January 2023 Western Teacher

In this edition

Correspondence:

The Editor, PO Box 212, West Perth WA 6872 editor@sstuwa.org.au | Ph: 9210 6000

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Ph: 9210 6060 memberassist@sstuwa.org.au Print post publication 100004470 | $4.95 ABN: 544 780 946 35

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) 1 West Street, West Perth WA. Printed by Vanguard Press, 26 John Street, Northbridge WA. January 2023.

Cover: Read more about the bespoke artwork created for the SSTUWA at sstuwa.org.au/connections

To access the digital copy of Western Teacher, visit: sstuwa.org.au/westernteacher

Features

Meet your new leadership team

Our climate emergency is an education emergency

How to bust myths about school funding....................................................................................12

A regional school with national acclaim 19 The cost of public-private partnerships in education 20 Truth telling in the Australian education system 22

Regulars

From the President 4 From the Vice President 6

the Senior Vice President

General

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is the official publication of The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.)

This design was created for the SSTUWA by Tyrown Waigana, a Wandandi Noongar and Ait Koedal artist/designer and former WA public school student. Read more about the artist and the artwork at sstuwa.org.au/connections

Review

Three key things in 2023

By Matt Jarman President

Welcome to 2023 – a year of immense challenges for the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia and of great opportunity for public education.

In this, the SSTUWA’s 125th anniversary year, it is an incredible honour to succeed Pat Byrne as president of the SSTUWA; though I will admit it is also a little disconcerting to follow such an inspiring and dedicated servant to public educators and public education.

Pat’s contribution at state, national and international level can never be underestimated. We thank Pat and hope we can achieve half as much.

I say “we” because replacing Pat is not a one-person operation – it takes a talented team. I am therefore delighted to have Natalie Blewett, Sharmila Nagar and Mary Franklyn to work alongside.

As general secretary, Mary has positioned this union more strongly than ever before in terms of growth and financial stability.

Natalie brings to the role of senior vice president a magnificent record in developing our membership at both new educator and other levels.

Sharmila has established the foundations for an environmental, social and governance approach that will help the SSTUWA deliver its services in a manner fitting for the times and we will be looking into alternative models of member engagement.

These senior officers are guided by an executive that combines rich experience with dynamic people who are the next generation of leaders for public education.

Among many other opportunities looming for the sector, three stand out for me.

Later in 2023 the negotiations will commence for new general agreements (GA) for both the schools and TAFE sectors.

Your union will seek to build on the gains made in the 2021 agreements, concluded just last year. The key factor was giving the $1,000 salary cap the boot.

Desperate measures not the answer to teacher shortages

The state government’s desperate plans to fix the state’s teacher shortage will not address the underlying issues in the public education system, according to the SSTUWA.

The union said the government’s plan to send under qualified teachers into shortstaffed schools (announced late last year) was a short-sighted move which had the potential to cause more harm than good.

SSTUWA President Matt Jarman said the union had been warning the government for years about the looming teacher shortage, but its concerns were ignored.

“Now we’re in a desperate situation where the government is offering random cash payments to teachers instead of taking a strategic approach

to address the issues that led to the shortage in the first place,” he said.

“If the government was genuine about fixing the public education system, it would do something to address the workload issues teachers are facing which have forced many of them to leave.

“More also needs to be done to address violence and other abuse in schools which has made teaching a very difficult job.

“The government also needs to increase salaries across the board to retain current staff and make teaching a more attractive career option for those going into university.”

Mr Jarman said a number of other

factors had also contributed to the teacher shortage, including the failure to provide the minimum funding for schools recommended by the Gonski report, constant changes to curriculum and testing regimes and false expectations created by the Independent Public School (IPS) model.

The union said rural and regional public education had been undermined during the implementation of the IPS model, and cash payments to lure teachers to the regions would not work in the long term.

“We need full and properly considered consultation about public education in WA with those who understand the system best – teachers,”

Mr Jarman said.

Through an unprecedented level-up clause, the SSTUWA not only secured initial salary rises for members but ensured any subsequent changes of state government wages policy negotiated with other public service unions flowed onto our members (and other unions benefited too).

In addition, a series of important gains around core issues were secured. Once the new process gets underway, I urge you to play your part in helping us formulate our negotiating position.

Our Public Sector Alliance proved crucial in shifting the government on wages policy and we will be seeking a continuation of that cooperation.

During the next few months the new joint funding agreement between federal and state governments will be thrashed out. This is an absolute priority for the SSTUWA.

At the census date of 5 August 2022 there were a total of 476,110 students being taught in WA schools.

Of those 316,834 – 66.6 per cent – were being educated in public schools.

How can it be then that public schools get less than the minimum funding level set by Gonski while private schools get more than 100 per cent of their entitlements?

The system is broken and needs fixing.

This is a situation that flies in the face of Labor’s supposed commitment to public education. It is essential to work towards WA getting the 105 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard that the Gonski review set as a minimum.

Without full and proper minimum funding levels being met, WA will not be giving its children the best possible education opportunities.

Straightforward funding commitments, without accounting tricks, are what is required.

Jane Caro tackles some of the myths around education funding from page 15 of this issue. I urge you to read the article and share it with everyone you know – educators, parents and your local MPs!

Contributing to the SSTUWA’s efforts on both GA negotiations and funding discussions will be the Lawrence review into public education.

We need to ensure that public education is at the forefront of community and political discussions in Western Australia. The Lawrence review will assist in that process, presenting the problems in a clear manner and offering practical solutions.

I urge all of our members to make their own submissions, focusing on real problems and real solutions.

It is time to listen to teachers about how to improve educational outcomes, not impose think-tank solutions based on ideology or profit seeking.

The recent rash of quick fixes for the teacher shortage shows how important consultation is to deliver workable long-term solutions. (For more see the story on previous page.)

We have a challenging year ahead, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don’t stand on the sidelines, be part of the solution. If you are already a member, join in.

If you are not a member, join up and then join in.

