Newsmonth: Febuary, 2011 (Vol 31 / No.5 )

NEWSPAPER OF THE NSW/ACT INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION [ VOL 31 #1 ] February 2011

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

ECS pay parity – a call to action at www.teachersareteachers.org.au, and those using early childhood services themselves could voice their opinions as parents or supporters of the sector.

From the campaign website you can find out more about the issue, email your local politicians and pledge support.

IEU members can raise the issue at chapter meetings and get directly involved in Teachers are Teachers actions.

school colleagues despite the same training. This means they can earn up to $14,000 less per year.

Teachers Are Teachers campaigners report “heartening” stories from members’ visits to politicians. It sounds as though many MPs and challenging candidates are aware of the quality work being performed in the early childhood sector.

A Blue Day is being planned over the next few weeks to highlight the claim.

Teachers in early childhood typically receive up to 20% less than primary

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he IEU is asking all members to back the pay parity campaign of early childhood sector colleagues in the crucial run-up to the state election.

Teachers are Teachers campaigners have targeted politicians who control early childhood funding in NSW through emails and face-to-face

Final reminder for ECS members

meetings as they seek wage equality with primary school teachers. IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman said the election would be “crunch time” as more and more candidates were being asked to put their cards on the table.

A few of the face-to-faces with state election candidates have still to be completed.

The Teachers Are Teachers campaign committee is reminding activists and supporters to: n finalise any outstanding appointments n take each politician the early childhood briefing sheet

He said other teachers and support staff could lend their weight to the push by visiting the campaign website

n feed back candidate responses to the Union. Were they interested, did they know about the 20% wage disparity and what, if any, promises were made?

Sealing the deal T

wenty five thousand Catholic school staff moved onto federal employment agreements on 1 January, writes IEU Assistant Secretary John Quessy.

The agreements, hammered out between the IEU and Catholic employers, cover teachers, principals, advisers, outdoor and maintenance staff and support staff in 10 dioceses and teachers, support, maintenance and outdoor staff in most Catholic independent schools.

It’s the first time staff will have their wages and conditions regulated in the federal industrial relations system and follows the referral of IR powers

support staff who voted.”

from the NSW Government to the Commonwealth in December 2009.

More than 98% of staff voted in favour of the new agreements.

These agreements do not contain new conditions but fulfil the IEU’s undertaking to preserve wages and conditions registered under state arrangements for the 2009-2011 period.

“The hard work and cooperation of the CCER and IEU officials made the often painstaking process of drafting new agreements both efficient and effective,” Catholic Commission for Employment Relations Executive Director Anthony Farley says.

“I thank them for their professionalism and I also thank the many teachers and

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IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman said the agreements provided Catholic school staff with “certainty of wages and employment conditions” for the immediate future.

He said all 13 documents would expire at different stages of this year and negotiations for replacement agreements would be one of the IEU’s priorities for 2011.

The agreements have all been approved

by Fair Work Australia.

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Dick Shearman and Tony Farley (front) sign off on 13 new enterprise agreements.

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Sometimes a malicious allegation or fabricated complaint can happen, regardless of the diligence of a teacher.

While such allegations are extremely rare, most arise from a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the teacher’s intent. Cautious, professional conduct is the best prevention.

Do not judge. Be supportive, and advise the teacher to contact the IEU for help.

Hunter teachers win

Campaign goes bush

PD—all you need to know

Continue regular social activities with your colleague. He or she needs to know there is support. Keep in touch, and respect confidentiality. Sitting at home waiting for a meeting with the investigator is a lonely and worrying experience. Anyone can be a victim of child protection allegations.

NSW/ACT INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION 176-182 DAY ST, SYDNEY GPO BOX 116 SYDNEY 2001 Phone 02 9779 3200 Toll Free: 1800 467 943

pedagogy in pub.indd 1

22/06/10 8:27 PM

www.ieu.asn.au

Gloria Taylor IEU D e p u t y S e c r e ta r y

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n 1 January 2012 new work health and safety legislation will be introduced across Australia.

The Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2010 sets out the obligations that must be complied with from 1 January. The legislative package will be handed over to jurisdictions in July this year.

The new laws differ in a number of ways from existing legislation and have attracted some controversy. Unions have a number of concerns with the model Act. Breaches of duty of care will now be criminal offences with increased penalties. Individual employees will be at greater risk of prosecution for such breaches, particularly if “they are responsible for an undertaking”.

The prosecution will now bear the onus of proof – the ‘reverse onus of proof’ will no longer apply. This will make it more difficult to prosecute

Carol Matthews IEU A s s i s ta n t S e c r e ta r y

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s a result of a decision handed down by Fair Work Australia on 29 December last year early childhood teachers paid under the Educational Services (Teachers) modern award are entitled to an pay increase of $26 per week from the beginning of the first pay period on or after 1 January 2011.

The decision preserves the previous NSW NAPSA rates, together with additional Fair Pay increases, and these rates will continue to apply until 2014 without a transition down to modern award rates.

The increase affects early childhood teachers employed by constitutional corporations and covered by the modern

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Controversy swirls around OHS changes “Breaches of duty of care will now be criminal offences with increased penalties.” serious employer breaches.

Also contentious is the removal of unions’ ability to prosecute on behalf of members and new requirements on unions that are addressing OHS issues.

A focus on training and new representational rights for health and safety reps are seen as positive features of the legislation.

WorkCover Assist Education and Training Grants will provide funding for training to raise awareness of the new legislation.

if successful, will provide training this year to interested staff in nongovernment schools, early childhood centres and other workplaces across our membership.

The IEU has been committed to OHS training over many years. Last year OHS workshops were conducted in the areas of special needs (‘Safety in your Hands’) and maintenance and outdoor works (‘Safety First’).

Resources from these workshops can be accessed on the OHS training online section of the IEU website at www.ieu.asn.au.

Contact iva@ieu.asn.au if you are interested in a hard copy of these training resources.

We hope to see you at IEU OHS seminars this year.

The IEU believes it is essential for our reps and members to gain this knowledge. The Union has put in a WorkCover submission and,

Stay abreast of the IEU’s environmental sustainability initiatives throughout 2011 and tap into inspiration and the experiences of your colleagues when you join the IEU Environmental Network.

Visit us on the IEU website or facebook, or contact environetwork@ ieu.asn.au to join.

Pay rise for early childhood teachers award who were previously covered by the Nsw Teachers (Non Government Preschools) (State) Award NAPSA (the preschools award) and the Teachers (Non Government Early Childhood Services other than Preschools) Award NAPSA (the long day care award).

the modern award, and will apply to all three and four year trained teachers and directors not covered by an enterprise agreement, who were employed at 1 January 2010. If there is an additional general Fair Pay increase in July this year, that will apply as well.

Many teachers employed at 1 January 2010 had their rate of pay frozen except for incremental increases because, although the employer could not reduce their rate of pay when the modern award commenced, they did not get the benefit of the subsequent $26 per week July 2010 Fair Pay increase.

Teachers employed after 1 January 2010

The $26 increase will now be added to the NAPSA rates, preserved through

The decision will also affect teachers employed after 1 January 2010 as it preserves the NAPSA rates as part of the modern award for all teachers. In a small number of cases employers may have been paying the lower modern award transitional rates rather than the NAPSA rates to new teachers employed after

1 January 2010. These teachers will now also be entitled to the full NAPSA rates plus FWA increases from 1 January 2011 up until 2014.

Agreements The IEU is negotiating a large number of agreements with early childhood employers. Agreements are essential for long term protection of pay and conditions — do not hesitate to ring the IEU on 02 9779 3200 (1800 467 943 toll free) for assistance.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

on the ground

The year ahead “We will respond to the public debate generated by the current review of the funding of schooling and, in NSW, education will certainly feature in the looming state election.”

Dick Shearman IEU G e n e r a l S e c r e ta r y

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his year promises to be another challenging one for all who work in education. We face significant industrial, professional and political issues. The Union will continue to work for the best possible outcomes arising out of the National Curriculum and National Professional Standards agendas.

We will also respond to the public debate generated by the current review of the funding of schooling and, in NSW, education will certainly feature in the looming state election.

On the industrial front, the IEU consolidated most members onto federal agreements during 2010.

Teachers and support staff in independent schools will start the year with pay rises and new agreements.

The negotiation of independent and Christian school agreements was a significant major achievement, and the Union will now work to secure coverage of any remaining groups of employees not currently covered.

Catholic schools In the case of Catholic schools, it was essential to maintain the gains achieved in current awards and agreements and this was done through a process of transition to the federal system.

Agreements expire across the sector this year and will need to be renegotiated. Campaigns for wages and conditions for all members in Catholic schools will develop as the year progresses.

Early childhood sector The IEU launched its Teachers Are Teachers campaign late in 2010 to fight for long overdue wage parity for early childhood teachers. The Union is highly committed to this campaign and will work with members to escalate engagement of members to achieve our goals.

Member support The Union has demonstrated its capacity to work effectively in the federal system under the Fair Work bargaining scheme. However this is most successful when we have strong Union membership in each workplace.

