AEU Journal Vol 48. No. 4 by Australian Education Union (SA Branch)

Official publication of the Australian Education Union (SA Branch)

Vol 48 I No.4

June 2016

AEUJOURNAL SA

INSIDE: u TAFE: Supporters brave weather

u Budget cuts: Outreach

to celebrate National TAFE Day

Education is at risk

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ENVIRONMENT ACTION CONFERENCE 2016

AEU SSO Conference 2016

KNOWLEDGE IS

A SPOTLIGHT ON ENVIRONMENT ACTION IN SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS

POWER

FRIDAY 15 JULY 10.00am – 5.00pm

Venue: Arbury Park Outdoor School, Bridgewater SA 5155 CONFERENCE OPTIONS

Request a Ride from the AEU

Bed & Breakfast - $25.00

Thursday 14 July @ 7.00pm

Arbury Park Outdoor School Bunkhouse

Thursday 14 July @ 6.30pm or Friday 15 July @ 9.00am

Australian Education Union | SA Branch For further info or to register8: www.aeusa.asn.au>events&courses or email: training@aeusa.asn.au

www.facebook.com/EAGSA

Fri 22 July 9:15am –3:30pm

Open to: AEU members in non-teaching positions

Dinner: Thursday 21 July | 6:00pm The Astor Hotel: 437 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000

For futher info contact SSO Organiser Lisa Sigalla on: 8272 1399 To register follow this link : www.aeusa.asn.au>events & courses

FEATURES PRESIDENT’S VIEW

AEU UNION JOURNAL TRAINING

Australian Education Union | SA Branch 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063 Telephone: 8272 1399 Facsimile: 8373 1254 Email: journal@aeusa.asn.au Editor: Craig Greer

Outreach Education pages 8 – 9 Resources teachers have relied on for years are now at risk.

AEU Journal is published seven times annually by the South Australian Branch of the Australian Education Union. Deadline Dates

Publication Dates

#5 July 29

August 17

#6 September 2

September 21

#7 October 21

November 9

Subscriptions: Free for AEU members. Nonmembers may subscribe for $33 per year. Print Post approved PP 531629/0025 ISSN 1440-2971

INSIDE: u TAFE: Supporters brave weather

u Budget cuts: Outreach

to celebrate National TAFE Day

Education is at risk

Cover: Craig Greer Printing: Lane Print

Too good to lose

Education Funding

pages 10 – 11 National TAFE Day shows strong support for a sector in crisis.

page 12 Learn to Grow campaign launched.

Advertise in the AEU Journal. Reach over 13,500 members across South Australia.

8272 1399 journal@aeusa.asn.au

SSO: DID YOU KNOW?

SSOs are entitled to a maximum of the equivalent of fifteen days (pro rata) Special Leave with pay for individual needs and responsibilities each year. School Services Officers and Early Childhood Workers employed term time only and Aboriginal Education Workers in receipt of 25% loading are eligible only for up to 3 days special leave with pay for urgent pressing necessity. To be eligible for leave with pay under these provisions the employee must be employed with a fixed pattern of work and must have been rostered to work on the actual day for which they are seeking leave. “Urgent Pressing Necessity” is an event of an important nature that arises without prior notice and imposes a spe-

Key Criteria • The employee is required to act to fulfil a responsibility that cannot be substituted or fulfilled by another person • The times are fixed by a particular

AEU Information Unit | Weekdays | 10:30am – 5:00pm |

SSOs

Special Leave Policy HR04

cific obligation on an employee to act in their interests, the interests of their family, or the community. “Urgent Pressing Necessity” does not cover the entitlements specified in other documents for which specific allocations are made or private matters that can be reasonably undertaken in the employees own time or more appropriately covered under other forms of leave. • The specific and immediate responsibilities of the person in relation to family support and the care of others • Cultural expectations that impose observance of particular modes of grief or family responsibility • Any leave with pay must fit within the maximum fifteen days allowed as Special Leave with pay for individual needs and responsibilities in any one year.

event, or are otherwise non negotiable • The period of leave granted is limited to the immediate requirement and travelling time as appropriate • The onus is on the employee to undertake the required duty in the most expedient way.

Moving House Leave

Special Leave may be granted where an employee changes residence for private reasons and the delegate is satisfied that the removal will require the employee’s absence for the greater part of a working day. Before Special Leave with or without pay for moving house is granted employees must consider the use of flexitime or a temporary change to working arrangements, where applicable. Leave with pay for this purpose will normally be granted on the basis of no more than one day per year. n *UP CO M I N G E VE N T

AEU SSO CONFERENCE 2016 Friday 22 July *See Advertisement left on Page 2, “Knowledge is Power”

% 8272 1399

PRESIDENT’S VIE W

More changes afoot AEU President Howard Spreadbury discusses the recently announced reforms in DECD

he recent announcement by Premier Jay Weatherill to separate Families SA from Education and Child Development is a welcome one. From the inception of the joint department, AEU members have consistently argued that the focus on child protection, whilst necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable children, was in fact detracting from the importance of promoting and supporting all facets of our public education system in both preschools and schools. Even the much promoted review of Integrated Support Services and the core functions of personnel working in the state office of DECD fell short in delivering the government’s aim, which was to transfer much of the work of the Department from the centre to sites, and to improve the delivery of specialist support services to sites. With the creation of a new department for child protection, DECD can re-establish a clear focus on implementing the aims of these reviews in order to reinforce its commitment to the provision of support for staff and students in our system. As a result of the separation, the government has appointed Mr Rick Persse as the new Chief Executive of DECD. Whilst recognising the skills he brings to the role from his previous position in the Attorney General’s Department, it is disappointing that the government has once again missed an opportunity to appoint someone from within the South Australian education sector who has experience and clear understandings of the issues facing our 4

