Newsmonth: February, 2012 (Vol 32 / No.1)

newsmonth newspaper of the nsw/act independent education union [vol 31 #7] november Newspaper of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union (vol 32 #1) February 2012

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

Professional Development & Training Calendar

P12-13

New teachers put in the picture P4

St Gregory’s saga ends in $$$ P7

Building for a big year Together can we ensure success in the future

This will be a significant year for the non-government education sector, and only active member support for IEU campaigns will safeguard improvements in wages and conditions.

Wage negotiations and the Gonski review of school funding could have major impacts for everyone, so get abreast of the proposals that affect your working life, and prepare to take action.

Some important groundwork was laid last year. Members and organisers visited many MPs to explain our position regarding school funding, and a rally at the ALP National Conference in December was well attended.

However, we must redouble our efforts to make sure this foundation is built upon.

While the review is now in the hands of the Federal Government, what they decide to do with it may depend on the success of our lobbying.

You may be called upon to visit MPs to advocate for your sector.

Teachers in NSW systemic schools A 2.5% interim pay rise was agreed at the end of last year, and this year negotiations will go ahead within the Catholic systemic sector.

The Union will be seeking to secure core conditions, including a limit to time spent in staff meetings and securing face-

to-face-release time. There will also be a review of class sizes. Watch this space for more information on negotiations and what member actions may be required as the year progresses.

Early childhood teachers The Teachers are Teachers campaign for pay parity for early childhood teachers will capitalise on its major achievement at the end of last year – the collection of 10,000 signatures on a petition, allowing the issue to be debated in State Parliament.

The Union calls on all teachers to continue to support this campaign and thanks members for their impressive contribution so far.

Support staff Support staff – are you aware of your rights and the activities of the Union?

You could consider acting as a support staff liaison officer for the IEU at your school or have a conversation with your support staff colleagues about how the Union supports them and why it’s important to participate.

Everyone has a role. Suggest nonmembers join, distribute leaflets, check out the IEU website and Facebook page for up-to-date information, read Newsmonth and share it with other staff.

Only if we continue to act together can we ensure success in the future.

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IEU seeks pay rises for support staff in Catholic schools Carol Matthews IEU Assistant Secretary

The IEU has been negotiating with representatives of Catholic diocesan and independent schools seeking pay rises for support staff.

Support staff in Catholic systemic schools covered by the School Support Staff Agreement received a 2.5% interim pay rise in July last year and a similar interim increase was received at the same time by maintenance and outdoor staff in all NSW Catholic schools. The 2.5% reflected the increase received by clerical employees and general assistants in NSW public schools, in line with the NSW Government wages policy of a 2.5% cap on public sector pay rises.

The IEU is seeking additional increases in pay from January 2012 and one new

combined agreement for all support staff and maintenance and outdoor staff in Catholic systemic schools, and a separate agreement for all such staff in Catholic independent schools.

Some staff not previously covered in IEU agreements would also be covered under the new proposed consolidated agreements – for example cleaners, bus drivers and child care workers.

In the meantime we are also seeking a 2.5% interim pay rise for those staff who did not receive any pay rise in 2011.

This has been agreed on behalf of Catholic employers from the first pay period after 29 January 2012 except in relation to child care workers.

Support staff in Catholic independent

schools covered by the Catholic Independent Schools School Support Staff Agreement will also receive the 2.5% interim payment as their agreement only expired at the end of December and they did not receive the July 2011 increase.

Negotiations are continuing on new agreements and pay rises for all support staff employees.

Nurses in Catholic schools The IEU has also claimed an interim 2.5% pay rise for nurses employed in Catholic independent and systemic schools. This has been agreed by Catholic employers, with effect from 29 January 2012.

This pay rise follows increases of 14% in 2011 in compensation for the fact that there were no pay increases for nurses in Catholic schools between 2007 and 2011.

The IEU will be consulting with nurses who are IEU members and employed in Catholic schools as to the appropriate form of a future enterprise agreement to ensure salaries are maintained from now on.

Nurses in other independent schools are covered by a multi-enterprise agreement negotiated by the IEU to apply to all non-teaching staff in AIS independent schools. This is a possible model for nurses employed in Catholic schools that the IEU will be exploring with members.

Check your super payments John Quessy IEU Assistant Secretary In the week before Christmas the staff of Hope Christian School, Narellan, were emailed the news that the school was insolvent, a liquidator had been appointed, the school would not reopen in 2012 and they no longer had jobs.

Apparently the school had been in financial difficulties for some time and the directors had been in negotiations to sell the operation as a going concern, but when that fell through closure was inevitable.

Getting the news on Christmas Eve that they were suddenly unemployed was obviously disastrous for the 20-odd staff, but this was made worse when they realised their salary and other entitlements might not be paid for many months, if at all.

Entitlements for most would include compensation in lieu of notice, redundancy and, for some, pro-rata long service leave.

Since the closure announcement members have revealed cases of underpayment and non-payment of superannuation contributions. In this case the school had allegedly been redirecting staff super to general revenue.

One lesson we should all learn is that when businesses are in financial difficulties, the first sign is often that superannuation contributions are late,

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incomplete or not paid at all.

Although this is illegal, most workers will not notice shortfalls in super payments for many months, if at all. This is because they seldom check and there is often a lag between earning the super and it being transferred.

Employer superannuation contributions MUST by law be paid quarterly (end of January, April, July and October) for the previous three months, however many employers enter into service agreements with super funds to pay monthly or fortnightly, depending on the regular salary intervals.

There is not much an employee can do if school finances are managed in a way that leads to the collapses of the business.

However, there are a few simple steps workers can take to protect their super.

It is worth noting that if your employer does not pay your super (including any salary sacrifice amounts) and goes into liquidation, it will not be paid under the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS). Most workers will never recover this money.

The rules of some superannuation funds direct that if regular contributions are not made, related insurance policies might be suspended or even cancelled.

Newsmonth reported last year on the experiences of several members who found themselves without insurance cover due to the greed or incompetence of their employer.

When you start work with a new employer or change your super fund make sure you provide the details to the employer’s pay office.

Establish online access to your account with your fund so you can easily monitor payments.

Check every fortnight for the first few months until payments begin appearing.

Check the accuracy of the payment.

Does it represent 9% (or a higher agreed amount) of your earnings over the period?

Make regular visits to your account to monitor contributions. Most funds will send you a statement mid-year and at year-end so examine your account in the other quarters (April and October).

If payments are not made, are irregular or appear to be less than they should be, seek an explanation from your

employer or contact the Union.

Superannuation is your money, your entitlement. Do not be fobbed off with excuses such as ‘we decided not to make payments until the GFC was over so you would not lose on your investments’.

The above advice should be adopted regardless of where you work because mistakes can be made anywhere.

It is not merely small or new schools where problems emerge – a wellestablished eastern suburbs Catholic girls’ school failed to pay super for one member for 12 months, causing her to lose her insurance cover.

The member only discovered this when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The school of course refused to accept any financial responsibility.

Interim pay rise not enough Dick Shearman IEU General Secretary Following an agreement with Catholic employers late last year, teachers and principals in all NSW Catholic systemic schools received an interim 2.5% pay rise from the first pay period this year.

This increase reflects the 2.5% awarded to government school teachers from the same date by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

The NSW Government has passed legislation to set a wages cap of 2.5% per annum for all government employees with any increase above this to be matched by direct employee savings.

While we are no longer part of the state industrial system and therefore not affected by the Industrial

Relations Commission decision, the Union and Catholic employers have agreed to a matching 2.5% on an interim basis.

Discussions will continue this term on new agreements and additional increases above 2.5% for teachers in Catholic systemic schools.

We will also be seeking to review all diocesan workload agreements and ensure key workload elements are incorporated into the statewide agreements.

These key elements include release from face-to-face teaching in primary schools, guidelines on face-to-face teaching and duties in secondary schools, limits on meeting times and release for teachers in promotions positions.

We have also sought changes to

principal salaries to achieve parity between primary and secondary salaries and sought a review of the appropriateness of current enrolment bands.

The Catholic employers have agreed to a broad ranging review of senior leadership positions and their salaries and these discussions will commence shortly.

Teachers employed in Catholic independent schools with pay rates based on diocesan rates (List D schools) and teachers employed in Christian Brothers schools (List C schools) will also receive the interim 2.5% increase.

Our full salary and conditions claim was endorsed at the IEU August Council and sent to members in an August Newsextra.

More support for disability partnership Gloria Taylor IEU Deputy Secretary

The IEU welcomes the announcement of $48 million in federal funding to be spent on professional development and technical aids for teachers and staff working with children with disabilities in NSW. Of this funding $15 million will go to Catholic and independent schools. This funding is part of the $200m national partnership package to be rolled out over the next two years.

The Union has consistently called for support for teachers and staff

working with children with special needs in mainstream classes. There are specific benefits to the program including an emphasis on a ‘whole school approach’. This essentially will look beyond narrow definitions of disability. The funding should deliver much needed training for those working with students will disabilities.

Despite these positive features, this funding has limitations and is inadequate in meeting the significant educational needs of students with disabilities. The funding is ‘one off’

and unable to provide additional staffing or ongoing resources. We must continue to look towards the Gonski review in an attempt to highlight and address the urgent needs for funding resources in our schools.

IEU Federal Secretary, Chris Watt has been appointed to the Federal Government’s Schools Disability Advisory Council which is due to have its first meeting in the next fortnight.

The Union will continue to represent members and lobby governments on this critical issue.

In brief We Connect – Educators Online Conference The IEU We Connect – Educators Online Conference to be held on 2 March in Sydney will provide teachers with a wide range of ideas for the use of ICT in the classroom, and in their professional lives.

This conference is Institute Registered with the NSW Institute of Teachers for New Scheme Teachers maintaining their accreditation.

Keynote speaker Macquarie University Head of Educational Development Design Dean Groom will present a radical exploration of video gaming and its application in an educational context.

Knox Grammar School Dean of Students and ICT specialist Karen Yager will explore ways of engaging and extending students with ICT, and will model assessment for learning techniques and resources.

Practical workshops will examine useful apps for educators, online citizenship, cybersafety, how to use Scootle effectively, technology for students with special needs and other topics.

The conference has been designed to meet the needs of primary and secondary school teachers and those working in both the Catholic and independent sectors.

IEU conferences are frequently oversubscribed, and we suggest that interested participants take advantage of early bird rates and enrol soon. See P9 Fiji union members released The collective action of IEU members has contributed to the release from prison of Fiji Trade Union Congress President Daniel Urai and General Secretary Felix Anthony.

In November police arrested Felix Anthony and searched union headquarters and his home. It followed the arrest of Daniel Urai upon his return from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in late October.