New education portfolios announcement welcomed

The State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia welcomed the announcement of a new Education Minister in December’s cabinet reshuffle, with the division into separate ministerial portfolios of early childhood education and training suggesting the state government is giving education a higher priority.

Then SSTUWA President Pat Byrne said the union looked forward to working constructively with new Education Minister Tony Buti MLA, Simone McGurk MLA, who is taking on the training portfolio and Sabine Winton MLA who will be responsible for the new portfolio of early childhood education.

“Early childhood learning is absolutely vital and this focus on the subject is welcomed. Training, especially through the TAFE network is crucial to addressing the state’s skill shortages and deserves significant attention,” she said.

“It is very encouraging to see a Minister of Education appointed who has teaching experience and who went through the public education system and appreciates its value.

“In his maiden speech to parliament Minister Buti recognised and acknowledged many of the issues facing the teaching profession. We find common ground with his declaration in that speech that ‘We need to better support our teachers and listen to their concerns as they are the classroom experts. We need to raise the societal standing of the teaching profession. This requires imaginative thinking and greater funding’ and ‘I cannot overemphasise the need to better support teachers and their assistants.’”

Ms Byrne said the SSTUWA looked forward to working with Ministers Buti, McGurk and Winton to address the wide range of challenges facing all three education sectors.

The SSTUWA also acknowledged the work done by outgoing Education Minister, Sue Ellery MLC.

“Minister Ellery introduced significant improvements to the way schools address the problem of violence,” Ms Byrne said.

“Minister Ellery also oversaw major changes to access to TAFE courses that had long been urged by the SSTUWA through its pro-TAFE campaigns.

“With major change occurring in the education portfolio at both federal and state levels, SSTUWA welcomes the opportunity to work with both tiers of government in the interests of staff and students in public schools.”

Taking steps to reduce our footprint

Did you know the words you are reading are printed on recyclable paper? We did the maths to ensure we made the paper choice with the smallest environmental footprint for our magazine, using a Perth-based printing company to reduce transportation mileage.

The plastic wrap it came in is degradable, too. That is, of course, unless you’re reading Western Teacher online, readily available on our website and sent via eNews. (If not, check out the e-list section and QR code to the right.)

Here are a few more steps that the SSTUWA is taking to reduce our organisation’s environmental footprint.

Union publications

You may have noticed over the last few years, union publications that might once have been printed as a book, such as Know Your Rights, have been moved online.

You can find these handy resources by logging into your member account on the SSTUWA website.

By Sharmila Nagar Vice President

Membership cards

We’ve also moved our membership cards online, lessening our plastic waste. Plus, it takes some of the strain off our members’ wallets – as when you join the SSTUWA, you have access to discounts on becoming a card-carrying member with partners like Goodlife Health Clubs, Accor and more. Check out the benefits page on our website for details.

Membership e-cards have been emailed to all members and can be easily added to your phone wallet. If you are struggling to find your e-card, you can access it via the SSTUWA app, or our Membership Team can resend it to you.

State Council

Our twice-yearly State Council Conference attracts over 100 delegates from all districts in WA. A decision was made to pivot to an eco-friendlier approach of distributing the agenda and accompanying resources digitally. We noticed some of our delegates preferred this than the option of hard copies, which is still available for those who want it on the day.

App

Our app puts key industrial and professional information into our members’ pockets. Access tax statements, training information, safety advice and more wherever you are on your phone or tablet and say goodbye to letters and printouts.

Hybrid fleet

Our fleet of SSTUWA cars are transitioning to hybrid models, meaning that our organisers can get from Two Rocks to Falcon while keeping their CO2 down.

Solar panels

We’ve installed solar panels in our West Perth offices. After all, we in WA get to enjoy so much sunshine, all thanks to mother nature, why not thank her back by reducing our fossil fuel consumption?

Get on the e-list

Since we started putting Western Teacher online in 2016, we’ve encouraged almost 35 per cent of our membership to join our e-list and opt-out of receiving a hard copy of magazine.

If you think you have what it takes to be an e-lister, scan the QR code on this page to opt-out of receiving a physical copy of Western Teacher. We publish the magazine in full on our website and email copies to members who have opted out of the print edition, so you won’t miss a thing!

Watch this space

The actions above are part of an ongoing commitment to identify and apply sustainability practices in all areas of operation, including infrastructure, communications and maintenance.

This is by no means a finished process as we continue our journey towards becoming a more sustainable union and take action on the climate crisis.

Check out the climate action campaign page on our website for educational resources, union policies, feature stories and more information on addressing climate change in Australia and globally: bit.ly/3xUlGEO

Delivering strong action through a strong voice

By Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President

As the new school year dawns upon us I am delighted to take up the position of your new SSTUWA senior vice president.

I am excited and looking forward to representing all of our members, and advocating for public education, working alongside the senior officer group which comprises of SSTUWA President Matt Jarman, General Secretary Mary Franklyn and Vice President Sharmila Nagar.

I have been a teacher since 1999 and been involved with the union in capacities such as branch representative and District Council delegate.

I have also been elected as a State Council delegate, Executive Committee member, served as acting Vice President and most recently, Growth Team coordinator.

I am proud to be a teacher in the public school system and I understand the many challenges and complexities that exist

within it. I was educated solely in public schools and the values I learnt throughout my education and those taught to me by my father, a proud SSTUWA member himself, ensures I continue to fight for what is right. It is vital we continue to protect education for the common good.

Every child in this country has the right to access high quality public education, irrespective of background, circumstance, or location. After all, education is a basic, fundamental human right.

Public educators themselves are currently faced with a fight on two fronts – not only to protect the public education system and its students, but also to secure the proper conditions that allow educators to be able to deliver the best teaching and learning.

These days educators are being asked to do more with less and workload is having a major impact across our schools and TAFE campuses.

It is essential we continue to reduce the administrative workload, ensuring we can get on with teaching and learning. Burnout and excessive workloads are driving exceptional teachers from our profession. It is time to restore the balance, be proud of our profession and encourage others to become teachers in public schools.

Our union is only as strong as its members and as long as I have been involved in the SSTUWA, the industrial and professional rights of members have always been a priority for me.

