behaviour, early pregnancy and violent behaviour later in life.

“Pro-social behavior needs to

be taught to young children

“If a child can’t read we don’t sit them in a corner for a while and come back and expect them to be reading.

“The same goes for anti-social behaviour.”

While she advises teachers to be familiar with social media, the risks for teachers having a Facebook page and becoming friends with students, or posting inappropriate pictures which are published, are high.

“Many preservice teachers don’t realise the importance of keeping the separation between students, parents and teachers,” she said.

Nowadays, it was commonplace for employers, including some Dioceses, to access applicants' Facebook page or other personal sites as part of the recruitment process.

Kellise outlined some cases (not in education) where people had been rejected for jobs due to material on their Facebook page.

Know your students, online and offline


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Unions haven’t always been ‘great advancers’ of women’s

issues and in the past some fought against pay equity, ACTU President Ged Kearney said.

The IR system is not built around women’s needs, even today, although the Fair Work Act has provided some avenue to advance women’s causes, particularly allowing the ASU’s pay equity case.

Ged said woman fill 55% of union delegate or reps positions yet hold only one-third of elected paid positions. Women also make up 40% of unpaid, voluntary positions in unions.

A recent ACTU survey of women working in unions found that they were not “particularly friendly places for women” with bullying a problem and women often reporting feeling “invisible”.

“The ASU [equal pay] case is extremely significant. It has drawn unions together to fight for a predominantly female issue, so it shows we can mainstream a woman’s issue in the union movement, and this is changing the culture and thinking,” Ged said.

“For once women should not feel guilty about asking for what is a right.”

Coming from a matriarchal family of six girls and two boys, attending a girls’ Catholic school and working in nursing all her life, Ged said starting at the ACTU last year had been “different”.

“I thought, ‘how do I do this – do I have to start acting blokey’?

“Then I realised I didn’t have to change. We are all unionists, we all want fairness, justice and equity.

“If we stick to that then we all have the same ideals.

“In a strong female-dominated progressive union like the IEU you can identify and challenge the barriers preventing women moving forward in male-dominated industries.

“It’s fabulous that you’ve all come together like this and you should keep doing that.

“Women must advance their own agenda so keep having these meetings.”

Time to feminise IR agenda

A first timer at Women’s Conference, and a relative

newcomer to Australia and the IEU, Judith Filimona said it was “amazing to be able to get together with a group of women who all believe in education”.

The New Zealand ex-pat said she approached her own learning in the same way she teaches her students at the ABC Early Childhood Centre, East Plumpton.

“I enjoyed hearing Annette’s speech [about the transformative nature of education] but today is not just about one thing, I’m taking in everything.

“I’m meeting other women who have walked the walk and we all want to train and inspire future generations.”

Cheryl Brigden teaches reading recovery at a school with only 63 students, St Francis Xavier’s at Lake

Cargelligo, in the Canberra/Goulburn Diocese.

She was attending her second Women’s Conference, and said it was a great opportunity to “get back to reality” with others from a variety of schools.

“I’ve found the speakers quite inspiring, and the cyber bullying workshop was good.”

Margaret O’Donnell from Emmaus Catholic College in western Sydney is a learning support teacher, attending Women’s Conference for the first time.

She also enjoyed the speech by Annette Gainsford, and liked hearing what IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman had to say.

“I’m really keen on the workshop for special needs students too.”

Joining others on the walk


They play a crucial role at their schools, providing strong

connections between community and class.

The IEU recently gave Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs) from all over NSW to opportunity to make some connections of their own.

The AEW Seminar held at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney, saw people from as far and wide as Narromine, Bega and Ballina come together to learn more about their Union, their rights and each other.

IEU Deputy Secretary Gloria Taylor filled them in on the Union’s campaign for better conditions for all school support workers, resulting in access to permanency after four years service.

She also explained the move to the federal industrial arena and the negotiations for a new support staff agreement now underway.

“You do such important work in a critical area,” Gloria said.

IEU Organisers Marilyn Jervis and Jackie Groom took the AEWs through their rights and entitlements.

Kim Aldridge from St Patrick’s, Bega, was inspired to take her first ever plane trip to attend the IEU Women’s Conference last year.

Although flying isn’t her favourite thing, she endured it again this year to be at the seminar and this year’s Women’s Conference.

An IEU member ever since she started as an AEW at St Patrick’s 11 years ago, Kim said she had learnt a lot about her rights at the seminar.

“All AEWs should attend. They can learn a lot about their role,” Kim said.

While she loves working with children, Kim had never expected to gain a job in a school.

“I was always a stay at home mum. Despite my own lack of education, the school and all the teachers have helped me and made me feel comfortable.

“The Koori parents might move out of our area, but they always come back and come and see me.

“I can help with problems with school uniform or lunches and picking up kids.

“I know all the Aboriginal people in the area and if parents are too shy to come into school, I can give them advice and help them make the right decisions.”

Dale Smith first started at St Francis Xavier, Ballina, through a Community Development Project, working as a groundsman. Now he also fulfills the role of AEW, and helps coach the footie team too.

“It’s great working with the kids, especially the troubled kids,” Dale said.

“I can get the trust of the Koori kids, and yarn with the parents when they come in for NAIDOC Day.