“...this is a time of great opportunity to ensure that the South Australian government has an education workforce which is supported by the system …” members in the contemporary education environment. Nevertheless, the AEU will establish a positive working relationship with Mr Persse in order to deliver support to members in carrying out their roles in public schools and preschools. The current review of the partnerships structure also provides further opportunities for DECD to ensure education delivery is not undertaken at the expense of members’ workload and morale. Leaders continue to report to the AEU that the partnership layer of decision-making has created new levels of responsibility and accountability which has created additional workload. Not least of this is the time now required to devote to partnership related structures which has, in many instances, increased the time spent off site by principals and preschool directors. A new chief executive has the opportunity to cast fresh eyes over this construct with a view to ensuring that it is enhancing and not detracting from the necessary work of local educational leadership. There is also the opportunity to revisit current levels of staff morale and wellbeing in sites and to develop further means of enhancing the status of the profession. A major part of this is to adjust the current focus on the collection and distribution of various forms of data and reinforce the value of collegial engagement in professional and performance development at the local level. There are a number of strategies available to achieve this, the most

relevant and developmental being teachers and other education workers engaging in processes of collegial analysis of classroom practice. This requires time and members have identified that often their preference is to spend time engaged in collegial support as opposed to some professional development programs which may not be as relevant or meaningful to everyone in a site. So, this is a time of great opportunity to ensure that the South Australian government has an education workforce which is supported by the system in ways that staff identify as most relevant and to ensure staff are respected as professionals by the Department. The AEU will continue to lobby the government and DECD to deliver on this in the context of a revised structure and leadership. n In unity, Howard Spreadbury

Special Educators move motion Concerns have been raised with the AEU Special Education Consultative Committee from SSO members concerned with the proposed way in which the new Toileting Allowance will be paid. These concerns were taken to AEU Branch Council which passed a motion supporting members concerns and supported the development of a campaign. The issues relate to how the allowance will operate for SSOs and ECWs and in particular the way the pro rata will be calculated. The view of members is that it should be based on the time that students are at school (the school day) rather than the 37.5 hour work week. This view has arisen as the toileting of students can only occur when students are present. If two staff are required to undertake the toileting, members believe that both should be paid the allowance. Further concerns have been raised about the process by which the allowance can be claimed. The Special Education Consultative Committee is developing a campaign to put pressure on DECD if the matter is not resolved. Email your creative campaign ideas to the AEU as we want to n be ready when it hits the fan.

TAFE FOCUS

Noarlunga TAFE – a ghost town Students are heading straight past Noarlunga and its skilled TAFE teachers says Craig Greer

I had heard much about cuts at Noarlunga TAFE so didn’t expect the campus to be buzzing when I visited what felt more like a ghost town than a vibrant VET training facility. Workshops are either disappearing or gathering dust as students bypass Noarlunga for Tonsley, Regency, or in too many cases, dodgy “tick and flick” private providers. The well-respected and well-attended Music course, along with Building and Construction, Automotive and a host of other courses have either gone north, not south, or been severely cut. Lecturers that remain at the campus are being told by management that they have to go out and recruit students in order to remain viable. Its no wonder students aren’t turning up at Noarlunga. They probably don’t realise the courses

“Lecturers that remain at the campus are being told by management that they have to go out and recruit students in order to remain viable.” are available. According to one staff member, advertisements are being taken off the website instead of being put on. After walking around the empty corridors looking for a coffee and some students to interview, and finding nothing but a closed coffee shop apparently used for Barista training, my need for a caffeine fix took me to the nearby Collonades Shopping Centre where plenty of young people I suspected might be potential TAFE students were walking past a stall promoting a private training organisation, no advertising for the TAFE next door in sight! With coffee in hand I returned to the TAFE building to find some students; I wanted to hear about their experience at the campus. It took much longer than I’d hoped but I eventually stumbled upon two welders who told me they are paying upwards of $600 a week to gain a higher welding ticket. “$600 a week?” I asked. “You must be getting VET fee-

help, right?” “Nah mate, this is a full fee course.” Staff are told they need to recruit students to pay the rent on the building but one wonders how sustainable those enrolments would be with fees like this. My self-directed tour over, no staff bar a couple of cleaners seen and barely any students, I walked out of the large and recently updated building past WorkSkil, a non-government “employment agency” that has taken over one wing of the campus which used to be an engineering workshop. I wondered if I would be the only person to see the irony in that – an employment agency renting space where workshops should be to provide kids with skills to attain meaningful work. In fact, much of the space at Noarlunga is being rented out to other providers. “It’s like TAFE has forgotten it’s a training organisation and gone into the real estate game,” said one staff member who, like our members facing cuts in country TAFE campuses, was reluctant to be identified.

TAFE

hey say a picture tells a thousand words. I’d actually thought of just filling this page with the many photos I took on my phone of empty rooms and corridors at Noarlunga TAFE (in the middle of the day, no less), but there’s more to be said about how TAFE management seems to be doing its level best to run the organisation into the ground. It probably shouldn’t come as a great surprise; all metropolitan TAFE campuses have suffered to some extent, either cannibalised or closed as programs were relocated to the showcase Tonsley campus in the redeveloped Mitsubishi car plant.

“They’ve leased out another area that used to be a workshop so it can be turned into some kind of gym for executives. Now if they have to rent out some of the building, by all means go ahead, but they seem more interested in renting out space than using it for training. They’re moving us from one workshop to the next and squeezing the space we continued over page 3 5

TAFE FOCUS CONT.