I am also passionate about many aspects of our profession, including the development of, and support for beginning teachers and Level 3 Classroom Teachers.

Our teachers and school leaders deserve better and to attract and retain high quality teachers, we must continue to stand in solidarity with the Public Sector Alliance.

By working together, calling for a return to negotiating percentage rate wage increases, we can turn things around.

The past three years have been momentous for public educators, but they have risen above the challenges to be able to do their profession proud. Now we ask you to ready yourselves for a big 2023 and join us to advocate for your colleagues, your students and the sector.

We are a strong voice and will deliver strong action.

Meet your new leadership team

Senior officers

Bruce Banyard

Donna Bridge

Kate Bunney

Geoff Holt

Tom James

Marie Klein

Jan Lau

Kathy Mannion

Heather Riseberry

Lincoln Rose

Samantha Schofield

Stacey Scorer

Anne Tumak

Sharon Vertigan

Pauline Winrow

From left: Mary Franklyn General Secretary

Sharmila Nagar Vice President Matt Jarman President Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President

Join up to join in

By Mary Franklyn General Secretary

This edition of Western Teacher incorporates Getting Organised 2023.

We had the most incredible year in 2022 with one of toughest and most unusual General Agreement processes I can recall.

Under pressure from the Public Sector Alliance, which the SSTUWA helped to create, the state government changed its wages policy not once, but three times.

The SSTUWA negotiated a previously unheard of levelling up element which saw our members get initial salary rises in their pay earlier but still ensured they gained from further changes in wages policy by the state government.

In the end members got a pay rise of three per cent or $3,130 (whichever is greater), as well as a one-off cost of living payment of $3,000. For someone on $100,000 a year that means a total increase of $6,130 (pre-tax) last year, compared to the $1,000

capped increase the state government was pledging one year ago.

It was not a perfect result given the massive rises in the cost of living seen in 2022. It was though a significant step forward.

There were also significant gains in terms of workplace improvements for both schools and TAFE members.

Amazingly the whole process begins again in 2023. We need every rep and member behind us to take the gains made in 2022 as just the start in our battle for better workplaces for educators.

The union has developed a series of online resources for reps to answer their questions and enable every branch to ensure the new agreement is put into action at the workplace level. We will continue to encourage activism at the branch level.

Workplace branches are crucial to what we do.

As ever I offer my sincere thanks to those who have already stepped up as reps, deputy reps, women’s contact officers, WHS reps, treasurers, secretaries, District Council delegates or State Council delegates. For those considering it, I encourage you to do it.

You will receive training and support all the way, because as we like to remind members – you’re never alone in a union.

To help you get started, everything you need to know is in your Getting Organised guide, which arrived with this Western Teacher. If you need more assistance, contact your allocated school or TAFE organiser – you’ll find the list on page nine of the guide.

So please, join in. Have your say. Have your voice heard.

SSTUWA district organisers, from left: Cat Mason, Joe Isaia, Frank Herzog, Ian Daw, Vicki Turner, Sally Dennis, Marie-Louise EarleSadler, Cherry Bogunovich, Natalie Swinbourn. Not pictured: David Lee (leaders), Ramona Mitusis (TAFE).

Our climate emergency is an education emergency

By Geoff Holt Executive member

Last year saw a succession of headlinegrabbing climate disasters, from unprecedented heatwaves drying Europe’s rivers to catastrophic floods in Pakistan and Australia and the most powerful storms to hit Cuba and the USA.

Declarations from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are unequivocal; we must put an immediate halt to further coal and gas and rapidly transition to renewables.

We must also ensure eco-justice for the victims of climate change who are invariably among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters.

In July 2022, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek released the State of the Environment report (2021) which had been shelved by the Morrison Government in advance of the federal election.

The last election became known as “The Climate Election” delivering a clear message to politicians that Australians want decisive action on the climate after decades of obfuscation and interference by fossil fuel lobbyists and failure by government.

The State of the Environment report makes for distressing reading, with many of our treasured natural wonders on the brink of collapse, including the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef and the seagrass meadows of Shark Bay to name but a few.

Land clearing, over-development, the overuse of chemicals in agriculture, deforestation and climate change have driven Australia’s environment and precious ecosystems to the brink.

In 2015, Australia was among 193 UN

member states committing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This commitment involved a clear undertaking to “enhance climate change education” and to be accountable for implementing:

(i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development including mainstreamed climate change education in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education and (d) student assessment.1

Those of us working in Western Australian public schools could be forgiven for being unaware of these undertakings and find ourselves asking why we have seen little, if any, evidence of progress in their implementation.

In June 2022 the Education and Health Standing Committee of the WA Parliament published a report following an inquiry into Western Australian schools’ response to climate change which acknowledged our international obligations to provide comprehensive climate change education. It also stated that:

The Department of Education should be widely promoting and funding climate action in schools because of the many and varied co-benefits for students, staff and the community. The strong links between Aboriginal cultures, science and sustainability offer a holistic and relevant framework for student learning. Climate education also easily lends itself to practical, project-based learning and problem solving. These approaches are not only the future of education, but they engage students through their authenticity and relevance 2

In the context of the growing climate

crisis, our clear obligations and the findings of our own parliament, it is hard to understand the “business as usual” mindset that exists in education.

One major reason for our lack of progress in implementing climate education and action at a system and school level resides in the direction that education has been headed under the influence of the private sector.

The idea of schools as businesses or corporate entities, rather than indispensable public institutions has become integral to their governance, values, programs, curriculum and even the pedagogies which pervade our schools.

In recent years there has been an increase in some school business plans being written under the mentorship of leaders from the private sector.

They adopt work streams and business metrics for measuring performance as well as nomenclature and corporate job titles.

Power is exercised by setting the agenda for schools and even at general staff meetings. How is it that our public education system with its inclusive, egalitarian philosophical basis has come to be pervaded by neo-liberal marketbased ideologies and values?

Why the bar-coding of our students as if they were commodities? Why the emphasis on teaching to the test, the endless gathering and analysis of data and the promotion and policing of teaching orthodoxy?