He was charged with “inciting political violence by urging to overthrow government”.

The recent release of the union leaders was achieved through strong international union member campaigning. IEU members initiated a postcard campaign that has put international attention on Commodore Josaia Voreque Bainimarama’s regime.

However, Daniel Urai still remains under charges of sedition, is on a curfew and must report to the police daily. While Anthony Felix was released without charges, the Fijian Assistant Police Commissioner said: “Anthony may be brought in again for questioning when the need arises”.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has introduced a set of laws that give his Government sweeping powers of arrest and detention without a warrant and for 16 days.

Under the new laws, ‘terrorism’ is redefined to cover any act that is seen to be campaigning to influence the government towards change, the ACTU said.

IEU members can be left with no doubt that the military dictatorship in Fiji is not a benign regime.

Housekeeping for members on the move For members changing workplaces or moving house, remember your payroll deductions don’t automatically move with you.

Let us know where you are off to by contacting IEU Membership today. Reps can also assist this process by sending in their annual update form alerting the Union to staff changes. This process keeps the IEU’s records up-to-date, keeps us in communication and ensures members don’t inadvertently become unfinancial when they move schools. Membership can be reached on (02) 9779 3200, toll free on 1800 467 943 or via membership@ieu.asn.au. newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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2012 IEU

xd Teach Survive Thrive Conference for teachers in their early career years 4th May 2012

Mercure Hotel, Sydney

8.30am - 3.30pm

EARLY BIRD by 1st March Members $70, Non members $190

Members $90, Non members $220

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Beyond 20th Century solutions for 21st Century problems

Stephen Hughes, lecturer in Diversity and Inclusion Studies at USQ. Steve has 23 years experience in the teaching of special education (especially re inclusion) to students with high support needs, as well as teaching for social & emotional wellbeing. The principles of Universal Design for Learning underpin Steve’s thinking about teaching for diversity in today’s classroom.

Steve’s keynote address and his workshop will deliver an introduction to the concept of diversity as being more than a concern for identified groups and individuals with special needs, but in fact is applicable to all students.

Steve argues that all students differ in some way, which impacts on how they perceive information, process that information, and are motivated to engage in learning at any particular time. He will show with practical examples how recognition of differences can help us design a curriculum that is not disabling in itself.

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In response to 2011 feedback there are three workshop sessions this year, selecting from:

Opening up learning - planning for diverse student needs.

Integrating Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum (one primary and one secondary).

What the heck? Its Scootle! (E-learning tool)

Using smartboards for learning in the primary classroom.

Using ICT creatively in the secondary classroom - for learning & assessment.

Dealing professionally with difficult situations and people.

Exploring Aboriginal culture through Didgeridoo games, songs and dance.

Practical tips for gaining accreditation at PC.

Maintaining accreditation - how it works, what to do.

Cyber Safety.

Understanding the industrial environment and your rights at work.

Managing your voice and body - tips for better classroom practice.

Understanding WHS - work health and safety at your school.

q

The conference will include a forum on teacher accreditation experiences, and issues relating to national teaching standards and implementation in NSW.

For further information contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or iva@ieu.asn.au

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

New teachers put in the picture

Above: Suzie Klaassens Left: Sandra Kingston.

Sue Osborne IEU Jornalist The IEU welcomes new teachers to the start of what we hope will be an exciting and fulfilling career. As well as getting to grips with your new role, you will need to manage the accreditation process.

The IEU offers extensive support to new members going through accreditation.

The Union runs a program of workshops and seminars which are registered with the NSW Institute of Teachers.

IEU Professional Development and Accreditation Officer Elizabeth Finlay can offer support to individual teachers on their accreditation work, while IEU Professional Development Officer Amy Cotton coordinates the free professional development courses, which assist new teachers maintaining their accreditation.

Getting to grips with her first full-time position as a Visual Arts Teacher, Sandra Kingston says she felt “overwhelmed” by the amount of paperwork she was faced with regarding her accreditation.

Sandra had been working part-time for two years since she graduated from Newcastle University with her Dip Ed, and had gathered the material she needed to start the accreditation process.

When she got her full-time appointment at Macquarie Anglican Grammar in Dubbo she knew she had to get underway, but “didn’t know where to start”.

“I wasn’t sure how to go about meeting all the standards and requirements,” she says.

“It’s hard when you’re starting your first full-time job and have that pressure as well.

“I’m a visual learner and, while people kept telling me what I needed to write and explaining what to do, I wasn’t satisfied as I couldn’t ‘see’ what I needed to do.

“It may be easy to paint a picture, but taking a photo of students’ work, explaining how they got the results they did, looking back through programs

to ring you next week, so make sure you have this element done by then’, so it was a real incentive.

“She also let me know that other teachers in the school were going through the accreditation process at the level above me, so I started to get a bit of a network.

“Even if I never have problems in my career, my Union fees have already been worthwhile due to this support.

Even if I never have problems in my career, my Union fees have already been worthwhile due to this support. to provide the necessary evidence and working out how to present it – I was becoming more and more anxious.”

Sandra’s position was made harder as she was new to Dubbo and did not have a network of other teachers to call on.

Also, three different people filled the position of Director of Studies in her first year at the school, providing conflicting advice.

“It was not the school’s fault, it was just a set of circumstances that made things a bit harder for me.”

However, Sandra says it was a “lifesaver” when a colleague told her the IEU offered support to new scheme teachers.

“I rang Liz [Finlay] and she was able to send me a page layout and documents so at last I had a visual interpretation of what I was supposed to be doing.

“Liz would ring me and say ‘I’m going

“I think it’s really helpful for anyone in a rural or regional community to be able to get help from the Union.”

Suzie Klaassens, IT and Support Teacher at St Brigid’s Primary, Coonamble, says the Union support during her accreditation process was “invaluable” and she’s decided to give something back.

“I attended the 2011 Teach Thrive Survive Conference and I thought it was the best thing for new teachers,” Suzie says.

“Coming from a remote area it gave me a sense of not being alone. The quality of in-services provided all on one day was excellent.”

Suzie joined the New Scheme Teachers Committee following the conference, and has taken part in a number of teleconferences, discussing who should contribute to this year’s conference.

“I thought, ‘if the Union goes to all the trouble of organising something for us, the least we can do is contribute’.”

Suzie says Pedagogy in the Pub (PIPs) events organised in Dubbo and Coonamble by Organiser Jackie Groom have also proved a boon to her.

“The Diocese provides us with support, but what the Union does is also great for getting our professional hours up.”

Contact Elizabeth Finlay on 9779 3200 or elizabeth@ieu.asn.au for accreditation support.

Union membership benefits for teachers in their first year • Discounted fees in first year of teaching • Personal help with teacher accreditation • Free workshops to meet Institute requirements • Union negotiated release time for new teachers in Catholic systemic schools • Annual Teach Survive Thrive

conference for early career teachers • Newsmonth and Independent Education publications • IEU New Scheme Teachers Committee • Industrial advice • Ongoing professional representation at the NSW Institute of Teachers and the NSW Board of Studies.

Share this information (and your copy of Newsmonth) with new teachers in your school ... spread the good word.

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www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

ACARA – Technologies doc reveals grapple Mark Northam IEU Organiser The initial Australian curriculum advice paper regarding Technologies has industrial implications for members, with release time and professional development a must for those expected to use it for planning and teaching.

The document, which was tabled in Sydney on 5 December, reflects the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) grappling with the notion of synthesising the eight state and territory jurisdictions into a workable federal outcome.

Whilst the intent of the document is to achieve a national perspective,

the IEUs preliminary view is that the many industrial issues which emerge as a consequence are not part of ACARA’s mandate.

ACARA is the independent authority

In early 2012 a draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Technologies, will be developed for national consultation.

It is critical that IEU members engage with this process especially in relation to

It is critical that IEU members engage with the consultation process, especially in relation to teacher time to contend with the ‘work’ of implementing the mandate ACARA enjoys. responsible for the developing a national curriculum, a national assessment program and a national data collection and reporting program.

teacher time to contend with the ‘work’ of implementing the mandate ACARA enjoys.

ACARA readily establishes that its function is not to specify how student

learning is to be assessed and that teachers will organise learning according to the needs and interests of their student population and school context. However by 2014 teachers will be expected to use the document for planning and teaching purposes (Remember this is for Foundation to Year 10).

The translation is that teachers/ schools/tertiary institutions (involved with pre service training), preschools and long day care centres having to adopt the national strategies will require assistance. The industrial consequences in terms of release time and professional development will become part of the IEU’s 2012 work.

What’s happening with the Australian Curriculum?

Sandra White IEU Education Issues Committee The short answer is not much. The NSW Board of Studies expects to have the redrafted English, Maths, Science and History K- 10 syllabuses ready for a final look around May, and according to its last advice, teachers would have the rest of 2012 and 2013 to prepare for introduction in 2014.

However this schedule was based on a few provisos, proposed by all state education stakeholder groups (including the IEU) and supported by NSW Education Minister Andrew Piccoli and the NSW Board.

Firstly, that the new syllabuses are at least as good as the current NSW curriculum. And of equal importance, that funding is provided for implementation, teacher release, and teacher professional development.

Currently neither of these prerequisites is assured. We will soon know about the quality of 6

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the curriculum, and hopefully the work of many teachers on Board committees and all those who participated in consultation meetings and submitted responses will not have been for nothing.

However the advent of an adequate funding allocation to provide for necessary PD, resource development, support materials and teacher release, from either the state or federal governments, seems as likely as the proverbial pigs flying, hell freezing over, or Easter in May. If this is the case, it is the view of the Union that the NSW Board of Studies – the organisation that has successfully managed curriculum review in this state over the last 20 years – should revert to its normal syllabus development process to introduce the new syllabuses, a process which has been reasonable and is funded by state government.

On its website the Board says it is “committed to a syllabus development process that provides opportunities for consultation, establishes achievable timelines and ensures quality syllabuses”.

(www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/ manuals/pdf_doc/syl_dev_process.pdf) The benefits of reverting to this proven process would be an orderly and measured implementation of the Australian Curriculum, with practical advantages like primary school teachers not having to introduce four new curriculum areas at the same time – something with the potential to harm workplace harmony and diminish educational outcomes.

There is no compelling argument to rush the implementation of the Australian Curriculum. The pressure has been for purely political motives, and the use of the ‘stick’ – the threat of national partnerships payments being withheld from states that are not toeing the line – is deeply disappointing.

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Saga ends in $$$

for former St Gregory’s Armenian School staff

IEU Organiser Pam Smith (centre) with former St Gregory's members Lee Hurst and Robyn Miller.