The IEU greatly appreciates the support of our reps and members and we encourage you to continue to build the Union at your workplace.

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Carlo Rendina, previously a Maths Teacher and Acting Religion Coordinator at St Francis Xavier Hamilton, first worked for the Union when filling in for IEU Organiser Therese Fitzgibbon during her maternity leave in 2007.

He has been a member of IEU Council since the early 1990s, active in his local branch, both as President and Secretary at different times, and a long-time Rep. So when a permanent, full-time IEU Organiser role became available, he jumped at the chance.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

“I really rate the importance of the Union in all aspects of society and the value that it provides.”

Jim Hall has come to the Union after nine years at St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford, where he taught History and Business Studies. He has also worked in the public schools system.

As a Rep for most of his time at St Joseph’s, and Branch President for the past couple of years Jim says a highlight of his role was “a sense of keeping the situation calm”. “If there was one thing that sorted things out at our place, it was communication, communication, communication.”

ne of the biggest employers in our sector, the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations, is having problems staffing preschools with suitably qualified people. It has put the problem down to “lower salaries”.

Reproduced below are excepts from a letter the Commission sent to NSW Premier Kristina Kenneally that underlines the legitimacy of our “Teachers Are Teachers” campaign. nnn “Catholic employers are concerned that it is becoming increasingly difficult to staff preschools with qualified teachers due to the lower salaries available compared to primary school teachers. This disparity also applies to non-teaching staff in those same workplaces.

“Unfortunately, the current available level of funding means that fees would need to rise to unsustainable levels for families if parity were to be established without Government support. In this regard, the lack of access by NSW Catholic school authorities to $278.6 million of Universal Access National Partnership funding is a major strategic problem.

Jim Hall (left) and Carlo Rendina

“It all happened very quickly but I had been thinking about it for the past three years.

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“Catholic employers believe that teachers and qualified child care workers, and qualified and/or trained support workers in community based preschoools should receive the same salaries as those in departmental preschools and primary schools.

Welcome to Carlo and Jim

ew IEU Organisers Carlo Rendina and Jim Hall are looking forward to getting out and meeting members, and to being a part of the Union’s broader education, professional development and social justice program.

Low teacher salaries worry employers

He also found ongoing inspiration in teachers and support staff “doing a good job and putting themselves out for the kids”. “Because of this it never felt a chore to go out and act on their behalf.

There are lots of passionate people and you get swept up in that.”

“We encourage the Premier to initiate a review of the roll-out of Universal Access funding in NSW to make it more equitable and inclusive and better able to meet its aim to remove barriers to participation in a preschool program …"

“I like fairness and it’s the concept of this in life and in workplaces that I really believe in.

“The CCER on behalf of Catholic employers request that the NSW Government give consideration to matching the Commonwealth contribution to not for profit community based pre-schools from July 2011 and that the NSW Government commence discussions with the Commonwealth to establish a process to extend these increased contributions to non-teaching staff.”

“The IEU is part of the checks and balances that see this take place.

“I’ve always been interested in politics and industrial relations but because I was teaching any other role had to be a part-time. Now I can specialise in it.

“Teachers and support staff deserve to be protected.”

Anthony Farley Executive Director

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Bracing for change Sandra White C o n v e n o r ,IEU E du c at i o n I s s ue s C o m m i t t ee

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ere we are at the start of the school year, bracing for the work ahead that will emerge from the changeover to national systems in the provision of education.

First, the task of working on the ‘sort-of’ approved Australian Curriculum subject areas history, science, English, & maths K-10, to reach a standard acceptable in NSW. And then the challenge of revising the national curriculum framework to include the whole curriculum, developing new support materials and teacher PD, and attending to developments in phase 2 subjects geography, languages and the arts.

Also imminent are the adoption of national teaching and principal standards, and a national teacher accreditation framework, all of which will entail additional administrative and professional workload.

So what do we know, and how can we prepare for these changes?

Australian Curriculum

New curriculum kicks off in the ACT I

n Term 1 schools in the ACT will begin rolling out the first strand (English, mathematics, science and history) of the Australian Curriculum for students in Kindergarten to Year 10, writes Organiser Berna Simpson.

While the Australian Curriculum outlines the scope of what is to be learnt, it is classroom teachers who make decisions about how best to organise learning.

To this end, a bridging document has been compiled to support teachers as they move from using the ACT Curriculum Every Chance to Learn to implementing the Australian Curriculum.

ACT curriculum coordinators from all jurisdictions attended Australian Curriculum training days late last term and outlined their needs, including: n Support from the principal and executive team n Whole school support and an acceptance of change n A long-term operational plan n A manageable short-term plan n A time allowance to calmly progress from Every Chance to Learn to the Australian Curriculum

n Networks n Resources.

Other learning areas still being developed by ACARA will continue to be taught from the ACT Curriculum Framework Every Chance To Learn until the Australian Curriculum for these learning areas is progressively completed.

Years 11 and 12 will continue to use frameworks developed by the Board of Senior Secondary Studies until the implementation of the senior years Australian Curriculum.

n Continual professional development

Coordinators Ben Kelly (St John the Apostle, Florey), Cherie Kelly (Mother Teresa School, Harrison) and Marylou Gorham (St Monica’s, Evatt) at the seminar.

Throughout 2010, the Union as part of a group of professional, principal and parent associations maintained that the Australian Curriculum (AC) needed more work and was not ready for implementation.

In November 2010, the BOS sent a memorandum to schools saying there would be no change to the NSW curriculum in 2011 and NSW Minister Verity Firth responded to our concerns by confirming that she would not approve a curriculum for NSW that did not meet the standards of the current state curriculum. The Union is committed to this position.

On 8 December 2010, state and federal education ministers (MCEECDYA) approved the first stage of the Australian Curriculum, subject to a number of actions they agreed were needed before it could be implemented.

MCEECDYA also agreed the end goal is now “substantial implementation by 2013”.

The actions to be undertaken before full implementation can proceed include: n establishing a national common approach to the achievement standards and trialing and validating that approach 4

n developing additional support materials for different states and territories n further refining and adjusting the curriculum content n finalising a clear overarching framework n developing content and achievement standards as required to meet the needs of special needs students.

MCEECDYA wants the work on achievement standards, and adjustments to the curriculum content, ready by October 2011. This will mean intensive consultation in the first half of the year, and teachers can expect to be involved in briefings, meetings, surveys, and, in some schools, trials or pilot schemes may take place.

“It is critical that you let the Union know what is happening in your school and what teachers are saying about their subjects.”

It is critical that you let the Union know what is happening in your school and what teachers are saying about their subjects.

opinions of those teaching in the relevant subject areas.

Contact me sandra@ieu.asn.au at the IEU if your school is involved in any trial or pilot scheme, or if you participate in any consultation processes especially about the first stage of the Australian Curriculum. We want to hear what you have to say.

The Union is planning to hold a conference mid-year to assess how the work on the Australian Curriculum is proceeding (further details will be published in subsequent editions of Newsmonth).

The key role of the Union will be to ensure that your professional needs are known, understood and met – to achieve this we need to be fully informed about the concerns and NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

www.ieu.asn.au

ie independent

Look out for the next issue of IE for an exclusive interview with Schools Minister Peter Garrett, where he gives his views on the Australian Curriculum, and talks about My School and national testing. IE is out on 29 March.

education

Govt shifts GEERS for former St Gregory’s Armenian School staff the professional voice of the Independent Education Union

V.41#1, 2011

Taking the job pledge Employment challenges for migrants and refugees n Tackling homophobia n Robots in the classroom

Question time Print Post No. 243184/0001 ISSN 1320-9825

Peter Garrett on going national

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leven members owed in excess of $230,000 have been granted advances under the Australian Government’s General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS), following significant efforts by the IEU. The IEU has fought for the entitlements of former employees of St Gregory’s Armenian School in Beaumont Hills, who were impacted by redundancies, since 2008. In that time the Union has run a number of cases in the Industrial Relations Commission, the Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court and the Supreme Court of NSW and written numerous letters, including a request by IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman for GEERS restrictions to be waived.

This request has been granted by the Government, with Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and

National teaching standards and accreditation A set of National Professional Standards for Teachers was delivered to MCEECDYA on 8 December, and endorsed, out of session, in late December.

An official announcement is imminent, which will clarify that no change to teaching standards or accreditation processes is expected in NSW in 2011.

The new national teaching standards will replace the NSW professional teaching standards, but whether that happens in 2012 or 2013 depends on how work proceeds in 2011 to prepare for the change. The Union will monitor the situation closely.

Evidence guides, support documents, PD for mentors and supervisors - all must be prepared and effectively communicated to schools before implementation can proceed. Schools will need time to modify their documentation.

In the future, teachers who enter the profession in the year when the national standards are implemented will use the new national standards, while it is expected that those who began their accreditation with the NSW standards will continue to use these to complete their full accreditation.

So there will be a few years when both sets of standards are in use with the potential for confusion if the situation is not well managed.

To further complicate matters, all fully accredited teachers in NSW maintaining NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

Workplace Relations Senator Jacinta Collins acknowledging the members’ exceptional circumstances.