Teachers in some schools report being expected to teach in the exact same way using formulaic pedagogical approaches which fail to treat our students as unique individuals with diverse needs.

This leaves little room for teacher autonomy to address complex issues such as citizenship, climate change, inequality and human rights. It fails to develop problem solving and project focused approaches.

In short, it denies our students the opportunity to develop the global and sustainable competencies they so badly need for the challenges that lie ahead.

“Mentors” from fossil fuel industries deliver programs to thousands of students in WA promoting the interests and perspectives of the industry. They provide resources and programs in STEM, science and other areas.

The extent to which schools have

embraced these and other private sector/philanthropic organisations is troubling from an ethical and moral perspective.

Some schools have spent almost their entire professional development budget year on year sending their teachers off to private training providers to develop so called “high impact instruction” and “teaching mastery” based around repetitious and formulaic methods with massive workload implications.

Members also report being observed and performance managed on their fidelity to such methods.

Research from Canada, another heavily resource-based economy, has analysed the influence of the fossil fuel industry in politics and wider society including their reach into schools.

This research helps explain a lack of action towards a just energy transition and coined the phrase “petro-pedagogy” which illuminates:

How teaching practices and resources work to centre, legitimise and entrench a set of beliefs relating to climate change, energy and environmentalism that align with the interests of fossil fuel industry actors.3

The parallels between Canada and WA are apparent in terms of alignment of the form and content of education with the interests of the fossil fuel industry.

Our current focus on public schools as independent entities gearing up to meet the needs of industry help to explain a lack of action on climate and the UN SDGs more generally.

It is to be hoped that the Making Hope Practical report, currently with the Minister for Education awaiting action, will lead to far reaching reforms in line with our Paris obligations.

The SSTUWA made detailed written and in-person representations to the WA parliament’s inquiry into school responses to climate change.

We stand ready to work with the Department of Education to ensure that our thousands of members across the state can implement Education for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Education as per our undertakings.

This must involve significant support for teacher professional development, curriculum and assessment development

and provision for our young people to engage in climate and environmental action at school level.

They need and deserve agency to deal with the climate emergency; they must fully understand its systemic causes, its disproportionate impacts and the urgent measures necessary for its mitigation.

This is the core business of education and must come from teachers, not the fossil fuel industry or the private sector and the petro-pedagogy they promote.

Geoff Holt is a WA public school teacher and SSTUWA Executive Committee member. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect any official policies or positions of the SSTUWA or AEU.

References

1. UNESCO. 2019. “Proposal for Monitoring of SDG Indicators 4.7.1, 12.8.1 and 13.3.” https:// bit.ly/3uMgu3v

2. Tallentire, CJ. 2022. “Making Hope Practical: Report of the inquiry into the response of Western Australian schools to climate change.” Education and Health Standing Committee of the WA Parliament. https://bit.ly/3WegBAF

3. Eaton and Day. 2019. “Petro-pedagogy: fossil fuel interests and the obstruction of climate justice in public education.”

Environmental Education Research 26 (4): 457-473. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622 .2019.1650164

How to bust myths about school funding

By Jane Caro

Every election, state and federal, is an opportunity to draw attention to the gross inequity of Australia’s bizarre schools funding system. No other developed country funds schools the way we do. We are the world leader when it comes to giving public money to private, feecharging schools. And we languish near the bottom of international rankings when it comes to the percentage of education funding we give to our public schools.

Despite this stark reality, those seeking to justify the way Australia differentially funds its schools tend to fall back on the same tired old myths. And such claims can be confusing to debunk, especially in the heat of an argument. So, maybe –having enjoyed more than my fair share of heated arguments on this subject – I can help.

We all pay taxes to fund all sorts of public services and amenities that support our community. Taxation is not a deposit account that we can draw on to “buy” whatever service we choose.

Taxation funds all sorts of things we may never ourselves use – ambulances we may never need, firefighters we may never call, roads we will never drive on. And childless taxpayers also fund schools. According to Myth 1, they should be able to withdraw these taxes because they do not have kids.

Our taxes fund public transport, for example, but just because someone chooses not to catch a train or a bus, we don’t believe their choice of private car should be subsidised by the taxpayer. Yet, car drivers could make many of the same arguments that private school supporters do. After all, by choosing not to use public transport they could argue they leave more space for other commuters. Or that

if everyone used public transport, the system would be overwhelmed.

But it’s worse than that. Given that public schools educate the vast majority of our most disadvantaged children, those who argue that fee-charging schools should be subsidised to support their choice are essentially saying that families who have no choice should subsidise those who do – to buy what they perceive is an educational advantage! It is literally a case of the poor subsidising the rich so the better-off can shut the children of the poor out and lock them into underfunded schools.

Quick comeback: “We all pay taxes for stuff we don’t use! So, what you’re really saying is: families with no choice should subsidise your choice to give your kids an advantage over theirs?”

Record funding to private schools,

perhaps, but not to public ones. According to a recent study, the Morrison Government gave an extra $10 billion to private schools, while public schools remain underfunded by $6.5 billion per year. In fact, almost every public school in Australia is funded below the minimum agreed schooling resource standard (SRS), while every private school in Australia is funded at or above this benchmark.

This glaring injustice is made even worse when you consider that public schools overwhelmingly educate the most disadvantaged children. These kids are also the most expensive to teach because they need more resources to reach their potential and overcome the inevitable inequities visited upon them at birth.

Which leads to the big question of what we want our education system to be –one that optimises the opportunity of educational success and social mobility for even the most disadvantaged students, or one that further entrenches inequality and segregation.

Myth 1: “I pay taxes. The funding system should support my choice.”

Myth 2: “The federal government has invested ‘record’ funding in schools.”

While our growing population always necessitates increased funding, it’s true we waste a lot of school funding in Australia – but not on public schools. We waste it on already luxuriously resourced schools, often charging exorbitant fees, serving high-wealth communities and enrolling students who are already doing well.