“This is the first time I’ve been to a seminar like this and I’m interested to find out about my rights when I go on excursions with the kids, and about permanency.

“It’s a long way for me to travel though.”

Kerry Newman has been AEW at St Augustine’s Parish School, Narromine for nine years, but did not join the IEU until Marilyn came on a visit to the school two years ago.

“Since doing that I’ve found out a lot of information that you don’t find out through school,” she said.

“I’ve found out more today about our agreement.”

Kerry says she loves being an AEW because of the contact with students, parents and the community at large.

Effective connectors

L eave nothing but footprints is a popular motto for the modern

traveller, but when Mater Maria Catholic College Teacher Phoebe Nicholson returned from Timor-Leste she was satisfied she had gone a step further. IEU Journalist Tara de Boehmler reports.

IEU member Phoebe answered a call earlier this year for volunteers to provide training for Timorese maths and English teachers.

The Catholic Schools Office of Broken Bay and the Parramatta Catholic Education Office have been sending volunteers three times a year for several years and Phoebe was keen to take part.

“I was interested in teaching abroad and in giving my time to working with a nation that is very much still developing and not in the best political situation,” Phoebe says.

“In Timor-Leste there are still signs of devastation everywhere and the people are working to rebuild their lives. The population is comprised of a large number of young people and children. Education is the key to the future and teacher training is the bottom line to be of assistance in the education of the large numbers of children.”

Phoebe joined two other Broken Bay and Parramatta educators in rolling out staff development days to two groups of 21 primary school maths teachers from

villages around the Manufahi district, which is about five hours drive out of Dili. The training was provided four days per week for two weeks to the teachers, few of which have formal teaching qualifications.

“The program was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Education and encourages ‘best practice’ in education. Teaching strategies, games role playing, lesson planning and yearly programming are all part of the program.”

“We had teachers of all ages, young and old, take part and many displayed their sense of humour during the training. Really getting to know the

people there was the best thing.”

While Phoebe and her colleagues left confident that they had made a positive contribution to the future of Timor-Leste, they also appreciated the lessons they learned in the process.

“Timor-Leste is not like the rest of the world that has been taken over by technology and depersonalised. Everywhere we went made us feel so welcome.

“They’re experiencing a huge generational change and as their very near neighbour it is our responsibility to help them find their feet again … to make a sustainable difference in the quality of their life.”

“They’re experiencing a huge generational change and as their very near neighbour it is our responsibility to help them find their feet again.”

Educating the educators in Timor-Leste

feature

support staff

AEWs Dale Smith, Kerry Newman and Kim Alderidge.

Phoebe Nicholson

(centre) with her fellow

volunteers.


n Dare to Dream scholarships are offered by Redkite, a national charity that supports children and young people with cancer as a way to follow their educational and vocational dreams.

Scholarships offer between $500 and $5000 and can be used for computers, course fees or textbooks. More information at www.redkite.org.au/scholarships

n n Sydney Story Factory offers free help to disadvantaged kids to tell their stories.

It’s due to open in November but is already running small pilot programs in local schools. Although the programs are

targeted at children from Indigenous and non-English speaking backgrounds, the programs are open to all. Details: http://www.sydneystoryfactory.org.au.

n n n How do you offer comfort to somebody who’s suffered the death of someone dear to them? Grieflink — a resource site has been set up to help people navigate these times. Find it at http://www.grieflink.asn.au.

n n n n If you’re a woman and you need a laugh as well as a solution to the problem of how to quickly overcome the lack of equal pay among the genders check out the home page video at http://www.security4women.org.au.

Shorts{

Do you know what herb was used in 1838 to stop nightmares? Or what a child’s bedroom looked like in 1858? The Australian Children’s Television Foundation

has launched a new website for educators. Under the Kids Zone section there are lots of games for children prepared by teachers — the excellent My Place website reveals what herbs were in common use in 1838 and lots more besides: www.actf.com.au/education

www.ieu.asn.au

letter to the editor

The nature of schooling would be to educate students to be responsible

knowledgeable and informed members of future communities. The so-called ‘Open Space Revolution’ does not guarantee this, as there has been little research or evidence of its success. Would it not have been more professional to trial this approach with a pilot school, document its journey and then analyse the data collected as a basis for PD for future implementation. This would surely have been a far more strategic approach to implementing change, which Michael Fullan suggests, is based on having a deep moral purpose, where transparency rules and the focus is on building trust and teacher capacity.

The approach CEO Parramatta has taken is one of a ‘top down’ dramatic approach with no consideration to the major stakeholders in the process of educational change, the students and the parents. The vision of ‘Open Space Learning’ is not transparent to parents and teachers, the building of teacher capacity in this area is minimal. Teachers have lost trust in the system and in themselves as teachers and people of self worth. There are teachers who are frustrated, stressed and exhausted. There is no job satisfaction and ownership.

Furthermore, there is limited time for students to reflect and develop their sense of spirituality across the KLA’s due to all of the chaos that is constantly surrounding them. Most students who enter schooling today are products of an over indulged lifestyle by ‘helicopter parenting’, a diet of IT/TV baby sitting, and have not developed any sense of responsibility, social skills or resiliency, or on the other hand have been neglected as a result of poor/unfortunate life experiences. Some students have limited oral language and communication skills. So it is not just the hearing impaired students that need to be considered. School may be the only place for some children to feel safe and nurtured. So how can a space of 120 students provide

an environment conducive to quality teaching and learning, where relationships and affective communication skills can be fostered? In some school environments, we are expecting six or more teachers in a grade to work together collaboratively and make decisions that all agree on.