COVER STORY: NATIONAL TAFE DAY

“It’s like TAFE has forgotten it’s a training organisation and gone into the real estate game.” have to make way for people who have nothing to do with TAFE,” said the staff member. “A workshop is a sacred place, they’re places where people get together and you make things – it’s that wonderful thing that links us to humanity from the year dot. There aren’t that many workshops around but management simply don’t get it. Yes, workshops are expensive places to run, we use power and consumables, metal and so on. We all realise that but no-one is in our corner saying, ‘Okay, this is the situation we face, if we don’t build our numbers, we’ll have to do something.’ They haven’t involved staff in the solution; they just send an email and say this is what we’re going to do.” The Noarlunga-based member told the AEU Journal he’s spending half his time at Regency TAFE lecturing students who could have come to Noarlunga if they’d known about the courses there. “I’m told by management to come up here with a moment’s notice and teach people not knowing if the materials are available, the equipment is working or who the students are. I had one student the other day who’d been told to just show up but he wasn’t on any of the three different rolls I had. This kind of thing is common. That day I was teaching a class with people working on five different modules, it’s a shambles,” he said. There are plenty of other management decisions that could probably inspire a new series of The Office or even Fawlty Towers. Equipment is being sold off or sitting dormant because the courses or the staff have been relocated. There’s a $400,000 spray baking oven in one workshop that was only used for forty hours before the course was moved to Tonsley. Worse still, students are paying top dollar for courses that lecturers feel they can’t deliver properly because the hours of training are driven by budgets rather than student need. n 6

TAFE needs 70 percent funding guarantee! Around 200 TAFE students and staff braved the rain to take action on National TAFE Day

ational TAFE Day on June 16 was proof a coffee van and some tasty campaign cupcakes is all it takes to get people out on the streets to campaign … okay and perhaps just a little bit of anger about the massive cuts that have left TAFEs all around the country struggling to survive. This year, AEU TAFE members took the organisation of National TAFE Day celebrations into their own hands and it has to be said, it was probably the best attended event in recent memory. It shows what can be achieved by members when they utilise the contacts and relationships they have with students and staff. AEU TAFE Divisional Council

member Nadine Schoen did much of the organising and says the turnout exceeded even her own expectations. “It’s fantastic that people came out in this weather and I think it shows how passionate people are about TAFE. Quite a number of the students here are migrants who are attending TAFE to gain the skills they need to be successful here, so it’s wonderful to see so many people out in the rain supporting our action for improved TAFE funding,” she said. The AEU’s message to governments on National TAFE Day was all about ensuring TAFE is receiving its fair share of government VET funding, which is a minimum of 70 percent according to AEU continued over page 3

COVER STORY: NATIONAL TAFE DAY

Federal TAFE Secretary Pat Forward. “We cannot keep going with the flawed system of privatisation any longer. We need to ensure that TAFE is guaranteed at least 70 per cent of VET funding so it can remain at the centre of our vocational education system,” Ms Forward said. Greens MLC Tammy Franks has been a strong defender of TAFE in South Australia and took the opportunity to report on a federal TAFE rescue package her Party announced a day earlier. The Greens package includes the following: • Cessation of federal government funds to for-profit VET providers • Implementation of a TAFE federal rescue package which boosts fund-

ing by $400 million a year ($1.2 billion over forward estimates) • Establish a VET Ombudsman with $10 million in seed funding. “When you have a system that allows one for-profit provider to receive $111 million of federal funding in a year while handing out just 117 diplomas, everyone should be able to agree the current model is broken,” said Ms Franks. “The money is there, and it needs to be spent where it will have the most impact and that’s in our public TAFE sector. Education is not a cost to our budget, it’s an investment in all of our futures,” she added. Palestinian migrant Bassam Ashqar spoke passionately about the importance of TAFE to him and his family. “Before we landed in Adelaide last year I was talking to my children about education in Australia, about exceptional chances they would find in this country to develop their skills and talents. I was telling them how education in this country is secured because it is run by the government. Truth be told, we had a dream that has started to vanish when

privatisation started devouring TAFE,” he said. “I have learned a lot from TAFE, I have learned about Australian culture, I’ve learned how to live and settle in this country, how to integrate with Australian people … we came here for a better future not to gain wealth. I ask all of you to speak up for TAFE and future generations. We have a very nice country, let’s stop selling it to the corporates, let’s stop the providers from owning it and stop outsourcing,” he said. Former Women’s Education student Kat Lee told the crowd gathered that before attending TAFE she was a stayat-home mum with no direction or idea about what she wanted to do in the future. She now runs a charity called Food for the Community Inc. that supports people living below the poverty line. “I attended TAFE in 2011 and 2012 to do Women’s Education Certificates 2 and 3 which led me to gain confidence in myself and provided me with ideas about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Without TAFE many women like me will fall by the wayside. n

TAFE

“We cannot keep going with the flawed system of privatisation any longer. We need to ensure that TAFE is guaranteed at least 70 per cent of VET funding…”

OUTREACH EDUCATION CUTS themselves as the reference point, gateway or bridge for teachers to access these treasures. Programs align with the Australian Curriculum and the Teaching for Effective Learning Framework (TfEL). Yet in order to save a few quid, DECD wants the organisations themselves to fund the positions. It’s as if they don’t see the value add these highly trained teachers offer our children. Peter Cavouras is the Outreach Education Manager – Law Courts, based at the Adelaide Magistrates Court. “This position is a bridge to a world that many teachers don’t know much about,” he said. “We expose teachers and students to each side of real situations.”

Resources we can’t afford to lose Outreach Education connects students to community writes Sue Fenwick

hat would students learn if their classroom prop was a Southern White Rhinoceros? Or a fully robed Supreme Court Judge? Or the Speaker of the House of Assembly? What is the view of the school yard from the point of view of a giraffe? How can a theatrical performance provide the tool a traumatised child needs to seek help? What skills do you need to work with animals? Why is literacy important in understanding the law? Will a visit to the Zoo ignite a lifelong civic responsibility in children, a way to develop advocacy skills, a hunger to participate in decision making? How is this different from accessing Parliament or the Magistrates Court? What will a child take from being part of an interactive performance where students act as Directors and can choose from 24 different endings?