Quick comeback: “Record funding overall, but not for public schools! Funding for private schools has been rising at eight times the rate of that for public ones. How is that fair?”

schools – the states provide 80 per cent, the feds 20 per cent.

This may sound reasonable, but here is why it does not work:

Most state governments, including Victoria, give less than 80 per cent to public schools and more than 20 per cent to private.

Public schools enrol at least 80 per cent of the students who are most expensive to educate while private schools cream off the cheaper end. This means that even if public schools were funded according to Turnbull’s legislation, they still would not have enough to give their most vulnerable students the help they need.

the help they need to break generational disadvantage.

Quick comeback: “That’s just an old hangover from federation! How does it make sense for the neediest schools to be dependent on the most cashstrapped arm of government?”

Do we want our education system to optimise opportunity and social mobility, or to further entrench inequality and segregation?

When Malcolm Turnbull was Prime Minister, the parliament legislated an 80:20 split in school funding. It was meant to end the school funding wars. It didn’t. Here’s why.

According to this legislation, the federal government is meant to provide 80 per cent of public funding to private, feecharging schools. Each state government is meant to give their private schools 20 per cent. The reverse is true for public

State governments are dependent on federal GST revenue for their income. It simply does not make sense to make the neediest schools dependent on the most cash-strapped arm of government while the most advantaged schools can depend on the richest one.

Public schools in the poorest states (Tasmania and the NT) enrol some of Australia’s most disadvantaged students, and their state or territory governments simply don’t have the means to give them

Because private schools (with a handful of honourable exceptions) carefully choose where they will and will not open campuses, and which kids they will or will not educate, all they do is remove many of the most advantaged kids from the public system.

In doing this, they actively harm our public education system. Here’s how: (Continued on page 14)

Myth 3: “The states are responsible for funding public schools. The federal government funds private ones.”

Myth 4: “Sending my kid to a private school saves the public purse. The system would collapse if we all sent our kids to public schools.”

(Continued from page 13)

1. Less kids from wealthy and middleclass backgrounds reduces a public school’s ability to fundraise and reduces the number of well-educated parents who can advocate and lobby on behalf of their own children’s schools and public schools in general.

2. By removing the students requiring less support, they reduce the economy of scale. In other words, every middle-class kid who leaves the public system increases the ratio of needier students, thereby increasing the per-student cost. If most kids went to public schools, education would be cheaper for everyone, including governments, as well as much fairer.

3. The system would not collapse if everyone sent their kids to public schools. The rest of the world – including much higher achieving systems than ours –manages to do it perfectly well. In fact, it would be far more efficient and less wasteful. As it is, we spend far too much money on infrastructure due to our parallel systems and not enough on what goes on inside them.

Quick comeback: “The rest of the world seems to manage fine. If most kids went to government schools, the public system would be better funded,

According to research, private schools do not do better academically. Once school

results are adjusted for the differences in the socio-economic status of the students they enrol, there is no difference in academic results between public and private schools – and arguably public schools actually do better, especially given they have far less money.

much fairer – and we’d waste a lot less taxpayer money!”

Myth 5: “The private system has the best teachers and gets better results.”

Even more compelling is the consistent evidence showing that public school students do better at university than their private school counterparts.

As for the “better teachers” argument –firstly, all teachers have been trained at the same institutions and many of them move between the public and private systems. Secondly, many teachers elect to work in the public system precisely because they want to make the greatest possible difference. Public schools are full of people deeply committed to empowerment through education –and, in my mind, that’s a great basis for cultivating the creativity and critical thinking skills we know our kids need.

Quick comeback: “Once you factor in students’ circumstances, public schools get better results – and their students fare better at uni. Imagine what public schools could do if they were properly funded!”

deciding to buy your child what you perceive as an advantage cannot be called a “sacrifice”. It is nothing more than a purchase decision. It’s a bit like saying: “I made sacrifices to buy this luxurious house in a prestigious suburb, so I should get a government subsidy.”

The impact of making parents feel that they should, by whatever means, send their kids to a private school has been fuelled by conservative governments who would be happy to send as many families as possible into the private sector, leaving a residual public system for the poor. Not only is it privatisation by stealth, it destroys one of the most precious aspects of public education: ensuring the highest quality education for every child who walks through the gates; and building cohesion and connection within a diverse cross-section of each local community.

independent schools has shrunk dramatically.

To sum up, most of the benefits of private education are cosmetic: more about buying status than accessing a better education. The tragedy is that Australia is the only country in the world that publicly funds the fears, insecurities and status anxieties of some parents to the detriment of all, but especially the most disadvantaged.

Quick comeback: “Choosing to buy your kid what you think is an advantage can hardly be called a ‘sacrifice’. Conservative governments are basically fuelling parents’ fears to further their privatisation agenda.”

No parent should feel they need to make sacrifices to get their child a decent education in the fourth richest country in the world. If that is true, we should all take to the streets in protest. Moreover,

And before you let someone tell you that public funding puts downward pressure on fees… It’s been more than two decades since John Howard justified a substantial boost in private school funding as improving “choice and affordability”, and fees have done nothing but rise steadily (and in some cases rapidly) since that time. Meanwhile, the proportion of disadvantaged students attending

Jane Caro is a writer, social commentator and documentary-maker. Her many books include The Stupid Country: How Australia is Dismantling Public Education and What Makes a Good School. This article was first published in the Victorian AEUnews magazine and has been reproduced here with permission. The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect any official policies or positions of the SSTUWA or AEU.

Myth 6: “I make sacrifices to send my child to a private school.”

Why new educators should be SSTUWA members

REASONS

New Educator Network

Support and protection

The SSTUWA looks after our members and their rights. If you run into problems at work, your union has got your back.

Properly funded, accessible education Promoting the benefits of properly funded and accessible public

The New Educator Network (NEN) provides the advice, support and networking opportunities new educators need at the early stages of their careers.

Education and Training Centre

The SSTUWA Education and Training Centre (ETC) provides a range of high quality industrial and professional education opportunities, including short courses, conferences and online events, offered during term time and school holidays.

education for all is a key area of our operations. Join us in the campaign for fair funding of public schools.