Re-imaging education is not about the space in its entirety. It's about the relevant curriculum and use of appropriate technology that will meet the needs of the students in our care. Hattie concurs that it’s the teacher that makes the difference. He makes no reference to the open space. Elmore focuses on the curriculum and Fullan supports change that is based on trust and relationships.

Opening up spaces partially, for some part of the school day would have been more feasible and conducive to preparing our students for new ways of learning, providing a more balanced approach to the daily need to teach explicitly while offering opportunities for collaborative problem-based learning. More foresight was needed into the design of some of these spaces, their functionality and versatility for both students and teachers.

By the time our students enter the workforce they will be highly stressed and burnt out members of our society. Is that what we want for our future communities/society? Some of our educators and school leaders need to seriously ‘walk the talk’ before they can talk the talk when it comes to implementing educational change! (Do they work in an office of 90-120 people expected to perform and carry out their duties day in and day out?)

IEU member and a teacher/leader for 33 years (Dip Ed, Bachelor Ed, Masters in RE, Masters in Ed Leadership)

Name withheld.

Open space learning Where is the research? Foresight, implementation, readiness!

Correction:In the August issue of Newsmonth it was stated that the federal MP Laurie Fergusen is the member for Reid. In fact he has been the local member for Werriwa since 2010, and was previously the member for Reid.

The IEU welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be no more than 300 words on length. The editor reserves the right to edit all contributions. Send your letters to [email protected]

Kids Zone web resource launched


overview

Want to spend a year away in 2013 on

exchange? Applications for exchange positions for 2013 are now invited from interested applicants.

Teacher exchange positions are available in the United Kingdom, all provinces in Canada, International schools in Europe, and Colorado in the USA (and other states by negotiation).

To be eligible for the one-year exchanges, you should have a minimum of five years teaching experience at the time of exchange (although this is negotiable in some provinces in Canada and the UK).

An exchange is the direct swap of the teachers’ positions and must include either an exchange of accommodation or other agreed arrangements.

United Kingdom and CanadaThese exchanges have been part

of the IEU’s program for many years and account for the greatest number each year.

The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Canadian provinces include Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and beautiful British Columbia.

There are still some 2012 exchanges to the UK and Canada. Details of these are on the Union’s website www.ieu.asn.au (click on teacher exchange).

USA Exchanges to the Rocky

Mountains state of Colorado are available.

The interest from the American teachers wishing to exchange to NSW and the ACT has again been very positive. Exchanges to other states are also possible, if you are lucky enough to find your own exchange partner. The authorities in Colorado can assist with the exchange.

International schoolsInternational schools teach in

English, which opens up this exciting possibility for our teachers. However, these positions are more difficult to find, although the exchange authorities are happy to advertise on their website.

Teacher Exchange 2013 – You will be so lucky!

exchangenews

Let’s be honest. Although teaching in another country offers exciting

educational opportunities and challenges, a major reason for going on exchange is to travel in a foreign country.

My husband Rob and I took the opportunity to visit somewhere new on every long weekend or term break throughout our time in Canada. Our year went something like this.

After arriving at midnight to a breath-freezing -30C in late January 2011, we settled into life in a snow-covered city, but were on our way to Quebec within a fortnight of our arrival.

This long weekend bus trip was organised by the volunteer exchange organisation, Canada League for Educational Exchange (CLEE), Toronto branch, and provided us with the opportunity to meet other exchangees.

During the Family Day long weekend in February, we drove ourselves to Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec and tried out snow shoeing.

For the five day mid-term break in March we flew to Washington DC where the spring blossoms were just appearing, and we visited many famous Washington icons including the White House, Pentagon, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and Capitol Hill.

The four-day Easter break found us in Toronto, Canada’s largest city situated on the shores of one of the majestic Great Lakes, Ontario, and in May we joined other exchangees again for a long weekend at Niagara Falls.

When the two-month summer break arrived at the start of July we really got going! After short stays in Chicago and Seattle, USA, we arrived on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, then flew to Calgary, Alberta, where we travelled the Canadian Rockies.

Is it any wonder people come back for a second exchange experience?

Bronwyn Van Den Nouwelant Exchange Teacher

n Union members pay a registration fee of $80 and a confirmation fee of $80. Non-Union members can apply and pay a registration fee of $110 and a confirmation fee of $220. By joining the Union, applicants can take advantage of the lower teacher exchange program fees.

n For more information, please call Helen Gregory on 9779 3200 or 1800 467 943 or email [email protected]. An application form can be downloaded from www.ieu.asn.au (click on teacher exchange).

n If possible, all completed application forms should be sent to the IEU by late November of each year, although late applications are always accepted.

A year to remember

Top: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Alaska

Left: Snowy Day outside Bronwyn's house in Ottawa.

Right: Glacier Bay, Alaska on a cruise of Lake Louise.

Kids Zone web resource launched


www.ieu.asn.au

superIEUfoodie

Today, in our affluent and time poor society, we tend to choose the ‘fast’

and the ‘convenient’, when we shop, when we eat and even when we play, says Gabe Connell, Albury Preschool Director and IEU ECS Vice President.

