conne Vol. 2 No. 1
In this edition •
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School Officer Day celebrations
Ruth George School Officer Award
School officer forum
Campaign success secures better conditions for school officers
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School officer workshops
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Nancy’s story: Reclassification
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Professional Development snapshot
Member Profile
December 2010
ions The newsletter for School Officers
Schools celebrate members on School Officer Day School officers across Queensland and the Northern Territory were recognised for their skills and commitment to education on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 as part of the Independent Education Union of Australia - Queensland and Northern Territory (IEUA-QNT) Branch’s annual School Officer Day. Members were encouraged to host a celebratory morning tea on the day to celebrate school officers and thank them for the diverse and essential roles they play in our schools. IEUA-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said it is with the commitment and support of our school officers that quality education is delivered to students in our state. “School officers play a vital role in our schools,” Mr Burke said. “Their professional work in our classrooms, administration, libraries, laboratories and computer rooms combine to both enhance students’ educational experience and support the work of teachers. “School officers are essential in our schools and School Officer Day gives us all an opportunity to thank them for their valuable contribution to education,” Mr Burke said.
day-to-day support we offer students and teaching staff,” Angie said. “School Officer Day has been a day to come together and say thank you to school officers at St Joseph’s and throughout the state.” Introduced for the first time in 2001, School Officer Day is designated by the IEUA-QNT each October to give schools in the non-government education sector the opportunity to recognise the important contribution school officers make in enriching quality education in Queensland. To view all photos taken during school officer celebrations on the day, go to www.qieu.asn.au/sod
ABOVE: Principal Kerry Rowlands steps in as receptionist at St Vincent’s School on the Gold Coast
Not only did members take the opportunity to host a celebratory morning tea for school officers; they also volunteered to ‘walk in their shoes’, with a number of teachers relieving school officers of their duties during lunchtime. At St Vincent’s School on the Gold Coast, IEUA-QNT member and school principal Kerry Rowlands swapped her office for the school’s administration desk, where she carried out receptionist duties in a show of thanks for the work school officers carry out on a regular basis at her school. Angie Sims, marketing and promotions officer at St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe, was honoured to be recognised for her dedication to her role. “As a school officer, it is humbling to be recognised for the
ABOVE: School officers enjoy their celebratory morning tea during School Officer Day at St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe
Lea Thomline receives Ruth George School Officer Award Lea Thomline has been recognised for her professionalism and passion towards her work as a Pre-Prep teacher aide with the awarding of the Ruth George School Officer Award for 2010. The Peregian Beach College teacher aide has demonstrated high levels of organisational skills and has been on hand to discuss with members information on collective bargaining issues. Teacher Allison Broadley nominated Lea for the award acknowledging her ability to share information with staff about tabled clauses in documents to ensure all school officer and services staff are represented and aware of the issues that affect them. “Lea has been integral in bringing (members) together to discuss their common issues and concerns by facilitating meetings and organising the distribution of materials to all service staff regardless of their ‘status’ in the college,” Allison said.
The Ruth George Award honours the memory of Ruth George who, along with her union colleagues, played a key role in re-establishing the provisions in the award covering non-government school assistant mistresses in the mid 1930s following the removal of conditions by the then industrial tribunal as part of the now discredited response to the Great Depression. Ruth George and her colleagues are also remembered for fighting to restore their salaries despite opposition from their employers. RIGHT: IEUA-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke with award recipient Lea Thomline
ons conneXions conneXions conneXions conneXions conneXions conneXions con Campaign success secures better conditions for school officers This year has seen successful campaigning through our union’s strong collective voice to improve wages and conditions for school officers working in Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association (PMSA) and Lutheran schools.
Certified Agreement this month.
Catholic Sector
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School officers working in Catholic schools now receive wages and conditions reflective of their dedication and work in non-government education following the sector’s campaign success in May.
Maintaining a nexus with teacher wage increases consistent with the state teacher percentage;
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Fair wage increases of 4.5% in 2010, 4% in 2011 and 4% in 2012 to the school officer schedule;
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Recognition for the undertaking of projects which are similar to or sit above a school officer’s current role; and
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Specialist Care allowance equal to the school first aid officer.