Former St Gregory’s Armenian School teachers joined IEU staff in December to celebrate the end of a three-year saga and to acknowledge the team’s efforts in securing more than $230,000 in member entitlements.

The IEU ran a number of cases in the Industrial Relations Commission, the Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court and the Supreme Court of NSW and wrote numerous letters on the behalf of the 11 members at the school.

One letter from IEU General Secretary Dick Shearman successfully requested advances under the Australian Government’s General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS), and prompted Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations Senator Jacinta Collins to acknowledge the “significant efforts the IEU has taken to recover and protect the entitlements”.

Former St Gregory’s Technical and Visual Arts Teacher and IEU member Georges El-Haddad had the IEU’s Supreme Court action run in his name. He was made redundant in 2008, by which stage there

were just 50 students remaining.

“At one time it was a good school. We had almost 300 students,” he said.

When Georges and his colleagues lost their jobs they were disappointed by mixed messages from management.

The Union has been very good.

They put in a lot of work to get our money and they have helped and supported us ever since it happened.

“At one point, the school said we hadn’t been made redundant, then they were saying the money was tied up with the Commonwealth Bank. They have made it very difficult.

“Without the Union I wouldn’t have got

even part of my money. They have put in a lot of work for us.”

Georges’ colleague and fellow IEU member Robyn Miller taught Kindergarten to Year 3 classes at the school from 1996 to 2008. She said many staff felt their employment was becoming insecure but they did not expect the methods management employed to sever their tenure.

“We all got our notices on about the 10 November, 2008. They just walked into our classrooms when we were teaching and handed them to us,” Robyn said.

“It was a surprise when it happened but I guess we all thought it was on the cards.

When Fr Anton, who started the school, left, a lot of families left with him.”

Robyn had 18 weeks of long service leave owing and was entitled to redundancy payments. She went to the Supreme Court to support the Union case and her workmates in June 2009 and again in June 2010.

“At the beginning, I was quite upset. I went to so many interviews and sat at home wondering what on earth I was going to do.”

Finally, she got a start at Samuel Gilbert School, just five minutes from her home and has embraced the change in her life.

“In many ways it was possibly one of the best things that has happened. I am in a great school, taking on new ideas from supportive colleagues.

“I met a lot of good people at St Gregory’s and made some good friends.

The kids were really nice and so were the parents but the administration was just stubborn all the time.

“The Union has been very good. They put in a lot of work to get our money and they have helped and supported us ever since it happened.”

The Union is still working with the liquidators to finalise some outstanding matters including superannuation and interest payments.

Support for leaders and learners It’s not just teachers undergoing accreditation to Band 3 that find the support of the IEU invaluable.

Leaders tasked with supporting and guiding those teachers find the Union’s help worthwhile too.

Primary school head at Georges River Grammar School in Bankstown, Sydney, Nina Heinecke has had the task of overseeing teachers going through accreditation since the process began.

She says the support she receives from the IEU is “second to none”.

“I’ve known Liz [Finlay] for about four years since she’s been coming out to see our folk going through to Band 2 and Band 3,” Nina says.

“We admire her depth of professional understanding of standards and her curriculum knowledge has been very helpful.

“She’s a gentle person which is good, because sometimes she has to say in the nicest possible way, ‘no don’t do it that way, have you thought about doing it this way’?

“She tailors her support to suit

the needs of the individual, and is incredibly flexible, coming out in the holidays and on release days to really fit in with people’s timetables.”

Nina says she would advise any teachers undergoing accreditation that the Union is a good source of support.

“It’s great to have someone to bounce ideas off, and the Union gives teachers a voice at the AIS. “They’ve been able to put forward the concerns of teachers and be a champion for them, in the accreditation process.”

Professional Development and Accreditation Officer Elizabeth Finlay can be contacted on 9779 3200 or email Elizabeth@ieu.asn.au.

AIS Deadline

Members who are intending to apply for Band 3 must send their applications to the AIS by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012.

Class of 2010: Teachers who successfully achieved Band 3 accreditation at Georges River Grammar School express their gratitude to Elizabeth Finlay. newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

Petition tops 12,000

Teachers are Teachers petition Late last year we reached our target of 10,000 signatures and more petitions continue to arrive, so well done to everyone who has supported this crucial issue being raised in NSW Parliament.

The petition will be presented in the next few weeks so it’s a case of watch this space. Don’t forget to follow the campaign on www.facebook.com/ teachersareteachers for up-to-the minute news, and why not give Twitter a go? The campaign’s account is at www.twitter.com/ecteacherpay

Parents – the missing link?

The Teachers are Teachers campaign needs much broader community support, particularly from parents. Do your parents understand the importance of the work you do? Are you comfortable articulating it on a regular basis? Do they understand how investment in early childhood pays big dividends later on? To help you communicate the value of what you do we are gathering a collection of quotes for easy insertion into your service’s newsletters – just copy and paste from our Facebook page –

or perhaps you’d like to quotes to feature at your campaign station in the service. Here’s one to get you started.

“Three of the of the most rigorous long-term studies found a range of returns between $4 and $9 for every dollar invested in early learning programs for low-income children. Program participants followed into adulthood benefited from increased earnings while the public saw returns in the form of reduced special education, welfare, and crime costs, and increased tax revenues from program participants later in life.” (Sources: Masse, L and Barnett, WS 2002, A Benefit Cost Analysis of the Abecedarian Early Childhood Intervention; Karoly et al, 2005, Early Childhood Interventions: Proven Results, Future Promise; Heckman et al, 2009, The Effect of the Perry Preschool Program on the Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills of its Participants.)

Perhaps you have a quote that continually inspires you about early childhood and you’d like to share it? Drop a line to suzanne@ieu. asn.au

The Teachers are Teachers campaign needs much broader community support, particularly from parents.

The National Quality Framework The Framework came into effect on 1 January 2012 and is now enforceable with other key requirements like qualifications, ratios and staffing arrangements being phased in between 2012 and 2020.

The newly established Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority oversees the National Quality Framework. They have a website full of information for families and services to help them understand the changes. There is also a regular newsletter to subscribe to. Find it at http://www.acecqa.gov.au/ E4Kids study Some readers may have been perturbed (understatement) by the publicity early in the year about the quality of early childhood services, with some reports that Australian childcare was among the poorest quality in the world.

The coverage came as a result of the release of the January research bulletin from the E4Kids study.

This five-year longitudinal study is tracking the learning and development of more than 2600 three or four-year-old children until age eight.

Some media picked up on the poor performance of services in the instructional support domain while ignoring the medium to high levels in the emotional support and classroom organisation domains.

NSW services were not part of this study. In a media statement the E4Kids team stressed that “E4Kids is a five-year study. Data analysis is at an early stage. It is inappropriate to make summary statements about the nature of Australian ECEC programs until the analysis is completed. To draw conclusions from the research at this stage is hazardous and likely to lead to unbalanced evaluations.”

The bulletin also stressed that the new National Quality Standard provides opportunities for services to reflect and improve. In NSW many of the issues facing other states have long been resolved with mandated early childhood teachers and better ratios. Details: http://www.e4kids.org.au/.

A new ASET for lab technicians In Tasmania they’ve had one for 40 years, Victoria 31 years and WA 21 years.

NSW is the last state in Australia to get an association specifically for school laboratory technicians.

ASET NSW is the newly formed Association of Science Education, and IEU member Margaret Croucher is the Chairperson.

ASET is open to laboratory technicians, aides, assistants and managers from all school sectors in NSW. Teachers have had professional associations for many years.

Margaret says lab technicians also need some form of professional organisation, especially if they are new to the profession or working at isolated schools.

The Association can also provide a 8

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consistent set of guidelines across all schools to best support their science faculty and school community.

A research report on the Status of School Science Laboratory Technicians in Australian Secondary Schools prepared

by Professor Mark Hackling for the Education Department highlighted the need for technicians to work together to promote professional standards.

ASET plans to organise professional development sessions around the state, which will be recorded and made available to members on the ASET website.

Details: http://aset-nsw.blogspot.com Website: www.asetnsw.org.au

www.ieu.asn.au on the ground

MP visits keep funding on the agenda The IEU’s campaign for funding fairness for all schools has been continuing with visits in December to Federal Ministers Tony Burke and Tanya Plibersek.

Principal Des Fox and members from St Jerome’s Primary School Punchbowl, together with members from Rissalah Islamic College Lakemba and IEU Officer Pam Smith, met with Watson MP and Environment Minister Tony Burke at his office at Roselands on 9 December.

Both these schools have more than 80% of students from language backgrounds other then English and serve communities with a range of diverse social needs.

Mr Burke indicated his strong support for a fair and socially inclusive school funding system which recognises the vital contribution of schools such as St Jerome’s and Rissalah and other non-government schools in the Watson electorate.

He indicated that he would be happy to meet again with the IEU when the Government is considering the recommendations of the Gonski Review.

IEU Officers and the reps from St Scholastica’s College Glebe and the Principal of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Waterloo also met with Sydney MP and Health Minister Tanya Plibersek at her office on 9 December.

Both schools have a high number of Indigenous students and St Scholastica’s, a boarding school, provides a city experience to rural students.

These reps and members emphasised the vital importance of the programs at their schools and the need for adequate funding to support these initiatives into the future.

For example, at Waterloo the students are provided with new uniforms each year and are so proud of their school that some wear their uniforms on the weekend.

These MP visits are playing a significant role in advancing the IEU’s campaign for fair school funding and will continue as the Federal Government considers the Gonski report recommendations.

Organiser Ann-Maree McEwan, Tanya Plibersek, Reps at St Scholastica’s College Glebe Win McCluskie and Tracey Robson, IEU Organiser Kendall Warren and Principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School Wentworthville John Farrell.

The Principal and two staff from St Jerome’s, Punchbowl, two members from Rissalah Islamic College and IEU Organiser Pam Smith meet with MP Tony Burke.

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

Discover!

Top education applications and resources

Cyber safety

Hotel, Sydney 8.30am -‐ 3.30pm Mercure

Members $70, Non members $190

ICT to engage and extend students

Kellie Britnell and Naomi Raiz,

Scootle

Australian Communications and Media Authority, Cybersmart

Dean Groom,

Macquarie University Head of Educational Development Design

Speakers include:

Online assessment

Preety Agarwal,

Education Services Australia, Technology Development Assistant Director

Game-­based learning

Keith Heggart,

McCarthy Catholic College Teacher and Apple-Certified Educator

And so much more.

Karen Yager,

Knox Grammar School Dean of Students and ICT specialist

NSW Institute of Teachers’ endorsed provider of Institute Registered professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence. Scope of Endorsement - Elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Professional Teaching Standards

For further information contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or iva@ieu.asn.au

newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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www.ieu.asn.au feature

Out of proportion?