Little consideration is given to the long-term environmental or social consequences of our choices.

A typical primary school child produces more than three pieces of rubbish a day, just from his/her lunch and morning tea at school. A school of 800 children can produce some 12,000 pieces of rubbish a week or nearly half a million pieces a year.

What is nude food?Nude Food is a program which promotes

healthy nutritious meals without the use of any disposable packaging that contributes to landfill.

Albury Preschool has been is working towards reducing the amount of waste that it produces. On average a primary school produces 33 tonnes of waste per year. By becoming a Waste Wise Preschool we hope to reduce our waste by up to 80%.

“Our families have really embraced the Nude Food program. Yoghurt is being decanted into individual containers, fresh fruit is provided rather than rollups, and families have started buying lunchboxes with compartments. We’ve noticed the lunchboxes have become far healthier as a result,” Gabe says.

Pre-packaged food is often full of sugar,

fat, oil, colours and preservatives.

Here are various ways in which you can reduce waste in lunchboxes.

A lunchbox full of waste:n Sandwiches in cling wrap

n Prepacked chips, biscuits and pretzels

n Prepacked yoghurt and fruit

n Fruit juices boxes

n Plastic fork or spoon

A waste free lunchbox:n Sandwiches in lunchbox or reusable zip lock bag

n Buy in bulk and pack a zip lock bag or container

n Reusable containers

n Reusable drink bottles

n Aluminium fork or spoon

n Fresh fruit

Buying in bulk and using reusable containers is much cheaper and generally much healthier.

Shopping tipsLook for products with minimal

packaging.

Bulk-buy products with a long shelf-life. For example, choose big boxes rather than two smaller ones, or 2L soft drink bottles rather than cans. In particular, avoid individually wrapped items, which are

often more expensive. If your supermarket does not provide bulk goods, have a chat to the manager about it.

Choose the concentrated or refillable form of products, e.g. detergents, juices, cordials and cleaning products.

Buy fresh food rather than processed. For example, avoid steel cans by buying fresh food that is in season.

Use a basket, backpack, box or reusable shopping bag rather than plastic bags. Place a small note on your door to remember to take them with you or keep some in the boot of your car.

Consolidate purchases into one bag rather than getting a new bag at each store on your shopping rounds. Place fruit and vegetables directly in your basket and not use bags.

Refuse plastic carry bags from all shops, particularly for single purchases.

Reuse itemsReuse your plastic bags and choose

items that can be reused many times.

Choose items that are durable and reusable rather than disposable ones. For example, choose sponges instead of paper towels, crockery instead of paper or plastic plates and cup, cloth nappies and bottom wipers rather than disposable nappies.

Buy good quality second hand/refurbished products.

Support shops that provide lunches, morning and afternoon teas on returnable trays.

Keep a spare plastic shopping bag (rolled up and secured with a rubber band) in your handbag or wallet for those times when you thought you would not need a bag, but did.

Return your bags to the same place after unpacking your shopping at home.

Recycle by buying recycledLook for products that have recyclable

or reusable packaging. Plastic packaging that is marked code 1 or 2 can be recycled in most municipalities, whilst codes 3 to 5 generally cannot be recycled in Victoria.

Packaging made of more than one material that cannot be separated, eg plastic laminate on paper, is difficult to recycle and should be avoided.

Buy products made from recycled materials.

Support organisations and stores that have environmentally conscious products and practices.

Recycle your plastic bags at participating supermarkets.

Visit the Nude Food website for more details: www.nudefoodmovers.com.au

Nude Food at Albury Preschool

*


overview

pressings By Magnum

Spring weather can be all over the place, wet and windy one weekend and a classic Indian summer the next. The season, however, provides some magnificent produce and where there is good food there should always be good wine.

By mid-Spring the creamy pacific oysters from South Australia (especially around Ceduna) are in prime condition and if served natural, are a perfect foil for a traditional Riesling.

I know many drinkers who love their wine but just don’t get excited by Riesling. I do believe that Riesling needs food to bring out the true qualities. It is not a good quaffing variety.

There are lots of wine-growing areas throughout Australia producing good Rieslings but for my money the Clare Valley in SA is the standout.

Within this area there are dozens of excellent examples but there is one

readily available and solid quality specimen.

Annie’s Lane Riesling 2011($15) is pale straw in colour with green edges and displays aromas of candied lemon peel.

The palate is firm with some stone fruit flavours evident however the lemon-lime dominates.

Good acidity holds the fruit together nicely and will provide ageing potential in the mid-term, when the wine softens and becomes a little ‘toasty’. It is however crisp and fresh and matches oysters perfectly.

Most of the inexpensive Clare Rieslings will develop some ‘toast and honey’ flavour and colour with a few years ageing.

It is sometimes worth leaving the odd bottle just to see what happens, but generally they are not constructed for long-term cellaring and are at their best young and fresh.

Those who are happy to wait 10 or more years should look to The Florita Clare Valley Riesling by Jim Barry Wines or Grosset’s Polish Hill, each about $45.

These wines begin with the highest quality fruit and have a lively minerally acid when young but are constructed so they will, with time, emerge as rich and complex dry white wines.

