Newsmonth: December, 2011 (Vol.31 / No. 8)

newsmonth newspaper of the nsw/act independent education union [vol 31 #7] november Newspaper of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union (vol 31 #8) December 2011

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

ECS teachers cluster for big wins P8

Twitter guide for educators P10

Liaison officers bridging to a better life P13

Fair funding for ALL schools ALP Conference fringe event

Members from across NSW and the ACT have travelled to Sydney to join colleagues in calling for funding fairness for all schools. Participating in a fringe event hosted by the IEU at the National ALP Conference on Saturday 3 December, members ensured Labor Party faithfuls kept the issue of school funding prominently in mind.

Displaying banners from a range of schools and handing out material detailing the non-government school system, its contribution and funding needs, members embraced the opportunity to ensure ALP delegates got an accurate picture.

ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick was among Conference delegates who came and spoke with

members and officials from the Union, passing on a message of support on behalf of the ACTU. “From the ACTU’s point of view, the IEU has a reputation as a strong and very effective Union that is growing in a challenging environment for unions generally,” he told the rally.

He told members you: “Where would we be if it wasn’t for you? You are our

future and the future is in your hands. The ACTU thanks you for all that you do and we wish you every success."

The IEU also hosted a lunch for Conference officials and IEU members which, along with a presentation on school funding, featured an entertaining skit by comedian Denise Scott. Sharing vignettes from her teaching days, plus some experiences around her daughter’s

education, Ms Scott had the audience in stiches.

The Gonski review of school funding will provide its final report to the Australian Government by the end of 2011. More campaign actions for IEU members and the non-government school community will be announced in early 2012.

Read more page p3 & p12 newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

1

We Connect new site and conference Gloria Taylor IEU Deputy Secretary The IEU is happy to advise you of two great initiatives that will be available to members in 2012. Early in the year we will be launching our new website.

The purpose of the website is to enhance the IEU’s work in representing the industrial and professional needs of members.

The new site will do this by boosting campaign features and upgrading our traditional sections on news, events, videos, publications and professional and industrial resources.

Boosting membership is another essential aim of the website. It will be easier than ever to join the Union and to update details online. The new smartphone version of the website will also enable members to access the website from anywhere.

Online training will be available to members later next year. The Union already runs a comprehensive suite of workshops, twilight forums and conferences and these are registered with the NSW Institute of Teachers for maintenance of accreditation. Members will soon be able to enroll in Union training and professional development events on the website.

Opportunity of early birds The Union is now in the fortunate position of being able to announce a range of speakers and workshops for the Institute-accredited We Connect –

Educators Online Conference on Friday 2 March at the Mercure Hotel in Broadway, Sydney.

Dean Groom, Head of Educational Development Design at Macquarie University, will outline cutting edge ways to make the most of technology as an education resource, including the use of game-based learning.

Dr Virgil Hazzard, PhD and Director of the Youth Cybercrime Prevention Unit with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington DC has spent much of his distinguished career advising the US government on a variety of security issues.

Dr Hazzard will explore how cyber security applies to teachers.

There will also be a range of practical workshops for members to choose from, including one from Knox Grammar School Dean of Students and ICT specialist Karen Yager. Karen will explore ways to use ICT to engage and extend students with the idea of it being a tool, a way to differentiate assessment and, of course, student writing.

In another workshop, McCarthy Catholic College Teacher and AppleCertified Educator Keith Heggart shares his considerable online resources and shows how smartphone applications can be employed to aid teachers’ work.

This is the first IEU conference of its kind and we strongly encourage your participation. Book now to take advantage of the early bird offer: $50 members; $120 non-members. See p4 for details

Office staff snubbed

ACT pay parity result Carol Matthews IEU Assistant Secretary There has been a successful outcome to a long running battle for pay parity for teachers in the ACT. Over the last three years rates of pay for teachers, principals and those in promotions positions in both Catholic and government schools have slumped way below the rates in NSW. The top of the teachers’ incremental scale in the ACT is currently nearly $6,000 a year below the rate in NSW. As a result of strong campaign supported by teachers in both Catholic and government schools, this situation will now be rectified.

Diocesan negotiations IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman and other IEU officers met with Canberra and Goulburn CEO representatives most recently on 11 November to discuss our claim for parity with NSW rates of pay.

This followed a general meeting of IEU members employed as teachers in ACT systemic schools at the end of Term 3 endorsing our claim for parity with NSW and calling for the process for industrial action to commence if the claim was not met. Members followed up by endorsing the taking of industrial action in the postal ballot subsequently conducted by the AEC that closed in early November.

A meeting of members employed as principals and assistant principals on 9 November also specifically endorsed the claim for parity with rates of pay for promotions positions in NSW Catholic schools.

It has now been agreed that an additional step will be added to the teacher incremental scale to give the

new top rate of $84,350, in line with the public sector settlement. The process for accesing this additional step is being finalised at press time.

Coordinators will move to the new rate of $97,350 (reflecting the ACT government rate and at a similar level to the NSW Coordinator 2 rate).

Principals’ rates will move to the corresponding NSW Catholic rates based on the NSW enrolment bands and assistant principals’ rates will also be adjusted in line with rates and enrolment bands applying in NSW Catholic schools, so that a unified promotions structure applies across the Archdiocese.

These increases will be backdated to 1 October 2011.

Further general increases will apply from 1 October 2012 (3%), 1 October 2013 (1.5%) and 1 April 2014 (2.5%).

The Teachers Agreement will also be updated by the inclusion of additional improved conditions for teachers.

The detail of the settlement will be finalised in coming weeks reflecting the DET settlement and incorporated into a new agreement in the New Year.

Government sector settlement The AEU has also reached agreement with the ACT Government on increases that will apply to the teacher incremental scale. The same teacher pay scale will apply in ACT Government and Catholic schools.

Additional increases will also apply to teachers in promotions positions in government schools, with a restructure of the principal salary scale and additional increases for assistant principals.

John Quessy IEU Assistant Secretary

In the last edition of Newsmonth I reported on the attempts by business managers and CEO office staff in the Parramatta Diocese to secure an Enterprise Agreement regulating their wages and conditions.

Having waited through the ‘orderly transition’ period in late 2010 they rightly expected the employer to move swiftly in 2011.

Throughout this year the IEU has raised the issue of an Agreement for these groups of workers consistently.

We argued that if negotiations did not begin early they would get caught up in renegotiating the Teacher and Support Staff Agreements late in the year.

Our discussions could never get more than a commitment from the employer to have an Agreement in place for 2012.

Motions from the CEO Chapter, a petition from the business managers and a threat from the Union to ask Fair Work Australia (FWA) to order the CEO to bargain in good faith finally produced an undertaking from the employer that a draft agreement would be provided to the Union in the first week of November.

The CEO failed to deliver on that pledge. The first week came and went with no explanation or apology.

2

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

When challenged they claimed they had the document but said it had been with the Catholic Commissions for Employment Relations (CCER) for several weeks for comment and that it was the CCER who was tardy.

Apparently they (the CCER) were preoccupied with renegotiating teacher and support staff agreements.

The IEU did not proceed with its application to FWA on the basis of the undertaking by the CEO to provide a bargaining document by week one of November. It seems we were misled.

At presstime we still had no document, no indication of when it might come and it is now not possible for an Agreement to be in place from 1 January.

To add insult to injury, the CEO issued teachers and non-teaching staff in schools with a notice of ‘Representational Rights’, advising that they were now bargaining in relation to an Enterprise Agreement.

I doubt that the Parramatta CEO have been deliberately deceitful in their dealings with the Union, but their laissez-faire attitude to timelines which they established, and to assurances they gave, certainly calls into question their reliability and the capacity of their agents. Members will not be conned again.

Catholic independent schools vote on agreements Teachers in 13 Catholic independent schools were voting on agreements at press time.

The agreements provide for increases of at least 3.6% per annum over three years.

The Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (who represents Catholic independent schools in negotiations) has now withdrawn changes proposed earlier in agreements at some of the schools which would have reduced conditions for teachers and reduced the role of the Union.

Three of the 13 schools, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, St Vincent’ s Potts Point and Brigidine College, St Ives, have adopted the three band model which has been adopted by a large number of Sydney independent schools.

The IEU is recommending members vote in favour of the agreements and thanks members for their support in the campaign to achieve improvements in the agreements.

‘Private’ school teachers fight for fair funding Dick Shearman IEU General Secretary

When teachers from Catholic and independent schools raised their concerns about the future of non-government education at the lunch-time rally at the ALP National Conference on Saturday, it was the first time they had sought to lobby delegates.

We wanted to ensure that ALP conference delegates were aware of the needs of our schools. We need more government funding not less.

In every disadvantaged suburb or region there is a Catholic and independent school.

These schools receive less funding than public schools in the same geographic areas.

Our schools educate over 34% of all students yet only receive 22% of total government funding.

We want a fair funding system for all schools.

In every disadvantaged suburb or region there is a Catholic and independent school.

Interim 2.5% for teachers in Catholic systemic schools Teachers in NSW Catholic Education Office schools will receive a 2.5% ‘interim’ salary increase from the first pay period in January.

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has awarded government school teachers 2.5% from the same date.

The NSW government has set a wages cap of 2.5% p.a. Any increase above this must be matched by direct employee savings.

While we are no longer part of the

State Industrial System, the Union and Catholic employers have agreed to a matching 2.5% on the basis that this is an interim increase only matching the Industrial Commission decision.

Discussion on the IEU salaries and conditions claim for teachers, Principals and support staff will continue in the New Year.

Support staff also received a 2.5% interim increase in July 2011 matching a decision of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for public sector employees.

The year in review This year has been one of achievement for the Union. It has consolidated its position in the Federal industrial relations system, lobbied strongly for fair funding for non-government schooling in the context of the Gonski Review, increased its membership base and broadened its provision of accredited Professional Development.

Some highlights include: • recovering more than $2 million for members, incorporating: • a Supreme Court case securing

$250,000 in redundancy and

entitlements on behalf of members

at St Gregory’s Armenian College in

Sydney, following a three-year battle • gaining $150,000 in entitlements

and redundancy pay for members at

PAL College in Cabramatta • the submission to the Gonski Review, followed up by visits to MPs by organisers and members, to discuss the importance of non-government education • in the context of the campaign a decision was taken on principal to withdraw from ACTU, until such time that organisation acknowledges the integrity of IEU members’ work and the important contribution of their workplaces to Australian society • the first ever industrial agreement with CatholicCare in the ACT, with a similar process in train in Wollongong • an increased program of professional development, including more

than 30 NSW Institute of Teachers accredited Pedagogy in the Pub (PIP) sessions on child protection, conflict resolution and excursions • workshops covering new scheme Teachers and Band Three accreditation, WHS, AEWs and others • despite a difficult year for ELICOS, agreements were concluded at Sydney College of English, Access Language Centre, Study Group Colleges, Embassy, TELP and Milton College, where pay rises of 11% over three years were achieved • a new agreement at Hunter Trade College, including increases of 3.9% per annum 2011-2014, for teachers and support staff, following long running negotiations • the Teachers are Teachers campaign continued to put pressure on the State Government to introduce pay parity for early childhood teachers with school teachers – Blue Day earlier this year achieved significant publicity for the campaign • more than 8000 signatures have been collected so far on a petition calling for the State Government to debate the early childhood pay parity issue • one hundred and forty suggestions submitted to the NSW Early Childhood Funding Review • a wide range of conferences, including New Scheme Teachers, Women’s, Support Staff, Early Childhood and Environment, and • we celebrated 100 years of International Women’s Day with a souvenir pullout in Newsmonth.