Pro rata duties for part-timers in AIS schools

Les Porter IEU Organiser The Union regularly receives enquiries from teacher members employed on a part time basis at AIS independent schools in relation to duties other than teaching. It appears that some schools are placing unfair pressure on part timers to attend school activities out of proportion to their teaching load.

The AIS Independent agreements are clear, part time teachers are to undertake (attend) the normal duties proportional (pro-rata) to their face-to-face teaching load as required by the school over the course of the year and that schools will attempt to assist a part time teacher to meet these requirements by consulting with the teacher regarding the timing of such commitments.

Example 1: teachers on a full load supervise four playground duties per week. A part time teacher 0.5fte (full time equivalent) would be expected to supervise two duties per week.

Example 2: if the school has 10 days of professional development (PD) in nonterm time, then a part time teacher on 0.4fte would need to attend four days of PD in non-term time.

If a request for attendance means that the part time teacher is doing more than a proportional rate of duties, then agreements applying in independent schools state that the teacher is entitled to payment at casual rates for the day if they are required to attend.

part time teachers attend a particular professional development day on a term day when they would not normally be working. Teachers who have genuine reasons why they cannot

If a request for attendance means that the part time teacher is doing more than a proportional rate of duties, then agreements applying in independent schools state they are entitled to payment at casual rates for the day they are required.

During the original negotiations with the AIS for independent schools’ multienterprise agreements (MEAs), this issue was specifically raised by the Union.

All parties agree that part time teachers should not be required to attend more PD days pro rata in their own time than full time teachers at the same school.

In some cases, schools will request that

attend (for example the teacher may have another part time job or have caring commitments) should inform the principal as soon as possible of their inability to attend.

Teachers should however over the year make every effort to attend the required pro rata days. Remember that the agreement states that the schools will

Shorts Congratulations to St Paul’s Catholic College Greystanes for their 2011 Sports Safety Gold Award for their program Prepare and Prevention. The innovative program is designed to reduce the number of preventable injuries in contact sports. Twelve senior student volunteers had to identify potential hazards and learn preventative techniques. Two students were then allocated to the school’s contact sport teams and were responsible for player welfare, identifying and removing hazards on the field and coordinating safety gear. Congratulations also to St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Nowra, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, North Ryde, St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen and St Joseph’s Catholic School, Oberon for their Sports Safety awards.

Still on safety in sport. Up to $100,000 is available in NSW for the 2012 Sports Research and Injury Prevention Scheme Grants. Applications close on 1 March 2012. Details: www.sportinginjuries.nsw.gov.au or call 02 4321 5392.

Last year schools joined others in the community to remove 16,000 tonnes of rubbish right across Australia. Schools Clean Up Day is on Friday 2 March 2012. This year there is also a Green Kids Award video competition for schools, sponsored by the release of Dr Seuss’ The Lorax. The award is an opportunity for schools to showcase their environmental work and win

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a multimedia package and family passes to The Lorax.

A Schools Climate Kit is also available for download for K-6 teachers to complement the day with 21 lesson plans on water, energy, climate change, packaging and waste and recycling.

Details: www.competitions.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.

How is school leadership best developed and supported? A newly published US report says vision, hospitable climate, cultivating leadership in others, management of people, data and processes and improving instruction help.

Available for download at http://bit.ly/wXrx0p

attempt to assist a part time teacher to meet these requirements by consulting with the teacher regarding the timing of such commitments.

For those contemplating part time or job share in the future, it is always best to be proactive and clarify requirements before commencing the arrangement.

Teachers should have an agreement (preferably in writing) with the principal before the arrangement commences of exactly what is required.

For more information you may wish to refer to the actual clauses from your agreement which are available in the awards section of our website at www.ieu.asn.au.

• Independent Schools NSW Standards Model (Teachers) (3 Band) Clause 13.3 • Independent Schools NSW (Teachers) MEA 2011 – 2014 (Incremental Model - Steps 1 to 13) Clause 6.7 (a) (iii) Call your Organiser on 9779 3200 if you need further advice on this issue.

If you want to spend your precious dollars ethically you’ll be interested in the Ethical Consumer Guide: Everyday choices to change your world. There’s also an iPhone and iPad app available and intriguing sounding supermarket tours – where small groups explore the aisles and find out more about the products, companies and issues that make up the supermarket experience. All this and more at http://www.ethical.org.au/.

This education app was rated as one of the best of the year by Apple. It was made by the NSW Department of Education and Communities to help students with spelling and maths and assist parents with homework. It could also help you find inspiration for projects and assignments.

Find it at http://bit.ly/zg6NDK.

Rep Spotlight Jude Ryan - Principals’ Rep Jude Ryan, Principal of St Joseph’s Parish School Hillston, is one of more than 550 principal members of the Union and is the IEU Rep for principals in the Wilcannia Forbes region.

“Being a Principal in a small rural school, I appreciate the work the Union does to ensure we are kept up to date with educational issues and fair work conditions,” Jude says.

the Parramatta meetings,” Jude says.

“These meetings have enabled me to make connections with more experienced principals and also gain an insight into what is happening with educational issues and work conditions outside our Diocese.

“It is interesting to note that even though I live in a small rural community, we all share similar concerns for issues associated with our roles as principals.

Being a Principal in a small rural school I appreciate the work the Union does to ensure we are kept up to date with educational issues and fair work conditions.

Newsmonth’s Rep Spotlight often highlights the invaluable contribution of school-based IEU Reps acting as a crucial conduit between the Union and its teacher and support staff members. But have you wondered how it works for those principals who also value their IEU membership?

Last year was a busy one for Jude. In addition to her work duties she attended Principals Branch meetings once a term in Parramatta, helped coordinate the annual meeting of the Wilcannia-Forbes Principals with IEU Organiser Pam Smith and was active in keeping colleagues and staff up to date with educational and workplace issues.

Jude was often able to raise issues with the Union on behalf of colleagues and “appreciated opportunities to network with other principals”.

“Principals in the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese are invited to voice any concerns they would like me to highlight during

Our workload seems to be getting bigger and bigger and the Union is continually looking for ways to ease the burden.”

Jude says principals appreciate the practical support their membership provides.

“The Union makes time to listen to our concerns and acts upon any issues where we would like to see changes occur. The fact that the Union travels to Forbes to meet with us at our annual principal’s conference means a great deal to the members and shows they value what we are doing in the country.”

As someone based in a rural location, Jude says membership has also assisted with access to valuable services.

“The Union has provided valuable information for myself and colleagues regarding access to special education services, national curriculum updates, support for salary claims and support for the ongoing demands placed on principals in schools. These are only a few of the many areas in which the Union has provided support over the past year.

“The Union has also been very active in providing support for new teachers.

This has been a wonderful initiative for teachers in rural areas. The IEU has made many trips to the country providing practical professional development opportunities for new teachers. This is exactly what new teachers need when beginning their careers.”

Jude says membership provides a sense of security.

“Being a member of the IEU gives me a sense of security and a feeling that the Union is always there to ensure fairness and equality for teachers. I know in the background there is always support if any issues were to arise.

“I thank the Union for supporting me in my role as the Wilcannia-Forbes representative of the Principals Branch and for providing valuable support for my colleagues.”

For more information on Principals Branch activities contact IEU Principals Organiser Pam Smith on (02) 9779 3200 or email pam@ieu.asn.au

Present Tense ELICOS News Kendall Warren IEU Organiser Welcome back to another year of Present Tense, your window into the international student market in NSW. The industry enters the New Year under something of a cloud, with falling student numbers across most colleges.

This has been the case for nearly two years now, with numbers falling precipitously from the last boom year of 2009.

This has led to a corresponding drop in export income, with the industry valued at $15.8 billion in the 2010-11 financial year, down 15% on the $18.5 billion of 2009-10.

Despite this decline, education remains Australia’s third-largest export, behind coal and iron.

The continuing downturn has seen many colleges shed staff, while some (such as Uniworld) have closed their doors entirely.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel, however, with the Federal Government recently announcing a number of changes to the student visa system, and introducing a range of assistance packages for the industry.

Things aren’t expected to turn around overnight, but many in the sector are cautiously hopeful of a slow increase in student numbers from Spring, 2012.

All this gloom makes for a difficult bargaining environment for teachers looking for pay increases and other improvements in their employment conditions.

In January, the IEU agreed to terms with Navitas English Services (formerly known as ACE) for a new enterprise agreement, and while the salary increases are below what was initially hoped for, there are still several improvements on the previous agreement, including an increase in paid parental leave, significant increases of up to 10%

for the Senior Teacher allowance, and concessions made around the taking of leave without pay.

There will be a salary increase of 3% in late 2012, and in the meantime, most staff will receive a one-off payment of $1000 once the agreement is approved by staff. The vote was still pending as of press time, but the payment should be paid to teachers in early February.

There will be several agreements reaching their nominal expiry dates in 2012, including those at Insearch, UoW College, UWS College, ACL, and the EPIA group of colleges.

It is hoped that the industry picks up before negotiations start, but in the meantime, members at those colleges should be looking to maximise IEU membership.

It is no coincidence that the best conditions enjoyed in the international student sector are at centres with strong Union membership.

The IEU has recently engaged the services of a dedicated Membership Benefits Team (MBT), which has been visiting schools to promote the advantages of IEU membership.

In the near future, this team will approach several ELICOS colleges to try and increase membership density.

The MBT does not address industrial matters, but rather publicises the broader benefits of IEU membership.

Initially, the MBT will look to visit those colleges listed above where the IEU has traditionally had higher than average membership.

However, if you would like the MBT to visit your centre, contact the IEU. If you would like any matters addressed in this column, or if you would like any information about what the IEU can do at your college, send an email to kendall@ieu.asn.au. newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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Professional development courses for 2012 PIPs: Pedagogy in the Pub These are a series of seminars which are free to members, Institute registered professional development courses. They are two hours each.

Contact your organiser if you’d like a PIP held close to you.

Cyber Savvy – This workshop highlights legislation related to online activities, outlines challenges facing students in 2012, discusses issues teachers might encounter, examines workload issues, discusses policies and procedures and explores appropriate professional behaviours.

Maintenance of Accreditation – Learn about the NSW Institute of Teachers’ maintenance requirements at Professional Competence including the professional development log and maintenance report. Map out your professional development and reflect on your current practice and how to use that for maintenance purposes.

Be Wary Be Wise – Examine child protection legislation and learn about fair investigation policy and processes. Learn about appropriate professional behaviours to protect and minimise the risk of complaints and allegations. Receive advice on what to do if an allegation is made against you.

Camps and Excursions – Understand school policy, case law and risk management approaches to camps, excursions and other

be

activities outside the school campus.