According to Oz Clarke Cabernet Franc is the original Cabernet grape and the more famous Cabernet Sauvignon is Franc’s offspring.

Whatever the truth it is a fantastic grape but is generally blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to produce a classic Bordeaux style.

Occasionally it gets an outing as a stand-alone variety and when done well can be magic. The Ross Hill Cabernet Franc 2009 ($40) from Orange is such a wine.

The colour is a bright, deep, dark mulberry but it is on lifting the glass to the nose that the full power of the grape is realised, for this is a remarkably aromatic wine.

The first sensation is of sugared violets and lavender followed by a little cedar and mint.

The generous palate displays some sweetness of blueberries and raspberries but gives way to a spicy core where the 18-month oak treatment has imparted some chocolate and cassis.

There is a great depth of flavour and mid-weight tannins finish the flavours beautifully.

A well-rounded wine that will be at home with a great variety of foods, maybe match it with an apple and walnut stuffed loin of pork. Good drinking.

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Earlier this year we had a successful meeting about voluntary and paid

work opportunities for retired members.

Di Everett took time from her busy involvement as a volunteer guide at the NSW Art Gallery, to give us an illustrated talk.

As well as being available to take visitors on guided tours, she attends lectures and workshops, at least twice a week, to stay up to date about the exhibitions.

One of the new exhibitions taking over 3,300 square metres of new extensions is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. This is the John Calder Family collection, about which Di spoke.

As Edmond Capon, the retiring Director of AGNSW said: ”It would be hard to overestimate the significance of the gift of the John Kaldor Family Collection, a milestone that happens once in a century.”

In 2008 John Kaldor and his family announced their intention to give their art collection to the state of NSW.

This was the catalyst for the Government to provide funds to the gallery to move the existing storage facility off-site and, with support from the Belgiorno-Nettis family, create an entire new floor for contemporary art.

With the inclusion of this gift, the Art Gallery of NSW now holds Australia’s most comprehensive representation of contemporary art from the 1960s to the present day.

Built-up over the past 50 years, there are over 200 works including in-depth representations of artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sol LeWitt, Richard Long, Jeff Koons, Bill Viola and Ugo Rondinone.

Di was able to explain why these works represent some of the most important artists of our time.

The RMA’s Christmas luncheon is on Friday, 2 December. Contact Iva Coric for more details: [email protected].

[ report from ] Retired MembersRoseann Dale Dengate RMA Chairperson

Retired from work, but not from life


www.ieu.asn.au

[ report from ] Independent SchoolsMichelle Omeros Vice President, Non Systemic Schools

[ report from ] PresidentChris Wilkinson

This a busy term. It just doesn’t get any easier with more and more

demands placed on us.

For secondary school teachers it is both a rewarding and sad time as we bid farewell to the Year 12 students as they prepare for the upcoming HSC exam.

Primary school teachers continue with the wonderful work that they do every day, meeting deadlines, programming, report writing, and the list goes on.

I attended the opening of our new Newcastle offices last week and I must say the Hunter region should be proud of the new facilities, with ample parking and plenty of room for interviews, meetings and get-togethers.

There was a good cross section of members represented as well as guests from the Newcastle CEO and a wonderful retired member who spoke about her long involvement with the IEU and ITA, the struggles, conflicts, wins and the importance of being a member of the Union for over 40 years.

It is encouraging to note that membership of the Union continues to grow in these trying times.

It is up to all of us to encourage colleagues at our workplaces to join the Union and emphasis the benefits that it has to offer.

The Women in Education Conference was held in August and was again very successful.

It was good to see so many young faces attending for the first time. The workshops were well received as was our guest speaker, ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Dick Shearman opened the conference and launched the new updated Guide to Parental and Personal Carer’s Leave booklet. Thank you Pam Smith for all the work and preparation that goes into this successful conference each year.

Look forward to catching up in Term 4.

It is incumbent upon employers to use fair and transparent processes in

the selection and employment of staff in promotions positions.

Employers should also provide staff with opportunities for training and personal development.

The Union has always negotiated for fair procedures in promotion processes and we’ve been particularly successful in this in the Catholic sector.

Where there have been gaps in opportunities for staff, the Union has stepped in to provide practical support for people seeking promotion, including help with CVs and applications.

Employers should work towards fair and open processes which enhance the work environment.

This will help new staff members integrate into school more quickly, and allow them to focus on their students.

The Union’s own training and workshops, including NSW Institute accredited PD, can also assist staff make the most of their career opportunities.

If you have any questions about the promotions process, please contact your Organiser.

Keeping it fairNewcastle office a great facility

[ report from ] Hunter Valley BranchMark Northam Branch Organiser

Assistants deserve security

Our August meeting focused on salary claims for 2012 and

beyond. The issue of core permanency for kindergarten aides also arose.

Currently the agreement regarding permanency for teacher aides does not include learning support assistants who are employed to work with large (26 students and above) kindergarten classes.

This is because the CSO argued that classes of 26 students and above could not be guaranteed from year to year.

However, during the five-year program a significant number of learning support

assistants have had ongoing employment without security.

The Union has a view that there are a number of schools that would always have kindergarten enrolments of more than 26 students.

In fact many Catholic primary schools have lengthy waiting lists for kindergarten classes.