IEU members and officers lobbied MPs on school funding through the year including Andrew Leigh, MP for Fraser in the ACT (above) and Laurie Ferguson, MP for Werriwa, NSW (below). newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

3

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Present Tense ELICOS News

In mid-November, the IEU, in conjunction with the NTEU, agreed to terms with UNSW Foundation Studies. The new agreement lasts for two years, and provides for pay increases of 4% per annum (2% increases every six months).

The agreement also includes casual rates of pay for the first time, and these rates will also be increased by 4% per annum. The negotiations involved discussions over workloads, marking and progression up the salary scale, and these have all been clarified to a greater or lesser degree, and there is also a commitment to continue to look at these issues during the life of the agreement.

Voting will take place in early December, and the new pay rates will take effect from January. This is an outstanding outcome in the current difficult bargaining environment, and a tribute to the resolve of staff and the hard work of their representatives.

The IEU has also recently commenced negotiations with Navitas English Services (formerly known as ACE).

The Union tabled its Log of Claims in September, and in the spirit of compromise, took an amended Log of Claims to the table in early November.

Management has met some of the

Union’s claims (not least a significant increase in paid parental leave), but the parties are still some way apart on a final salary settlement. However, both sides are continuing to bargain in good faith, and the Union remains hopeful that an outcome acceptable to all parties can be achieved soon.

These negotiations have taken place against the backdrop of continuing bad news for the international student market in Australia. In October, The Australian reported that there was an overall decline of in student numbers of 9.4% in the 12 months up until September, and in ELICOS the figures were over 17%. While the news at the current time continues to be grim, there is some hope on the horizon, with Federal Government announcing significant changes in student visas, and the promise of more changes to come. This is unlikely to have a material effect until later in 2012, but it does appear to be a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

This will be final Present Tense for 2011. From all of us here at the IEU, we wish you all the best for the holiday season. We’ll back in 2012, but if you have any questions or queries in the meantime, drop me a line at kendall@ieu.asn.au.

We Connect -‐ Educators Online Conference Friday, 2nd March 2012

Seminar provides some answers The annual seminar for members working in the ELICOS and international student sector was well attended despite torrential rain.

The seminar began with an overview of the industrial landscape.

Participants were taken through the Modern Award, the Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2010, with special attention to important issues such as such casual notice, continuous service and hours of work.

There was an explanation of the transitional rates that apply at many colleges - the system that moves teachers from the old State award rates (which are higher) to the Modern Award rates.

‘Take home pay orders’ (which would freeze salaries at the State award rates until the Modern Award rates catch up), were explained.

Finally, participants were given a summary of the Fair Work Act’s ‘good faith bargaining’ provisions, whereby

Discover!

if a majority of employees wish to negotiate an enterprise agreement, the employer is compelled to come to the table.

IEU Organiser Natasha Flores then gave a presentation on the new Work, Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, which is due to take effect on 1 January.

She explained the main points of the new laws, including the requirements for employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace.

These requirements can be used by employees to address issues such as workplace bullying, poor facilities or any other element of work that is proving detrimental to workers.

The legislation also provides for significant fines (and in extreme cases jail time) for employers found to be in breach.

Participants said they found the seminar useful and informative.

If you would like to have similar briefings at your college (on either the industrial overview or the WHS legislation), email kendall@ieu.asn.au

Tapping into technology – resources at your fingertips

Top education applications

Hotel, Sydney 8.30am -‐ 3.30pm Mercure

Members $70, Non members $190 EARLY BIRD PRICE: Members $50, Non members $120 by 1st February

ICT to engage and extend students Online assessment

Dr Virgil Hazzard, PhD

Adjunct Professor, US Studies Center, Sydney Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC

Speakers include:

Dean Groom,

Macquarie University Head of Educational Development Design

Game-­based learning

Keith Heggart,

McCarthy Catholic College Teacher and Apple-‐Certified Educator

Karen Yager,

Knox Grammar School Dean of Students and ICT specialist For further information contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or iva@ieu.asn.au

4

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

And so much more.

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Band 3 accreditation: it helps to have someone to count on

Getting through the Band 3 accreditation process can be a challenging task, but it helps if you’ve got support.

Three teachers from Galstaun College, Ingleside, Niree Nadjarian, Lauren Sciacci and Karine Movsisian achieved their accreditation last year, and are now reaping the benefits of the higher pay scale.

They had each other to lean on, but the support they received from their Union was invaluable.

In the 100-odd NSW schools under the Band 3 Agreement, teachers complete an evidence-based accreditation process to move to a higher salary band.

The Union offers support for this process through Professional Development and Accreditation Officer Elizabeth Finlay.

Niree says she contacted Liz numerous times by email and phone to ask questions and clarify requirements for evidence during the process.

“Liz was always obliging. She made time to view my evidence, advising me on ways to enhance the demonstration of a number of standards,’’ Niree says.

“She showed me how to write annotations. Her support throughout the

accreditation process was invaluable. My IEU membership was certainly money well spent.”

Karine says the accreditation process seemed to be an enormous task at first glance.

“It took me a while to get started, however as Liz explained, I actually already had most of the information. It was a matter of collating it all together.

“Some standards seemed to be easier to follow than others, and my meetings with the IEU gave me precise information and clarification of the standards and requirements.

“The IEU also provides personnel to assist teachers with their accreditation on a one-to-one basis.

“Liz came to my school on a few occasions and spent time going through each of the standards and pointing out the areas that required additional evidence or a clearer explanation.

“It was helpful to have that kind of support.”

Lauren thought the process would be manageable but time consuming.

“How wrong! Without the Union and Liz Finlay there is no way I would have been able to complete it,” Lauren says.

“She came to school and helped me understand what each of the standards

Support throughout the accreditation process was invaluable. My IEU membership was certainly money well spent.

The Jarara team

Team spirits The Jarara Indigenous Education Unit is a perfect example of what can be achieved when teachers and support staff collaborate closely writes IEU journalist Sue OsBorne.

The Unit which, operates within the Parramatta Diocese, serves NSW’s largest Aboriginal community, situated in Western Sydney.

Four teachers and seven Aboriginal Education Assistants, five of whom are trainee teachers, work together to serve more than 535 Indigenous students, their families and community.

Jarara does not operate on typical school hours or days, the Learning Centre is open after school and during

holidays to provide resources and support not only for the students, but the wider community too.

“We may have some parents studying at TAFE, and they can use the facilities and discuss their course needs with us,” Unit Manager Margaret Harrison says.

Itinerant Literacy Teacher Elizabeth Burke says the Unit’s teachers learn as much from the AEA’s and visa versa.

“We sit down together and work out what the students need. A major part of our role is working with community,” Elizabeth says.

“We’re all from different backgrounds, different mobs. There’s as much variety in our community as any other. One mould doesn’t fit all.

They made it, with help from a friend . . . Karen, Lauren, and Niree. were asking for.

“It was amazing how much easier they all were when they were explained in a slightly different way.

“Liz then looked through my evidence and was able to say whether I had understood what was being asked or whether I needed to find more evidence.

“She was always at the end of the phone

and contactable by email to check the wording of annotations, explain what was being asked and provide moral support.

“I couldn't have done it without the Union.”

Contact Liz on 9779 3200 or email Elizabeth.asn.au

“We share with each other and teachers about what is and isn’t culturally appropriate. We’re discussing with schools and teachers about cultural practice and norms. We have some interesting discussions across this table – what one person might view as a problem another sees as an opportunity.”

The Jarara staff work together with schools to implement programs such as Literacy Pathways, Pause, Prompt and Praise, and Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) and also present classes on Aboriginal Perspectives across the curriculum.

Itinerant Numeracy Teacher Debbie Long says the Unit has been presenting to Aboriginal community elders on literacy and numeracy programs.

“This has created a real buzz. So when we do go into schools with the programs, the families know what they are about,” Debbie says.

Being part of the community is very much what the Unit is about, with Elizabeth picking some students up for school.

Michelle Moylan, AEA and trainee Teacher, says being able to go out and work with students and have contact with their families, brings great job satisfaction.

Kalinda Bolt, also an AEA and future trainee Teacher, says she worked one-onone with a seven-year-old boy who would

freeze every time he had a book in his hand.

“Now he tells me he loves reading, which is fantastic,” Kalinda says.

The Unit organises two award evenings for over 500 students and families.

These award evenings celebrate the achievements of students throughout the year.

Jarara also has a Workplace Trainer Stacey Dellow who works with the Lighthouse Project, where Aboriginal students at high risk of not completing Year 10 are placed with an Aboriginal mentor for 18 weeks.

“The majority have gone on to complete Years 11 and 12, and we have one student go on to study law, and another medicine – these were students where the schools were ringing up saying they were going to get thrown out,” Stacey says.

The team spirit in the Unit is reflected in its 100% IEU membership.

“When a role description was needed for the AEA’s, the IEU stepped in and assisted writing the job description and job criteria,” says Margaret.

IEU Rep Debbie says it’s great for the Unit to be able to refer to the IEU if ever they are unsure of anything.

“We sometimes sit down and have a mini IEU meeting and chat about things.

“Knowing we have that support makes us feel safe in our jobs.”

We’re all from different backgrounds, different mobs.

One mould doesn’t fit all.

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

5

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

United front needed for funding battle It’s time for the non-government sector to be more assertive about itself, said IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman at an Australian Catholic University launch of an issues paper.

The paper, Parental Contributions to Education, was commissioned by the Independent Schools Council of Australia and prepared by the University’s Public Policy Institute.

The document concludes that the large parental contribution to costs in nongovernment schools (43% of operating income) was “an efficient approach, encouraging private contribution from those who can afford it and bringing savings to the government” and “contributing to the higher educational outcome of non-government students, benefits enjoyed by society as a whole”.

Government subsidy of nongovernment schooling extended choice to more families, by making the schooling more affordable, accessible and diverse, the paper said.

However, the current funding debate, sparked by the Gonski review, had highlighted a lack of understanding of the non-government sector, Dick said.

The pattern of school education had changed dramatically in the past 50 years, with 50% of secondary students in Sydney

now attending a non-government school, and this was causing “ripple affects’’ throughout the community.

The sector was diverse and nondiscriminatory, with 15 Islamic schools operating in Sydney.

However, many politicians did not fully appreciate these changes, and the sector needed to advocate more strongly for itself, Dick said.

“Is it as legitimate to run a school that is faith-based as it is to run a school that is secular?

“Why do we have to apologise for faith-based schools?

Why are they not seen as building up our nation and giving opportunities to kids?

“We should be confident in asserting a position that needs to be adopted by all political parties ... we’re as much a part of the fabric of society as a secular school.”

The Gonski report is due to be tabled by the end of the year, with the Federal Government to finalise its funding policy within 18 months.

The history of the non-government sector was of a battle for resources rather than one of elitism, and that battle was far from won, Dick said.

“2012 will be a pivotal year – there must be unity not just from the Union and employer organisations but parents as well.”

The history of the nongovernment sector was of a battle for resources rather than one of elitism, and that battle was far from won.

Above: Dick Shearman. Below: Bill Daniels and Graeme Starr

Knowing what counts

Stella Maris Principal Paul Brady and Bonita Gale.

6

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

A teacher at the same school for 36 years, Bonita Gale remains committed to improvement and development for herself, her students and her colleagues.

An IEU member since her student days in 1974, Bonita work at Stella Maris Primary in Shell Harbour as a classroom Teacher and Numeracy Coordinator.