“Our programs act as triggers that engage people across personal development to citizenship to skill development.” Education – a treasure trove of living props, expertise, online resources, behind the scenes access and curriculum based programs and resources. Whether it is one of the largest openrange zoos in the world at Monarto or the acclaimed Windmill Theatre Compay, the collections, events and resources of major public institutions are made accessible to preschool to Year 12 children by the Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) through Outreach Education Managers.

Learning opportunities are endless, creative, and exciting with Outreach

Specialist teachers who are out-posted in our major public organisations, Outreach Education Managers describe

Find out more at:

“We take groups into court rooms and the cells behind the Magistrates Court. A Magistrate or a lawyer may speak directly with them. I can ensure the engagement is inquiry-based, interesting and flexible.” “We have detailed discussion with the teacher up front. We talk about the curriculum and make sure the focus of the visit is linked.” “Our service exposes students to a range of cultural experiences that have significant meaning,” said Ian Walton, Education Manager at Monarto Zoo. “Our programs act as triggers that engage people across personal development to citizenship to skill development. Having such wonderful living props lead to learning opportunities about advocacy and action for sustainable futures.” Professional learning programs for teachers are core business too. “We design and deliver professional learning programs that teachers are looking for,” said Penny Cavanagh, Education Manager at the South Australian Parliament. “Our Civics and Citzenship Forums for teachers is delivered in collaboration with the Law Courts Education Manager. They are always fully booked.” Julie Orchard, Arts Education Manager at Windmill Theatre Company (pictured above) takes teachers behind the scenes of a rehearsal in her professional learning workshops. Teachers can ask questions of the Director, designer, and other Company staff. “My role is to demonstrate and procontinued over page 3

8: www.outreacheducation.sa.edu.au

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT vide opportunities for teachers to bring students to the theatre – to see the theatre as part of the classroom,” she said. “It is important to make it as easy as possible for teachers as there are so many barriers. There must be an immediate connection to the curriculum. We provide teaching resources for every production. 15% of our tickets are allocated free to disadvantaged schools. If teachers aren’t given these resources they won’t come.” Online resources are rich in scope and breadth and curriculum aligned. An e-book about the jury system, DVDs of performances, the Animal Habitats Student Inquiry, or the South Australian Suffragettes web-based inquiry are just some examples. Unlocking the gates to the treasures can sometimes be as simple as understanding school culture and the needs of the teacher. “For example,” said Penny Cavanagh. “Question Time is held at 2pm. Many MPs don’t understand that this means that most school groups can only stay for 15 minutes because they have to be back at school by 3pm. They will need to use public transport to keep costs down. They will need to make sure they are on time and organised to get back to school.” “We need to manage traffic, bags, security, which court we can go into, appropriate behaviour, and what happens in a crisis,” said Peter Cavouras. “We are teachers so we know about schools and understand the culture,” said Julie Orchard. “We attend the same professional learning as other teachers. We keep up-to-date. People in our organisations will often need us to explain procedures, the need for permissions and documentation, child protection matters and so on.” Do out-posted specialist teachers provide the best of both worlds to teachers and students? “Being clearly within DECD’s structure makes us accountable to DECD,” said Ian Walton. “Being embedded in the organisation creates a depth of understanding and also allows us to gently guide the institution to look at education in a positive and different way.” As a parent and a tax payer, it looks like it to me! n

Professional learning – leading together AEU Vice President Dash Taylor Johnson encourages members to access our training and development program “The AEU is the largest and most representative body of education professionals in the State of South Australia,” (AEU website). Amongst the flurry of educational demands that present themselves incessantly, it is timely to reflect on aspects of the Australian Education Union that help to provide some balance. The surveys, meetings, open days, information evenings, assemblies and administrative expectations are touted as essential in delivering a high quality education but in reality they can wear us down. So where does respite come from? Like hang-over cures, choices are many and varied, attested to by those whose positive experiences outweigh the negatives. One sure way is to be recognised as a professional, and have it recognised that developing your own knowledge and understanding of teaching practice provides immediate and on-going value as long as it is relevant and well delivered. Training and development became professional development and now is known as professional learning. For teachers to maintain registration they must complete 60 hours each three year cycle. The reality is it’s not too hard to meet these expectations, though some see it as a little insulting that your value as an educator is equated to hours of work (often now in front of a screen) that results in a certificate to validate its worth. Nonetheless, research clearly shows that the overall effects of professional learning on teaching practice are positive. Professor John Hattie, Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne and chairman of the Federal Government’s Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), is considered a world expert in how to provide the best learning outcomes for students. After

extensive research his answer is that “teacher expertise” is what matters most. And that’s where we come in. The AEU Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator, Lynn Hall, crafts a program to provide for a broad range of needs. Some, like Responding to Abuse and Neglect are mandated. Others are designed with our particular membership groups in mind – New Educators, Leaders, SSOs, Work Health Safety, Environment, ATSI, Women, Workplace Representatives, Early Childhood, Middle School, International Educators and the list goes on. Beyond this there are workshops to support curriculum development and methodology; those with social justice at the forefront and the ones with selfdevelopment as the core outcome. If you want to learn more about Reconciliation, how classroom management or writing for applications can be improved, explore the role of gender or how to resolve conflict, our diverse membership enables the AEU to provide these learning opportunities. And if that’s not enough, you can be part of focus area committees, join reference groups or express an interest in scholarships being offered. Never forget, without you, the union would not function and it is you who shapes what we stand for and how we respond. So apart from the fact that there is a bureaucratic requirement for an identified level of professional development, it is important to not forget educators are indeed learners too; this is how we grow. Every site has funding allocated for this purpose that you are entitled to access. It is allocated to schools as part of the School Operating Grant, found as a single line of funding allocation in the Resource Entitlement Statement (RES). Members can ask their PAC representative directly about how much of this has been linked to Training and Development. It is your right to be supported to be a more informed and skilled educator. Go get it, and we’ll see you at the AEU soon. n