Given this the Union does not subscribe to the argument that numbers cannot be guaranteed.

It is certainly not valid in all schools. The IEU will seek discussions to achieve core permanency for this group of employees.

Some 35 principals attended a recent Hunter Valley breakfast

followed by a seminar on ‘Managing Challenging Parents’.

The concept for the seminar grew from discussion with Principals in 2010. The seminar was briefed on parental concerns by Linda McNeill (CSO Parent Liaison Officer) followed by two principals (Sidonie Coffey, St Joseph’s Primary School Taree and John Tobin, St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen).

Both principals recounted experiences with parents that eventually had a positive outcome.

Pam Smith then provided a statewide perspective on the issue of challenging parents and the range of remedies available to principals. The IEU intends to follow up on the seminar and develop resources for distribution.

Newcastle Organiser Mark Northam indicated the seminar “drew a lot of existing thinking together which was based on data, legal frameworks and the collective will to seek improvement around the issue of challenging parents”.

Principals chew over challenging parents

Hunter Valley Branch meeting: Left to right: Gerard Crichton, Deputy President, Cormac O’Riordan, Branch Secretary, and Marie MacTavish, Branch President.


overview

[ report from ] Principals BranchPam Smith Branch Organiser

Catholic Agreement

A major focus of recent meetings has been the development of a claim

for the next NSW Catholic principals’ agreement.

Gatherings of principals at Mudgee on 11 August and at Burwood on 18 August, as well as the Principals’ Branch meeting on 10 September, have emphasised primary/secondary parity issues, the need for a review of enrolment bands for salary and resourcing purposes, and the importance of recognising experienced principals.

Sydney Archdiocese principal members have developed an overview of significant workload developments impacting on principals since the last award was negotiated in 2008.

In the ACT, the Union is currently seeking to negotiate an agreement which will provide salary parity for principals and teachers with their NSW colleagues.

Independent sector principalsAn IEU teleconference for independent

school principals was held on 30 August with a focus on a range of professional and educational issues such as funding,

special needs support, the Australian Curriculum and national standards for teachers and principals.

The IEU met with Aspect principal members on 10 August and the Union is currently seeking to negotiate an agreement with ASPECT for principal members.

Further meetingsForthcoming IEU principals’ meetings

for 2011 include:

n Wollongong Diocese (Macarthur area) on 13 September

n Wilcannia-Forbes on 24 October

n Wagga Diocese principals on 2 November

n Wollongong Diocese breakfast on 3 November

n Bathurst Diocese morning tea on 3 November

The Term 4 Principals’ Branch meeting will be held on 5 November at the Union’s Parramatta office.

[ report from ] ECSGabrielle Connell ECS Vice President

Shape your future

The NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has formally launched

the NSW Review of Early Childhood Education Funding.

The Review will make recommendations for a more evidence-based funding system that will help increase participation in early childhood education, particularly for disadvantaged children in NSW.

Further information and details regarding how to make a submission can be obtained from the Department of Education and Communities website: www.det.nsw.edu.au/about-us/news-at-det/announcements

All services are encouraged to make a submission; the closing date has been extended to 31 October.

Professor Deborah Brennan has been appointed as the independent reviewer.

She is one of Australia’s leading researchers in the area of comparative welfare, children’s services and family policy and is leading the Review.

This is our opportunity to make a real difference to how funding is distributed in the future. The RAM model of funding that we presently have does not work for every service.

This is also an opportunity to bring the Teachers are Teachers Campaign to the forefront. Any new funding model should include pay parity for early childhood teachers.

Go online and make a submission or join with other groups or peak bodies who are doing so.

This will shape the future of early childhood education in NSW. We may not get another chance to do so.

[ report from ] Penrith-Blue MountainsPatricia Murnane Branch President

[ report from ] North CoastMarty Fitzpatrick Branch President

Teachers who work in the Western Sydney region of NSW know how

important they are. Home to 1.9 million people, our region boasts a population larger than those of South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.

Teachers in non-government schools know that funding is fundamental to our area. One in three are migrants who represent half of the world’s nations and up to 70 different languages.

We proudly boast the largest urban community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. More than one third of our population is aged less than 24 years of age. This is a region full of talent, potential, youth, diversity and openness.

However, we need public resourcing of schools that is at a level to provide quality for all and not just by the luck of home location. We need annual funding indexation.

Delegates at the August Penrith-Blue Mountains Branch meeting expressed this concern to our Federal MP David

Bradbury. Concerns included better funding for:

n students with disabilityn remedial programs for non-funded students who require considerable support beyond the class teachern ESL students, especially Phase 1 and 2, for English literacy, language and civics educationn disadvantaged and refugee families, including pastoral supportn counselling servicesn employment of speech pathologists at schoolsn accessing quality cultural and educational activities for excursions and incursions due to distance from Sydney CBDn technology, andn building and grounds maintenance and improvements.

The Western Sydney region is an area of wonderful social inclusion. Let’s work to achieve the funding that the students need.

Lismore Office continues to remain busy tending to members’ issues

and negotiating with CEO over policy reviews.

IEU-run PIPS courses around the state are proving very popular. ‘Be Wary Be Wise’ based on child protection awareness was recently held in Lismore, with good attendance from New Scheme Teachers in the area.