Senator Collins writes: “Given the significant efforts the IEU has taken to recover and protect the entitlements of former St Gregory’s employees and the apparent financial difficulties St Gregory’s was experiencing at the time the employees lost their jobs, I will ensure the six month eligibility criteria is waived for the former St Gregory’s employees.”

But it’s “not over yet”, says IEU Industrial Officer Iain Bailey. “When the liquidation case is completed the members should receive the balance of their entitlements. The Union will continue to assist members throughout this process.”

accreditation against NSW standards will have to transfer to the national set at some point.

No doubt some in high office will look to the shortest timeframe. But really, it will make more sense to take the time to be properly prepared, and to change over for both new teachers and those maintaining their accreditation at the same time. 2013 is looking more manageable given the extent of change occurring in schools.

National standards for school principals Consultation on the draft set of National Principal Standards will go from January to May 2011 and is also likely to involve pilot studies.

The IEU will participate in stakeholder consultations, and the NSW/ACT IEU Principals Branch will consider the draft standards at their 19 February meeting.

Your input, comments or questions are welcome and should be directed to IEU Principal’s Organiser, Pam Smith (pam@ ieu.asn.au).

The standards will be refined in light of the piloting and consultation processes with the aim of seeking AITSL Board and MCEECDYA endorsement and launching the National Professional Standard for Principals by mid-2011.

Extending the reach of agreements A

key IEU focus for 2011 will be extending agreements to members who do not currently have the protection of an industrial agreement, IEU Assistant Secretary Carol Matthews says.

Many of these members have traditionally had their conditions tied to an award by a letter of appointment or an informal understanding.

The referral of powers to the federal industrial system means many want greater certainty about their conditions, particularly as state awards will no longer continue in the same form.

In other cases members may have been covered by awards that have been frozen as NAPSAs with rates of pay which have not been increased, except for Fair Pay increases, since 2006. This group includes members covered by awards to which the IEU has not been party and who have been unable to negotiate agreements.

In most cases modern awards provide a much lower rate of pay and conditions than those is the state awards that used to apply.

Groups of members who have approached the IEU for representation to achieve an agreement include the following: n bursars in Sydney and Parramatta CEO schools n diocesan officers in Canberra/ Goulburn and Parramatta diocesan offices n principals, therapists and early intervention teachers employed by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) n nurses in Catholic schools Carol says members should contact the IEU if they are not covered by an agreement and would like to clarify existing entitlements or find out about establishing a workplace agreement.

Some employees have been advised by employers they are now covered by a modern award.

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Education Bites

Hunter teachers set winning example

Pyneing for Brits and Romans

“It was a long and difficult dispute and the determination of the teachers was extraordinary.”

Photo courtesy Maitland Mercury

Federal Opposition Education spokesperson, Christopher Pyne, says proposals for a national curriculum will be scrapped and rewritten if the LiberalNational Coalition wins government.

A three-month bargaining period in 2009 did not achieve the conditions that members were seeking.

Rather than giving up, they embarked on a 12-month industrial campaign that included four stop work actions.

Mr Pyne is especially dirty on writers of the history curriculum, accusing them of neglecting the contributions of Brits, Christians, Romans and Ancient Greeks in favour of undue emphasis on Indigenous culture, Asia and “sustainability”.

“It was a great day when we finally reached agreement with the College,” Organiser Therese Fitzgibbon says.

In a speech to free market activists at the Institute of Public Affairs he said he would be “happy to go back to the drawing board and start again’’.

“It was a long and difficult dispute and the determination of the teachers was extraordinary. They recognised that they were not receiving what teachers in other schools were getting and fought hard for equity.

“Members now have improved personal leave entitlements, access to paid parental leave and improved workloads.

Canada Baying for cash If our maths is right, Sydney municipality Canada Bay, has whacked up rents to four community-run early childcare centres by around 8000%.

Traditional peppercorn rentals, designed to make social services accessible are pretty naff in a user-pays world and Canada Bay has embraced the philosophy with passionate zeal.

Ten dollar a year peppercorn rentals have been replaced by annual charges of around $8000 but, fear not, a Canada Bay spokesperson has assured the Daily Telegraph that families will not be adversely affected.

State v Church A Toowoomba father of six is maintaining his crusade against state funding of school chaplains. Ron Williams’ challenge to a program, founded by John Howard and endorsed to the tune of an additional $222 million

by Julia Gillard, will be heard by the High Court in May. Williams argues the funding breaches Section 116 of the Constitution, which states that the “Commonwealth not legislate in respect of religion”.

Georgia on your mind?

The anti-Russian revolution is in full swing in Georgia and you could be part of it. So eager is President, Mikheil Saakashvili, to see Russian supplanted by English as his nation’s second language he has imported more than a thousand school teachers.

He wants up to 1000 more as part of a plan to have native English-speakers in every Georgian school. The teachers live rent free with local families for a payment of about $275 a month.

Of course, it would pay to remember that under Saakashvili, Georgia fought a short but brutal war with Russia in 2008.

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year-long industrial campaign, including four work stoppages, has won Hunter Trade College staff a new enterprise agreement.

in other government and nongovernment schools, so members sought an agreement that reflected industry standards.

The IEU began bargaining with the College in September 2009 after an agreement made under WorkChoices expired.

In particular the absence of paid parental leave and minimum personal leave entitlements were areas they felt needed to be addressed.

The agreement included some entitlements below those that apply

Other issues such as workloads and class sizes were important factors.

“I was enormously impressed by the collective approach taken by the teachers.

“We could never have achieved the improvements we did without the strength and commitment the members displayed.

“It was a great example of what can be achieved when Union members really support each other.”

Flood disaster moves Unions T

he Queensland-Northern Territory branch of the IEUA has tipped $25,000 into the flood relief effort and in NSW the IEU is asking members whose workplaces were affected to alert Union organisers.

Dozens of Queensland non-government schools and early childhood centres were extensively damaged by summer flooding that claimed more than 30 lives across three states.

IEUA-QNT officers said kindergartens, Catholic schools and at least 13 independent schools were damaged as floods ravaged the state during December and January.

There were several reports of members’ homes being damaged, with some having to move to alternative accommodation.

Officers said some members in Catholic and Lutheran schools were making use of emergency leave arrangements

contained in their collective agreements as they sought to get lives and properties back in order.

Their agreements entitle them to five days of employer-approved paid leave to deal with emergencies.

Many members have been involved in fund-raising activities and the IEUAQNT has committed $25,000 to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.

Major population centres in NSW avoided the worst of the flooding but the IEU remains concerned for members, schools and early childhood centres in rural parts of the northern rivers and Riverina, both affected by extensive mid-January flooding.

IEU Assistant Secretary John Quessy urged affected members to alert organisers as the Union sought to understand the full effect of the disaster on the NSW education sector.

“Initial reports suggest we have been lucky in comparison to our friends in Queensland and Victoria,” John says, “but we want to hear from members who can advise us of damage to their schools or other schools in our sector.

“We do have concerns that some schools and, especially, early childhood centres in rural parts of the state may have been damaged and members might have lost teaching resources and personal possessions.

“It is important at times like this to demonstrate we are all in this together.”

The IEU supports the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal which is accepting donations by phone, internet, cheque, or cash at participating banks and credit unions. Full details are available at: http://news.ieu.asn.au/1425_2.html

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

on the ground

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Parents back ECS campaign

Early Childhood

Teachers are teachers city to the bush

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arent Lisa Jeffery supports the IEU’s Teachers Are Teachers campaign. The Blaxland Preschool Kindergarten management committee member tells Newsmonth why the issue is important.

Why do you believe early childhood teachers should gain pay parity?

Good experiences in preschool are so important and we need to ensure we have the best teachers working in this setting. More government funding is needed for preschools to help pay a better wage for teachers.

Is that why you have taken a stand and supported early childhood teachers?

It’s hard for preschool teachers to advocate for their pay and conditions the way other kinds of employees do because a key part of their role is to develop nurturing and supportive relationships with our children and with parents.

Tambi Collins, Amy Johnson, and Vicki McGuiness from the Happy Day Pre-school, Broken Hill.

You contacted state election candidates and asked them if they knew about these issues. What response have you had so far?

A local independent candidate was the first to respond and she agreed to visit the preschool to talk with me and our preschool director about the issue…

I talked about the wonderful teachers and other early childhood staff my son had developed relationships with at preschool in 2010 and how important this was for my son, and for us as parents.

What do you believe would work well from a parent’s point of view to support teachers?

I think a lot of parents don’t realise that early childhood teachers have the same university qualifications as ‘big school’ teachers and don’t understand that in relation to ‘big school’ teachers a lot of preschool teachers are very underpaid.

Law moves on childcare ratios "It is important to set the figure in law as a minimum requirement.”

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IEU members at Abbotsford Long Day Care Centre have taken the Teachers Are Teachers campaign message to parents by setting up a campaign station. Members report that many families are shocked to discover that teachers are paid less for choosing to work in early childhood services.