She recently won a Wollongong Diocese award for Educational Achievement for her “commitment and practice in teaching and the leadership and promotion of mathematics teaching”.

Last year Bonita was running numeracy classes during RFF in all classes at the school to raise outcomes for students, this year she is Numeracy Coordinator, running professional development for her colleagues.

“I’ve always had a passion for numeracy but it has grown over time, after I went on some courses,” Bonita says.

Bonita wants to make a difference for students and teachers at the school and runs professional development aimed at improving teacher practices.

The school has also held information nights for parents on maths, and NAPLAN results have shown improvements in numeracy.

“There’s a professional dialogue in the school about maths now, everyone wants to share their good ideas with the community – there’s a whole school approach to maths. Everyone’s on board.”

Other IEU members to receive awards include Brian O’Brien from Mary Immaculate, Eaglevale for “his dedicated service as teacher and role model over 15 years, and for his pastoral work, his sense of justice and his belief in humanity”.

Ann Madsen of St Clare’s, Narellan Vale was awarded “for outstanding service promoting Indigenous culture throughout the school community”.

Matthew Birbeck, Tracy Harris, Anita Burgess-Gorrie, Sandra Hoogeveen and Joanne Robinson were highlighted “for their role in supporting staff in the development of a whole school approach to teaching students on the Autism spectrum”.

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Labour Bites The IEU websites (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.

No World Cup Detroit sacks without 9% of public labour rights. service

L to R: IEU Rep Melissa with colleagues Molly and Rosemary.

Rep spotlight

Mel Collis Temp rep steps in When an IEU Rep takes extended leave or has other commitments, getting a temporary replacement can ensure the invaluable role continues with gusto. With this in mind, primary school Teacher and IEU member Mel Collis gladly volunteered.

This is Mel’s third year teaching part-time at Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School in Terrigal and, as she explains, working in a temporary position means she’s unsure if she’ll have a job there in 2012. But this has not stopped her from stepping into a key role.

“We have an experienced Rep here but this year he has been on exchange at another school,” she says.

Mel volunteered to act as a temp Rep in his absence. “I felt we needed a Rep in case something came up, so everyone had a person they could go to.”

Her colleagues were in support and so the task began.

“I’ve been attending branch meetings, displaying material in our staffroom, providing Union news and event details at our weekly ‘what’s on’ meetings and forwarding Union emails to members at school,” she says. “Sometimes I send them to non-members too, to show them what is happening, what the Union is doing and why it’s important to join.”

Mel says attending an IEU Rep training day proved particularly useful and it

provided an excellent opportunity to hear from other schools.

“The training was very interesting and there were tips provided I’d never thought about, like having a regular union area in the staffroom or on the staff notice board.”

Other highlights of Mel’s Rep year included “seeing what goes on behind the scenes and what the Union does for us”.

“I’ve been a member for years and have never had to call on them personally so it was a real eye opener to see what they are actually achieving for us all the time. I got to know how the Union is bargaining on our behalf and we learned a lot from a visit by the Member Benefits Team.

“It was also good to get to know our Union Organiser and to have him to call on and ask how things are done. When we needed to vote during negotiations, our Organiser came and helped me run the meeting as I’d never held one before. He explained all the conditions and conducted the vote for us.”

As Mel prepares to hand back the mantle she has some good advice for others interested in taking on the Rep role.

“If you know your current Rep is going to be leaving next year or if they need someone to take over their role, talk to them now and find out what to do. And if you take it on, make the most of your organiser and attend any inservice or training provided by the Union – these events are really useful."

I’ve been a member for years and have never had to call on them personally so it was a real eye opener to see what they are actually achieving for us all the time.

As it begins to prepare for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC ) General Secretary Sharan Burrow has made it clear to FIFA that the international union movement “will not accept people working to build stadiums without respect for workers’ rights”.

“Migrant workers in Qatar have no labour rights, wages are exploitative and occupational health and safety risks are extreme. Qatar is a country wanting to gain acceptance from the global community of governments but refuses to acknowledge their treatment of migrant workers,” said Burrow.

The Union representing building workers, is deeply concerned about the exploitation of workers building the stadiums in Qatar. As part of its bid to host the World Cup, Qatar pledged to build nine new stadiums and refurbish three others, all in 10 years.

Together, the ITUC and various Unions are taking the fight for ILO labour standards up to the Qatari Authorities. (Source: ITUC)

The jobs of 1000 city employees in Detroit will be eliminated early next year, according to Democrat Mayor Dave Bing.

The layoffs, which are intended to save about $14 million by June, will be only one element of cost cutting, Mr Bing also called for pay cuts and higher health care contributions from those workers who keep their jobs, a corporate tax rate increase, and pay concessions from contractors hired by the city.

“Layoffs will be strategic,” said Bing. “We will limit the impact on residents, protecting core services like police and fire protection as much as we can. Our fiscal crisis will require everyone to share in the sacrifice. We need support from our residents to help push our unions, businesses, vendors and elected officials to enact the common sense changes we need.” (Source: NYT)

28-year wait Qantas, please explain?

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) National Secretary Michael O’Connor, a Qantas shareholder, says the Union will consider exercising its options under the Corporations Act to call a general meeting of the company, forcing directors to front shareholders and explain why they were not told of the company’s intention to ground the airline.

O’Connor said the Union would consult with other shareholders about the merits of calling an extraordinary general meeting to seek answers from Qantas about why no mention was made of their intention to ground the airline at the Annual General Meeting held only a day before they acted.

“I think there are a number of shareholders, both small and large, who are concerned about the last shareholders’ general meeting. What was said on the Friday didn’t seem to line up with what happened on the Saturday. (Source: SMH)

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of workers in a pay equity case involving women at Canada Post that was originally filed 28 years ago.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) claimed in August 1983 that women were being discriminated against under the Canadian Human Rights Act because they made less than men in comparable Canada Post jobs.

After lengthy proceedings, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled in the workers’ favour in 2005. In 2008, the Federal Court overturned that decision in a ruling that was subsequently upheld two-one by the Federal Court of Appeal, but the Supreme Court last year agreed to hear a final appeal and in a rare decision delivered orally after the parties had made arguments, ruled unanimously in favour of the workers.

Canada Post PSAC had originally asked for $300 million, but the tribunal reduced the damages by 50% to $150 million. However, with interest, the decision could mean up to $250 million in damages for clerical staff who worked at Canada Post between 1983 and 2002.

(Source: CBC) newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

7

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Form a cluster to win big

IEU Organiser Christina Smith (left) with the South East cluster group.

Can early childhood teachers take control of their destiny by supporting each other? Can this professional (and emotional) support bring benefits not only to teachers but for children, families and the wider community? Is it okay to give yourself permission to make the time to meet with others in services near you? Yes, yes and yes.

Within a few short minutes of arriving at the conference room at the far south coast NSW town of Tathra, Newsmonth Journalist Suzanne Kowalski-Roth knew that this was no ordinary group of professionals.

The group of about eight teachers travel from outlying regions to meet regularly.

The group has negotiated, supported and encouraged each other not only through the daily travails of life in a preschool – from policies on swearing and staff induction – through to navigating the bigger structural changes the profession has been undergoing. Like the shift to the Modern Award and the introduction of the National Quality Framework.

For Convenor Jane Courtney, Director of Tathra Preschool, the cluster was an invaluable way to negotiate an Enterprise Agreement (EA). The teachers all have the same EA which they carefully formulated together with support from the IEU’s Christina Smith and Verena Heron.

“In a way the EA gave us the impetus to get together,” says Jane.

8

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

The teachers ended up with a teachers' only EA they are happy with. For Director of Bermagui Preschool Narelle Wilcock the cluster was a powerful tool to ensure equity.

“We really wanted to make sure it was the same EA for each service. That was a key factor because we wanted the power to say – this is what is happening at Pambula, this is what’s happening at Tathra,” says Narelle.

Fortunately the process was smooth, committees were supportive and the group hasn’t looked back.

It’s a long way from the isolation of earlier years, says Pam McCambridge, Director of

A key factor to the cluster’s success is meeting offsite in an agreeable setting with good coffee/tea and excellent muffins.

It’s important that the meeting isn’t conducted at anyone’s preschool to ensure the inevitable interruptions don’t disrupt the focus. Between meetings agenda items go to Jane, and an email group keeps the wheels turning while phones can ring hot.

But the meetings are where the big and small issues get put on the table.

“We’ve all got similar issues and we all tackle them in different ways so when you come together it’s like ‘I didn’t even think of doing it that way’ and it’s really exciting.

We’ve all got similar issues and we all tackle them in different ways.

Pambula Preschool Kindegarten.

“Just five years ago everyone was coping with all the changes by themselves…although we’re a team at the Preschool it’s still isolated being a Director because you’ve got that total responsibility which can’t be shared. We can share it here,” says Pam. Everyone looks forward to the meetings. “We’re very honest. We can talk about whatever issues we have,” says Jane.

“We all walk away saying ‘Oh wow’ and feeling good whereas when we arrived we were thinking ‘Oh no – there are all these things going on and how are we going to cope with it all? says Narelle.

The cluster shares policies and forms and any other resources others might need.

They are also able to help each other through processes and provide contacts to assist others who may currently be undergoing challenges they have

previously experienced.

The group also shares any professional development experiences they may have had since the last meeting.

It’s clear that this vibrant group of women draws strength from and continuously motivates each other to excel in their shared passions of children, family, community and supporting their collective.

“One of the unique things about this area is that the quality of the services.

The commitment of the staff and the directors here is fantastic. There are so many people doing inspirational things,” says Jane.

Pauline Terwin travels over an hour to the cluster meeting from a tiny rural and isolated preschool.

“I feel like I belong when I come here and the belonging gives me the confidence and knowledge and the strength to go back and put into place what needs to be done,” she says.

If you need help setting up a cluster in your area please contact the IEU’s Christine Smith on 02 9779 3200.

Correction: In the November issue of Newsmonth (p10), we inadvertently referred to Louise Murfett as Director of Jacaranda Primary School. She is in fact Director of Jacaranda Preschool.

Our apologies for any confusion caused.

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Record numbers attended the IEU’s IBM KidSmart Young Explorer program held at Sydney Macquarie University.

National networker Hanan Harrison, author of Teaching our Digi Kids and Digi Kids Hub Coordinator for the Australian National Schools Network, delivered the two-day workshop to 15 early childhood educators from centres across NSW and the ACT. Successful participants will receive up to $ 10,000 worth of technology and support for their centres.

Hanan says today’s early childhood educators need to educate their parents, and the wider community that computers are not just an “add on” to their educational programs or physical environments.

“Computers and their software programs are learning tools that can be integrated into everyday learning, support children’s cognitive growth and development and inform parents and carers about the value technology has in today’s world,” she said.

Participants said the workshop provided them with new and interesting ideas on how computers and carefully selected software programs can help them link their programs to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

For example many participants explored ways of turning 2D activities into 3D learning resources.

Other participants said that the KidSmart program will provide the first ever computers for their centre.

“It’s not just about playing on the computer.

You can ask open ended questions and extend children’s learning,” one participant said.

Another said: “It’s a really interesting recap on different learning styles and developmental milestones. It made me think about raising my own expectations when working with children and computers.

It's not just about playing on the computer.

Top and Left: KidSmart participants. Right: Hanan Harrison

Negotiations for new agreements underway Negotiations for a new agreement for some Catholic services have commenced with the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER), writes IEU Industrial officer Verena Herron.

The CCER proposal is for the current conditions of employment to be reflected in the proposed agreement, with salary

increases. Salaries will be a key issue in these negotiations, particularly pay parity with colleagues in schools. A number of these services are located in the school and are operated by the school or diocese.