The IEU Membership team is visiting North Coast schools. They are achieving great success with enrolling new members.

We had three North Coast ‘funded’

Branch members attend the Support Staff Conference, ‘Let’s Get Connected’ held in Sydney on 16 September.

There is a Work Health and Safety Seminar in Ballina 3/4 November.

North Coast Branch has a delegation meeting with our Page MP, Janelle Saffin, to discuss funding to non-government schools in the near future.

The North Coast Women in Education Forum and dinner will be held on Friday 28 October at the Lismore Office.

All are welcome to attend. Our two guestpresenters are Ms Saffin and Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell, both

A few regional issues

West needs support

IEU members from Laurieton to Coffs Harbour attended the Mid-North Coast Branch reps’ training at Port Macquarie. Members were upskilled on the Fair Work Act and agreements relevant to their particular school. Evaluations of the day were positive. The opportunity to enhance understanding of industrial processes was appreciated by the reps.

22

The cost of $65 perperson includes:Admission, members’ stand tickets, race book, buffet luncheon and drinks (wine, champagne, soft drinks and beer) served during the lunch period (2.5 hours)

Buffet MenuHot and cold entrees, quality buffet meats, chicken, salads, bread and a choice of desserts and cakes with tea, coffee. Vegetarian options available

2011 IEU Race Day

Wednesday 28 September, 2011 at Canterbury Park Racetrack

If you haven’t already been a part of the IEU race day, then you don’t know what you’re missing! It’s a great fun day for members with prizes for both men and women, including best dressed, best hats, best ties and shoes. Talk to your colleagues and arrange a table.

The NSW/ACT Independent Education Union invites members and friends to once again join us for our race day.

As is tradition, the entire seven-race program, including the IEU Cup, will be sponsored by affiliated organisations only.

Organise a group from your school, education facility or organisation. Group bookings are available for tables of 10 or more but any seating configuration can be arranged.

Contact Helen Gregory 9779 3200 or 1800 467 943 toll free or email: [email protected] immediately to reserve your place. Confirmation and tickets will be forwarded only on receipt of

payment. Credit card payments are accepted by telephone.

All products issued or arranged by SGE Credit Union Limited. ABN 72 087 650 637, AFSL/ACL No. 238311. 230 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, nancial situation or needs (‘your personal circumstances’). Terms and Conditions, Credit Guide, Fees and Charges apply and are available at our of ces/service centres, our website and on application. You should read and consider these before deciding whether to use any product. * SGE are the winners of the Best Short and Long Term Deposits at the Financial Review Smart Investor Blue Ribbon Awards 2011.


Newsmonth is published eight times a year (two issues per term) by the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union.Editor: Dick Shearman (General Secretary) for and on behalf of the IEU Executive and members.Journalists: Suzanne Kowalski-Roth, Tara de Boehmler, Sue Osborne and Daniel Long. Produced by: Wendy Rapee, Tara de Boehmler, Sue Osborne, Helen Gregory.

NEWSmonth

Contributions and letters from members are welcome. These do not reflect endorsement if printed, and may be edited for size and style at the Editor's discretion. They should be forwarded to: Newsmonth GPO Box 116 SYDNEY NSW 2001 The IEU office is located at: 176-182 Day Street, SydneyTelephone: (02) 9779 3200 Toll free: 1800 467 943 Facsimile: (02) 9261 8850 email: [email protected] On the net: www.ieu.asn.au

Advertising inquiries to Kayla Skorupan on 9779 3200. Such advertising is carried out to offset production costs to mem-bers and at commercial rates. It does not in any way reflect endorsement by the NSW/ACT IEU.

Absolutely Super: Bernard O’Connor

NGS Super

NGS Super expands financial planning service

NSW/ACT IEU EXECUTIVEDick Shearman General Secretary

Gloria Taylor Deputy General Secretary

Carol Matthews Assistant Secretary

John Quessy Assistant Secretary

Chris Wilkinson President St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford

Michelle Omeros Vice President Non-Systemic St Euphemia College, Bankstown

Bernadette Baker Vice President Systemic St Columbkille's Primary School, Corrimal

Carolyn Collins Vice President Support Staff St Michael's Primary School, Nowra

Gabrielle Connell Vice President ECS Albury Preschool Kindergarten

Francis Mahanay Vice President, ACT Holy Family School, Gowrie, ACT

Peter Moore Financial Officer De La Salle College, Cronulla

Marie MacTavish Financial Officer St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland

General Executive Members

John O’Neill Carroll College, Broulee

Ann Rogers ASPECT South Coast School, Corrimal

Pat Devery St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney

Marty Fitzpatrick St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, Ballina

Ralph Hunt The Armidale School, Armidale

Denise McHugh McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth

Peter Mullins St Francis Xavier College, Florey

Patricia Murnane Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek

Kevin Phillips St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton

Michael Hagan Mater Maria College, Warriewood

As part of a program to expand member benefits, NGS Super

has increased its financial planning capability with the addition of several experienced planners. The fund directors are acutely aware of the need for professional financial planning advice for members throughout their working lives as well as at specific critical points such as changing jobs, starting a family, the end of a relationship or prior to retirement.

A licensed financial planner can draw up an individual plan which includes matters such as estate planning (for example, ‘Do you have a valid will?’), insurance, investments, taxation (including salary sacrifice) and, most importantly, pension options.