Develop your understanding of ‘duty of care’ responsibilities, good management practice and the value of parent/carer inclusion.

IEU Reps Training Days: New and experienced IEU Representatives are invited to come along and brush up their understanding of their local agreements. Participants will learn techniques and tips for involving members in IEU campaigns, receive an overview of the current industrial landscape and network with other local Representatives.

Audience: IEU Representatives.

Through the Maze of Work Health Safety: On 1 January 2012 the new harmonised Work Healthy and Safety Act was implemented. This course outlines the new regulations and codes of practice and how they will affect your school.

Audience: IEU Reps, OHS Committee Members, Health and Safety Representatives, middle management in Catholic and independent schools.

You, Your Centre and Work Health Safety: On 1 January 2012 the new harmonised Work Health and Safety Act was implemented. This course outlines the new Regulations and Codes of Practice and how they will affect your early childhood centre.

Audience: Teachers, Directors and Committee Members.

wary

be

wise

2012: TERM 1 N PD & Traini

Term 1 Wk 4: 13 Feb: 15 Feb: 17 Feb:

13 Feb – 17 Feb PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Castle Hill PIP – Cyber Savvy, Dee Why IEU Reps Training Day, Tamworth

Wk 5: 20 Feb – 24 Feb 20 Feb: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditaiton, Sydney City 22 Feb: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Revesby Heights 24 Feb: IEU Reps Training Day, Orange Wk 6: 27 Feb – 2 Mar 27 Feb: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Forbes 29 Feb: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Trangie 1 Mar: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Dubbo 2 Mar: WHS for ECS Seminar, Dubbo 2 Mar: We Connect – Educators Online Conference, Mercure Hotel, Sydney Wk 7: 8 Mar: 9 Mar: 9 Mar:

5 Mar – 9 Mar WHS (OHS) Seminar, Bathurst WHS for ECS Seminar, Bathurst IEU Reps Training Day, Sydney City

Wk 8: 12 Mar – 16 Mar 15 Mar: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Albury 16 Mar: WHS for ECS Seminar, Albury Wk 9: 19 Mar – 23 Mar 21 Mar: PIP: Maintenance of Accreditation, Rooty Hill 22 Mar: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Penrith 22 Mar: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Burwood 23 Mar: WHS for ECS Seminar, Penrith 23Mar: IEU Reps Training Day, Newcastle Wk 10: 26 Mar – 30 Mar 26 Mar: PIP – Cyber Savvy, Springwood 26 Mar: IEU Reps Training Day, Canberra 28 Mar: PIP – Maintenance of Accreditation, Gymea 29Mar: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Sydney City 30 Mar: WHS for ECS Seminar, Sydney City

Key: Italics denotes a NSW Teachers Institute registered course PIP = Pedagogy in the Pub WHS (OHS) Seminars: Work Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice for NSW/ACT Non-Government Schools.

WHS for ECS Seminar: You, Your Centre & WHS. IEU Reps Training Day: New and experienced IEU Reps can develop their knowledge Note: Funding for WHS training provided by WorkCover NSW through the WorkCover Assist Program.

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www.ieu.asn.au feature

NSW/ACT IEU ing Calendar Term 2 Wk 2: 3 May: 4 May: 4 May: 4 May:

30 Apr – 4 May WHS (OHS) Seminar, Shellharbour WHS for ECS Seminar, Shellharbour Teach, Survive, Thrive Conference, Mercure Hotel, Sydney IEU Reps Training Day, Albury

2012 IEU Teach Survive Thrive Conference for teachers in their early career years

4th May 2012 Mercure Hotel, Sydney 8.30am - 3.30pm

EARLY BIRD by 1st March Members $70, Non members $190

Members $90, Non members $220

Wk 3: 7 May – 11 May 10 May: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Gymea 11 May: WHS for ECS Seminar, Gymea Wk 4: 14 May – 18 May 17 May: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Tamworth 18 May: WHS for ECS Seminar, Tamworth Wk 5: 21 May – 25 May 25 May: WHS (OHS) Seminar, ACT 25 May: IEU Reps Training Day, Newcastle Wk 6: 28 May – 1 Jun Wk 7: 4 Jun – 8 Jun 7 Jun: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Newcastle 8 Jun: WHS for ECS Seminar, Newcastle Wk 8: 11 Jun – 15 Jun 14 Jun: WHS (OHS) Seminar, Ballina 15Jun: WHS for ECS Seminar, Ballina Wk 9: 18 Jun: 21 Jun: 22 Jun: 22 Jun:

18 Jun – 22 Jun PIP: Cyber Savvy, Springwood WHS (OHS) Seminar, Parramatta WHS for ECS Seminar, Parramatta IEU Reps Training Day, Port Macquarie

Save the date

We Connect - Educators Online Conference Friday, 2 March, 2012 8.30am to 3.30pm Mercure Hotel, Sydney Cyber savvy school communities Best practice use of tech resources Safe use of social media

Secure your spot: • You must register for all IEU courses.

• Please contact Kayla Skorupan on 02 9779 3200 (1800 467 943) to register and to get updated information on venues and dates.

• Can’t find a PIP near you? Contact your organiser and ask about the possibility of a PIP coming to a place near you!

• The IEU is a NSW Institute of Teachers’ endorsed provider of Institute Registered professional development for the Professional Teaching Standards of Elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 at Professional Competence.

Technology for special needs Online breakthroughs with the IEU PD on the web ICT innovators - panel session Institute registered workshops For further info contact Iva Coric on 9779 3200 or email iva@ieu.asn.au

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

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www.ieu.asn.au overview

Chris Wilkinson (third from left) and Ashleigh Green (far right).

Schoolies with a difference

Each year a small group of students and two teachers from St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford, travel to India. The trip is a ‘schoolies alternative’ for students who have recently completed their HSC. Students spend two weeks running activities for children in orphanages operated by the Jan Vikas Society, and two of those days are spent at a home for children with multiple disabilities. The trip has been an annual event for St Joseph's Catholic College since 2006, and many students look forward to this opportunity when they finish Year 12. IEU President Chris Wilkinson went along late last year. Fellow participant Ashleigh Green describes the experience.

You can be told about a place, learn about its customs, and even experience its food.

But nothing can prepare you for the real deal, as we found out upon our arrival at Mumbai airport. It was 3am, and as we walked toward the airport doors we were greeted by a mass of people.

Our group of eight white females seemed to be attracting attention, as was indicated by the several faces pressed against the airport’s glass windows.

Humid heat, car horns, colourful saris and people everywhere . . . our long awaited trip to India had begun.

The 2011 trip, led by IEU President Chris Wilkinson and Teacher Gail Hilli, was a great success, and one which both challenged and inspired us in countless ways.

The majority of our time was spent at Mermier Bal Ashram, an orphanage for 45 boys between the ages of six and 19.

Zest for life The children there, with their zest for life and their passion for cricket, were the 14

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friendliest, happiest and most content boys we had ever met.

As Australians, many of us grow up in houses full of ‘stuff’, yet we still manage to tell ourselves that we are ‘bored’ and ‘that there is nothing in the house to do’ in our school holidays.

To watch the boys turn sticks, slabs of wood and old tennis balls into equipment for a cricket match really made us question the relationship between fun and material objects. Here were these boys who have barely a possession to their names, having fun with whatever they could find. As well as running activities, we spent some time helping the children with their homework.

I spent a lot of time helping one particular boy with his Australian geography homework.

Passion for education He was fascinated to learn that Australia has four times the number of sheep than people. His genuine interest in what he was studying intrigued me. I asked him what his favourite subject was,

to which he replied: “All of them”.

This interest and passion for education was not unique to this particular boy.

The books that these children studied meticulously, inside and out, were their tickets out of poverty.

A short break from Mumbai’s humid heat was had in Pune, where we spent two nights at Snehalaya – a home for children with multiple disabilities.

For many of us, this was a highlight of the trip and an experience that was challenging, both emotionally and physically. The two days in Snehalaya were full on, and we had to provide a constant stream of activities for the children.

But it was inspiring watching each child do whatever was in his or her ability to complete.

Lifelong lesson One boy, refusing to let lack of function in his hands stand in the way of the activity, wedged a pencil between his toes and skillfully coloured in the picture that was given to each child.

It was moments like these that

brought a quote which was written on the blackboard in that playroom to life: “Give us equal opportunity to bring out our latent ability”. Amidst disability in the room were many, many abilities.

Several hours were spent over those two weeks folding origami, blowing up balloons, making finger puppets, dancing, singing and playing lots of cricket.

But at the end of the day, what the children taught us outweighed everything we could possibly give.

As a group of six students, we have had a glimpse of a life far less comfortable than the one we have grown up with – a life where education and hard work are absolutely essential to a decent future.

But in this place we also found happiness and hope, and a joy that seemed to override the messiness of life.

As we enter a world outside school, our Indian experience will no doubt shape our lives for years to come.

www.ieu.asn.au overview

A step towards pay parity

one preschool’s co-contribution story The introduction of the co-contribution scheme by the NSW Government last year saw early childhood services receive oneoff payments of up to $6000 for a threeyear trained early childhood teacher and $8000 for a four-year trained teacher.

The IEU has been arguing for the money to go directly to teachers for retention and recruitment and professional development.

Newsmonth Journalist Suzanne KowolskiRoth caught up with the IEU’s Early Childhood Vice President Gabe Connell, Director of Albury Preschool, to find out how the co-contribution money was used at her centre.

Q. How did your preschool use the money from the co-contribution scheme?

A. We had already negotiated our award with the preschool knowing this money was coming. We negotiated a 6% pay rise every 12 months for three years and a doubling of the director’s allowance, using the money towards these pay increases. We are also using some of it for professional development – namely the Identify and Respond to Children at Risk course which is now mandatory for Certified Supervisors under the new regulations.

Q. What was the process of deciding to use it this way?

A. We felt that it was the fairest way to use it and by doing it this way in our agreement it would ensure ongoing wage increases rather than just a one-off payment to the teacher. It

also ensured that it didn’t get consumed by the overall budget and then used to reduce fees rather than go towards staff. It was seen as the starting point for working towards wage parity.

Q. What difference did the decision to use it that way have for you and any other colleagues?

A. We feel more valued. The job at the moment with all the changes is quite complex and involves a high level of knowledge and responsibility. Many hours are spent in our own time but we now feel more appreciated by our committee and know that they understand how accountable we are and the pay increases recognise this. On a wider scale it is also about recognising the importance of early childhood education and care – it’s not just nice ladies ‘playing with children so mum can have a break’.