It is hoped that these negotiations will conclude quickly with teachers voting on a new agreement before the end of the year.

The KU Agreement expires at the

end of this year and negotiations are ongoing.

KU originally wanted an agreement for all staff but after feedback from teachers have agreed to negotiate a teachers only agreement.

A number of teachers and directors have nominated to be bargaining agents.

The initial meeting of bargaining agents will be held in the next few

weeks. The IEU will shortly be sending members the draft log of claims.

Many centres are finalising their agreements or in the process of voting.

Members need to be aware that there are strict timelines for the voting process and for filing of agreements. If you are unsure of the process contact the Union.

Teachers are Teachers campaign update Campaign 2011 Wrap It’s been a year of action as the campaign moved closer to its goal of achieving pay parity for early childhood teachers.

A highlight was when Education Minister Adrian Piccoli was approached by one of our committed activists wearing a tshirt and he said he knew all about our campaign. At the IEU we’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to all those members who have participated in the campaign via blue day, petition collecting, hosting a campaign station, writing a funding submission, working with media and visiting MPs. The campaign is gaining traction as more and more people understand the crucial importance of your work but we need to keep the pressure up in 2012 and consolidate our hard work. Will 2012 be the year we receive pay parity? Let’s work together to make this happen. The IEU needs your continued participation and those famous early childhood advocacy skills to make this happen.

In the meantime enjoy a safe and well earned break.

Where’s your petition at?

At the IEU we’ve been thrilled to see vast numbers of petitions flood in from primary and secondary school teachers.

These teachers have gone out of their way to support the campaign for pay parity for their early childhood colleagues.

However, we can’t help but wonder – where are the petitions from early childhood teachers and directors? To date we have only received a disappointing amount from preschools

and long day care services. We have reached just over 7000 signatures but we need 3000 more to get the matter heard in State Parliament.

Remember this is your campaign. We can’t win this without your support and that means getting those petitions in. We need 10,000 signatures to get this matter heard in Parliament.

We’re still a long way off that target.

Petitions can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/tmBoMR Just print them, collect the signatures and return using the following address, which means you don’t have to pay for postage: NSW/ACT Independent Education Union Reply Paid 116 Sydney NSW 1005

FaceBook page The FaceBook page continues to grow. Visit it for regular updates about campaignrelated information and new videos. http://www.facebook. com/Teachersareteachers

Make it your priority today. Thank you for your support and ongoing commitment.

Teacher Costs Contribution Scheme If you missed the deadline for application for the Teacher Costs Contribution Scheme you can still contact them at childrens_services_funding@community.nsw.gov.au to see if any late applications will be taken.

We are also on Twitter www.twitter.com/ecteacherspay.

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

9

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

www.ieu.asn.au feature

Wizard of IT – Daniel Long

Twitter guide for educators tweets instantly and of course, that’s where hashtags will start to be very useful in grouping the necessary keywords and information together.

You can also follow just about every news organisation (and their respective journalists) in the world and that’s a great starting point for learning about how news is disseminated in real-time online.

Other teachers use Twitter to communicate new ideas and as a link to useful teaching resources.

Most government agencies now use Twitter to push information, which is not updated on their own websites as quickly, including local councils and public transport operators. The NSW Board Of Studies is very active on Twitter and publishes regular daily updates.

Privacy on Twitter Remember, there is no way to un-tweet something you’ve said on Twitter. Once you tweet it, it’s permanent.

Part of what makes Twitter so unique is how it disseminates information: It’s among the most open and democratic free speech tools in the world. So take care with it, like any other online social tool.

For teachers and educators in particular, Twitter has the potential to significantly aid learning and information gathering – provided you understand the tools required to make the most of the site’s many features and peculiarities.

How it works Twitter is essentially a micro-blogging platform that gives you 140 words to work with. Think of it like SMS/texting on your mobile phone – so you’ll need to be concise. After you have signed in with your login and username, these handy tips should help you get the most out of Twitter.

Hashtags Represented by a hash symbol (#) in front of a subject word, #hashtags are the premier go-to method of organising similar messages/groups/themes on Twitter. The best example of a successful hashtag right now belongs to #OWS or formerly #occupywallstreet. In fact, you might not be aware that the Occupy Wall Street protests actually started as a simple hashtag, days before anybody had heard of the wider protest movement. At its core, the hashtag is extremely democratic.

Nobody can own the tags and thousands of new tags are emerging every day. Some even describe the tags as their own form of hybrid language.

For your education needs, a hashtag is the best way to organise information at a conference, training day or other event where you’re happy to encourage the 10

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

information to be dispersed publicly.

A hashtag that is popular can ‘trend’, and the most popular hashtags may possibly attract millions of readers if it makes the Twitter front page, no matter how arbitrary their subject.

Links and subjects Fortunately, Twitter now automatically abbreviates links. Links are the bread and butter of many tweets and a valuable way of alerting your followers to things you find relevant within your teaching/interests.

To reach another person on Twitter directly, be sure their Twitter name includes an ‘at symbol’ (known as an ‘@ mention’). This will make sure that person sees your message directly. Eg, To contact the IEU directly on twitter, you would write a message to @ieunswact. However, be aware that the message will still be made public.

To private message someone, you’ll need to send a ‘direct message’. Do this by clicking on the messages tab at the top of the page and sending a ‘direct message’ to someone you follow (and who must also follow you).

Retweets and followers If you like what somebody says, then feel free to click ‘retweet’ it. That message will be tweeted from you with their name attached, so people know who originated the message.

When it comes to finding followers, Twitter beginners should take things slowly and search for friends first or organisations they admire. Start small,

build slowly. Remember: don’t just follow arbitrarily for numbers sake; you’ll have far too many people’s messages to read and this will dilute the usefulness of the tool.

The golden rule of Twitter is to communicate something unique to the community (in the form of messages).

People will start to follow you accordingly if they know you have something useful to say. Note: You can follow someone without invitation. You do not need his or her permission.

Third party add-ons A plethora of third-party sites now exist to tell you what hot’s and what’s not in the hashtag/trending world of Twitter. Try hashtags.org or twubs.com to figure who’s trending at any given time or use tagal.us to make sense of specific hashtags.

Use Tweetdeck or Hootsuite to display your Twitter followers in an easy-toread display, or use the portable apps to display Twitter on your smartphone when you’re on the move.

A Twitter yellow pages also exists.

Twellow.com lists the top Twitter people based on followers and subject of expertise, complete with a handy bio.

Classroom Twitter experience Twitter is best known for its newsbreaking abilities. Think of the Christchurch or Japan earthquake this year: before news crews could alert their field crews to file reports, Twitter users had already broken the news.

Events of global significance will often trend or feature prominently within

Change the world Twitter can be used to push social justice campaigns in a variety of ways, from alerting people to environmental causes, to charitable concerns, political movements and important global issues such as working rights, equal pay, climate and poverty. That’s part of the reason why the IEU maintains a daily Twitter feed.

Follow us on Twitter.com/ieunswact

Twitter talk: things you should know • Hashtag = subject to catagorise information • Tweets = These are the messages you type in 140 characters or less • Followers = those people who read and receive your messages daily • @Mentions = a way to directly communicate with another person • retweet= a way of pushing/ redirecting another person’s messages to your own followers • Lists = user-defined directories that catagorise by particular subject • Profile = who you are, a picture of yourself and short bio

www.ieu.asn.au feature

We are educated and we know it is the key. So our main aim is to ensure all children have this opportunity.

Bridge to a better life The role of Sudanese Liaison Officers has morphed over the last decade, reflecting changes in Australia’s refugee policy, but their services are more crucial than ever, writes Newsmonth Journalist Tara de Boehmler.

Parramatta CEO Sudanese Liaison Officers William Majok and John Cinya say that since 2003, when Sudan was the top source country for the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Program, the number of new arrivals has slowed considerably. But the Liaison Officers’ role has continued to grow.

“This year the majority of Sudanese students have started school in Year 1 or 2,” John says. “When I started working for the Parramatta Catholic Education Office in 2005 most students had never attended school before. Many families had been in refugee camps for more that 10 years and it wasn’t unusual to have a student start at 14 years of age – learning the alphabet for the first time.

“These kids have seen violence and guns,” he says. “In Kenya people raid the refugees and kill them. The camps are violent places. Those who make it here are juggling three cultures – Sudanese, refugee and Australian – and learning how it works at school.”

Changing roles William says the role of Sudanese Liaison Officers used to focus mainly on transitional and resettlement issues, but this has moved on.

“The students were older so we used to have good communication with their families. Now communication can be more difficult because most students primarily speak English and some of their parents don’t speak it so well.

And the kids are still experiencing a

lot of disadvantage.” John says the Liaison Officers’ role is now more about settling students into school and helping families set up supportive structures – getting them involved in their children’s education.

“They don’t always understand how it works at school,” he says. “In Sudan, teachers are solely responsible for education.

“Our work is becoming harder but we do this because we are a part of these families and we know what school is like for those who have fled from a village to a camp, and then come here,” John says.

“We are educated and we know it is the key. So our main aim is to ensure all children have this opportunity. We want to make sure they don’t even miss one day.”

Comprehensive support St Agnes Catholic High in Rooty Hill is among schools making the most of the liaison officers’ services. School Principal Peter Brogan says he has witnessed the improvements in students’ language and socialisation skills and credits the liaison officers with increasing understanding between all parties.

“The liaison officers are like a bridge between the cultures, explaining to Sudanese kids our beliefs and practices and linking to their practices and beliefs.

They also highlight the different skills that these students bring.”

There is no such thing as a typical day for a Sudanese liaison officer. They deal attendance, education and homework support, work experience, bus passes, home visits, school visits, doctor’s visits, financial hardship, language support and more. They work closely with learning support teachers and year coordinators and if they have no appointments they go to the school playground, so kids and staff

Sudanese liaison officers John Cinya (left) and William Majok. can approach them for a chat. They also receive regular phone calls that take them beyond their normal duties.

“For example, if a family is being evicted it will affect the children’s education, so sometimes we need to advise so they can settle back into school,” William says. “Before we did this job we were helping in the community for free anyway and sometimes families just want to speak with someone outside the system.”

Efforts appreciated John and William say the ability to send students to faith-based schools is important to Sudanese families, with

the majority of them Christian – mostly Catholic. They say their assistance plus the efforts of the Parramatta and Sydney Dioceses are well appreciated.

“I am really thrilled at all the help we are receiving from schools and the great feedback we are getting from families,” William says.

“The best thing school communities can provide is understanding. They need to know about these students’ backgrounds and what they have experienced. They have come from trauma and murder and when they arrive they need assistance in seeking out people who do understand – that’s what we’re here for.” newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

11

www.ieu.asn.au feature

What you had to say Mary Jean Cooper

St Mary’s Primary School, Scone I travelled here today because I think the Gonski funding review needs to receive our input. This will help ensure we are represented instead of being misrepresented as elite schools when we are serving our communities.

Christine Ausburn

St Pius X High School, Adamstown The funding review is about the future of education and about our jobs too. If public schools had to educate all the children we do, it would cost the government a lot more than they are currently paying towards our funding. Perhaps they think they are doing us a favour, but what we are doing is providing a service.

Christine Dale

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sefton Our school has a high number of children who speak English as a second language and we worry about the perception that all families who send their kids to systemic schools are wealthy. The reality is that our students come from very working class backgrounds and we are catering for a range of special needs. I’m here today to represent my colleagues and our students’ welfare and ensure funding is not reduced to our schools.