Lynette Funnell from St Mary's Community Preschool Casino (above) proves that early childhood members are true activists. She is among members photographing themselves wearing pay equity campaign t-shirts around Australia and the world.

one-to-four staff-child ratio for babies became mandatory for all licensed centre-based and mobile children’s services in NSW, from 1 January.

Verena said new national regulations would be published soon for consultation and encouraged all members to take the opportunity to have a say.

The IEU applauds a move it says is important for quality childcare and both the job satisfaction and health of staff.

Babies are defined, for the purposes of childcare regulations, as children under two years of age.

IEU Industrial Officer Verena Heron said many “best practice” centres had already moved to a 1:3 ratio.

Announcing the changes, NSW Community Services Minister Linda Burney said they were in keeping with the government’s commitment to improve ratios ahea of the new National Quality Standard (NQS) that becomes effective in January 2012.

“The Union has been working with other early childhood organisations for this legislative change for a number of years,” Verena said. “Two of the key indicators of quality early childhood education are child/staff ratios and the qualifications of staff.

“This reflects what is happening with the majority of providers but it is important to set the figure in law as a minimum requirement.”

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

Other changes to the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 and Children and Young Person’s (Care and Protection) Act 1998 include streamlining the licensing system to reduce administrative costs for child care providers, and removing unnecessary restrictions, Ms Burney said.

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Reps Spotlight

Following in the footsteps of a firebrand “I think it’s really important to have open and honest relationships between unions and employers’ groups.’’

Sue Osborne IEU j o u r n a l i s t

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ighting for the rights of employees runs in the family of Santa Sabina College Rep Louise Smyth.

Her father Toby McCarthy was a ground breaker in the early 50s, an industrial advocate who set up the first private industrial relations advisory service in Sydney.

Louise, who is a HSIE KLA coordinator, has taught at the Strathfield independent Catholic college for 12 years, although her association with the school started much earlier, as she is a former student.

“He was working within the Department of Labour and Industry, but having six kids, he decided he’d better get out of the public service and explore something with a higher return, so he took his timber, hairdressers and clubs employers with him and started his own business.”

While her father represented employer groups, she said he was a fiery advocate for equal pay during the 70s, and a great supporter of unions.

“He was a great advocate for the people in the industries he represented, he believed in a fair wage for a fair day’s work.

“He was involved in a lot of the early cases involving equal pay for women.

We would often hear him on the phone berating some of the employers he represented for mistreating their staff.

“He would say unions had been demonised when in most cases people could sit across the table and have a civilised discussion.”

Teaching also seems to be a family trait, with seven out of Louise’s 11 siblings being teachers in both state and nongovernment systems. A number are union reps. Her own son and daughter are teachers too.

Her daughter also went to the school.

“She was urging me to come and teach here while she was a student, but I thought better of it.

“It makes for some lively discussions around the dining table,” she says.

will be able to step aside this year for a younger person.

Her father’s influence obviously colours Louise’s own approach to her role as Rep.

“Schools are busy places and it’s difficult to get people to think about the Union when there’s no crisis.

“In the most recent round of negotiations for enterprise agreements it was wonderful that both sides, the CCER and the IEU, took a conciliatory process.

“I think it’s really important to have open and honest relationships between unions and employers’ groups.

“There will be a bit of argy bargy but a conciliatory approach is vitally important.

“Young people are frightened by that stereotype of militant unionism which has never been accurate.”

Getting young people involved with unions is important to Louise, and she hopes that after two years as Rep, she

“I think the barrier is often financial, or fear of stigmatisation, for young people.

“That certainly isn’t a problem at this school.

“I’ve always tried to keep people informed and quash any sense that it’s beyond our capacity to come up with a fair agreement.

“We have strong membership at Santa, there are 98 members here, which is about 75% of the staff.

“A lot of teachers do have their children at this school, which says a lot about it.

“It’s a great school for families. We have Mary Bailey House [childcare centre], so parents can have their babies with them at work. The school won an Equal Opportunities for Women in the Workplace Agency award.”

Louise says the future for the big independent schools is changing, with more evaluation and pressure.

“Catholic kids don’t necessarily go to Catholic schools any more. They make choices based on many things.

“We have to constantly prove our worth, but I think we can stand up to scrutiny.”

“I tell people that the IEU provides qualified advocates that we should use.’’

Is handwriting still important in the digital age?

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hile the ‘Education Revolution' has focused on the rollout of laptops to high schools, at the primary level the ‘tool of trade’ remains handwriting.

To help answer these questions and more, Michiko de Solom, a researcher at the University of Sydney, needs primary teachers in NSW to participate in a survey on handwriting.

However, unlike reading acquisition, there is little research or educational data available on handwriting.

The survey has full ethics approval from the University and all responses are treated as anonymous and confidential.

In Australia no data exists that can tell us what instructional methods teachers currently use, how much teaching time is allocated per lesson or what resources are used.

The survey will take approximately 12-15 minutes and will be available online this term by clicking on the following link: http://questionpro.com/t/ CH3ybZEWPCw

Although students K-6 are routinely exposed to computers there is no data to inform us if this has impacted on the teaching of handwriting and the ability of children to hand write.

Teachers who prefer to complete a printed version can request a copy by emailing mdes6173@uni.sydney.edu.au.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

on the ground

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Support staff

School’s not that bad, after all “If a groundsman does his back or gets seriously ill he is probably out of a job.

I know they are supposed to retrain you but, short of sending you to university to do a teaching degree I don’t know what they could do, and I don’t think that’s very likely.

“And child-protection was an eyeopener. It certainly brought home a few things about what you can and can’t do.”

It also reinforced that the practical, if unspoken, demarcation that exists at St Pious X, Adamstown, is rooted in commonsense.

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ony Fraser’s been around schools for 17 years but his first health and safety seminar was an “eye-opener”.

The Newcastle groundsman was intrigued by some of the practical information imparted at an IEU course for outdoor staff in Newcastle.

“Manual handling and chemical safety are very important to us because a lot of the issues we deal with every day,” he said.

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“It’s a good job because there is variety and you get out and about. You organise what needs to be done with the principal then, really, you are your own boss.” students on 11.8 hectares of land.

He knows the dimensions well, courtesy of helping re-fence the perimeter two years ago.

Tony concentrates on the maintenance side — repairs, cleaning and coordinating trades people — while his offsider is primarily responsible for the grounds. But the duties overlap.

Tony says the fact he concentrates on his work and has limited interaction with students or most of the teaching staff has never made him feel less than part of the team.

St Pious is sited between two main roads meaning thousands of commuters cast an eye over its buildings and land every workday.

“We have a good staff here and people just get on and do their own jobs,” he says.

“It keeps us on our toes,” Tony says, “but we good feedback from our parents which is encouraging.”

“It’s a good job because there is variety and you get out and about. You organise what needs to be done with the principal then, really, you are your own boss.”

When Tony finished Year 10 at Cardiff High it is fair to say returning to a school environment was low on his list of priorities.

He is one of two groundsmen at a school that educates more than 1000

That leads to plenty of feedback.

He did an electrical apprenticeship and, eventually, found himself working in a Tomago factory.

“We were building switchboards in what was really a tin shed,” he recalled.

“The place had about six leading hands and they watched your every move.

“It wasn’t long before I’d had a gutfull and had to find something else.”

He filled various roles, on building sites and at Newcastle Grammar, before getting a temporary start at St Mary’s, Gateshead. Nine months later, the permanent position came up at Adamstown and he got the job.

Tony’s been there 16 years and knows it is a whole lot better than factory work.

But, of course, not everything is perfect. For one thing, he says, the Union could always deliver a few more dollars into his pay packet.

“Another wage rise would be handy,” he grins. “I tell Mark (IEU Organiser Mark Northam) that every time I see him.”

Present tense Kendall Warren IEU o r ga n i s e r

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elcome back to another year of Present Tense. 2011 is shaping up as another challenging year for the international student market in Australia, with early projections of student numbers suggesting further declines from 2010. According to Australian Education International, the government body responsible for the sector, student numbers are down 9.3% across the sector, with ELICOS (down 21.3%) and VET schools (8.2%) the worst hit. On the up side, there was a 2.4% increase in higher education (The Australian).

There a number of reasons for this, not least the high value of the Australian dollar, greater competition from Canada and the US, the after-effects of the GFC, and a more stringent approach by the Australian Government to student visa applications.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

Recognising the pressures the sector has been under over the last 12 months, in December 2010 the Federal Government announced a number of measures designed to help the industry.

The most significant among these is an easing of the assessment levels given to applicants from many countries, which in theory should make getting a visa from those countries a bit easier.

The minister also announced a “strategic review” of the student visa program. This review will take into account trends in the international student market and visa regimes in comparable countries. The review is due to report later this year. n 2011 will be the second year of the modern award, and all state awards and older federal awards are now history.

However, the pay rates in the old state award are still valid in many colleges, as the Fair Work Act has allowed for

long phase-in periods of the new award regime.

Employers are allowed to adjust these salaries by 20% of the difference once a year (on 1 July). At the same time, the rates in the modern award will be increased once a year, in line with the national minimum wage decision (these rates are also adjusted on 1 July). The two sets of rates should come into rough alignment in 2013. In the meantime, teachers can maintain their state award rates by applying to Fair Work Australia for a “take-home pay order”.