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG! 9

8: tchampion@aeusa.asn.au

RUNNING HEAD WOMEN’S FOCUS

Future bright for Women’s Education graduates TAFE Foundation Skills Lecturer Helaine Costello reports

uring May, Women’s Education students from Adelaide, Noarlunga and Pt Adelaide campuses of TAFE SA attended graduation ceremonies. Guest speakers at the ceremonies included Katrine Hildyard Member for Reynell, representing Zoe Bettison, Minister for Women, at Noarlunga on 19 May. Education and Skills Minister, Dr Susan Close, was a special guest at Adelaide City Campus on May 26. Dr Close addressed the 40 Adelaide and Pt Adelaide graduands at the ceremony and acknowledged that their studies in Women’s Education helped them build the skills to chase their dreams, support their families, and demonstrate the value of education to the children in their lives. Student speakers spoke proudly of the transformative nature of the Certificates. One mentioned that when she began her studies her anxiety when public speaking was so extreme she almost fainted the first time. Through her studies she gained the confidence and skills to give the address at the graduation and achieve her dream of being the first member of her family to

go on to further education at Diploma level and on to University next year. This is just one example of the exceptional outcomes achieved by women who complete the Certificates. The Certificates in Women’s Education are ideal preparation for women returning to work or study. These Certificates are Austudy and Workready approved. Certificate 2 is fee free and Certificates 3 and 4 are subsidised by Workready (students pay $1.00 per curriculum hour). The following is a description of which women would benefit most from enrolling in a Certificate in Women’s Education.

Women’s Education students, Madeline Brown and Soheir Habib receiving their certificates.

lives, whether living with, or having survived domestic and family violence

• Women who have been out of paid work or education for some time benefit by improving confidence and basic skills, including computing.

• Women suffering from anxiety conditions and other mental illnesses or physical disabilities

• Women who need to develop skills and the prerequisites to go on to further study

• Women who are interested in exploring women’s position in society and feminism. n

• Women who have been injured at work or made redundant and need to explore other avenues for employment and gain qualifications

For more information:

• Women who are rebuilding their

Time for true equality AEU Women’s Officer Tish Champion believes the Equal Opportunity Act paves the way for marriage equality

n this world of never-ending chaos, I am constantly reminded that we are all different. We can all watch the same facts, horrors or dramas on TV, and all interpret it in our own way. I know that this is called human nature and is often the result of the influences in our lives but it still leaves me regularly disappointed in the human race. The recent Orlando shooting is a classic example. While most of the 10

1 from left: Minister Susan Close with TAFE

www.tafesa.edu.au/courses/education-languages/womens-education 0r contact: HELAINE COSTELLO E: helaine.costello@tafesa.edu.au

world is in shock, horrified by the senseless killing of so many, others have used it as an opportunity to gain political points or strengthen their homophobic agenda. The debate and speculation about the motive is clearly important and everyone wants/needs to know if Omar Mateen was motivated by religion, homophobia or simply had a mental illness. I believe it is important to know what drove a grown man to commit such a heinous crime because by understanding his motives we can hopefully move forward and work toward a better world. Unfortunately there are some who don’t seem to want or need the truth to continued over page 3

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

“How can we have legislation in Australia that prevents us from discriminating against people based on their sexuality, while maintaining laws that do just that e.g. marriage inequality!”

Hot topics

jump on the bandwagon. Family First political candidate Peter Madden received a backlash for his tweet: “Though Orlando is abhorrent, it doesn’t change the real & present dangers of the gay marriage agenda to Australian children.” While I am not a tweeter, I was secretly pleased that Mr Madden’s comments did not go unchecked by the public. Comments such as this are the very thing that feed the disgraceful belief that homosexuality is wrong, offensive or evil. How can a person defend turning a horrendous event such as the Orlando shooting into an opportunity to promote the offensive view that homosexuality is the root of all evil?

A. The AEU has fully registered teacher members who are looking to re-register with the TRB but because they are not currently working in a school or preschool, they won’t be able to provide evidence of the 60 days’ professional practice. For example, staff in central office, support services, and the AEU.

As the aunty of a gay niece and nephew I am deeply offended that there are still people who don’t understand that homosexuality is not a choice, is not a crime, is not evil, is not the root of all social problems and is not deviant behaviour. Name one gay person who has committed a hideous crime against humanity and I’ll name 50 others who were not gay. The real villain here is homophobia. How, in the 21st century, can we have Equal Opportunity and AntiDiscrimination legislation in Australia that prevents us from discriminating against people based on their sexuality, while at the same time, maintaining laws that discriminate against people based on their sexuality e.g. marriage inequality! To the victims, the families and the loved ones of those killed or injured in the Orlando shooting, our thoughts are n with you. In solidarity, Tish Champion

AEU Vice President Jan Murphy answers common questions from members in 2016 Q. Can I get full teacher registration with the TRB if I can’t meet the 60 days of professional practice requirement?

At re-registration, not providing evidence of the 60 days of professional practice should not prevent a fully registered teacher from renewing full teacher registration, provided they meet the other requirements. If this is you, your teacher registration certification will include a notation that you’ve not provided evidence of the professional practice days. But you will still be a fully registered teacher. Full details are available on the TRB website.