Q. Anything else you would like to add?

A. For many services who have not yet decided how to use this, they should think about the importance of retaining qualified staff, how important qualified and committed staff are to their service and pay them accordingly. We face a shortage of early childhood teachers in the industry with the majority choosing to work in schools where pay is much better. They should look at this as an investment in the future. The NSW State Government must realise that this scheme or one similar has to continue in order to ensure a qualified workforce in the future.

It was seen as the starting point for working towards wage parity.

IEU Early Childhood Services Vice President Gabe Connell

Stop the anti-union attacks: support Mandiri bank workers

Mandiri Bank, the largest in Indonesia, has operated since 2003 in Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili.

A small but dedicated trade union movement has started the task of organising workers following Timor’s independence.

Serikat Pekerja Bank Mandiri Timor-Leste (SPBMTL), or the Mandiri Bank Workers’ Union (MBWU), was established in 2006 and represents 41 of the 42 workers employed by Mandiri in their Dili office.

However, in recent months bank workers have faced a severe pushback in their right to conduct union activities in the workplace.

In November last year Joaquim Gonzaga was dismissed by General Manager Mohamad Yani following an ongoing dispute regarding Yani’s attempt to bypass collective decision making processes that

had been in place at the bank since 2003 and instead appoint a friend to a newly created position at the bank.

Attempts made by the Union to reach a settlement in the dispute backfired when Helder Barreto (also chair of the Union) was also sacked for attempting to organise a meeting between bank management and the MBWU’s larger affiliate, the General Workers Union of Timor-Leste (GWU).

In response to the second dismissal, staff led a protest and demanded that the bank reinstate both workers.

This protest failed, and the vice-chair of the Union, Leonardo Bele Bau Amaral, became the third casualty when he was also dumped by the bank for organising the staff protest.

According to the Constitution of Timor-Leste, “Dismissal without just cause or on political, religious and ideological grounds is prohibited”.

Furthermore, Section 51 stipulates that “every worker has the right to resort to strike, the exercise of which shall be regulated by law”.

The MBWU has continued to engage in peaceful and legal industrial action to protest the decision made by Mandiri management, but still Joaquim, Helder, and Leonardo are without their jobs.

It is essential that workers’ rights are defended wherever they are attacked. Express your support and solidarity with the union movement of Timor-Leste and say to Mandiri Bank: ‘no’ to union busting, ‘yes’ to workers’ rights.

Sign the petition at www.change.org/petitions/stopthe-anti-union-attacks-support-mandiri-bank-workers

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National Year of Reading The ability to read is often taken for granted. The gift of having access to the written word is but one of life's educational miracles. But not everyone is able to share in this bounty of text. In fact, 46% of Australians have some type of literacy struggle, struggling to read and keep up in a world of on-demand information. And to be honest, it's a figure that probably surprises most people.

In 2012, a coalition of state governments, youth groups and library associations across the nation will be backing the Love2Read campaign in order to boost, inspire and create more educational opportunities in helping young people learn to read.

In addition, the campaign aims to promote a stronger reading culture in

Through the maze of Work Health Safety Work Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice for NSW/ACT Non-Government Schools IEU Seminar Series for • IEU Reps • OHS Committee Members • Health & Safety Representatives • Middle Mangement in Catholic & Independent schools For further information contact Victoria Walters on 9779 3200, toll free 1800 467 943 or victoria@ieu.asn.au 16

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every Australian home, by encouraging families and carers to share books with their children more often.

A variety of events have been ongoing since mid 2011, in the lead-up to the big launch date on 14 February, this year.

Schools and educational workplaces can celebrate the joy of reading by organising their own events via registration at the love2read website.

There is also the chance to raise money for a number of needy charities including the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, MS Readathon and Vision Australia among others.

To learn more: http://www.love2read.org.au/ http://www.love2read.org.au/eventscalendar.cfm

Free for members $50 for Non- Members Includes: Seminar papers Lunch provided

Funding for this initiative has beenprovidedbyWorkCoverNSW through the WorkCover Assist Program.

NSW Institute of Teachers’ endorsed provider of Institute Registered professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence. Scope of Endorsement - Elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Professional Teaching Standards

This course addresses standard 6.2.8

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Wizard of IT – Daniel Long

The year of doomsday, dragons and cooperatives has arrived In this, the first IT Wizard column of the New Year – we look at what 2012 means to different people around the world.

The International Year of the Cooperative A year that celebrates the importance of cooperatives seems entirely fitting from a union perspective. The event is being celebrated by the United Nations and is expected to take on greater significance in those countries where union movements have been weakened in previous years by anti-labor forces. The UN hopes to raise public awareness on the great contribution that cooperatives make in poverty reduction, educational initiatives and social integration – among others. Australia has even released a commemorative $1 coin to mark the occasion, in addition to a postage stamp.

A documentary based on US-based urban cooperatives has been funded entirely by internet donations on the popular Kickstarter website and is scheduled for release later this year.

Where to find more: http://social.un.org/coopsyear http://www.kickstarter.com.au

Year of the Dragon, which corresponds with the Chinese Zodiac, represents determination and ambition within its character traits. The only mythological symbol in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is highly revered in Chinese culture. The equivalent sign in the western zodiac is Aries. There is plenty of good online resources on where to find Chinese New Year celebrations in Australia, as well as information on how to interpret your own Chinese Zodiac.

Where to find more: http://www.sydneychinesenewyear.com http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov. au/events/12816-chinese-new-yearfestival-2012 http://www.astrology.com/chineseastrology The Indigenous right to vote The Australian Electoral Office (AEC) has released a commemorative calendar for 2012 that marks the 50th anniversary since the right to vote was given to Indigenous Australians in Australia in 1962. The calendar has been designed

by Indigenous graphic artists under the theme 'Louder than one voice'. The story of how Indigenous Australians were finally awarded the right to vote in Australian elections is depicted in some detail on the AEC’s own website.

Where to find more: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/ Publications/indigenous/calendar.htm http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ indigenous_vote/aborigin.htm

The Chinese Year of the Dragon The Chinese New Year kicked off on 23 January. Sydney, much to people’s surprise - has the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of China. The

Clean Up Schools Day While Clean Up Australia Day enjoys high public visibility thanks to the enormous contribution of grassroots volunteers over the last 20 years, a similar school initiative run by the same organisation is a little less known, yet continues to field strong participation growth. Last year, 2400 schools took part in the annual clean up, resulting in 16,500 tonnes of rubbish cleared from school communities nation-wide.

Clean Up Schools Day kicks off on 2 March. To get involved with your school and share in the resources they have to offer, check out the link below.

Where to find more: www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au The Alan Turing Year

2012 also commemorates 100 years since the birth of one of the twentieth century’s greatest scientific minds: Alan Turing, who is considered the father of the modern computer and artificial intelligence. The young Brit, for those who don’t know their WW2 history, was instrumental in code breaking for the Allies and defeating the Nazi enigma machine.

His mathematical ideas on developing computation and algorithms helped speed up the development of modern computing. Without his incredible ideas, there’d probably be no internet today.

Turing died young at 41, vilified and punished by the British Government after the war for his sexuality. Today, the Turing Award is highly regarded as the most prestigious prize for excellence in the computer sciences, on par with the Nobel Prize.

Where to find more: http://www.ellsbury.com/gne/gne000.htm http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/ The Year of the Mayan doomsday prophecy?

Unless you’ve been living inside a cave these past few years, you’ve no doubt heard of the Mayan calendar prophecy and its fabled doomsday predictions popular with internet conspiracy forums and new-age libraries.

It all has to do with the conclusion of a ‘b’ak’tan’ within the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, the ancient Maya’s traditional way of keeping count throughout the ages.

Everything from geomagnetic reversal of the poles to galactic alignment of the planets has been proposed as possible cataclysmic outcomes when the magical date of December 21 rolls around later this year, supposedly heralding the end of the Mayan calendar.

Scientists are extremely critical of any doomsday scenario, inferring that the Mayan calendar and its ancient cycle of timekeeping has been hijacked by fringe elements, eager to make a quick buck out of the predictions.

Most academics agree that the calendar will simply reset and life will go on as usual, Y2K-style with few surprises for the devoted.

Don’t head for the hills just yet.

Where to find more: http://www.abc.net.au/science/ articles/2008/04/15/2217547.htm

IT News: Apple plants e-textbook seeds Apple’s new iBooks 2 is set to change the way we look at textbooks, enabling authors with the simple design tools to produce their own e-textbooks. While the idea of digitising school textbooks isn’t new, Apple’s jump into this burgeoning market demonstrates just how large the uncapped potential of e-textbooks must be. Given how Apple changed the way people access music and smartphone apps, the big potential of electronic textbooks is a real no-brainer.

Not surprisingly, the iPad 3 is also expected to launch later this year and may, according to some online rumours, possess the extra processing capabilities to take advantage of the visually rich multimedia e-textbook materials of the iBooks 2 software.

Where to find more: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/ apples-ipad-textbooks-everything-youneed-to-know-about-ibooks-2 Podcasting Kid politics If you’re into podcasting, it might be worth checking out a great radio show series called ‘This American Life’, which examines a different theme on air each week. In the latest episode, the show visits the Brooklyn Free School, a small, unorthodox independent school established in 2003 and dedicated to democratic principles. In this school, there is no compulsory curriculum or core subjects to study and no traditional grading system. Most unusual, is that all of the school’s rules are entirely voted on by the student body without any teacher input. In fact, at any given moment, students can call a school meeting and vote to make or amend rules that govern everything they do at school.

The show explores the inner machinations in how the school runs, the way younger students exercise their democratic freedoms and how genuine learning takes place within this educational experiment. The Brooklyn Free School is an example of an independent school in New York, which defies the conventional wisdom of how we educate.

Where to find more: http://www.brooklynfreeschool.org/ about/index.html http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radioarchives/episode/424/kid-politics newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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www.ieu.asn.au overview

Valuing their education

Pay rise is a pay cut

Chris Wilkinson President

Patrick Devery Branch President Central Metropolitan Branch

A warm welcome to the New Year. I trust you had a relaxing break and are feeling ready to take on the varied demands of 2012.

I am sure the students (but most likely the parents) are eager to return to school.

Congratulations to all teachers for completing another round of HSC exams. It is always a real buzz to hear about the achievements of students and to celebrate the end of their secondary schooling.

A warm welcome to the 22 exchange teachers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland who will be teaching in schools in regional NSW, Sydney and the ACT. I hope that the experience brings great enjoyment and pleasure as you settle into the Aussie way of life.

Make the most of your stay. Visit as many places as you can, enjoy the students and I am sure the staff in your

school will make you feel welcome.

I had a successful trip to Mumbai at the end of last year. Six senior students and two teachers spent the time working in several orphanages with the most beautiful children who have been given a chance make a future for themselves.