Paul Ryan

St Andrews Catholic College, Marayong This is a really important cause that impacts not just on people’s salaries but on the very existence of the non-government education system. Nongovernment schools educate a third of Australian students and have educated so many people that have had a great impact – from all walks of life. What we have is an effective and proven system and it’s up to us to ensure funding is maintained and that the high standards are upheld.

12

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

Labor’s Proud History:

Funding choice in education for working families IEU members attending the Union's ALP Conference fringe event left no doubt about the importance of a fair and transparent school funding system based on need not sector when they rallied outside and held a popular fringe event inside the Darling Harbour Convention Centre for ALP Conference delegates.

Clockwise from top: IEU General Secretary with members outside the Conference; school banners take centre stage; ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick addresses IEU members; on the march; emphasising equity for all teachers.

www.ieu.asn.au feature

All Australian students are entitled to a well funded, world-class education The Australian non-government school system reflects the diverse range of cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds of Australian society, with almost 50% of students attending a nongovernment school during their school years.

In relation to the funding of school education in Australia, the Independent Education Union supports a funding regime for schooling that provides for transparency, accountability, certainty and adequacy.

The IEU notes that there is an absence of policy cohesion between federal and state/territory governments in relation to the principles governing the funding of schools.

In the context of the school funding review, the IEU believes that the following principles should underpin a fair and transparent funding policy for schools: •

•

•

•

A national benchmark standard for schools be derived which indicates the resources needed to provide for the educational needs of every Australian student.

Public resourcing of schools to the benchmark needed to provide quality education for every student.

Both non-government and government schools to be publicly accountable on the same basis and to be funded by government on the basis of need, with reference to the national resources standard Funding be automatically indexed annually using the real cost increases in the government sector

•

•

•

Development of clear principles to bring the differential funding from state and federal sources into a consistent framework. This would enable public discussion of funding realities to take account of all sources of funding for government and non- government schools.

Every jurisdiction has a responsibility to provide a world-class education. State and territory governments should fund non-government schools at a minimum benchmark of 25% of the equivalent average cost to the state of educating a student in a Government school The requirement that equity measures target extra funding across all schools where relevant student and/or school needs are identified.

The IEU believes that the current school funding review initiated by the federal government provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a fair share of government funding to ensure both a quality education for students and appropriate industrial conditions for staff in non-government schools.

School funding should ensure that there is opportunity for all Australian families to access the high quality and diverse non-government school system.

Worth voting for

Poll conducted of IEU members between 17 Oct and 30 Oct 2011 in Federal electorates in NSW, SA, Tas and Vic Number of respondents: 2986 members

Q If a Federal election was held today who would you most likely vote for?

Q In the 2010 federal election who did you vote for?

Q And in the 2007 federal election who did you vote for?

Labour

60

40

All the new funds to govt schools Same share govt and non govt Proportionate share govt/non-govt All new funds to non govt schools

50

6.6% 26.3% 65.4% 2.5%

30

Q Which of the following statements do you agree with?

Students with disabilities in non - 21% govt schools get an adequate share 20 of resources compared to the same students in govt schools

30 20 10 2007

53.6%

2010

2011

50.2%

37.8%

Q If the current review of schools funding resulted in re-allocation of resources away from non-government schools who would you most likely vote for at the next federal election?

40 30 20 10

Labor

20.4%

Coalition

45.6%

Greens

16.4%

Greens

6.2%

Students with disabilities in non-

10 govt schools are significantly

79%

under-resourced compared to the same students in govt schools

0 Fast facts

‘wealthy’ schools •

•

•

•

50

0

Q Which of these do you think is the best way to build a strong economy and provide opportunity for all Australians?

40 More support for all schools 83.6% More support for govt schools only 6.2% Current system of funding 7.0% More support for non-govt only 4.5%

50

0

Q The federal government is currently undertaking a review of how it funds public and private schools in Australia. If the federal government had new funds available for schools would you like to see:

There are no more than 60 non-government

schools that charge fees in excess of $20,000 pa (year 12 fees and tuition costs) These schools represent less than 2.1% of all

students attending school If all of the federal funding for these students was removed every other student would receive less than $50 extra funding each year….if the money was only given to government school students it would be around $84 extra per year (0.6% increase) Around 741 government schools have per student recurrent income greater than $20,000 (excluding special schools)

What you had to say

Mark Anderson

St Pius X College, Chatswood The non-government school system promotes diversity and allows choice. In no way are we against the public system. There is room for both.

Mark Wilson St Bridget's Primary School, Raymond Terrace

St Brigidged’s is in a really working class area and our classes are all full, as parents want to send their children there. One in four of our students have a parent at the RAAF base. Catholic systemic schools cater for communities of all social classes, predominantly in working class areas, and its important that this gets acknowledged.

I want funding to be ensured so we can keep schools the vibrant places that they are.

Stephanie Hesse

St Patrick’s Primary School, Wallsend Being in a low socioeconomic area, funding is particularly important to us. If it is right for schools to exist then it is right that they are funded fairly. We believe in fair funding for all schools regardless of the system we are in. We fulfill a need, which is about our future.

Gerard Crichton

St Therese’s Primary School, New Lampton St Therese’s is the largest primary school in the Newcastle region, with about 520 students.

Extra funding could help us reduce numbers in classes, which are all currently full. It’s full on.

Today I also brought a banner from St Columban’s in Mayfield, where it has served the former BHP suburb for 90 years. Many steelworkers’ children have gone through this school, which has produced a lot of local doctors and lawyers and others who serve the community and still feel very committed to the place. newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

13

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Exchange news

Farewell to exchange friends

Frank Doyle and his family have enjoyed a variety of experiences while on exchange from St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra to NorKam Secondary School, Kamloops, BC.

Farewell to this year’s visiting exchange teachers. We hope that your experience has been a rewarding one and that you will take home many memories from your exchange experience so that others may benefit from your time here, writes IEU Exchange Coordinator Helen Gregory.

Try and become involved in your local exchange leagues. Those who attended exchange weekends, dinners and walks organised by the NSW ETL would realise how hard the regional reps and central committee work for the good of the exchange program.

Farewell to our outgoing 2012 exchange teachers too. You are off to some exciting (yet cold) destinations: Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Colorado, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

You and your families will have a wonderful year. You will continue to receive the Union’s publications while on exchange to keep abreast with all the news.

We are still accepting applications for 2013 – for all provinces in Canada (We are still waiting for our first exchange to Manitoba. It could be you.), the United Kingdom, Colorado in the USA, and international schools in Europe (if you

are under 30 years of age or you have an EU passport).

Three mid-year exchanges for 2012 are still available, i.e. you start in September, you have your big summer break before your exchange commences and your exchange teacher starts here at the beginning of Term 3 and has their big break at the end of the exchange. These are becoming popular.

Exchanges available There’s a primary exchange at Bracebridge, Ontario. Lori teaches at Monsignor Michael O’Leary School.

This is the land of a thousand lakes, cottage and touristy country and part of the District of Muskoka, one of Ontario’s favourite year-round vacation destinations.

It has 4023 square kilometres miles of towering pines, sparkling lakes and rivers and endless recreational activities.

Downhill skiing is 40 minutes away.

Although Lori teaches in a Catholic school, she is not Catholic but has taught at the same school for over 10 years. The school will also accept a non-Catholic; the assignment will be Grade 4.

Lori is a visual arts specialist, is versatile and has excellent references.

Lori is married, has two daughters and has a beautiful four-bedroom, threebathroom home five kilometres from school available for exchange.

Look up http://www.bracebridge.ca/, http://www.discovermuskoka.ca/ or http://www.visitgeorgianbay.com/ for more information.

Or there’s a phys ed/science position at Vancouver. Danny teaches PE at Burnaby South Secondary School in Burnaby, BC. He is also qualified to teach biology, science and maths (there is flexibility for the incoming teacher).

He is sporty, having competed on the Canadian Wrestling National Team for several years and enjoys coaching cricket, rugby and track and field.

The exchange is for only six months as Danny’s wife has a surgical fellowship in Melbourne from January to June 2012 followed by six months in Sydney.

A two-bedroom home in Vancouver is available for exchange. Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province and home to spectacular natural scenery. Look up http:// www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/ and http://www.vancouver-bc.com/ and http:// www.grousemountain.com/

Shorts

•

If you want to explore international festivals in your classroom here’s a link to an excellent summary of how different cultures celebrate Festivals of Light and some classroom lesson tips at http://bit.ly/8zOYZo. If you’d like to find out about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries visit http://bit.ly/uhi6X0.There are also links to all sorts of festivals from around the world.

• Never find yourself making the wrong moves again. If you’re going to Christmas carols but find your carol knowledge lacking – you can find the lyrics to a whole lot of carols here - http://www.carols.org.uk/ • US researchers say around 20-40% of all young people have experience cyberbulling at least once. Here’s a link to an informative article unpacking cyberbulling – it clearly defines what it is and why an accurate definition is important. Find it at: http://1.usa.gov/teOwFZ • Shorts loves student Dale Hardiman’s Kids Straw Stool, a finalist in the recent Bombay Sapphire Design Awards.

The stool can be cooked up in the kitchen, used, then children can watch it sprout and then biodegrade. The user makes the product themselves using a saucepan and an oven. A great idea for a school project.

• The Safe Sunscreen Guide summer 2011-2012 is now available for download from Friends of the Earth Australia (FOE) http://nano.foe.org.au/safesunscreens There are concerns around the safety of sunscreen products that contain nano particles – these incredibly small particles can penetrate through human skin, where their action once in the body is largely unknown. There are concerns around what this could mean for children, those with skin conditions and the general population. As there is no specific safety testing of nano particles in sunscreens FOE has issued a guide that helps consumers who wish to err on the side of caution make an informed choice by choosing products. Which don’t contain these particles.

14

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

Finally, there’s a maths position at Ontario. Anne Marie teaches maths at Resurrection Catholic Secondary School in Kitchener.

She also has qualifications and experience in instrumental music and special education. Anne Marie is Catholic, married with three daughters and has a large three-bedroom home in Waterloo available for exchange.

The incoming teacher must be Catholic.

Kitchener/Waterloo are great exchange destinations. Kitchener/Waterloo are twin cities located on hour to the east of Toronto and are famous for their farmers’ markets, Oktoberfest and jazz festivals.

Stratford, one of the most prominent art festivals in Canada, is 45 minutes away.

Look up http://resurrection.wcdsb. ca/newsite/default.html http://www. kitchener.ca/en/index.asp http://www. explorewaterlooregion.com/ So if you want to experience one or two winter festive seasons (depending on when you come home), download an application from the IEU website (www. ieu.asn.au and click on teacher exchange).

Call me on 9779 3200 or 1800 467 943 or email a brief profile to helen@ieu.asn.au Check out the lastest exchange videos at www.ieu.asn.au

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Board acts on member concerns Mark Northam IEU Organiser The Board of Studies (BoS) has revised draft syllabuses after consultation and thanks to input by members, achievement standards will be built in.

Global descriptions of student achievement will be provided to assist teachers. Primary teachers in Catholic systemic schools had a particular interest in the provision of a consistent framework across subjects and this has been reflected in the reworked syllabuses.

The Board also acted on a concern expressed by IEU members (at Council meetings and other forums) that the syllabuses were content heavy.

Further consultation will take place early next year RIP School Certificate The School Certificate in its current format concluded with the 2011 exams.

Next year school-based assessment (moderated by data from previous years), assisted by an optional online Literacy

and Numeracy task, will be in place. The notion of a broader, cumulative record of achievement has been well received by teachers.