Q. Does my line manager or principal need to approve the PD I undertake for the DECD Training and Professional Support Strategy (37.5 hours PD which enable) A. No. Eligible staff need to provide a

And as stated in the DECD Training and Professional Support Strategy guidelines: “Professional development activities are relevant to the individual and may also relate to site, district and Department priorities and needs. The Strategy relies on the professional obligation of employees to ensure that the activities are of a professional nature and are intended to develop the individual’s capacity for current or future work within the Department.” For full details see the 2016 South Australian School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement and the DECD Training and Professional Support Strategy guidelines.

Q. How is the AEU rep chosen to be on a Merit Selection panel? A. The AEU rep on a panel is the delegate of the president of the AEU. Your Sub-branch Secretary will be contacted by the AEU and asked to be the panel rep in the first instance. If they are not able or choose not to undertake the role on the panel, the sub-branch selects the AEU rep. In this case, most sub-branches call for nominees who are interested and merit selection trained and a ballot is conducted if necessary. The name of the rep selected by the Sub-Branch is then provided to the AEU.

declaration. This strategy is clearly outlined in the Enterprise Agreement (EA) and the DECD Training and Professional Support Strategy guidelines.

Q. If a school wants to employ me for one day a week for a term, can this be a contract instead of TRT?

The Enterprise Agreement states that: “4.11.4 Eligible staff who provide an employee declaration to their site leader by the end of Week 9 Term 4 each year stating that they have undertaken the equivalent of 37.5 hours (or 36.25 hours in the case of a preschool teacher or preschool director) of training and professional development will not be required to attend Government preschools and schools in Week 10 of Term 4.”

for a contract teacher is 0.1, or half a day per week. Contracts give more certainty and often make other entitlements and arrangements easier to plan for – yard duty, PD and NIT for example. Any additional days you work at the same school can then be added to your contract as increases in time, rather than TRT days. The minimum fraction of time for an ongoing teacher position is n 0.2 or one day per week.

A. Yes. The minimum fraction of time

STORY IN S HORT HERE

CAMPA IGN: LEARN TOBARGAINING GROW UPDATE: ENTERPRISE 2008

See our new feature on Facebook

A new campaign for education funding The campaign for improved education funding will continue beyond the July 2 election. Craig Greer reports …

Every Friday a “Fast Fact” will be posted on the AEU | SA Branch Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/aeusa Go to this address and find the post. Touch base with this post to: • like/share • post a comment • respond to other members’ comments • learn facts about your entitlements • network with other members And more!!!

Watch out for Fridays!!! ...and happy facebooking

Special Educators concerned Concerned members of the AEU Special Education Consultative Committee have determined that they will invite DECD IR and HR specialists to observe the work that they do as educators. There is concern from teachers and SSOs alike that there is a lack of understanding in central office about what is involved in educating students with special needs. The invitation will not be limited to metropolitan schools with country members keen to showcase their work. Members have come to this conclusion as a consequence of a number of decisions made by DECD that have puzzled, angered and concerned them. The invite is on the way and bets have been placed as to whether the invitation will be taken up. n 12

he AEU SA Branch has joined a coalition of community groups, including the two public Principals associations (SAPPA and SASSPA) to launch a new education funding campaign called Learn to Grow. An initiative of One Community, the progressive SA organisation behind the Welcome to Australia refugee advocacy campaign, Learn to Grow is a campaign dedicated to giving our children every chance to thrive at school by ensuring governments are provided the funding necessary to make it happen. The Learn to Grow campaign was launched on Thursday June 9 and held its first public event, a pre-election education forum on June 16 at UniSA’s Hawke Centre. Held in the style of a Q&A, panelists included Federal Minister for Education Simon Birmingham, Nick Xenophon Team candidate for Sturt, Matthew Wright, Federal Opposition Education Spokesperson Kate Ellis, and Greens Education Spokesperson Robert Simms. True to form Minister Birmingham told the audience and around 70,000 people watching on the facebook live stream that education funding would continue to grow despite his party’s refusal to support and implement the full Gonski “Better Schools” funding model. “There’s a misconception that exists … that somehow funding reverts to lower levels at some stage if you don’t do years five and six of Gonski. That’s not the case; the extra money that has flowed into our schools for each and every one of the last few years, flows in this year, flows in again next year, is then the new baseline, it’s the new baseline upon which future growth in our schools occurs.” Minister Birmingham’s claim is true with respect to private schools, but not

for public schools; the Coalition doesn’t have a model for public schools funding and will negotiate the share for each state and territory after the election. What we do know is funding for the NT and Tasmania will drop and other states will likely lose the ability to continue with their Gonski-funded intervention programs in the absence of years 5 and 6 of the promised funding. In amongst all the pollie speak, which was ably kept in check by host and local journalist Lainie Anderson, there were clear commitments to the Gonski funding model from three of the four political parties represented at the forum; the ALP, NXT, and the Greens all agreeing that strong investment in education will bring future rewards in many areas. The forum was a good first event for the fledging coalition which includes the following organisations: • One Community • The Australian Education Union (SA) • The Independent Education Union (SA) • South Australian Primary Schools Principals Association • South Australian Secondary Schools Principals Association • Dyslexia SA. To find out more about Learn to Grow and to pledge your election vote for education, go to:

8 : www.learntogrow.org.au

AEU TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 2016

EVENTS & COURSES 2016 Application Writing for Teaching Positions General:

Wed 6 July

4:30pm – 6:30pm

A 2-hour practical workshop to assist in applying for DECD local selection teaching positions. This workshop will provide information regarding the writing of your personal statement for teacher positions. Open to: All AEU Members.

Safe Schools!

Tues 12 Jul

9:30am – 2:30pm [Riverland]

Tues 4 Oct

[Pt Lincoln]

These practical workshop are run by either the Safe Schools Coalition SA or the AEUSA Branch Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Consultative Committee to support schools as safe places free from homophobic bullying and harassment. Open to: All members.