The 2010 Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement includes updated arrangements for school officers regarding school officer duties; Special Project Allowance; Higher Duties Allowance; and Specialised Care Allowance. In addition to curriculum support and assigned duties, where appropriate school officers may be allocated extra duties such as yard duty, attendance records, collation of reports and supervision of students (including bus duty and exam supervision). If a principal allocates these duties to a school officer, a set of protocols should be established to legally cover school officers exercising a duty of care. Moreover, school officers should be provided with the relevant training and supervision needed to carry out the assigned duties. School officers who undertake special projects shall be paid a Special Projects Allowance of $35.00 per week (increasing to $36.40 from May 2011) for the duration of the project. If an employer requires a school officer to perform duties applicable to a classification higher than their current classification for longer than one week, the employee will be paid at the first incremental point of the higher classification level for the entirety of the time those duties are undertaken. PMSA Sector School officers working in PMSA schools are celebrating the end of their “Professionals Deserve Respect” campaign, following the negotiation of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association
Significant achievements negotiated for school officers in PMSA schools include:
PMSA employees will shortly participate in a ballot to determine if an agreement incorporating these terms is established. On the PMSA industrial action day on 3 June 2010, reference librarian Jannine McGarry from Somerville House remarked on the solidarity between her fellow school officer colleagues. “Without the collective support from our union and colleagues, I would not be able to stand up for the profession I love by fighting for fair workplace conditions for all non-teaching education professionals,” Jannine said. Lutheran Sector Negotiations for the Queensland Lutheran Schools Enterprise Agreement concluded in April this year, with improvements achieved in many school officer provisions. Notably, improvements were achieved in the school officer career path, classification structures, reclassification process, sick leave and family leave provisions. Union membership is vital in achieving the best outcomes for school officers in your sector. Take the time to talk to colleagues in your schools about the issues impacting on them and encourage them to join you and your colleagues in building a strong and united voice for all school officers in non-government education.
Members advocate for school officer network group School officers from the Metropolitan and North Metropolitan branches are looking to develop a dedicated network of school officer colleagues after attending a school officers forum in Brisbane during October. Members from a number of Catholic primary and secondary schools shared their knowledge and experiences, and were able to have a range of questions answered about their rights at work. Members were particularly interested in their responsibilities and duty of care when asked to perform additional duties that had traditionally been undertaken by teachers.
Susan said members were interested in starting a school officer network group to gain more support from fellow school officer colleagues. “School officers recognise the importance of supporting each other and sharing information and experiences in a forum where their concerns are the priority,” Susan said. “The difficulties they face are compounded by lower membership levels in their schools, and their bargaining position and the importance of their collective would improve with increased school officer union membership.”
Other areas of discussion at the forum included supervision of students, working with high needs students and the responsibilities school officers have with the behaviour management of students. This is of particular significance in light of the new provision in the Catholic Collective Agreement that allows for the allocation of additional duties to support staff. This could include duties such as playground supervision, bus duty and exam supervision. Similarly, the school officers were interested in how to ensure that lunch breaks and rest pauses are accessed in the face of their increasing work demands, and banking of hours was keenly discussed as a strategy to respond to increasingly busy jobs. The issue of position descriptions, classifications and role descriptions was also one that generated interest. IEUA-QNT organisers Susan O’Leary and Nicole Carlill were able to point out the changes in the recent collective agreement that relate to school officers.
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ABOVE: School officers from metropolitan and north metropolitan branches at the Brisbane school officer forum in October
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School Officer Review Workshops Shalom Christian College North Queensland
Toowoomba Grammar School South East Queensland
From LEFT: Dagona Pedder, Sue Easey, Monica Kolb, Jenny Smallwood and Jessica Hirsh attend the first June session of three school officer workshops.
From LEFT: Judy Gillies, IEUA-QNT Organiser Greg McGhie and Julie-Anne Crosby during a school officer review workshop in June.
School officers play a vital role in delivering the quality education that occurs in non-government schools. From school secretaries through to library aides, school officers need to be aware of their role and responsibilities to identify if they are undertaking duties that may be applicable to a higher classification level. In June, IEUA-QNT Organisers Patrick Meikle and Greg McGhie conducted school officer review workshops at Shalom Christian College and Toowoomba Grammar School to assist members with writing their position descriptions and to discuss the reclassification process. “School officer workshops have helped members identify the shortcomings of out-of-date position descriptions and understand how the reclassification process will impact on new position descriptions,” Greg said.
system,” Julie-Anne recalled. “We later advanced to a computerised DOS system, followed by a Windows based program, and now we have recently migrated to a fully integrated web-based library and information management system,” she said. Updates in computer software has meant library recording systems are constantly changing. Julie-Anne has undergone multiple trainings to adapt to the new systems. “There is a need to keep pace with these changes and emerging technologies, and the mastering of these advanced skills should be reflected in position descriptions,” she said. Julie-Anne found our union’s school officer review workshop provided practical assistance with defining, organising and collating information to help develop accurate position descriptions.
“Many school officers do not realise that they can often be performing work that is applicable to a classification higher than their current level,” he said.
“With the many changes in the operation and technology of modern libraries, it is essential that a review of the roles of library technicians/ assistants is explored and recognised,” Julie-Anne said.
Julie-Anne Crosby has worked as a full-time library assistant at Toowoomba Grammar School for the past six years and remembers how her position description has changed in line with advances in modern technology.