They value their education, spending hours at their study, and they look forward to a game of cricket or soccer (see page 14).

It’s good to find that on our return to school many of us have been given an IEU negotiated interim salary increase which was settled late last year.

Members working in the early childhood sector continue their fight for better pay and working conditions.

Each and every one of us needs to get behind this campaign.

I look forward to working with you again this year and wish you a productive and happy year.

A few years ago a colleague of mine mentioned that without the Union we probably wouldn’t be keeping up with the cost of living expenses.

It was meant to be a compliment to the Union, but it was faint praise indeed.

“I think the outcomes we have achieved are more than cost of living increases,” I ventured, referring him to the IEU’s special case in 2004 which brought significant pay rises to experienced teachers, coordinators, APs and principals. The conversation stuck in my mind and I resolved to look into it further.

With teachers in Catholic (and state) schools having just received the lowest wage increase in recent memory (albeit an interim increase) I finally did some research. This is what I discovered:

Year Inflation % Pay Rise for

a ST13 teacher 2002 3% 2003 2.7% 2004 2.3% 2005 2.6% 2006 3.5% 2007 2.3% 2008 4.3% 2009 1.8% 2010 2.8% 2011 3.5%*

4% 5% 5.5% 3.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4% 4.4% 3.8% 3.8%

Increase / decrease in real wages +1% +2.3% +2.2% +0.9% +1% +2.2% -0.3% +2.6% +1% +0.3%

* as at Sept 2011

New teachers start their career journey Michelle Omeros Vice President, Non-Systemic Schools Another year commences with a new cohort of teachers embarking on their careers, full of excitement, yet apprehension at fulfilling their requirements for accreditation with the NSW Institute of Teachers.

At St Euphemia College, I have taken four new teachers through this process and understand the anxiety they face.

As mentors, we need to make this process a lot less daunting. It is important that both the new teachers and mentors are provided with the necessary release time, in order to meet and discuss any issues.

Remember that only one piece of evidence is required to satisfy each of the elements and that one piece of work, such as a unit of work, will fulfil many of the elements.

New teachers should be collecting data such as a lesson plan, an assessment task, a couple of examples of students’ work to demonstrate their

progress, a log kept during parent/ teacher interviews, rosters where their name appears, etc.

You will have to observe some lessons and be observed for about two of your own lessons by your supervisor. For these lessons you will nominate which elements you would like to be observed for. You must also complete evaluations on how you have satisfied each of the elements. Just refer to each element and where it can be found in your documentation.

It is important to note that most of these tasks are produced during a teacher’s day-to-day work. It is not necessary to produce volumes of work.

The final submission should just fit in a plastic sleeve. If your school is asking you to produce more, then get in contact with the IEU. If you need any other assistance, we are all too happy to help. Good luck and enjoy your beginning years of teaching.

Early Career Teachers Need help with compiling your documentation or maintaining your accreditation?

The IEU is here to help Contact Elizabeth Finlay on 9779 3200, email elizabeth@ieu.asn.au or Amy Cotton on 9779 3200, email amy@ieu.asn.au for accreditation support.

See pages 4 and 5 for more information for new teachers 18

newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

Now I am sure this table oversimplifies matters and my colleagues in the economics department will tell me I need to take into account the impact of the multiplier effect, price/earnings ratio, the Phillip’s curve, the Doppler effect or some other such fiscal contingency.

Nevertheless, I have a simple question for them and all of my other colleagues working in Catholic schools across NSW: do teachers and support staff deserve more than a 2.5% pay rise? Or, to put it another way, do we deserve a cut to our real income?

Thankfully our 2.5% increase is only an interim one. The Union will continue to progress our claim for a more just outcome.

Members need to get behind their Union to make it clear that a cut in real wages is not warranted and it is not in the long-term interests of education in NSW. I invite Reps and all interested members (especially economics teachers) in the Central Met Branch to attend the first meeting for 2012 at Burwood RSL on 14 February at 4.30pm to discuss this and other matters.

A voice for new scheme teachers Bernadette Hawthorne Lansdowne Branch President New scheme teachers now make up more than a quarter of our profession. At our last Branch meeting, it was reported that new teachers were feeling ‘frustrated’, ‘discouraged’ and that their ‘voices were not being heard’ in schools.

Branch determined to put on the AGM agenda the issues confronting our new teacher members with respect to accreditation and maintenance of accreditation.

Work has already begun on collating information from current new teachers who have been generous with their time, offering insight and tips. Your input to this discussion will be most appreciated.

The AGM agenda will also include the wages and conditions claim for

members in Catholic schools. While our colleagues in independent schools receive a pay rise of 3.6% this year, the State Government and CEO are only prepared to pay 2.5% at this stage.

With ever-increasing demands being placed upon teachers, it is very hard to see how such a meagre pay rise can be justified.

This looks set to be yet another busy year both in the classroom and as we campaign for better wages and conditions. We look forward to your presence.

I would also like to extend an invitation to all Reps and activists in Lansdowne schools to attend the Lansdowne Branch AGM on Thursday, 23 February at the Fairfield RSL at 4.30pm.

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Progress on the path to equity ‘Are We There Yet? - Women and Equality in Australia in 2011’ was the theme when Dr Rae Cooper from Sydney University addressed the IEU Women in Education Committee at the Union’s Parramatta office in Term 4, writes Organiser Pam Smith.

Dr Cooper, who was keynote speaker at the IEU’s 2007 Women’s Conference and is one of Australia’s foremost academics on women and work issues, focused on her recent research in the areas of work

and family life, women’s leadership development and also on the impact of domestic and family violence on women and communities.

She indicated that she looks forward to a continuing relationship with the IEU regarding her research and to progressing a positive workplace agenda for women.

Planning is well underway for the IEU 2012 Women in Education Committee program which will feature meetings, teleconferences and a range of regional women’s events.

Proposed regional activities will take place at Wollongong on 29 March, Newcastle on 8 May, Port Macquarie on 22 June, Armidale on 13 September, Lismore on 26 October and western Sydney on 21 November.

IEU women members in the ACT will also continue to meet regularly at the Union’s Canberra office.

The 2012 IEU Women’s Conference will be held on 17 August with the theme of ‘Women at Work: Supporting, strengthening, sustaining’ and including

a comprehensive agenda of speakers and workshops.

Further details will be available during the year on the IEU website and in Newsmonth.

Contact the IEU for information in regard to the role of the Women in Education Committee or in relation to any workplace equity issue.

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

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

Join the IEU social group & keep upto date with us... www.ieu.asn.au newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

19

you, your centre & Work Health Safety

Labour Bites 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.

IEU Seminar Series for Teachers, Directors & Committee members

Beer is essential Brewery transnational Carlsberg is attacking trade union rights in Lithuania with the support of the country’s legal system, which has declared beer production an “essential service”.

Last year members of the IUF-affiliated Lithuanian Trade Union of Food Producers (LPMS) voted in favour of strike action at the Carlsberg brewery in support of their demand for a decent companylevel collective agreement.

Management sought to stop the strike and applied to the court, which ruled that the action was legal but suspended the start of the strike for 30 days based on a dubious determination that the production of beer was recognised as “vitally essential” in Lithuania.

Carlsberg appealed the decision to a regional court that decided the proposed strike was illegal. The Union has appealed the regional court decision to a higher court, where it is still under appeal, and submitted a complaint to the ILO. (Source: IUF) 600,000 hours unpaid overtime

The ultimate insult

The Finance Sector Union says at least 188 Westpac employees have been made redundant in a large-scale restructure of the bank’s technology and back office divisions and up to 2000 Westpac jobs could go.

Before they leave, staff are being made to train Indian workers, here on temporary visas, at the bank’s Sydney CBD offices.

A 15-year Westpac veteran said that she is being shadowed by her replacement who sits next to her and “I have to teach her how to do my day-to-day job”. After the so-called “knowledge transfer”, the overseas workers will return to India to teach their colleagues, who are paid far less than Westpac’s Australian employees.

The overseas workers are contracted to Westpac by outsourcing companies including Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services and have been brought to Australia on the employer-sponsored 457 visas. (Source: The Sunday Telegraph) No ‘Race to the Top’ for Hawaii

Work Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice for the Early Childhood Sector

Seminar papers and Lunch provided

Free for members $50 for Non- Members

Funding for this initiative has been provided by WorkCover NSW through the WorkCover Assist Program.

For further information contact Victoria Walters on 9779 3200, toll free 1800 467 943 20 newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012 or victoria@ieu.asn.au

Nike has reached an out-of-court settlement to compensate shoe factory workers in Indonesia for unpaid overtime. Nike has agreed to pay $1m in unpaid overtime to Indonesian workers in a move that could force other suppliers of multinational companies to follow suit.

Nearly 4500 employees at one of the sportswear group’s suppliers, in Banten province, will be compensated for close to 600,000 hours of overtime clocked up over the past two years.

The out-of-court settlement, reached after nearly a year of negotiations, set a precedent for other workers.

“This has the potential to send shockwaves through the Indonesian labour movement,” said Bambang Wirahyoso, National Chairman of the trade union Serikat Pekerja National, adding that the victory had prepared the Union to take on the fight for any workers who had been forced to work overtime without pay.

“We have only just begun,” he said.

The Union claims it is standard practice for Indonesian factory employees to work seven days a week without overtime or proper benefits. (Source: The Guardian)

Public school teachers in Hawaii have rejected a contract that called for a move to a performance-based evaluation and wages system, as required by the ‘Race to the Top’ grant that the state won from the Obama administration.

Sixty-seven percent of about 9000 teachers, counsellors and others represented by the Hawaii State Teachers Association opposed the contract, which was seen as a way to move ‘Race to the Top’ efforts forward and improve its status with Washington.

Race to the Top is Obama’s signature education initiative, a $4 billion-plus contest in which states and districts have competed for a slice of the money in exchange for implementing school reform policies, including expanding charter schools and evaluating teachers in part on the basis of students’ standardised test scores. (Source: Washington Post)

www.ieu.asn.au overview

In the summer months I really enjoy a good Moscato, not the sugary carbonated stuff of old which glued your teeth together, but a delicate, low alcohol, slightly sprizig offering just perfect as an afternoon aperitif.

Oliver’s Tangara vineyard Moscato 2011 ($18) from McLaren Vale produces a current favourite. Made with the White Frontignac grape (aka Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), this variety produces the finest and most elegant of wines.

A light straw colour, this wine is floral and fruity with the aroma of orange blossoms. It has similar delicate fruit flavours and the lightest of bubbles.

The natural acidity is offset by the sweetness and the low alcohol (5.5%) which makes it a very refreshing wine. Dare I say the perfect choice to introduce to the novice wine drinker?