Student Engagement Workshop

[Pt Pirie] DAY 1: Tues 12 July 9:15am – 3:00pm DAY 2: Can attend City DAY 2 course [City] DAY 1: Tues 12 July DAY 2: Thurs 13 Oct

9:15am – 3:00pm 9:15am – 3:00pm

“More students! More engagement! More of the time!” This two day course is facilitated by experienced teachers who will develop teachers’ skills in creating ‘rigorous learning conditions’ in line with ‘Learning for Effective Teaching (TfEL) which supports active participation and increases student engagement and accountability for their own learning. Open to: All AEU members. Cost: $55.

New Educators Mini-Conference

Wed 13 July 9:30am – 4:00pm The Mini-Conference will feature the most popular elements from the highly successful 2016 New Educators Conference. Open to: AEU Members in their first three years of teaching who missed the 2015 & 2016 AEUSA New Educators Conference.

Early Childhood Forum

Wed 13 July 1:30pm – 3:30pm This forum will explore how early childhood educators can reclaim their professionalism through building early childhood member networks and taking control of their work, pedagogy and practice. Open to: AEU Members working in early childhood settings.

Environment Action Group Conference [Bridgewater]

Fri 15 July 10:00am – 5:00pm See Ad on page 4. The aim of this conference is to put a spotlight on environment action in schools, to highlight what is currently happening in classrooms and through whole school and preschool programs and what we can incorporate into teaching and learning. There will be a strong focus on the Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priority of Sustainability and some of the General Capabilities. Conference Options: Thurs night Bunkhouse accomm. - Arbury Pk Outdoor School, transport support from AEU. Open to: All AEU Members.

AEU SSO Conference

Fri 22 July 9:15am – 3:30pm See Ad on page 2. A one day conference for non-teaching staff, with a conference dinner the evening prior to the conference. The conference includes a fully catered lunch. Open to: Financial AEU members in non-teaching positions. Support: Travel & accommodation.

Regional New Educators’ Workshop [Pt Augusta Yacht Club]

Thurs 28 July 4:00pm – 8:00pm An afternoon and evening workshop for teachers in their first 4 years of teaching who are working in the Upper Spencer region of South Australia. The workshop will focus on current educational issues. Open to: Only financial members of the AEU working in the Upper Spencer region in their first 4 years of teaching.

All courses are held at the AEU – 163 Greenhill Rd, Parkside, unless specified. For further info on any of the above events and courses, email Saniya Sidhwani on

8: www.aeusa.asn.au>events & courses

To register go to

Workplace Reps Course All Sites:

DAY 1: Thurs 4 Aug 9:15am – 3:30pm DAY 2: Fri 5 Aug 8:30am – 3:00pm A two day course on building sub-branch and resolving workplace issues effectively through various decision making structures and processes to develop a positive workplace culture. Participants will also apply the Agreement and the PAC procedures to their work situations. Open to: AEU SBS/Workplace reps who have not attended AEU 2-day union education courses. Recommended for newly elected workplace reps/SBS. Support: Relief, travel and accommodation for country members ONLY.

Early Childhood Forum [Port Augusta]

Thurs 11 Aug 4:00pm – 5:30pm In this forum we will be exploring issues in preschool settings. Open to: AEU Members working in early childhood settings.

Aboriginal Members Mini-Conference [Upper Spencer]

Fri 12 August 9:30am –2:30pm This mini-conference will feature sessions on sharing experiences, superannuation, interview skills training, the current Enterprise Bargaining and educational issues. Open to: Financial AEU Aboriginal Members working in the north. Support: Relief, travel & accommodation.

AEU Leadership Seminar

Thurs 25 Aug 4:30pm – 6:30pm “New Enterprise Agreement and Changes for Leaders” will focus on changes for school management arising out of a new Enterprise Agreement. The seminar will allow interaction and open questioning, problem solving and sharing of practical strategies. Open to: All members who are school based principals, deputy principals, senior leaders, preschool directors and coordinators.

8: training@aeusa.asn.au 13

COUNCIL DATES FOR 2016

NOTICE BOARD

Branch Council Meetings

Lip reading & hearing loss management tutors required

Saturday, August 27 Saturday, November 19

TAFE Divisional Council Meetings Friday, August 19 Friday, November 11

Are there any teachers/readers interested in training to become a lip reading and hearing loss management tutor?

This is an interesting volunteer role for retired teachers. You will use your teaching skills and learn a variety of new skills working with adults who are hearing impaired. The course takes about a year over two hours a week but time taken depends on the individual and circumstances. (No Auslan involved)

To find out more contact:

BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE INC.

follow the AEU at:

http://twitter.com/aeusa

Coordinator: Dr. Mary Allen email: admin@betterhearing adelaide.com.au or Tutor: Shona Fennell Phone: 08 8268 4189

email: msfennell@bigpond.com

Are you a new educator or student teacher? Join our New Educators facebook group today at:

facebook.com/groups/ NEN.AEU.SA

AEU Journal ONLINE If you currently receive a hard copy of the Journal and would prefer to read the Journal online, please let us know by emailing:

journal@aeusa.asn.au The AEU Journal is online at:

www.aeusa.asn.au/ journals.html

Use your QR app to â&#x20AC;&#x153;like usâ&#x20AC;? on facebook.

UNION SUBS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE A tax statement confirming membership subscriptions received by the Union from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 will be forwarded to all members. Members who have advised their email address will have the tax statement emailed to them. The statement is a summary of subscriptions received by the Union for the financial year and is not a request for payment. The statement includes your personal and employment details. Please check your details and contact the AEU Membership section by email at: membership@aeusa.asn.au or phone: 8272 1399 to advise us of any changes or additional information.