Reviewing position descriptions can also ensure previous experience and new skills are recognised.
“When I first started working in libraries we used a card catalogue
“I am presently studying Arts majoring in English Literature and Journalism, and am able to transfer many of the skills gained during the course to my work in the library,” Julie-Anne said.
Advocacy secures reclassification Nancy DeHaan had been working as a science aide at Fraser Coast Nine months after her initial application, Nancy’s reclassification Anglican College for five years before she found out her school was approved at Level 4 and she received an updated position officer duties were applicable to a higher classification level. description that more accurately reflected the vast range of duties she undertook in her role as science aide. “Before I read the position description, I had always thought I was a Level 2 school officer; however, my Head of Science agreed that I was “I could not have achieved reclassification without the help from doing the work of a Level 4,” Nancy said. our union. IEUA-QNT guided me through every step of the process; however, it did not happen quickly, so be prepared to do some paper In 2005, Nancy wrote to her school’s principal requesting a work. Also, having the support of my boss helped enormously.” reclassification review with little success. “I was not an IEUA-QNT member at the time, but had hoped my principal would understand the justification behind my claim. Despite my reasoning, I found I was powerless to change my classification level.” Feeling isolated and believing she was eligible for reclassification, Nancy joined IEUA-QNT and found the advice and assistance she needed to begin her reclassification process. “I tried on my own but with the help of our union my voice was heard. I began documenting any duties I performed that I felt were Level 4 status (pictured right) and clearly defined my position description with the help of IEUA-QNT organisers.”
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M ember Snapshot
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fair recognition of the professional skills contributed by school officers (attained through experience and/or education); the need for regular review of individual school officers in relation to their current role description and appropriate levels and steps; recognition of school officers as integral members of the school community; the need to include school officers in all communications relevant to the school community; and provision of quality professional development for school officers which is timely i.e when new technology programs are introduced.
Why do you feel it is important for school officers to be members of our union? School officers comprise an increasing percentage of the school community. It makes sense to join the IEUA-QNT in order to ensure we are aware of our rights. Joining our union which encompasses teaching staff, who make up the largest percentage of the school community, also means that we can receive as well as offer a greater level of support.
Jannine McGarry Somerville House
What would you say to colleagues who are not yet members of our union? An individual’s voice can be ignored. An informed group offers a much stronger voice for collective bargaining.
PD for science technicians a blast
Jannine is a school officer at Somerville House in South Brisbane. She has been a reference librarian in the Middle to Senior School Library since 2005. Jannine has worked as a school officer in Brisbane schools for 11 years and joined IEUA-QNT in 2008.
The opportunity to increase workplace knowledge and skills is an essential element of professional development for Lourdes Hill College laboratory technician Bernadette Murray (pictured below right).
What have been some of the highlights of your career? The completion of a Bachelor of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) part-time has been a definite highlight. Although the position of librarian has always been my goal, it was only in recent years that I have had the time and support to accomplish this. Another highlight was the responsibility for creating a new portal for the school’s Seymour Library in 2009. I’ve always had an interest in technology and this accomplishment has furthered my interest in this area.
“ConQEST is an important part of professional development for me, as I have the opportunity to gather new information on new equipment and network with other science technicians from different schools,” Bernadette said.
What are the most challenging parts of your job? This has to be the challenge to educate our students in the skills required to retrieve, evaluate and use information effectively in such an information rich world. Students are bombarded with information; so much of this information is excellent but the challenge is to weed the good from the bad. My aim is to prepare students for lifelong learning by providing them with the practical skills to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills. What issues are of most concern to you as a school officer working in the PMSA sector? Some issues of concern for me are:
JOIN YOUR UNION TODAY Help build strength in order to enhance the working rights and conditions of all School Officers and EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS in schools. To join IEUA-QNT, download a membership form from www.qieu.asn.au or call our membership department on FREECALL1800 177 937. Page 4
Each year, Bernadette looks forward to the annual Queensland Education Science Technicians’ ConQEST conference, where science technicians across South East Queensland meet to attend professional development workshops.
“Learning from fellow science technicians who have a wealth of knowledge in school laboratories is important for science technicians wishing to expand their skills,” Bernadette said. Bernadette joined IEUA-QNT in 2000 to ensure she had workplace support and could be notified of upcoming events and training for school officers. “Being part of our active union gives me the ability to connect with other school officer members in the same position,” she said. “School officers can often feel isolated in their school as we are often in positions where we are the minority.”
ISSN: 1449-8294 conneXions was prepared by Susan O’Leary, Fiona Stutz & Lauren Bremner Editor: Mr Terry Burke, Branch Secretary IEUA-QNT PO BOX 418, FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006 PHONE: 1800 177 937 FAX: (07) 3839 7021 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Website:www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 74 662 601 045