Of course, the only way to get real improvements in pay and conditions is by negotiating an enterprise agreement with your employer. Contact the IEU for further information on any of these matters.

and useful lesson plans. You can also read up on the latest news from the ELICOS sector, and of course catch up on all those Present Tense articles that you may have missed. You can find the page here — www.ieu.asn.au/357_7. html — ­ or follow the links from the main page (click on “Your Sector”). In addition to this page, you can also find all of the awards and agreement currently in place in the ELICOS sector, by clicking on the ”awards” link on the IEU website (you will need your member number to access this area). n n n Don’t forget, if you have any questions, or would like any matter raised in this column, please contact me on kendall@ieu.asn.au.

n n The IEU website includes a section dedicated to ELICOS. This area contains links to ESL employment sites, ELT news

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www.ieu.asn.au

IEU Professional

2011 Terms 1-2 The IEU will run an extensive program of training and professional development for its members this year. You must register for all IEU courses.

TERM 1

Location

Week 3: 14 Feb – 18 Feb 17 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise, Springwood Sports Club Springwood

Pedagogy in the Pub courses are free and for members only. They count for two hours of registered PD with the NSW Institute of Teachers for Elments 5, 6 and 7.

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

Please contact your IEU Organiser on 02 9779 3200 (1800 467 943) or email jody@ieu.asn.au or franca@ieu.asn.au to register and to get updated information on venues and dates.

17 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Camps & Excursions

Collaroy

17 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Port Macquarie

18 Feb - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Port Macquarie

18 Feb - IEU Reps Training Day

Wagga Wagga

Week 4: 21 Feb – 25 Feb 21 Feb - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Lismore

21 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Lismore

21 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

North Sydney

24 Feb - IEU Reps Training Day,

Dubbo

25 Feb - IEU Reps Training Day

Bathurst

Week 5: 28 Feb – 4 Mar 28 Feb - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Goulburn

1 Mar - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Armidale

1 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Armidale

1 Mar – Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Newcastle

1 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Gundagai

1 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise, Canterbury

Canterbury Hurlstone RSL

2 Mar - IEU Reps Training Day, Crowne Plaza

Newcastle

2 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Young

3 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Conflict Resolution, Fairfield RSL

Fairfield

Week 6: 7 Mar – 11 Mar 9 March - Pedagogy in the Pub: Camps & Excursions

Gymea

10 Mar - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Dubbo

10 March - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Pambula

11 Mar - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Bathurst

11 Mar - IEU Catholic School Reps Training Day

Sydney

Week7: 14 Mar – 18 Mar

Pedagogy in the Pub 22/06/10 8:27 PM

10 10

16 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Camps & Excursions,

IEU Office Day St Sydney

17 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Camps & Excursions

Gosford

Week 8: 21 Mar – 25 Mar 23 Mar - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Gymea

24 Mar - ECS Training Day

Newcastle

Week 9: 28 Mar – 1 Apr 31 March - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Dapto

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

feature

development and training TERM 2

Location

IEU Reps Training Day, (date to be announced)

Canberra

Week 2: 2 May – 6 May 3 May - Women in Education Forum

Newcastle

The Conference is $75 for members $275 for non members

6 May – 2011 Teach Survive Thrive Conference

Week 3: 9 May – 13 May 10 May - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Teach Survive Thrive

Canberra

Week 4: 16 May – 20 May 16 May - IEU Independent School Reps Training Day,

Sydney

17 May - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Cootamundra

18 May - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Wagga Wagga

19 May - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Albury

19 May - Early Career Principals’ Seminar, IEU Office

Parramatta

19 May - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Collaroy

19 May - IEU Reps Training Day

Wollongong

To register, contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or email iva@ieu.asn.au.

Week 5: 23 May – 27 May 24 May - Workshop - Independent Schools Band 3 Accreditation

Burwood

25 May - Workshop - Independent Schools Band 3 Accreditation

Killara

26 May - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Tamworth

26 May - Pedagogy in the Pub, Fairfield RSL

Fairfield

Week 6: 30 May – 3 Jun 30 May - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

Maitland

31 May - Workshop - Independent Schools Band 3 accreditation

Newcastle

Teach, Survive, Thrive Conference is on 6 May at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney

Week 7: 6 Jun – 10 Jun 8 June - New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshop

IEU Office Day St Sydney

9 June - Pedagogy in the Pub: Be Wary Be Wise

Muswellbrook

Week 8: 13 Jun – 17 Jun 15 June - Pedagogy in the Pub: Camps & Excursions

IEU Office Day St Sydney

Week 9: 20 Jun – 24 Jun

New Scheme Teachers Accreditation Workshops will be held on: n 18 February, Port Macquarie

23 Jun - Pedagogy in the Pub: Conflict Resolution

Batemans Bay

n 21 February, Lismore

24 June - Women in Education Forum

Port Macquarie

n 1 March, Armidale

n 10 March, Dubbo n 11 March, Bathurst n 10 May, Canberra n 19 May, Albury n 30 May Maitland n 8 June, Sydney (IEU office) For details check www.ieu.asn.au or call 9779 3200.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

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www.ieu.asn.au

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Labour Bites

Rosie the Riveter Geraldine Doyle, the inspiration for the WWII advertising character Rosie The Riveter has died in Michigan USA aged 86. The story goes that Doyle was working in a metal factory a few weeks after finishing school when she was photographed leaning over machinery wearing a red and white polka-dot bandana.

The photographs were initially turned into morale-boosting posters for the factory itself before they took on a life of their own.

The poster and the name ‘Rosie the Riveter’ came to symbolise the millions of women who entered the workforce during the War. (Source: AFL-CIO)

Teachers suffer abuse A survey conducted by the Irish National Teaching Organisation (INTO) has found more than 50% of teachers have suffered some sort of violence or abuse.

The ill-treatment takes many forms from offensive language to serious physical assault, says a senior INTO official, who added: “People do not feel safe because of a lack of secure entrances to schools, aggressive behaviour, intimidation,

Teach Survive Thrive CONFERENCE 2011

The IEU website (www.ieu.asn.au) carries regular updates of local and international news with a trade union flavour. IEU Assistant Secretary John Quessy reproduces below some recent items. bullying and threatening behaviours from parents and other family members”.

Citing the case of a 28-year-old female teacher who suffered a dislocated shoulder when she was pinned against a wall by an 11-yearold child, the Union says: “Teachers are concerned that no one is taking their health, safety and welfare seriously any more”. (Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Support staff made permanent Following decades of struggle, thousands of ‘temporary’ school support staff – the vast majority women – have won permanent jobs in NSW Government schools. The President of the Public Service Association (PSA) describes the campaign as “the longest running fair work issue the Union has had to deal with”.

A deal was struck between the Union and the Department of Education and Training just before Christmas with discussions to continue to develop criteria and determine the process for converting long term ‘temps’ into permanent employees. (Source: Public Service International)

Judicial Union New York State’s 1300 judges have not had a pay rise in 12 years, a fact that has many of them simmering with fury

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ith speakers and workshops covering topics crucial to your everyday success, this conference will support you in making the most of your first years of teaching.

Keynote speaker w Teacher survival skills and positive behaviour management Peter Miles, Queensland educator and author of Don’t Just Stand There — Yell Something!

Peter promotes modern and positive behaviour management practices, with the ultimate aim of giving back ‘teaching time’. He presents action plans for a wide range of behavior management strategies, and uses a framework of humour, logic and practicality to inform his audience.

Presenter w The national agenda and how it affects NSW teacher accreditation

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as their case loads grow. In an attempt to pour oil on these troubled waters the State Legislature created a commission of inquiry into the issue.

A recent survey of the judges has found that rather than appease them a majority remain deeply dissatisfied and are agitating for the creation of an association that, like a labour union, would negotiate the salaries and other conditions of employment. (Source: New York Times)

Reality TV is work French reality TV may look like a laugh for its rising stars, but exhausted contestants are staging a rebellion, demanding cash compensation for being endlessly bossed around by producers.

In a test case a court has begun considering how much should be awarded to participants of a French version of Temptation Island where couples were separated then tempted with poolside flirtations to test their relationships. The case follows a sixyear courtroom saga that determined appearing on reality TV constitutes work and participants should have an employment contract. (Source: SMH)

crisis – yet they’re the ones now being scapegoated. New York’s incoming Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has proposed a salary freeze for state workers to deal with the budget deficit.

Across the US, politicians are railing against powerful union bosses and in many states new laws are being considered that will trim union rights including the right to negotiate a union contract for members. The right to form a union is under threat in some places.

But it was not unions that caused the great recession by rampant speculation, who burst the housing bubble or who packaged up complex derivatives to sell in the millions and wreck the economy.

Nor did unions award themselves outrageous salaries, go broke, get bailed out by the taxpayer and refuse to change their habits. That was all the work of the finance industry.