Important gains

The SSTUWA has secured a number of achievements for members: class size limits, graduate entitlements, paid family and domestic violence leave, various allowances and much more.

Wills for members

8

Members can access a complimentary simple will, or a $150 contribution towards a complex will or will for their partner/spouse, where appropriate. Ts&Cs apply.

Tax deductible, pro-rata and casual/relief rate

Your union membership fees are tax deductible, and your fees are dependent on your salary scale and FTE. Casual/relief teachers access a reduced fixed rate.

School/workplace branch

Union membership means you are never alone at your school. When a group of members act and speak together, their employer listens. This is how unions improve workplaces.

Enterprise bargaining agreement

The SSTUWA collectively negotiates the pay and conditions of all educators in WA public schools and TAFEs. The larger the membership base, the more powerful we are at the bargaining table.

Discounted goods and services

Members have access to a range of discounted products and services: educational resources, access to Teachers Health, travel bargains, movie tickets and more.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

A regional school with national acclaim

By Hazel Doran

Amid a string of national and state-wide award nominations and multiple wins (including the top school prize at last year’s Australian Education Awards), it’s safe to say Bunbury Primary School had a good 2022.

When you take a closer look at the holistic approach to learning embraced by the school that combines pastoral care with innovative and data-driven teaching methods, as well as the strong community spirit that teachers and leaders at the school strive to foster, it’s not hard to see why this public school has received so many accolades.

Proven strategies for success

Bunbury PS has around 450 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. To ensure every student gets the best learning experience, staff rely on technology, focused upskilling of teachers and data-driven education techniques.

The school incorporates Kagan Cooperative Learning structures to keep collaboration and engagement at the core of its learning environment, and Positive Behaviour Support approaches for student well-being and behaviour management.

For assessment and feedback, Bunbury PS utilises Brightpath, WA-made software that records assessment results and

outputs formative and summative information for staff. This can then help form a basis for in-depth student feedback and comparison.

Teachers learning together

Bunbury PS actively nurtures professional development for staff, providing multiple opportunities for upskilling in ICT to improve educational outcomes for students.

In 2018, Bunbury PS became a teacher development school in digital technologies as part of the WA Department of Education (DoE) DigiTech program, sharing curriculum expertise and exemplary teaching and learning practices.

Bunbury PS also opens its professional development programs to teachers outside their school.

Living books in the wild

In an inspiring harmony of digital technology, outdoor learning and community spirit, Bunbury PS has created an outdoor e-library, consisting of QR codes posted around the grounds that link to e-books on various topics.

An interactive map revealing the titles and locations of the e-books is available online, inviting students, as well as the wider Bunbury community, to explore.

Reflecting the ever-changing structure

of the natural world, the design of this innovative e-library allows the e-books to be updated and changed, while the QR codes remain the same.

Australian School of the Year

SSTUWA members and Bunbury PS Principal Shane Doherty and Associate Principal Franca Dillon attended the Australian Education Awards ceremony in Sydney last August, with the school having been nominated for two awards: Best Use of Technology in a School (the only primary school in this category) and Primary School of the Year (Government), which they won.

Following their win, Bunbury PS came out on top to win the highest honour of the night for a school: Australian School of the Year.

The school’s community-nurture, student support, academic achievement and innovative approaches to teaching and leading using digital technologies were identified as leading factors towards the nod.

The school was also a finalist for the 2022 WA Education Awards in the Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Primary) category.

Congratulations to all of our members at Bunbury PS for this well-deserved recognition for your hard work and dedication to education.

The cost of publicprivate partnerships in education

By Carolina Finette

In this story, I share my personal trajectory as a teacher experiencing publicprivate partnerships (PPPs) in the Brazil countryside and urge stakeholders to reflect on the problems involving such partnerships to education. In addition, I reflect on how such PPPs are a result of the lack of financing in education and on how important it is for stakeholders to advocate for enlarged budgets in the sector in the context of the Transforming Education Summit.

After the global pandemic, many challenges already faced by educators were deepened. The Transforming Education Summit provides us with an opportunity to sustain pressure on member states on important matters in education. I would like to invite you to consider my experience as an educator in Brazil as one of the many examples of why governments must commit to providing larger budgets for education.

In Brazil, it is common for parents to avoid placing their children in public schools, especially if they have the necessary financial means. We hear from elders that “education is not as it used to be in the good old days…”. The “good old days” is usually associated with the Brazilian Dictatorship Period (1964-1985) and the years before that, when mass media was forced to give favourable publicity to state services (such as education) to promote the authoritarian regime.

When the Democratic Period began, the state became responsible for providing free public education to all people and although universal access to education was a major gain in the newly established democracy, the expanded demand for education services was followed by budgetary constraints in the sector. In

addition, the continuous pressure from international organisations for countries – mainly in the Global South - to adopt PPPs in order to improve educational results has also influenced Brazilian public education.

As a teacher, I was able to personally experience some of the effects of private agents in education. When the school where I was teaching announced a partnership with one of the main private institutes in Brazil, most teachers were quite excited about it - including me. We saw this as a possibility to bring fresh, modern perspectives to the school and to improve teaching-learning processes.

As time went by, it became clear that this was not necessarily the case. Because of the influence of this private foundation, teachers lost their pedagogical autonomy: we had to settle for pre-made class plans (provided by the institute), agree to extra hours of work filling in spreadsheets and reports with data on student performance – all justified as means to improve “learning”. The problem was that learning was never the focus of this “improvement”. Learning was confused with better results in assessments and indicators. All we would hear in pedagogical training sessions were actions we should take to diminish retention rates, reduce absences, ageseries distortion and of course, improve our students’ scores in national (and international) assessments.

Suddenly, focusing on the teaching processes – the pedagogical needs and interests of students or how to make sure they become fully independent members of society – was forgotten. And teachers who dared to question this situation received hostile treatment

from management. Moreover, we were constantly put in competition with other schools or other teachers that performed better. We were regularly reminded of the need to act quickly and efficiently so that students don’t lose focus on the matters given priority.