The BoS has developed an extensive document, the NSW Record of School Achievement, to assist the transition to revised arrangements.

The new credential will report on student achievement in Stage 5 using A to E grades (or equivalent) in the same way that currently exists at the end of Year 10. The significant change is the extension of grades to stage 6 preliminary (Year 11) courses.

The NSW Record of School Achievement will not be a ‘one point in time’ document but a record of achievement until a student leaves school (prior to the HSC).

Of interest to the IEU is the issue of school assessment and the necessary professional development required to apply statewide standards. Consistency of assessment can only be achieved by

A better Christmas gift

Canhelp founder Colin Woodley trains teachers in Nepal.

By diverting $15 earmarked for a Christmas present to Canhelp, Pamela Malone has gifted a Nepalese community a trained teacher, an early childhood centre and a playgroup.

IEU Member Pamela became aware of CanHelp a few years ago when her local paper featured a story about her old primary school teacher Colin Woodley, the founder of Canhelp (formerly Nepcan).

“My children became sponsors of a child in Nepal,” Pamela says.

Later, all the teachers in Pamela’s TAS Department at Mater Marie Catholic College, Warriewood, decided to spend the $15 for staff Christmas presents on sponsoring a teacher in Nepal.

Since then, they have provided enough funds to fully train a kindergarten teacher, who has become the principal and founder of an early childhood centre providing education and a playgroup to the community.

“It’s amazing that $15, which is nothing to us, has had such a huge impact on the community.

“Without the sponsorship, there wouldn’t be teachers or classes available.”

In Nepal, school teachers are paid about $100 a month, and teaching is not considered a desirable profession. Few teachers are trained or are able to attend professional development classes, and they have difficulty being able to afford professional training.

Canhelp’s Sponsor a Teacher program requires a one-off payment of $175 and for this the Nepali teacher will attend an intensive three-month training program in Kathmandu.

The program is offered by Canhelp’s partner agency The Socio Economic Welfare Centre for Energetic Women.

It’s planned to start next year with full class of 24 Nepali teachers, so 24 Australian sponsors are needed.

Canhelp will organise the exchange of email addresses between the Australian sponsor and Nepali teacher and ideally the Australian teacher becomes a mentor.

If you would like to learn more about Canhelp’s teacher training program, email teaching@canhelp.net.au or visit www.canhelp.net.au.

It’s amazing that $15, which is nothing to us, has had such a huge impact on the community

workshops which allow for judgments to be compared.

A time for thanks At this point in the year it is appropriate to extend thanks to the IEU members who represent the IEU on Board committees.

Larry Grumley has continued as the IEU nominee to the NSW Board of Studies in 2011, and is member of the BoS Computers in Examinations Reference Group (a group convened to advise on issues over greater use of computers in external exams).

Larry is a regular attendee at the IEU Education Issues Committee where he has kept members up-to-date with Board issues. Larry’s analysis is highly valued, as is his dependable and timely communication with the Union.

Dayle Costello is the IEU representative to the NSW BoS Primary Curriculum Committee. Dayle’s informed reports to the IEU Education Issues

Committee ensure that important issues affecting the primary sector are known to the Union.

IEU reps on standing committees in 2011 were Lisa Buxton (Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee), Jayne Campbell (Special Education Advisory Committee K – 12) and Veronica (Vera) Mitchell (BOS VET Advisory Committee).

IEU representatives on the NSW BOS Australian Curriculum Consultation Committees during 2011 were Jane Atalla, Joan Byrne, Mary Hor, ElizabethAnne Banfield, Damien Sligar, Carlo Tuttocuore, Michael Gallagher, Pat Devery, John Raftery and Peter Moore.

Rowan Kelly has recently been appointed to the Information Technology Industry Curriculum Committee.

The Union sincerely thanks all of the IEU representatives for the hours of work, the commitment and the significant efforts they make to ensure that the ‘teacher’s voice’ is represented in these important professional forums.

Are you a well organised person?

School Visit Co-ordinator The Union is seeking a person who will be based in our Parramatta office to schedule visits to schools by the Union’s member benefits team.

The applicant ideally will have knowledge of the operation of Independent and or Catholic schools.

The position involves liaison with school secretaries and IEU school based representatives to arrange the most suitable times for recruitment visits to schools.

Duties include general office support and secretarial duties.

Starting date is negotiable, preferably the commencement of Term one 2012.

The IEU offers excellent working conditions and a competitive salary rate.

Resumes can be emailed to: joanna@ieu.asn.au or phone Joanna Kotsakis on (02) 9779 3200

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

15

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Dr Wayne Tinsey, Executive Director of EREA

Converging on common ground Abridged address to inaugural national conference for IEU Reps and activists from Edmund Rice Education Australia schools.

It’s a privilege for me to be asked to address you this evening. I thank the Independent Education Union for their kind invitation and for all that they do to support the staff in Edmund Rice schools throughout Australia.

This is an historic gathering! The opportunity to have staff Union reps trained and formed within the specific context of the values professed by the EREA Charter, is an outstanding development. I commend the Independent Education Union and all who have had anything to do with this gathering, for their initiative. I hope that all of you gain and learn an enormous amount over the two days.

This evening in my short time with you, I hope to highlight what I see as a natural synergy that should exist between the highest ideals and aspirations held for Edmund Rice education and similar ideals and aspirations that I sense are core to what the IEU stands for.

Allow me to use the simple analogy of the palm of my hand and my fingers to illustrate how I see the best of EREA and the best of the union movement converging on common ideals.

The tips of my fingers represent us as employers and employees, as those who are perceived to be making decisions and those who work with the consequences of decisions, as teachers and as administrators. There’s a gap between each of my fingers and on the surface all are some distance apart. And sadly, they remain this way in the absence of deep reflection on what unites us.

If we reflect deeply on what is core to who we are and what we stand for, our most noble aspirations, we converge on common ground, as my fingers become one at my palm, the common source.

Surely this common source is our shared humanity and vision for what is right, fair and just. It is this convergence on our deepest and most noble ideals

16

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

that we’re celebrating at this gathering.

Our deepest aspirations are linked to our common humanity; our common vision for community and what it means to live as part of a community. Core to our being is our concern for the voiceless and solidarity with the disenfranchised. Core to all of our aspirations is a struggle for justice and a place at the table for everyone.

We must always remember that the highest ideals ever uttered to human minds were spoken to the poor (Union Activist McNeill, 1903). To the disenfranchised, Jesus gave a rule for love and happiness, the Golden Rule of life, the promise and

whole point of Catholic social teaching.

If we go right back to the 1891 document Rerum Novarum, the Pope of the time encourages the mediation and negotiation of workers’ rights. In 1931, another document entitled The Reconstruction of the Social Order argued for vigorous defence of the rights and legitimate demands of workers. John Paul II, in his document On Human Work affirmed that dignified work is core to making us all fully human.

Full and common humanity is where our deepest aspirations converge.

In an article published by the American

Trade union ideals are exalted as human aspirations, quickened by the divine inspiration of comradeship in the old cause of the emancipation of labor and the achievement of equity Good News of the Kingdom which has everything to do with justice and equality in the here and now.

When I recently looked at the website of the IEU, I was struck by something that I think you should be very proud of. This is what it says: ‘The IEU and its state branches have a long history of activism around issues which affect not just the industrial and professional rights of our members, but also the legal, political and human rights which must prevail in any democratic and civil society.’

It goes on to talk about the collective power that we have in having a voice in civil and human rights of women, children, indigenous, ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

This is wonderful stuff and core to what we would hope that any of our Edmund Rice schools would profess and advocate for.

Our Catholic Church has had a long tradition in the support of rights of unions and workers. Justice for everyone is the

Economic Association in 1903, George McNeill, speaking of the highest aspirations and ideals of the trade union movement said “trade union ideals are exalted as human aspirations, quickened by the divine inspiration of comradeship in the old cause of the emancipation of labor and the achievement of equity”.

His paper concludes by saying that when it is all said and done, the central truth about the ideals of trade unionists may not be different from the ideals of civilized humanity at large. ‘To obtain a fair return for useful labor, to be able to provide for times of sickness and oldage, to place those dependent upon us in security against want, to obtain sufficient leisure to enable one to lay hold of those things which make the possibilities of human life larger than those of the existence of brute creation, these things are universal desires for civilized men and women, as well as the object sought to be obtained by all trade unions.’

Noble stuff.

So friends, as we gather this evening, let’s invoke the heroes of the labour movement who urge us to work for a better humanity. People like Lech Walesa, the Polish Christian and activist who said that solidarity with our common humanity and commitment to honest reconciliation of conflicting interests are the hallmark of true moral power.

And Caesar Chavez, the American Latin activist, who reassured us that if we continue the struggle for peace and justice we will always find a place in people of heart and never be alone.

There are people would argue that both formal religion and the union movement have lost their way in our modern world.

There are varying perspectives to what it means to be on the ‘right path’ in both movements. Perhaps it comes back to the basics. If Christianity is going to survive and thrive, it’s not going to be measured by the number of people who attend religious services or indicate allegiance on Census forms; it’s going to be marked by the extent to which individuals can rediscover the core demands and ideals of the Christian gospel within their hearts and make them real in the struggle for a better world; by people realizing that the spiritual sickness of those who have, is the other side of the same coin of the physical sickness of the poor; by realisation that you can’t cure one without the other! (Brazier, 2001) Similarly, if the union movement is going to thrive into the future, the deepest aspirations and core values upon which unionism and solidarity among workers were founded, need to be consistently rediscovered and live in the hearts of emerging generations of workers and people committed to justice and a fair go for all.

As human institutions, we can only struggle to live up to our own vision, to reform our life continually, so as to be coherent with our vision and the highest aspirations held for us. I hope that this gathering advances these highest aspirations and bears fruit beyond this Conference, in personal and professional lives dedicated to justice and fairness for all.

My sincerest thanks for all that you do for Edmund Rice education in this land.

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Embarking on a life-changing journey

Advice at the coalface

Chris Wilkinson President

Marty Fitzpatrick North Coast Branch President

Here we are at the end of another year. I am sure you are pleased with your efforts and can finish on a high.

It’s been a good one with lots on offer for members. Many professional development opportunities were made available through conferences such as the Beginning Teachers, Support Staff, Women in Education, Early Childhood and Environment Conferences and a conference for members working in Edmund Rice schools.

There have also been many PIPs (Pedagogy in the Pubs) addressing topics of concern. Workshops on Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and reps’ training have also proved popular. A huge thank you to all concerned as the feedback from these events has been positive.

We look forward to the release this year of the Gonski Report on school funding. Thank you to all of the reps and members who have visited federal MPs to voice concerns about funding in your sector and to debunk the myths about ‘rich’ Catholic schools.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teachers who are heading overseas as part of the teacher exchange program best of wishes and hope that your experience is rich and rewarding.

Also to the many members who are retiring this year, best wishes for a more relaxed and rewarding life full of travel, time to yourself and family and time to enjoy new hobbies and challenges.

Remember you are welcome to join the Retired Members’ Branch.

To everyone else, thank you for your continued support and interest throughout the year. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year and look forward to working with you again next year.

I am busy packing at the moment as I am heading to Mumbai, India with six wonderful Year 12 students to work in an orphanage for two weeks. I am sure it will be a life-changing experience and will be happy to share this experience with you on my return.

North Coast Branch has had another productive year with things operating smoothly in the centrally located Lismore office.

Thanks to IEU Organisers Steve and Carolyn, who do a great job with members’ issues and Cassie, who is very efficient in all her office duties.