SALARY INCREASE & SUBSCRIPTION ADJUSTMENT AEU subscription rates will be adjusted from 1 July 2016 to reflect the DECD Enterprise Agreement salary increases. Please advise AEU Membership staff of any change to your classification, fraction of time, workplace or home address by phone: 8272 1399, fax: 8373 1254 or by email:

updates@aeusa.asn.au

NOTICE BOARD

Member’s Market In order to cater for extra editorial space, the AEU Members

members. T: 0419 868 143 E: foumakis@hotmail.com W: www.victorharborgetaways. com.au

Market now has a reduced space allocation in the Journal.

VICTOR HARBOR HOLIDAY HSE:

Advertisements will be printed at the discretion of the Editor

New, 4 BR, 2 bath, (2 x Qu, 2 x singles, 1 dble bunk), sleeps 8, 3 living areas, 2 balconies, views of hills & Granite Island, A/C, D/W, BBQ, C’pt, 2-storey, quiet location. T: 0400 303 300 (Ian) E: ir211057@internode.on.net

and will not run in more than three issues in succession. KINGSTON NEAR ROBE:

GOOLWA HOLIDAY HOUSE

2-storey on 22 kms of stunning beach stretching down to wineries. Sleeps 8, 2 bathrooms. Or Balcony Suite, 5 RMs. Special from $70/ double, mid-week, off peak, min. 4-nights. T: 0402 922 445 (Judy)

15-mins from beach, shops and river. Sleeps 9, in-ground pool, decking with BBQ, fully equipped, A/C, etc. $100 night. T: 0403 841 031 E: leonday@adam.com.au

SEAGRASS VILLAS AT NORMANVILLE: situated on Jetty

STREAKY BAY HOLIDAY HSE:

Rd, two new 1 BR spacious villas for holiday rental. Luxury accomm. a short stroll to cafes, shops, pub and to the Normanville Beach. Spa in courtyard garden for the perfect getaway, come and treat yourself. Villa 1 is dog friendly – allowed inside. 5% discount for AEU members. T: 0409 400 265 (Lynn) E: lynn.wilson22@bigpond.com

5-min walk to beach, in town, close to shops. Sleeps 13. Fish & boat facilities. New bath & kit; BBQ entertaining area and private spa suite avail. Starting rate $140 p/ night. T: (08) 8626 1539 E: ascaines@hotmail.com

VICTOR HARBOR GETAWAYS: 2 fully self-contained homes. Sleeps up to 8. One with private beach/lake! 10% discount to AEU

SECOND VALLEY HOLIDAY HSE: 4 BR brand new 2-story house – sleeps 9 plus 2 fold out couches. 5-min. walk to the jetty. Relax for wkend or longer. T: 0407 654 464 E: arthur1966.dellas@gmail.com

TEACHING RESOURCES: To give away: Folders hard/soft covered...upper to middle primary ...many topics covered...from retired teacher. Donation to the Smith Family. Interested? T: 0418 834 174 (Jane)

JAPANESE TEACHING RESOURCES: Primary and middle school level, sourced from Japan, most are new or slightly used eg: toys, cards, jigsaws, origami paper, music etc. Good materials which can be used by someone or a school currently delivering Japanese. If interested in a negotiated price, email: E: abgoanna@gmail.com

OUTBACK TAGALONG TOURS Guided tours in your 4 wheel drive, with your gear loaded on the ‘Big Red Truck’. Hassle Free Outback Touring. Book now for our Spring Tour – Innaminka Races, Coward Springs, Warren Gorge. T: David Connell: (02) 8885 4620 or Lyn Rowe: 0403 594 406 W: www.brtoutback.com.au

Advertise in Members’ Market for FREE! Rent, sell, buy or offer goods and services. Send ads to:

journal@aeusa.asn.au

SAIT Conveyancers

We offer AEU members: Free advice on real estate queries. Expert advice and professional experience with: • Mortgages, • Private Contract Transfers, • Strata Plan and Plan of Division Lodgments, • Caveats, Discharges of Mortgages, • All facets of conveyancing work. If you are buying or selling or are involved in any real estate matter, either through a land agent or privately, consult us.

Nexus Arts Intercultural Understanding Symposium In partnership with the Asia Education Foundation

Fostering diversity in the classroom through arts and dialogue Featuring a keynote address by Dr Tim Soutphommasane, The Australian Human Rights Commission: Race Discrimination Commissioner, panel discussions and practical workshops. Monday the 11th of July 2016 8.30am - 4.00pm University of South Australia, Hawke Centre (North Tce, Adelaide) Tickets available at www.nexusarts.org.au Early rate closes June 3

Anne Walker

(: (08) 8410 6788

Simon Willcox

8410 6799 Email: anne@saitconveyancers.com.au SAIT Conveyancers

Fax: (08)

For all enquiries and school invoice arrangements contact info@nexusarts.org.au or call (08) 8212 4276

located at Credit Union SA

Level 3, 400 King William Street, Adelaide, SA 5000

A fitter card could mean a fitter you

Get a Credit Union SA low rate Visa Credit Card and we’ll give you a Fitbit Flex for FREE! Fitbit Flex

Right now when you take out a Credit Union SA low rate Visa Credit Card (with $0 annual fee especially for teachers^) you’ll also receive a FREE Fitbit Flex. Featuring all-day activity tracking, progress displays, wireless syncing, and much more, the Fitbit Flex can make tracking your exercise goals as easy as our Visa Credit Card makes managing your finances.

Don’t delay—this is a strictly limited offer. For more information or to apply, call 8202 7777, ask a mobile manager, visit a branch or creditunionsa.com. au/cards/teachers-fitbit

Lending criteria, fees and conditions apply and are available upon request. One Fitbit Flex per funded single or joint Visa Credit Card. Available to members of the South Australian education community, and their partners. ^Available during the first six months of membership. The offer is limited and can be withdrawn at any time. Credit Union SA Ltd ABN 36 087 651 232 | AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 241066 | Credit Union SA Centre, Level 3, 400 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000