As America searches for solutions to its economic problems it is the labour movement and not the banking sector that is getting the blame. Demonising labour and unions has a long history in the land of the free. (Source: The Guardian)

Who caused the GFC? Unlike bankers, US Labour unions had nothing to do with the economic

Patrick Lee, Chief Executive of the NSW Institute of Teachers and Board Director of the Australian Institute for Teachers and School Leadership.

Find out how you will be affected by a new set of national professional teaching standards.

Panel session w Making the most of mentoring and induction The panel will discuss how to make mentoring and induction the great introduction to work that it should be. Issues such as making new staff feel welcome, what to include in an induction program (short term/long term), how to plan an induction and mentoring program - what it should include, and how to make the most out of your mentoring experience will be explored. Audience comment and participation will be encouraged. wwwww

Workshops w Strategies for managing students with emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties Julie Hamilton,Teacher, Redbank School Westmead (a school for the treatment of children and adolescents with emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties).

Julie will give practical and positive suggestions for managing students with these challenges based on her extensive classroom experience. w Support for teacher accreditation at Professional Competence Liz Finlay, IEU Accreditation Officer.

Liz will explain the process for new scheme teachers in NSW, and give practical advice on getting through accreditation at professional competence. Liz will provide a digital kit of resources to support professional competence accreditation.

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Helping hand for new scheme teachers Sue Osborne IEU j o u r n a l i s t

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he first days in the classroom can be daunting for new scheme teachers.

Not only do they have to get to grips with managing their classrooms, they have to come to terms with the accreditation process.

Many schools are very supportive of new scheme teachers, providing mentors and relief time.

But IEU Members can get extra help.

Officer Liz Finlay is employed to provide support to teachers negotiating accreditation, and the IEU also runs seminars and a conference.

There is also a New Scheme Teachers Committee for networking with others in the same situation.

All new scheme teachers in NSW must undertake an accreditation process with the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Full-time provisional new scheme teachers have three years and casual and temporary teachers have five years to complete the process.

The NSW Institute has reciprocal arrangements with Victoria, Tasmania and the NT. If you are going to a State other than these you should check with the NSW Institute on current arrangements.

Committee member Stacy Dunne (above) is in her second year at St John’s, Cobar.

w Avoiding legal and industrial hazards in the school workplace

workshops on essential skills for classroomandplaygroundmanagement.

Carol Matthews, IEU Assistant Secretary and Senior Industrial Officer.

w Adjusting teaching for successful inclusion of special needs students

Carol will take you through the law that affects you as an employee in a school, and give some practical advice on avoiding the legal and industrial hazards that can arise in the school workplace.

Patricia Murnane, Special NeedsTeacher.

This workshop will take you through the Institute website, explain what is expected of you for maintenance of accreditation – including the fiveyear report and entering PD in your online account - and will answer your questions about Institute policy and accreditation. w Practical teacher survival skills and positive behaviour management Peter Miles will follow up his keynote address with practical application

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

Stacy attended the IEU’s Teach, Survive Thrive Conference last year, aimed at new teachers, and says it was “great to find out everyone was going through the same thing”.

With over 20 years experience in primary and secondary schools, Patricia, will demonstrate how to adjust syllabuses and teaching programs for the successful inclusion of students with special needs. w Using assessment to inform teaching and learning Karen Yager, Dean of Studies, Knox Grammar School.

Learn how to develop quality formative and summative assessment tasks, and provide feedback to students in your classroom based on these assessments.

Karen’s research and experience show this approach has the most potent impact on student learning.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help from colleagues. It won’t hinder you professionally.”

She says she found the process confusing initially, until she made contact with Liz who was able to talk her through it.

“The Committee is great for building up a network.”

“It’s been beneficial for me to talk to others on the committee, and I can share what I’ve been through with them.”

Liz says teachers feeling overwhelmed by the number of standards they need to address should not hesitate to ask for help.

Judith Carson is also in her second year of teaching at St Bishoy’s, Mt Druitt, and has been the school’s IEU Rep since she started there.

The NSW Institute recognises teachers coming to NSW from Queensland and WA.

w Maintenance of Accreditation NSW Institute of Teachers Officer.

“Being so far out west we are isolated.

The Committee teleconference is great, hearing from people in other schools it’s mainly accreditation we talk about,” she says.

Ludmila Klianev (right) has teaching experience from her native Bulgaria, but as a new teacher in Australia she must undergo accreditation.

Teachers who are returning to teaching after an absence of five years or who are from overseas must also complete their accreditation.

Once a common national framework is established reciprocal arrangements should no longer be necessary.

While support is available from the Wilcannia/Forbes Diocese, Stacy says not many teachers at her school have been through the accreditation process, because it is so small.

“Liz has been fantastic and is more than willing to guide you with anything you need,” Judith says.

Judith agrees: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from colleagues. It won’t hinder you professionally.

“Teachers should pace themselves through the process. Break it down into small pieces and don’t let it take over your life.”

w Interactive Whiteboards A practical look at how to use this device to support your teaching and motivate student learning. w Developing and financing sustainability projects to support teaching and learning Phil Smith, President of the Australian Association of Environmental Education.

Find out how to establish environmentally sound sustainability projects in your school/subject area, and receive practical advice on applying for grants.

The IEU has developed a digital kit with information to assist teachers with their accreditation for professional competence.

The digital kit has a Q&A section, as well as evidence samples and guides.

It will be provided as a memory stick to new scheme teachers who join the Union this year.

The kit will also be available on the IEU website under ‘Teacher Accreditation’ on the menu bar, in a members only section.

NSW Institute of Teachers’ endorsed provider of Institute Registered professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence.

Scope of Endorsement - Elements 5, 6 and 7 of the Professional Teaching Standards.

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www.ieu.asn.au

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Letters to editor

Should students study Islam?

Thanks for the article (Learning Together: Bringing Muslim Perspectives into Australian Schools, Newsmonth December issue Vol 30 #8), I haven’t read the book yet but just some general points.

Not all stereotypes are wrong, in fact the statement that there is no one experience of Islam in Australia affirms the many differences.

People can write about Islam and disagree vehemently, and yet still have Islamic friends and be very sociable.

So to disagree and dislike some of the teachings of Islam does not make those people ignorant or inaccurate.

Why should every student look at Islam? People of the faith are only 2-3% of the Australian population.

Is it because the squeaky wheel gets the oil? Will students be told of the international persecution by people of the Islamic faith against other religious traditions?

Of the concept of Dhimmitude [appeasement to Islamic demands]?

Or that the Islamic prophet would raid other tribes' caravans and steal their possessions, or that his wife A’isha

was nine years of age (varies between sources)?

Islam thinks only Muslims will get into heaven, and that the sacred texts of Judaism and Christianity have been distorted. Are people of other faiths protected in a reasonable way when they live in Islamic countries?

And why do they even need protection?

Have you read The Third Choice: Islam, Dhimmitude and Freedom by Mark Durie or 111 Questions on Islam

by Samir Khalil Samir.

As you would be aware all writing has an agenda, the full story is rarely told.

You wouldn’t be saying that the Australian experience of Islam is very different to that overseas when most people of that faith have in fact been born overseas.

Yes, there may be more than one experience of Islam in this country, but which one will be told?

IEU Member (name withheld)

Helping to reclaim multiculturalism On behalf of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Independent Education Union of Australia for your support of the Reclaim Multiculturalism campaign.

Over 100 organisations and key individuals across Australia signed up in support of this statement.

This united show of solidarity in the call for creating a renewed debate about multiculturalism at the national level is crucial to all Australians.

feedback from the community sector.

The issue has also received wide coverage in the national and state media. We have plans to hold public lectures in partnership with universities and other steps to maintain visibility for the issue.

We will keep you informed about events and we look forward to your participation and support.

Once again, thank you very much and I look forward to working together for a new era of multiculturalism in Australia.

We have made a difference and we Sincerely will continue to build on the strengths Pino Migliorino of the campaign to keep the issue alive.

We seek your continued and valued support and partnership in making this happen.

Chair

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)

The press conference was very successful and we have had strong

Make no mistake I would like to draw your attention to the advertisement for SOS Aussies on page 31 of v.40#3, Newsmonth September 2010 where a quote from Bryce Courtenay states: “It is a leader in it’s field.”

Newsmonth welcomes letters from IEU members. Tell us what you think about an article or an issue and, remember, keep your contribution to a maximum of 250 words.

Perhaps the mistake came in the advertising copy. However, even if it did, I do not appreciate incorrect punctuation being disseminated in an educational journal.

Kindly proofread with more vigilance in future.

Jennifer Doherty ESL teacher

{ Shorts A

ustralian schools are being urged to unite with SchoolAid to support its Floods Relief Appeal and take part in a National Relief Appeal Day on 17 February. Schools are asked to observe a minute’s silence at 1pm and to donate gold coins. Visit http://www.schoolaid. org.au/projects/schoolaid-floods-reliefappeal.aspx for all the details. Funds will be distributed to communities, particularly to children and schools most in need via SchoolAid’s charity partner network.