I particularly thank school Reps for their most important role in disseminating information and advice at the ‘coal face’ level of our workplaces and all IEU members for their continuing cooperation in helping to make our Union so productive.

Lismore office remains busy tending to members issues and negotiating with CEO over policy reviews and local members have been very active this year.

Newcastle Branch had a delegation meeting with Page MP Janelle Saffin to discuss funding to non-government schools.

Three ‘funded’ Branch members attended the Support Staff ‘Let’s get Connected’ Conference held in Sydney on 16 September.

The popular and Institute-accredited PIP course ‘Be Wary Be Wise’, based on

child protection awareness, was held in Lismore with good attendance from New Scheme Teachers.

Many enjoyed the Newcastle Women in Education forum and dinner Friday 28 October at the Lismore Office (see image). Large numbers attended and listened to Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowel talk about women in leadership positions and discuss current concerns from our membership.

We have had well attended Branch meetings, discussing many regional, state and national issues, and have welcomed senior IEU staff to these meetings. An exchange teacher addressed a recent meeting on the current work conditions and industrial climate in Canada.

All members are invited to attend Branch meetings and to continue networking, over dinner, with the other members present. Attending Branch meetings helps our members to be informed, share common concerns and network with each other.

Put in your diary the first Branch meeting next year: Wednesday, the 22 February at the Lismore office.

New year, new agreement Bernadette Baker Vice President, Systemic Schools As we anticipate the holidays, it allows us to reflect on the events of the year and as well as look forward to future dialogue with the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER) and the intricacies of negotiating new agreements.

The move into the federal system has provided some new challenges, however with our experience of negotiating awards with several employers we are hopeful of a swift resolution for the New Year.

The Union has entered the process for new Catholic agreements in good faith.

In the past, we have often had different opinions to the employer but have

managed to continue the negotiations.

It has never stopped the process taking place. Throughout the discussions the Union will continue to inform members of the progress. The documents and the numerous clauses demand that we are particular and at all time ensure that the best outcome is obtained for members.

Information will be available through faxstreams, your rep or via the website.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your organiser.

I wish you well over the holidays, take time to relax and hopefully the New Year will bring us good news of a completed agreement.

Cybersavvy

Wising up Newcastle members provided positive feedback on the PIP (Pedagogy in the Pub) on ‘cybersavvy’ provided as professional development by the IEU, writes Newcastle organiser Carlo Rendina.

The course focused not only on how best to manage the social media within a school context, but also the development and updating of policies surrounding these matters.

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

17

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Focus on retaining good teachers

Principals stake their claim

Gabe Connell ECS Vice President Funding for the Teacher Costs Contribution scheme has at last reached us.

This money is for attracting and retaining university qualified teachers, is part of the National Quality Framework. Unfortunately this is only a one-off payment for the 20112012 financial year. Let’s hope that something similar continues and that Services use this money as it is meant to be used. This may be a step toward pay parity. Money can be used for the following: • Offsetting the costs of employing ECT qualified staff • Recruitment and retention

incentives • Investing in bona fide professional development including formal qualification, and • upgrades, such as upgrading a three- year degree to a four-year degree.

We still need more signatures on our Teachers are Teachers petitions so if you have some out there try to get them filled and back asap – we need

10,000 if we are to have this debated in parliament (www.teachersareteachers. org.au). We continue to fall further and further behind in wages, and good teachers are choosing to leave our sector at an alarming rate. We need to focus on retention of teachers.

Submissions for the funding review have closed. We are all waiting to see what the future brings. This is the first time we have seen something like this happen at a state level and hopefully it will see more money come to the sector so that fees can be reduced and more children have access to preschool education.

On another note: Services should be aware that from January we will need to have a Certified Supervisor on the premises at all times. These Certified Supervisors need to have a CHCCHILD401A Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk qualification. Keep your eye out for training in your area.

The NQF fast approaches – lots of changes and things to consider but a better way forward for early Childhood.

Merry Xmas everyone!

Pam Smith Principals’ Organiser

Recent regional principals’ meetings have focused on the forthcoming Catholic sector negotiations and have highlighted a range of issues in relation to principals’ roles, working conditions and school funding and resourcing.

Meetings at Forbes on 24 October, Wagga Wagga on 2 November and Wollongong and Orange on 3 November expressed support for the IEU’s NSW principals’ claim which was developed by Principals’ Branch and formally submitted to CCER on 28 October.

A reference group of principals from the Branch will work with IEU officers in pursuing the claim in discussions with CCER and at diocesan level as appropriate.

In the ACT, the IEU met with principals and assistant principals on 9 November with a focus on gaining parity with NSW salary rates and further discussions have since been held with Canberra-Goulburn CEO. The IEU has met with Aspect principal members on three occasions this year and the Union is continuing to negotiate via the AIS in regard to

progressing an agreement for Aspect principals who have not received a pay rise since April 2009. A meeting between the IEU and AIS/Aspect is scheduled for early December.

Principals’ Branch congratulates its member Lou Single from Youth Off The Streets for her recent National Excellence in Teaching Award. Lou teaches at and manages Youth Off The Streets’ two independent secondary schools, including Matthew Hogan School in the Southern Highlands and Key College, which has campuses in Redfern, Merrylands and Macquarie Fields.

The Union also places on record its appreciation to long serving principal member and Council delegate David Lear who is retiring as principal of Edmund Rice College in Wollongong at the end of this year. IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman and Principals’ Organiser Pam Smith attended a retirement function for David on 11 November and the Union will also host drinks for him in Wollongong on 8 December.

Principals’ Branch 2012 meeting dates have been set for 18 February, 5 May, 8 September and 3 November.

Gonski Review should not lead to funding cuts

Packed agenda

Michelle Omeros Vice President, Non-Systemic Schools

Bernadette Hawthorne Lansdowne Branch President

It is absurd to hear that findings from the Gonski Review could mean funding cuts to education.

How can one make cuts to the education of a child who could become our future teacher, nurse, doctor or other vital professional?

It is ignorant to believe that all private schools are wealthy. My school St Euphemia College is one such example. We are located in the Bankstown area where parents are doing it tough to send their child to a school that supports their cultural and religious beliefs. Funding cuts to schools similar to mine would be detrimental to the students, parents and staff.

Funding cuts would mean larger classes whereby students with literacy and numeracy difficulties would not be able to get the extra assistance that they

require to progress favourably in their education and thus limit their future prospects in tertiary education and the workforce.

Our students are proud to be Australian, but they also keep their Greek language and Orthodox faith alive by being enrolled at our school.

Staffing cuts could mean that we may no longer be able to offer these opportunities to our students and thus their heritage would be lost forever.

A funding review should focus on providing equal funding to all students across all sectors and stop the damaging and ridiculous notion that all private schools are wealthy, while all public schools are poor. It is time to get the facts right and focus on the students, rather than the politics.

Support the IEU in its quest to get the balance right.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the legendary endof-year dinner at the Summer House, Fairfield RSL, was the reason for such a large turnout at the final meeting of 2011.

However, the branch meeting conducted before many moved on to the dinner was packed too. The branch was given updates on the campaigns in the ACT for parity with their NSW counterparts and the Teachers are Teachers pay parity petition.

Progress of salary negotiations for NSW Catholic independent schools and Catholic systemic schools was discussed. Branch members were briefed on the ongoing IEU delegations

to Government and independent MPs regarding the Gonski Review.

In particular the outcome of the visit to Fowler MP Chris Hayes and Blaxland MP Jason Clare were tabled. It was pleasing to note that both MPs were well versed on the Gonski Review and receptive to the view of the delegation.

Concerns were expressed about NAPLAN and Smart Schools National Partnerships (SSNP), mainly surrounding increased workloads. The meeting also heard about New Scheme Teachers’ difficulties with the NSW Institute of Teachers and the Maintenance of Accreditation. Branch agreed to put the matter on the Lansdowne AGM agenda for February 2012.

Comment, share your views and get engaged in your union liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ieunswact Follow us on Twitter by searching 'ieunswact' in the search bar.

Or watch the latest videos at our YouTube channel by searching 'ieunswact'

Join the IEU social group & keep upto date with us... www.ieu.asn.au 18

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Dreams stamped on Patricia Murnane Branch President Penrith/Blue Mountains Poet William Yeats wrote: “Tread softly because you tread upon my dreams”. Is this advice being ignored in schools? Work towards the worthy ideals of efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and value-added learning for students sometimes seems to be ‘won’ at the cost of the valid needs and dreams of the adults in schools.

We hope the efforts of the staff are rewarded with the settlement of fair agreements in 2012 providing adequate compensation for their work.

Branch heard reports of the difficulties new scheme teachers face as they work towards increasing their teaching skills, delivering on their responsibilities as teachers and the requirements for accreditation. They strongly identify with the dream of being a ‘good teacher’.

Members were disturbed to hear that some new teachers are asked to do more than is required. However, these teachers fear that they will not gain accreditation if they do not comply.

Fear, disappointment, feelings of unworthiness, stress and exhaustion are not part of anyone’s dream of their workplace. It is worse for new teachers.

Any threat to their perception of worthiness, and fear of ‘failing’ must be avoided.

Experienced teachers are called to be supportive of our new colleagues and stand with them against unreasonable requests. If necessary, direct them to the IEU for individual support.

The next branch meeting is Wednesday 15 February.

Healthy message well received IEU members from schools and early childhood centres gather at Noah’s On The Beach, in Newcastle, for the Union’s two-day Workplace Health and Safety training on 24-25 November.

brand new loan at sge!

Solutions Home Loan Package

Annual Rate

Comparison Rate

6.99%*

7.28%**

A complete solution for home buyers with a special reduced rate and zero application fees to give you peace of mind! SGE has been working hard to bring members high quality products at the best rates available.

Ask us today! newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

19

Our Christmas savings are as unreal as Santa!

At no cost to you, we help you save time and money at Christmas on:

Contact Union Shopper today

20

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Summe

• By M gs

ressin rP

u agn m •

Until 30 years ago Grenache produced the second highest tonnage of any grape variety in Australia. A fair bit of this went to make tawny port and when the fortified sector diminished, growers pulled out the vines, destroying this great heritage.

Some wiser heads prevailed and kept their vines. The famous d’Arenberg vineyard in McLaren Vale calls their 100% Grenache The Custodian in recognition of those who are wardens of the old vines.

This wine deserves a column all to itself but it is the great Rhone blends based on Grenache that will form a key part of my Christmas fare.

Grant Burge calls his GSM (initials of the grape varieties) The Holy Trinity, a blend of Grenache, Shiraz Mourvedre and the 2008 ($28) is a fine example.

The colour is rich, described by the makers as magenta but to me it’s a vibrant brick red and the nose is an attack of competing aromas beginning with spicy, then sweet, floral and earthy.

These layers flow through to the palate where there is evidence of cinnamon and cedar, plums and red berries, lavender and leather.

Smooth and silky, the complexity is enhanced by fine long tannins.

An intense drop that will match any traditional holiday fare beautifully.

At the budget end d’Arenberg produce an affordable, honest offering in the Stump Jump Red 2009 ($11), also a Rhone blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre and easy drinking.

A rich bright red the wine, it carries the classic Grenache aromas of jammy fruit, spice and wet autumn leaves.

A little dusty at first but wonderfully savoury flavours and good structure.

The Mourverde provides tannin for a fine finish. Stumpy is a great barbecue red but will not disgrace the Christmas table either.

A couple of good value Christmas suggestions which I’ve seen discounted at my local are Thorn-Clarke Shotfire

Quartage 2009 (under $16) and Brand’s Laira Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($16).