I wonder if it would have been different if we had had more freedom to teach what students were interested in – and in need of – learning. At some points, I

had students laughing at some of the activities I proposed in class (which were part of the pre-made class action plan) because they considered them too silly. And the worst part is, I agreed with them. But I did it anyway in order to fulfil the action plan. As a beginner teacher, I was scared I could lose my job if I didn’t do as I was told.

Now, I don’t want this story to discourage people from becoming educators. Instead, I want to use this platform to urge educators, stakeholders and society to advocate for free public education and to raise questions as to how and why non-state actors still educate over 350 million children worldwide. Moreover, I want us to consider how the enlargement of education finance could contribute to reversing this scenario and hold states accountable for education quality –instead of handing education to the private sector.

As several studies show, better financing of education could provide education workers with fair salaries and incentivise more people to join - and stay - in the profession. It could allow workers to have only one job - instead of juggling

two or three, as most teachers must do to achieve financial independence. It would allow educators to have time to examine their pedagogical approach, their students’ needs and use their knowledge and creativity to improve their teaching. It would allow students to have good social support in schools. It would enable schools to be better equipped, safe and ready to welcome students and the community into what is supposed to be the exciting process of teaching and learning.

Most of all, expanded financing gives schools the freedom of choice. Nowadays, although there are no formal obligations for schools to join PPPs, the lack of resources makes PPPs extremely appealing. Foundations promote PPPs as an inexpensive (or “free of cost”) solution to all school problems, facilitating education “quality” with the resources and skills the institution will provide them with.

But PPPs are never free of cost. They cost education workers their pedagogical autonomy and private institutions benefit from them in several ways: financially –through tax benefits, for example – and politically, by gaining space and power

in the public sphere. In addition, PPPs have not proven to have significant positive effects on large education systems, although further research is still needed. Therefore, states must enlarge financing in education to ensure schools can choose independently, focusing on pedagogy and workers’ and students’ well-being.

Schools, students and educators worldwide cannot, should not and will not pay this high price.

Carolina Finette is a master’s degree student in Education Policy and International Comparative Education at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain). Her research focuses on resistance movements to education privatisation. She has been an elementary school and early childhood educator in Brazil. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect any official policies or positions of Education International (EI), the AEU or the SSTUWA. This article was first published on the EI website and has been reproduced here with permission.

Truth telling in the Australian education system

By Tracy Woodroffe Charles Darwin University

First Nations people please be advised this article speaks of racially discriminating moments in history, including the distress and death of First Nations people.

In a recent radio interview with 4BC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said students should learn about the atrocities suffered by Indigenous people in Australia. Historical events such as massacres should be part of the Australian history curriculum. Mr Albanese added it was something that should be done without feelings of shame from non-Indigenous teachers.

In addition, Mr Albanese has stated teachers’ cultural competency could be further highlighted as an educational issue to be addressed. Cultural competency involves an organisation or individual valuing the importance of other cultures and using this to inform their working practices.

This is one of the reasons the Australian education system requires the voice of Indigenous educators: Australian

teachers (most of whom are nonIndigenous) can lack confidence and effectiveness in teaching Indigenous students and delivering Indigenous curriculum content.

Teaching true Australian history that represents a more balanced telling is vital. But it is only one aspect of Australia’s education system that requires urgent attention.

The biggest problem with education

The Australian education system is founded on principles espoused by British colonisers and continued and redeveloped by Australians. This way of schooling predominantly follows Western ideas about education and how people learn.

As a result, the education system is not accessible to everyone. For example, Indigenous people in Australia have had their own educational practices in accordance with Indigenous knowledge systems for more than 60,000 years. These methods of teaching involved Indigenous perspectives of the world encompassing

understanding about what knowledge should be learned and how.

This is why education needs to be flexible and adaptable to different ways of learning. Not all children are the same, or learn in the same way, and they can have different learning and cultural needs.

Mr Albanese has raised one issue that could be extremely important for everyone in Australia. However not all stakeholders will necessarily see it that way. Parents and teachers will have their own priorities for their children and changing the history curriculum may not even be on their radar. Engagement with changes may be slow.

Australian prime ministers have commented on the history curriculum in the past. This has included improvements over time to teaching about Indigenous people in Australia, without necessarily having an in-depth curriculum or practical understanding. These improvements have been slow. However, the lead-up to the planned referendum on whether to institute an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is an ideal time to discuss further opportunities for progress in education for children in Australia.

Affecting systemic change

Many Indigenous people in Australia experience difficulties in engaging with the current system, as documented annually in the NAPLAN assessment. Difficulties may include language barriers, Indigenous culture not represented in classrooms and curriculum, and disengagement. This is an ongoing concern, discussed and investigated by many academics both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

Curriculum and ways of teaching have been addressed with the Australian

Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority continuing to update the Australian curriculum. These updates aim to be inclusive of Indigenous culture through cross-curriculum priorities.

These priorities are still not key learning areas within a school curriculum that focuses instead on Maths, Science and English. They are offered to teachers as opportunities to embed Indigenous related information into key learning situations, but they are not mandatory.

Difficulties could be made worse by an apparent lack of teacher knowledge and efficacy in working with Indigenous students and in teaching Indigenous curriculum content. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership has attempted to improve this by implementing changes to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. These changes address teachers’ cultural competency, by increasing cultural teaching resources, due to be released.

However these efforts to improve our Australian education system are temporary fixes to specific problems. We need a more complete approach guided by Indigenous education experts who understand these issues from Indigenous perspectives.

Year in and year out, I hear how they didn’t know about the degree of harsh treatment, cruelty and trauma suffered by Indigenous people in Australia since colonisation. “We didn’t learn this in school,” they say.

This proves school students need to be given a balanced and truthful education about Australia’s history. This needs to include the stories of massacres, dispossession, segregation and exclusion, as well as the personal long-term impact of the Stolen Generations and other racist government policies.