This website has links to helping children cope when they have been exposed to natural disasters and also offers practical hints for helping children

14

come to terms with what they see on TV. There is also a conference at Teachers Federation Hall in Surry Hills on 1 March on the topic of Scared, Sleepless and Hostile: Children, violent/frightening media and public policy. Email admin@ youngmedia.org.au for details http:// yourkidsed.com.au/info/floods-andother-catastrophes-helping-kids-cope

n n Perhaps you’re on a tight budget, or you want to keep abreast of academic developments or maybe you want to download a free ebook to read later.

Whatever your need - you may just find what you’re looking for here in this broad collection of digital libraries.

Visit http://www.e-book.com.au/ morefreebooks/freeozbooks.htm

n If you’re a primary or secondary teacher casting about for ideas for curriculum linked excursions this year or looking to keep up to date with your subject area and relevant grants on offer then this website could be just what you’re after. http://www. teachersintheloop.com/

n n n A revised National Safe Schools Framework will be launched on 18 March at the first National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

The Framework has been updated to take account of developing technologies and new forms of bullying that occur.

Copies will be sent to every Australian

school, as well as being made available online. An online, interactive resource manual is being developed to support the framework. n n n n Reports from the first stage of the Engaging Families in the Early Childhood Development Story project will soon be released. This project aims to increase the understanding of parents, carers and the community of evidence-based information from the neurosciences about early childhood development,andthereby influence their interactions with children to maximise early childhood outcomes.

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

overview

IEU backs equal pay rally

Women on the move G

ender justice was the key issue at the first Education International Women’s Conference, held in Bangkok during January.

IEU President Christine Wilkinson, Organiser Pam Smith and IEUA Assistant Secretary Christine Cooper were among 400 delegates from education workplaces and organisations around the world.

Pam, convenor of the NSW/ACT Women in Education Committee, said the conference was a wonderful opportunity for union women to meet and discuss progress towards gender justice in education workplaces and to develop action plans.

IEU members head off to support the ASU rally.

N

SW/ACT IEU Organisers threw their support behind an Australian Services Union (ASU) rally calling for equal pay for women.

The ASU is running the first Equal Pay Case test case under the Fair Work Act, which could deliver higher pay rates for more than 250,000 mostly female workers in the community sector.

The Union argues the lower wages should be brought into line with pay rates in male-dominated industries.

Initially a Federal Government submission stated it could not afford to support the extra pay, but late last year a letter from Senator Chris Evans

said: “The submission does not assert that Fair Work Australia should not award or discount equal remuneration because of the potential impact on the Commonwealth.”

The pay equity campaign is of particular relevance to some IEU members who have been employed under the NSW Social and Community Services Award, including CatholicCare counsellors and some residential care workers attached to schools for students with special needs.

She said conference issues would be on the agenda of various IEUA women’s gatherings this year, including at the NSW/ACT Women’s Conference on 19 August With a theme of “On the Move for Equality”, the Bangkok meeting took stock of the status of women in today’s world, examined strategies to protect and advance the positions of women and girls at all levels of education, and developed plans to achieve gender justice.

A key feature of the conference was the opportunity to meet in regional

Education International networks. IEUA participants were able to meet with delegates from New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji to build on discussions at the December 2010 COPE conference in Fiji.

Bangkok workshops covered a wide range of professional and industrial issues including: n teacher competencies to enhance gender justice in education n harnessing digital media to promote women’s issues n teaching for diversity - countering sexism, racism and homophobia n indigenous girls — gender, ethnicity and education n the role of unions in reconciling work and carer responsibilities n using gender audit tools to advance equity.

Other workshops focused on issues such as UN Conventions and human rights, HIV/AIDS, climate change, and migration issues/population movements.

Education International will hold its 2011 Congress in Cape Town in July.

Reports and other materials from the ‘On the Move to Equality' conference will also be available on the EI website www.ei-ie.org/women2011.

The ASU website urges activists to keep pressure on both state and federal governments in the fight for equal pay.

n i p kee h c u o t

visit the IEU website

Mixing and mingling … IEU President Christine Wilkinson and the IEUA's Christine Cooper with Louise Firrell, South Australia (left) and Tongan delegate Alieta Langilangi (right).

www.ieu.asn.au

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

15 15

www.ieu.asn.au

Welcome down under SCHOOL Helen Gregor y T ea c h e r e xc h a n ge C o o r di n ato r

W

elcome to our 2011 exchange teachers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, England, Scotland and Wales. We look forward to meeting you at the welcome reception on 18 February and at various exchange events held throughout the year.

And welcome back to all our returned exchange teachers. Many of you would have returned just a week or so ago and will still be re-adjusting. We hope you enjoyed your year away and look forward to hearing about your travels. Thank you for the emails, postcards and website stories.

If there is an exchange teacher in your school, please make yourself known and help them settle into their new community. As overseas exchange teachers have reciprocal union membership, you might like to invite them to your next Chapter meeting.

Join the League Returned exchange teachers should also think about supporting the NSW Exchange Teachers League. You will receive the next issue of the newsletter shortly, including a membership renewal form.

ETL members are a wonderful group who have been on exchange themselves and provide social activities and friendly support to the newly arrived exchangees.

The ETL meets on the first Wednesday of every month during term time at the IEU’s office in Day Street, Sydney at 5.30pm.

It has lots of great activities planned through the coming year. If you want to become involved, please call me on 9779 3200.

2012 opportunities It is not too late to apply for an exchange position for 2012. Details on available exchange positions to Canada, the UK, Colorado and International Schools in Europe will be advertised in the next issue of Newsmonth and also posted on the IEU’s website.

These exchanges will start in September 2011 so you will not be required to start teaching until early September.

Your exchange partner will start at the beginning of Term 3 and have their long summer break at the completion of the exchange.

16

Here are two positions to consider: Social Studies/Language Arts — Calgary, Alberta: Mark teaches Social Studies/ History at Sir John A Macdonald Junior High School in Calgary. He is also qualified to teach Humanities, English, World Religions and Phys Ed and has excellent references. There is lots of flex for the incoming teacher ie Social Studies, History, Language Arts, Phys Ed etc.

Mark has also taught in Catholic schools and has taught Studies of Religion. He is young, Christian and single and has a two bedroom fully-furnished condo available for exchange, a 20 minute drive to school. Calgary is home to the famous Calgary Stampede. Look up http://www.visitcalgary.com/ and http:// www.discovercalgary.com/ and http:// calgarystampede.com/ MATHS — Kitchener, 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 twin cities an hour east of Toronto famous for their farmers’ markets, Oktoberfest and jazz festivals. Stratford, home to one of Canada’s most prominent art festivals is 45 minutes away. Look up http://resurrection.wcdsb.ca/newsite/ default.html, http://www.kitchener. ca/en/index.asp and http://www. explorewaterlooregion.com/

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You can download an application from the IEU website (www.ieu.asn.au and click on teacher exchange) There is also an exchange video on the website. You can ring me or email a brief profile to helen@ ieu.asn.au For those who have already applied for 2012, your applications are in the hands of the overseas coordinators. For those who missed out on a match for 2011 and are reactivating their applications, you are a priority.

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overview [ report from ] President

[ report from ] Independent Schools

Chris Wilkinson

Michelle Omeros Vice President, Non Systemic Schools

Remember, we’re not travelling too badly

A

warm welcome to 2011. I hope you have all had a great holiday and are ready for the year ahead.

I am sure that you join with me as our thoughts go out to our colleagues who have been affected by the horrific floods in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Loss of homes and places of employment from early childhood learning centres to schools, both primary and secondary, has been enormous.

I could not even start to imagine how it would feel returning to school and having to replace resources and years and years of programs, notes and files as well as classrooms and buildings. This is on top of homes and belongings.

It will take many, many years to rebuild homes and lives and I am confident that every one of us will do what we can personally, and that school communities will take up the fund raising challenge.

The year can only get better.

I recently attended the EI World Women’s Conference - On the Move for Equality. This was the first conference of its kind, with the aim of informing, stimulating and moving towards collective means of achieving gender equality and diversity, particularly in Unions, and through Unions, in education and society.

The goals of the conference were to help education unions bring real dignity and respect to women and girls all over the world, a world where every boy and girl can have room to grow, be loved and cared for equally.

A variety of very interesting workshops were held including gender equity and employment in education and research, Indigenous girls: gender, ethnicity and Education. They provoked great conversation, discussion and a sharing of ideas and strategies.

There is still a lot of work to be done in this area in many countries. We often think that we have problems in our schools but when you listen to what teachers in other countries are faced with, day after day, we are very lucky and doing okay.

It was a good opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues from around the world.

I wish you all a successful year. The IEU has a very full agenda for members so make 2011 the year to attend a conference or become a more active member in your chapter or branch.

Keep cool.

Staff should be aware of entitlements

W

elcome back to another school year. I hope everyone has had a relaxing and safe holiday break. Our thoughts of course must go to the flood victims of Queensland and Victoria.

Ensure that everyone at your school is digging deep into their pockets and donating to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal, to help these people get their lives back to normal soon.

We begin 2011 with the majority of independent school staff now on federal agreements.

It is important that all staff are fully aware of their new entitlements.

It would be a good idea to start the school year with a chapter meeting, to allow members a chance to ask pertinent questions.