The Quartage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec producing a ripe flavoursome wine. The Blockers is a classic Coonawarra Cabernet, a big rich wine with fine excellent structure, tannins and length. It has all the typical Cabernet characteristics at a very affordable price.

While most holiday revellers are sipping on a Champagne-style sparking white my preferred fizz is a sparkling red, a shiraz like Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz ($14), which I once heard ignorantly described as adult cherry cola. If I’ve got something to celebrate or want to pamper myself a vintage Rumball Sparkling is an excellent choice.

For those looking for something light, fruity and a bit different I recommend trying a Moscato. Moscato is Italian for the grape variety Muscat but it has taken on a wider meaning to be any low alcohol, slightly sweet and with just a bit of spritzig (bubbles).

Check the bottle shop for a Brown Brothers version or go online and order a few special bottles from Oliver’s Tangara in McLaren Vale where the 2010 Moscato ($18) is a little gem and one I just love.

It is a light straw colour, made from White Frontiagac grapes and smells of orange blossoms.

It’s light, fruity has hints of pear and honey and tingles the tongue.

There is enough acid to be refreshing, making a low alcohol wine (5.5%) that works well with or without food.

This could be an excellent aperitif or something to sit and sip while everyone else opens their presents on Christmas morning. Good drinking.

Comment, share your views and get engaged in your union liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ieunswact Follow us on Twitter by searching 'ieunswact' in the search bar.

Or watch the latest videos at our YouTube channel by searching 'ieunswact'

Join the IEU social group & keep upto date with us... www.ieu.asn.au newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

21

www.ieu.asn.au overview

NGS gong spirits Devery to Chicago band fest to this and am very grateful to NGS Super for providing this opportunity’.

The NSW School Band Festival celebrated its 50th year in 2011 with over 230 school concert, brass and big bands performing. The bands came from Sydney, regional NSW, the ACT, New Zealand and Singapore. Over four weekends in August in excess of 6500 students performed at the Festival.

The NSW School Band Festival has been a strong promoter of music in schools and music education. In January 2011 the School Band Festival held its inaugural Music Education Conference.

Patrick’s scholarship application detailed how the trip to Midwest would assist the School Band Festival in staging its future Education Conferences. “This trip will put me in touch with some of the top people in the business. I am hoping to be able to bring some of these world class presenters to our next Education Conference in 2013.�

NGS Super representative, Jorjet Issavi, stated, “There were over 250 applications for this year’s scholarships. Patrick’s application certainly stood out as fulfilling the requirements to an exceptionally high standard.�

This is the second year the NGS Super has presented their professional development scholarships in support of the education sector.

Information as to how to apply for the scholarships can be obtained from the NGS website http://www.ngssuper.com.au/ scholarship-awards/

Jorjet Issavi from NGS Super presents Patrick Devery with his scholarship award

IEU Executive member and history Teacher, Patrick Devery, has been awarded one of six NGS Super professional development Scholarship Awards for 2011.

Patrick will use the NGS scholarship to attend Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago in December.

Patrick is the Curriculum Coordinator and acting Music Coordinator at St Mary’s Cathedral College. He is also the General Manager of the NSW School Band Festival. “Midwest is the biggest event of its kind in the world,� says Patrick. ‘I am really looking forward

1.

Two simple ways to support the work of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA this festive season

Festive Season Cards

Order from our range of cards and you will be also sending a message of solidarity to workers and their families in developing countries. “The APHEDA dove�

This dove and olive branch appear on the Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA logo, symbolising the Australian union movement’s commitment to peace and justice around the world.

All proceeds go to

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled to the east gathering food, collecting ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine) and performing ceremonies as they travelled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where ‘karlangu’ (digging sticks) emerged from the ground.

Taking these implements the women travelled east creating Janyinki and other sites. Their journey took them far to the east beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri country.

About Warlukurlangu: Established in 1985, the Warlukurlangu Artists’ Aboriginal Corporation is a fully Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located at Yuendumu, 300 km northwest of Alice Springs. www.warlu.com All proceeds go to

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA works with women and men in developing countries to provide the support they need to attain:

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA works with women and men in developing countries to provide the support they need to attain:

* decent work * education * agricultural skills * health care * labour rights *

* decent work * education * agricultural skills * health care * labour rights *

More information:

More information:

All proceeds go to APHEDA’s work for health, education and workers’ rights.

“Emu Dreaming� “Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming)� by Margaret Nangala Gallagher

Artist’s statement: This particular site of the Yankirri Jukurrpa, or Emu Dreaming) is at Ngarlikurlangu, north of Yuendumu.

Emus (‘Yankirri’) are usually represented by their ‘wirliya’ (footprints), arrow-like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu eating

!

Ngarlikiurlangu between a ‘Yankirri’ ancestor and ‘Wardilyka’ (Australian bustard) ancestors over sharing the ‘yakajirri’.

About Warlukurlangu: Established in 1985, the Warlukurlangu Artists’ Aboriginal Corporation is a fully Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located at Yuendumu, 300 km northwest of Alice Springs. www.warlu.com

Order at http://bit.ly/fscards11

“Solidarity through food security�

Agricultural project, Cambodia. Photograph by Ryan Pike.

Battambang Province is known as the ‘bread basket of Cambodia’ and produces most of Cambodia’s rice harvest. But beyond the large rice farms, smallholder farmers, which are mostly femaleheaded households, are struggling. Thirty-six per cent of children in Battambang are stunted from poor nutrition.

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA works with smallholder farmers to diversify their incomes and their diets, introducing organic

!

the training and is able to offer her grandchildren a diet with all the micronutrients they need.

All proceeds go to

All proceeds go to

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

2.

“Mina Mina Dreaming� “Mina Mina Jukurrpa� by Geraldine Napangardi Granites Artist’s statement: The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu.

The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA works with women and men in developing countries to provide the support they need to attain:

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA works with women and men in developing countries to provide the support they need to attain:

* decent work * education * agricultural skills * health care * labour rights *

* decent work * education * agricultural skills * health care * labour rights *

More information:

More information:

Gifts that Change Lives

Need a gift for the person who has everything?

Give them a gift of empowerment, knowledge & justice.

You choose the project and the donation and you will receive a project gift card to give to your workmates, friends and family.

Order at http://bit.ly/gtclcards

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

www.apheda.org.au Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA expresses the Australian labour movement’s commitment to social justice and international solidarity through support to overseas education, training and development projects, working in partnership with those whose rights to development are restricted or denied.

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Bernard O’Connor NGS Super

Absolutely Super:

Comprenez-vous le Super? Quick quiz: What is..?

• Unrestricted non-preserved money • Market Volatility • Contribution caps (numbers and ages please!)

• MER • Preserved money • MySuper, and • Longevity risk.

If you were able to answer all of the above questions without Google, then congratulations on your knowledge of superannuation. If not, you may wish to brush up your super knowledge with some assistance from your industry fund.

As the national industry fund for the non-government education sector, NGS Super is committed to providing easy, jargon-free information to members to assist them when making decisions about super.

The NGS website (www.ngssuper. com.au) now provides a wealth of information to keep members informed of both micro and macro developments in the world of superannuation. Specifically, the site now includes videos of market updates by the NGS CEO, Anthony RodwellBall, as well as regular reports of the board meeting outcomes.

The on-line learning module, Take Control of Your Finances is also available for members who would like to improve their financial literacy. All the basics are explained.

NGS Super has embraced social media with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube sites now operational. The website also contains many fact sheets to assist members with specific questions on areas such as insurance, investment and pensions.

Both superannuation and insurance calculators are a feature of the site and e-mail updates are now sent out to Fund members to keep them informed while reducing the Fund’s carbon footprint.

Super seminars are increasingly popular and have now been tailored to topics requested by members. These seminars are presented by licensed NGS financial planners in capital cities and some regional areas. Dates and location for the 2012 program are available on the NGS website.

Workplace visits are an excellent means of improving communication and answering questions about

superannuation. A face-to-face meeting allows members to ask those questions about super which have always been perplexing or problematical.

An authorised NGS representative will be able to provide the general product information needed to help members make informed decisions and if more specific advice is required, the financial planning team can assist.

The workplace visits program for 2012 is currently being mapped out to coincide with staff meetings, lunch breaks or after-work meetings. It is an excellent opportunity to receive an update on important areas such as changes to superannuation legislation, investment markets and returns, the range of insurance options and tax considerations.

To arrange a workplace visit call 1300 133 177 and ask to be connected to your regional office or e-mail boconnor@ngssuper.com. au. Make 2012 your year for getting your mind around things which you have never fully understood about superannuation and take control of your account.

The NGS Directors, staff and management would like to extend our Seasons Greetings to all IEU members and their families. May you have a super Christmas and many happy returns in the New Year!

(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 professional advice.)

Bernard O’Connor NGS Super

Newsmonth 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.

Graphic Design: Chris Ruddle 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, Sydney Telephone: (02) 9779 3200 Toll free: 1800 467 943 Facsimile: (02) 9261 8850 email: ieu@ieu.asn.au 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 members and at commercial rates. It does not in any way reflect endorsement by the NSW/ACT IEU.

NSW/ACT IEU Executive Dick 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

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

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

newsmonth - Vol 31 #8 2011

23

www.ieu.asn.au giveaways

Giveaway 1

Giveaway 2

Giveaway 3

Blood Sugar: Parlour Games for Modern Families Author: Myfanwy Jones & Spiri Tsintziras Scribe Publications ISBN:9781921844416 Three copies to giveaway Sick of the dominance of screens in your life? Wanting to reconnect to fun and other people? This book is full of all kinds of games – including rough and tumble, wordplay, card games and role play – just the thing for the festive season. The book also promises that you won’t need any equipment you don’t already have in your home. As the book says, there are games that will challenge and stimulate you, and games that will have you in fits; games that can last all night, and games to fill that empty halfhour before tea…”

Happy gaming!

Inspiring recipes for anyone facing the challenges of diabetes and maintaining good health Michael Moore New Holland Publishers ISBN: 9781742571546 Three copies to giveaway When chef Michael Moore (currently chef at the Summit) suffered a stroke he was living with diabetes and busy becoming a major chef. The stroke changed a lot, including his outlook on food. This beautifully produced book ‘breaks the mould in diabetic cooking’ and includes over 65 restaurant quality recipes for those with diabetes and an interest in health. Recipes include light meals, snacks through to soups, mains and desserts, so if recipes for strawberry, cucumber and orange cooler with ice, orange marmalade, warm seafood and quinoa salad and grilled lamb with pears, pomegranate and sumac make your tummy rumble make sure you enter.

Mary MacKillop: A woman before her time

Author: William Modystack New Holland Press ISBN: 9781742571263 Three copies to giveaway This ‘meticulously researched’ biography promises ‘an insight into the shy but determined young woman who experienced a strong sense of religious vocation’. It follows her successes and struggles including her excommunication and subsequent visit to Rome in 1973. The book’s blurb says Mary is shown ‘in the light of her genuinely sympathetic nature and the cheerful bearing of hardships, disappointments and personal losses’.

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 16 December. Please note envelopes received that have not been clearly marked with which giveaway they are entering will be disqualified.

We encourage you to join the conversation with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and follow our weekly blog.

You can chat with us, receive up-to-date industry news, read interesting articles and watch informative and fun videos.

Visit www.ngssuper.com.au to follow us!

NGS Super Pty Limited ABN 46 003 491 487.

0642(1011)

NGS14383_NGS Newsmonth Advert.indd 1

25/10/11 3:19 PM