Another favourite summer variety (if summer ever arrives), is Verdelho, the grape of Madeira. I first tasted Verdelho at Mount View Estate in the Hunter Valley in the early 1980s and have had a prejudice for Hunter styles where a spicy nose and palate are usually evident. I recently came across Mount Eyre Three Ponds Verdelho 2011 ($19), which beautifully complemented my chili mussels.

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This wine has lots of aromatic citrus and tropical fruit flavours, the ripe honeysuckle fruit is evident yet the alcohol is kept around 12% and is well balanced. Some residual sugar but it has a lovely long and dry finish. A perfect food wine for immediate consumption.

Mount Eyre is a partnership of two families, one with a Greek and the other Italian wine making backgrounds. I am looking forward to tasting more of their range over the coming months.

During the Christmas break I had the opportunity to taste some iconic Australian reds including some back vintages. Many were quite rare and included the d’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2005 and 2006. In the midst of this greatness, it was the 2006 Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz ($45) which really stood out as fantastic value for money.

This is a big, full-bodied shiraz from an outstanding vintage in the Clare Valley. It has a deep inky ruby heart. The nose boasts intense black berry fruits, liquorice and candied peel. The winemaker says of the palate that it is “unreserved in its flamboyancy” and indeed as it opens up it reveals rich and concentrated blueberries, raspberries and blackberries overlaid with a little sage and mint.

The finish is almost sweet with velvet tannins and a delightful aftertaste. At 15.5% alcohol, this is a boozy wine which will cellar well for at least five years.

The McRae Wood has pretty good cellaring potential and at this tasting we also saw the 1998, which is a very different wine.

The smoky leather qualities of the nose hinted that this was a Hunter red reminiscent of the older Tulloch’s. A smooth and still elegant wine but fading at the finish. Good drinking.

• By M

the right loan for my family

SGE Credit Union Limited. ABN 72 087 650 637, Australian Credit License No. 238311. 230 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000. *Interest Rates current 24 January 2012 and may change without notice. Eligibility criteria for loans, Terms & Conditions, Fees and Charges apply. **Comparison rates based on $150,000 loan over 25 years. Based on monthly repayments. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.

newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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www.ieu.asn.au overview

Welcome down under Helen Gregory IEU Exchange Program Coordinator Welcome to our 2012 exchange teachers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We look forward to meeting you at the Welcome Reception on 17 February and at various exchange events held throughout the year.

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

At school If there is an exchange teacher in your school, please make yourself known to them and help them settle into their new community. As overseas exchange teachers have reciprocal Union membership for the year, 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 now that your year is over.

You will receive the next issue of the newsletter shortly. Included will be a membership renewal.

The ETL 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 5.30 pm. It has lots of great

activities planned through the coming year. If you want to become involved, please call me on 9779 3200. Your support would be much appreciated.

Apply now It is not too late to apply for an exchange position for 2013. Details on available exchange positions to all provinces in Canada, UK and Colorado in the US will be advertised in the next issue of Newsmonth and also posted on the IEU’s website. There will be some exciting exchange destinations and positions out there.

Some exchanges start September 2012, ie you have a nice summer vacation at the end of Term 2 and you are not required to start teaching until early September. Your exchange partner will commence at the beginning of Term 3 and will have their long summer break at the completion of the exchange. You also don’t arrive in the snow like a January start.

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.

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

Stratford, one of the most prominent art festivals in Canada, is 45 minutes away. http://resurrection.wcdsb.ca/newsite/default.html http://www. kitchener.ca/en/index.asp http://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/ So if you want to experience one or two winter festive seasons (depending on when you come home), download an application from the IEU website (www.ieu.asn.au and click on teacher exchange).

There is also an exchange video on the website (on the video section on the IEU’s homepage). You could also call me on 9779 3200 or 1800 467 943 or email a brief profile to helen@ieu.asn.au For those who have already applied for 2013, your applications are in the hands of the overseas coordinators and we are eagerly awaiting your matches. For those who missed out on a match for 2012 and you are reactivating your application, you are a priority.

Hawaiian holiday

Caption: Craig and Christine Wright (far right) with their Canadian friends in Hawaii.

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newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

Six years after her exchange to Canada, Christine Wright from The Armidale School remains in close contact with many of the friends she made during her year away.

This Christmas she and husband Craig travelled to Hawaii to be reunited with 13 friends from British Columbia.

“Since our amazing exchange to Tulameen, we have kept in contact with many Canadian friends,” Christine says.

“We have had two families visit us in Australia and we returned to Canada in 2010.

“After that we started planning this holiday halfway between our countries. We had the most wonderful time together.

“It’s incredible how exchange programs have a tremendous way of changing lives for the better – we have met wonderful people and made lifelong friends.”

www.ieu.asn.au overview

Bernard O’Connor NGS Super

Set up your super in 2012 The New Year brings fresh resolutions and good intentions and, without doubt, super should be up there as a top priority.

Engagement with your super is important as the ‘set and forget’ attitude can cause pain or loss down the track. Here are some fundamental areas you may wish to check and possibly reset in the New Year: Insurance: Is your Death/TPD cover adequate?

If not, it is possible to apply for more units by filling in an ‘insurance variation form’. It is also possible to ‘fix’ your cover at its current level if you do not wish your cover to reduce according to the age-based scales each year. With fixed cover premiums increase each year, but the quantum of cover remains the same. In certain cases ‘life events’ such as marriage, a new mortgage or the birth of a child, can trigger automatic acceptance for higher cover with no medical forms required.

Has your salary increased beyond the default income protection level of four units representing $80,000 worth of salary? If so, in the case of a claim any income above the default will not be insured. Again, you can apply for extra units with each unit representing $20,000 worth of salary.

It is important to have your full salary covered by income protection insurance and acceptance is automatic for two extra units ($40,000 worth of salary) if you notify NGS Super of the salary increase within 120 days.

default option (Diversified) is set at approximately 70% growth options including domestic and international shares, property, private equity and infrastructure and 30% defensive assets such as cash and fixed interest.

Do you feel comfortable with this mix or are you a more conservative investor? Are you approaching retirement and feel you are too exposed to the share market or are you looking for higher returns through shares? Do you plan to have adequate cash reserves to draw down via an account based pension in times of a declining share market? NGS Super offers 12 distinct investment options and members can also mix the options to ensure that their investment portfolio suits their age and tolerance for risk.

Obviously, sound financial planning advice will assist you with some of these questions and you can organise a meeting with an NGS planner to obtain professional advice on a no commission basis – call 1300 133 177 and ask for the adviser help line to arrange an interview. An ‘investment switching’ form is the means by which a change can be made following careful thought and/or advice from a licensed financial planner.

Make 2012 the year you take control of your super to ensure you make the most of our national compulsory savings system!

Bernard O’Connor, NGS Super boconnor@ngssuper.com.au

Salary sacrifice: As we are half way through the financial year, how are you going in terms of the contribution caps? For those under 50, the cap is $25,000 per annum and it includes your employer contributions. For those over 50, the cap for the remainder of this financial year is $50,000 per annum. Salary sacrifice is an excellent means of topping up your super, but tax penalties apply if you exceed the legislated caps. Eligible salary sacrifice contributions are taxed at 15% rather than the marginal tax rate.

Investment mix: Are you happy with the default option? Is it best for you? What is your risk tolerance? The NGS (Important information: The information in this article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a financial decision, please assess the appropriateness of the information to your individual circumstances, read the Product Disclosure Statement for any product you may be thinking of acquiring and consider seeking professional advice.

Newsmonth Newsmonth is published eight times a year (two issues per term) by the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union.

Editor: Dick Shearman (General Secretary) for and on behalf of the

IEU Executive and members.

Journalists: Suzanne Kowalski-Roth, Tara de Boehmler,

Sue Osborne and Daniel Long.

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

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

NSW/ACT IEU Executive Dick Shearman General Secretary Gloria Taylor Deputy General Secretary Carol Matthews Assistant Secretary John Quessy Assistant Secretary Chris Wilkinson President St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford Michelle Omeros Vice President Non-Systemic St Euphemia College, Bankstown Bernadette Baker Vice President Systemic St Columbkille's Primary School, Corrimal Carolyn Collins Vice President Support Staff St Michael's Primary School, Nowra Gabrielle Connell Vice President ECS Albury Preschool Kindergarten

General Executive Members John O’Neill Carroll College, Broulee Ann Rogers ASPECT South Coast School, Corrimal Pat Devery St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney Marty Fitzpatrick St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, Ballina Ralph Hunt The Armidale School, Armidale Denise McHugh McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth Peter Mullins St Francis Xavier College, Florey Patricia Murnane Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek Kevin Phillips St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton Michael Hagan Mater Maria College, Warriewood

Francis Mahanay Vice President, ACT Holy Family School, Gowrie Peter Moore Financial Officer De La Salle College, Cronulla Marie MacTavish Financial Officer St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland newsmonth - Vol 32 #1 2012

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www.ieu.asn.au giveaways

Giveaway 1

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Giveaway 3

Housewife Superstar: The Very Best of Marjorie Bligh

The Year of the Hare

Inclusion in Action – Third Edition

Danielle Wood Text Publishing ISBN: 978 1 92192 1056 Three copies to giveaway Some readers will immediately know they fall into the category of housewife (or house husband) superstar – for the rest of us there’s Marjorie to help us achieve harmony in the domestic sphere. The 94-year-old Tasmanian is rumoured to be the inspiration for Dame Edna Everage and is also touted as “domestic goddess, pioneer recycler, author and the one to beat in an agricultural show”. The book is full of tips, recipes and insights into a woman Kaz Cooke called “a human fascinator – one she made herself”.

Arto Paasilinna Text Publishing ISBN: 978 1 921 75854 Three copies to giveaway This novel is an international bestseller about a journalist in Finland who hits a wild hare while driving. He carries the injured hare through forests and embarks on “a journey of comic adventures and near misses”.

He leaves his old life behind and spends a year in the wild, and discovers happiness, simplicity and meaning.

Edited by Phil Foreman Cengage Learning ISBN: 978 0 170 187626 One copy to giveaway This updated edition could be just the thing you need if you’re working with students with additional needs in regular classes. It covers the philosophy of inclusion, how to adapt curriculum to suit individuals, teaching strategies and how to encourage positive interactions. The updates include new chapters on best practice in successful inclusion, developing communication skills and inclusive practice in early childhood.

To enter one of these giveaways put your name, membership number and current address on the back of an envelope addressed to ‘Newsmonth Giveaway 1, 2 or 3’ - NSW/ACT IEU GPO Box 116 Sydney 2001 by Friday 24 February. Envelopes not marked with which giveaway they are for will be disqualified.

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