Your IEU organiser would be pleased to attend these meetings at your invitation.

Applications for Band 3 2011 close on 28 February 2011

Members who are in tending to apply for Band 3 must send their applications to the AIS by close of business on Monday 28 February 2011.

A further issue of concern is that teachers must be provided with enough staff development time and resources to devise these new programs.

All members should keep an eye on Newsmonth for new developments regarding the curriculum.

Our Union continuously works hard to achieve the best possible salaries and working conditions for its members.

Hardworking reps and supportive members are a vital link. Together we have succeeded in the past and we will continue to face these and many more challenges in 2011. All the best for a wonderful year ahead.

[ report from ] Retired members

Staying in touch

R

BAND 3 TEACHERS

The Australian Curriculum will bring new changes and challenges to our profession.

We need to ensure that the number of teaching hours in subjects is not reduced, which could lead to teacher redundancies.

etired IEU members are always welcome to join this relaxed Association which meets four times a year.

We discuss books, theatre, films or special interest areas nominated by members.

Due to a number of requests, at our February meeting we plan to update the list of RetiredTeacher Casual Employment Opportunities.

We will cover both paid and volunteer opportunities and will give members time to discuss experiences of such employment, paid or otherwise.

Previously we have covered the big five considerations that go with getting retirement right.

These can be summed up under the headings of: relationships; health and fitness; living at home or moving away; finances and taxation and ensuring ongoing intellectual and cultural activities.

Meetings are held at noon at the IEU Office, 176-182 Day Street, Sydney. Dates are: 25 February; 27 May; 26 August and 25 November.

If you are able to join us, phone Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or email iva@ieu. asn.au.

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17

overview

Timor-Leste Building a new country F

ather of five, Clemente de Araujo, runs a successful carpentry business in Dili thanks, in part, to APHEDA donors.

In 2001, soon after Timor Leste’s independence, Clemente was one of the men who attended APHEDA-funded carpentry workshops, run by the Labour Advocacy Institute for EastTimor (LAIFET).

Now 43 and a respected tradesperson, he employs three other men in an expanding workshop that has just landed its first government contracts – 200 school blackboards and a consignment of filing shelves for the Finance Ministry.

Besides running his Dili business, he shares his skills with unemployed and under-employed compatriots as LAIFET’s head trainer.

So far he has passed on his knowledge to more than 80 people and, thanks to ongoing financial support for the project, that number continues to grow.

Travelling to the districts, Clemente eats, sleeps and works with colleagues, helping

carpenter’s workshops in the districts, but due to very short commitments, once they stopped the support, the workshop also shut down.

them upgrade their skills and improve their incomes Thanks to the efforts of a long-term APHEDA volunteer, Clemente took part into an eye-opening 2004 APHEDA study tour of Western Australian carpentry workshops. Perth was a shock.

“The workshops, the hardware stores and the equipment in Perth all seemed so huge,” he said. “But once we flew to Broome, I was more relaxed, because it was just a small workshop. I am honest that before travelling to Broome, I didn’t know how to use the lathe machine, but me and five of my colleagues learnt on it for three days”.

Returning to Timor-Leste, he had two goals – developing his own workshop and passing on the skills he had acquired.

Besides the trades element, APHEDA courses have helped him master finance and business skills, and donor support assisted him fit out with his workshop with a bandsaw and a heavy duty

“I am happy because APHEDA support us for the long term to increase our skill and capacity through training.

“Because of APHEDA, many groups have had success. APHEDA holds many good trainings and assists groups to draft proposals so that they can get support from other companies and the government.”

Clemente in his workshop

With the income he has earned, Clemente and his wife have been able to build themselves a home and sponsor his youngest brother through a master’s degree in Indonesia.

thicknesser (an industrial wood-working machine).

“It’s important that APHEDA continues to support people over the long term,” he said. “I know that in the past other international aid agencies have set up

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Absolutely Super:

Fatten up your super

W

hile the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and improve fitness, saving more money is up there as a close second.

The most popular resolution involves improving health to gain personal satisfaction; the second involves losing immediate discretionary spending to gain long-term financial security.

As you set your sights on what you hope to achieve in the New Year, keep in mind that superannuation was set up to provide a tax efficient vehicle to grow your retirement savings.

Albert Einstein once described compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world and one of the most powerful forces in the financial universe.

Essentially compound interest refers to interest earned on interest. So an annual return of 8% on $100 brings the capital up to $108 in the first year, $116.64 in the second year and $125.97 in the third year. Imagine the effect over 30 years as the interest on the interest grows into a substantial gain.

The term ‘salary sacrifice’ refers to extra super contributions made by an employee out of his/her pretaxed salary (called ‘concessional contributions’because a tax concession is received).

These extra contributions, if within the cap, are taxed at 15% rather than at the employee’s marginal tax rate.

So an employee on a tax rate of 38.5% will save 23.5% in tax on every dollar contributed to super up to the cap which is $25,000 annually for those under 50 and $50,000 for those over 50.

These caps include the 9% employer contribution and are set to change on 1 July, 2012. The price paid for these tax ‘concessions’ is that the funds are locked away until a condition of release is satisfied such as reaching the required age (preservation age) and/or retirement from the workforce.

The combination of extra contributions via salary sacrifice plus the tax savings magnifies the benefit of compound interest in time. Obviously, the earlier the contribution, the better for the magic of compounding.

The second method of adding extra contributions to your super account comes through after-tax or ‘nonconcessional’ contributions. This method of payment refers to money out of your pocket and attracts no contribution tax.

There is a cap of $150,000 per annum for these contributions with a proviso that an ‘averaging’ procedure can be used up to age 65. This means that an extra two years’ contributions can also be made bringing up the total to $450,000 for three years.

This type of contribution often comes about as a result of the sale of property or in the case of an inheritance benefit being received.

Unlike money in the bank, lump sum deposits in your super account do not require your reporting investment earnings to the ATO because the fund pays a flat 15% on all earnings.

Again, this is a concessional rate when compared to a marginal tax rate of 31.5% or 38.5%.

So the phrase, ‘Let your money work for you’ takes on a new light when considered in relation to the benefits of compoundinterest.Moneyaccumulated during your working life will be working hard for you in retirement and the amount saved now will determine your general level of prosperity after you stop work.

The second most popular New Year’s resolution, if accomplished, could result in an enhanced lifestyle in retirement as the interest on interest provides an income stream to replace your salary.

NEWS month 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 Jim Marr.

Produced by: Wendy Rapee, Tara de Boehmler, Sue Osborne, Jim Marr, Tina Delandre

and Savan Nuth.

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

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

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before making a financial decision, please assess the appropriateness of the information to your individual circumstances, read the Product Disclosure Statement for any product you may be thinking of acquiring and consider seeking independent advice from a licensed or appropriately authorised financial advisor.)

Vice President Systemic

St Columbkille's Primary School,Corrimal Carolyn Collins Vice President Support Staff

St Michael's Primary School, Nowra Gabrielle Connell

Advertising inquiries to Tina Delandre 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.

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 Primary School St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton Michael Hagan Mater Maria College, Warriewood

Vice President ECS

Albury Preschool Kindergarten Francis Mahanay Vice President, ACT

Holy Family School, Gowrie, ACT Peter Moore Financial Officer

De La Salle College, Cronulla Marie MacTavish Financial Officer

St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland

NEWSmonth – Vol 31#1 2011

19

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To enter one of these giveaways put your name, membership number and current address on the back of a stamped envelope addressed to Newsmonth Giveaway 1, 2 or 3 – NSW/ACT IEU, GPO Box 116, Sydney 2001 by Friday 18 February. Please note envelopes received that have not been clearly marked with which giveaway they are entering will be disqualified.

Give Aways

Giveaway 2

Giveaway 3

The Force: Living Safely in a World of Electromagnetic Pollution

Various young adult and adult titles from local and international publishers — a great boost for your library.

Lyn McLean Scribe Publications ISBN: 978 1 921640 29 2 Three copies to give away

Giveaway 1 The Mirror Author: Jeannie Baker Walker Books ISBN: 978 1 4063 0914 0 Three copies to give away This book without words features the lives of two families separated by culture and geography ­— an Australian family and a Moroccan family and comes after Jeannie Baker spent time living in Morocco with an Indigenous Berber family. It is a beautifully constructed book with Baker's signature collages and has an unusual form that enhances this powerful contemplation of family life across cultures.

It’s in your pocket. It’s on your lap. It’s even possibly coming from your fridge behind your bedroom wall. What is it? Electromagnetic pollution. Read this book by the Director of EMR Australia (http://www. emraustralia.com.au) to find out why emerging research urges caution. In Australia in 1998 the ACTU developed a policy recommending workers be exposed to no more than than 2 mG during an eight hour day. With ubiquitous wireless connections, computers and mobile phones that can be hard to manage but excessive exposure has been linked to such issues as depression, fatigue, childhood leukaemia and brain tumours. Caution should be exercised particularly with children. This book offers prudent strategies. Professor Grigoriev from the World Health Organisation’s EMF committee calls this "a valuable book that details the problem of electromagnetic radiation and what we can do about it".

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