It is a given that superannuation is complex and decisions involving significant amounts of money should not be made lightly, so the help of a licensed planner can be invaluable.

NGS financial planners work on a fee for service basis and receive no commissions for any recommendations they make. They work for the members.

The usual procedure involves an initial consultation in which the planner will seek to clarify your financial needs and objectives while considering your tolerance to risk.

There is no charge for the initial exploratory consultation and the member is free to decide whether he/she wishes to proceed with a more detailed plan.

An upfront estimate of charges is presented to the member so there are no nasty surprises – and certainly no ongoing trailing commissions.

The charge for the plan relates to the complexity of the financial situation and the planner will base the estimate on the number of hours needed to complete the plan.

Obviously, if there is geared property or shares, a family trust structure or multiple properties, the plan will require more time.

While NGS client relationship managers are licensed to provide ‘general product information’ on superannuation and intra-fund advice, the Australian Financial Services Licence held by the Fund does not allow them to

provide ‘personal’ advice. This is where the expertise of a financial planner is required. The general areas of advice frequently covered by financial planners include:

n Setting up a budget – how much do I spend and where does it go?

n Clarifying financial goals – what do I want to achieve?

n Investment of superannuation – high, medium or low risk?

n Insurance cover – what kind and how much?

n My plan – simple or complex?

Financial planning advice must be tailored to the individual because everyone has different financial goals and different levels of risk tolerance.

Some members may be happy to accept the volatility of the share market in the hope of double digit returns, while others are satisfied with a more defensive portfolio with a higher percentage of cash and bonds and more moderate returns.

A common question which financial planners may assist with is: Should I put more on my mortgage or more into my super?

As both of these goals are worthwhile, it is a good idea to talk these matters through with a planner before making a decision.

NGS Super now has licensed planners in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and the member take up has been strong demonstrating the need for this service. If you would like to book a meeting with a financial planner, phone 1300 133 177 to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Bernard O’Connor NGS Super

(Important information: The information in this article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a financial decision, please assess the appropriateness of the information to your individual circumstances, read the Product Disclosure Statement for any product you may be thinking of acquiring and consider seeking independent advice from a licensed or appropriately qualified financial adviser.)

To enter one of these giveaways put your name, membership number and current address on the back of an envelope addressed to Newsmonth Giveaway 1, 2 or 3 - NSW/ACT IEU GPO Box 116 Sydney 2001 by Friday 30 September. Please note envelopes received that have not been clearly marked with which giveaway they are entering will be disqualified.

GiveAways{

Psst … pass it on!

With something this good we thought you might want to let your nearest and dearest know about it. NGS Super is open to your family and friends too, so they can enjoy the same great benefits of membership:

�� Great insurance �� Strong Fund performance �� ‘Top 10’ Fund in Australia*�� Financial planning service

Just go to www.ngssuper.com.au How easy is that?

www.ngssuper.com.au 1300 133 177

NGS Super Pty Limited ABN 46 003 491 487. This information does not take personal circumstances into account. Applicants should read the Member Guide before joining.

* Chant West

NGS14162_NGS Newsmonth Advert_0811.indd 1 31/08/11 4:08 PM

Giveaway 3Little LifeAuthor: George Huitker

Ginninderra Press

ISBN: 9781740276474

Three copies to giveaway

Drama teacher at Radford College, writer, coach and IEU member George Huitker wrote this book when his mother was diagnosed with “the caterpillar of dementia”.

Forced to “reassess both of their lives” Huitker begins to “reveal to his mother memories and matters close to his heart that he had previously kept from her”. Billed as a “raw, moving and tragicomic memoir” this book “explores the need for compassion in the face of adversity and the indelible impression that adults can have in the shaping of little lives”. And vice versa. This book is on Newsmonth’s must read list. Details: www.georgehuitker.com.au.

Giveaway 1Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales: Close Encounters with Australian Wildlife Rescue and ConservationAuthor: Ute Wegman with Dr Anthony Helman Wakefield PressISBN: 9781862548312Three copies to giveaway

1. What can you find in a Tasmanian Devil’s tail? 2. What does sand temperature have to do with sex? 3. How many hours in a day does a koala rest or sleep in a tree? Find the answer to (almost) everything you wanted to know about our beautiful wildlife and its conservation with two guides committed to protecting it. It's a great resource.

Answers: 1. Lots of fat. 2. In the case of sea turtles it determines the hatchlings sex – hotter sand means a girl. 3. Around 20 hours.

Giveaway 2Hossein Valamanesh: Out of NothingnessAuthors: Mary Knight and Ian NorthWakefield PublishersISBN: 9978186250057Three copies to giveaway

Iranian born Hossein Valamanesh is recognised as one of Australia’s most important contemporary artists. His work is held by all Australia’s major galleries and in many private collections. This beautiful book features his work which "draws on his Iranian heritage and engages with intense philosophical questions about the ephemeral aspects of existence, and the relationship between nature and culture". There is a talk at the Art Gallery of NSW on 21 September about his work by David Malouf. Enquiries to charlotte@wakefieldpress. com.au.

Newsmonth : September, 2011 (Vol.31 / No.6)

Documents

Transcript of Newsmonth : September, 2011 (Vol.31 / No.6)