If these current teaching students had been afforded this education, the teaching workforce might have been better prepared to teach this. They would already have the necessary foundational knowledge and the ability to empathise through education and understanding. Without cultural competency through education we can be left with ignorance and racism, which are counterproductive to Australia’s journey to reconciliation.

Decolonising education

Decolonisation is a word becoming more widely used to express the need for a more balanced education system that includes First Nations peoples. It has been popularised for many years in countries such as Canada and New Zealand.

Decolonisation has been defined as restorative justice through cultural, psychological and economic freedom.

Embedding Indigenous ways of learning, honouring different knowledge systems, and acknowledging the histories that have impacted us would decolonise our education system. This would also provide an opportunity for all of Australia to understand First Nations peoples and centralise these cultures within the curriculum as foundational learning for all.

Indigenous educators in the Northern Territory recommended that Indigenous knowledge in education for both Indigenous students and Indigenous teachers is of great importance. It is valuable to all teachers to understand that people do not leave their culture at the school fence and pick it back up when they leave school at the end of the day.

Before anything can happen, there needs to be an informed audit of the larger underlying issues within our national education system. Although it’s significant, the way we teach Australian history is only one small part.

Dr Tracy Woodroffe is a lecturer in Teacher Education in the College of Indigenous Futures, Education and the Arts and lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges, Charles Darwin University. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect any official policies or positions of the AEU or the SSTUWA. This article was first published on the Conversation website and has been reproduced here with permission.

As an educator for more than 30 years, nothing has crystallised more for me the problems with the system than listening to students studying to become teachers.

What have children been getting told about Australia’s history?

Education & Training Centre

Education-Specific Work Health and Safety (WHS) Courses for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) in 2023

If you were elected as an HSR after 31 March 2022 you are eligible to attend a WHS five-day introductory course here at the SSTUWA. The Education and Training Centre is pleased to partner with the Department of Education (DoE) and Unity Training to conduct this newly-created Education-Specific Five-Day Introductory Course for Health and Safety Representatives

This five-day course is a statutory requirement for elected HSRs. It provides HSRs within the Education Department with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively perform their functions and powers in protecting and promoting the work health and safety of those they represent.

This newly developed course has been created based on the new WHS Act 2020 and WHS Regulations 2022. It will provide updated information regarding new definitions related to the legislation and the expanded duties of stakeholders under the new legislative requirements.

The course is open to members and non-members of the SSTUWA and to all DoE staff.

Education-Specific Health and Safety Courses in 2023

Introductory course: Who can attend?

New DoE HSRs are eligible to register for this course if you meet the following criteria:

• You are the official elected health and safety representative (HSR) at your school (elected after March 2022).

• You have registered your name with the DoE OSH Team as the newly elected HSR for your school by completing an Election Notification Form: https://ikon.education.wa.edu.au/-/elect-a-health-and-safety-representative/

• You have not previously completed the new Five-Day Introductory, Education-Specific WHS Course.

• If you are from a regional area and you have written permission from the DoE Central Office OSH Team to attend the course in Perth.

If you attended a Five-Day Introductory Course in 2022 as the newly elected HSR, under the new legislation you are eligible to attend a refresher course in the second and third years of your term. This one-day refresher course is designed to review key aspects of the five-day course and provide opportunities to apply specific aspects of the legislation to your personal educational setting. Delve more deeply into DoE policies, procedures and agreements when carrying out the role of the HSR.

Refresher course: Who can attend?

DoE HSRs are eligible to register for this course if you meet the following criteria:

• You are the official elected health and safety representative (HSR) at your school (elected after March 2022).

• You have registered your name with the DoE OSH Team as the newly elected HSR for your school by completing an Election Notification Form: https://ikon.education.wa.edu.au/-/elect-a-health-and-safety-representative/

• You completed the new Five-Day Introductory, Education Specific WHS Course in 2022.

• If you are from a regional area and you have written permission from the DoE Central Office OSH Team to attend the course in Perth.

Member benefits

Accountants and Financial Advisers

Aston Accountants

10% discount on personal income tax returns for members. sstuwa.org.au/aston

Industry Fund Services

Specialist financial products for union members. sstuwa.org.au/ifs

LIFE Financial Planners

$1,200 off your statement of advice fee plus a free financial health check for members. sstuwa.org.au/lifefinancial

Teacher Tax

$99 tax returns for members. sstuwa.org.au/teachertax

TIPS Financial Services

$1,100 discount on your TIPS Transition to Retirement strategy or Retirement plan. Exclusive to members. sstuwa.org.au/tipsfs

Banking

ME Bank

Special offers throughout the year for members. A bank built by, and for, union members. sstuwa.org.au/mebank

Mortgages, Money and Me

Complimentary advice, property reports, finance tools and more for SSTUWA members. sstuwa.org.au/mmme

OFX Money Transfers

When it matters, OFX it. Save with the experts in international money transfers. sstuwa.org.au/ofx

Teachers Mutual Bank

Banking exclusively for the education community. sstuwa.org.au/tmbank

Cars

Allwest Fleet

Vehicle salary packaging – save time, money and tax. Receive a $300 gift card with your new car. sstuwa.org.au/allwestfleet

Massive discounts on products and services for SSTUWA members

AutoBahn

Mechanical and electrical services.

Members receive $20 off any service or 5% off any repair. sstuwa.org.au/autobahn

Bayswater Mazda

Exclusive offer including $500 fuel card, 4 years free service and more. sstuwa.org.au/bayswatermazda

Bob Jane T-Marts

National fleet pricing on a range of products and services. sstuwa.org.au/bobjane

easifleet

$250 Magic Hand Carwash voucher with any easifleet procured novated lease. sstuwa.org.au/easifleet

Europcar

10% discount on vehicle hire in Australia. sstuwa.org.au/europcar

Fleet Network

Package your next car and save on tax. Bonus gift with vehicle delivery. sstuwa.org.au/fleetnetwork

Motor Market by Union Shopper

You choose the car, then we find you the lowest price. sstuwa.org.au/motormarket

tyresales.com.au 10% discount on tyres. sstuwa.org.au/tyresales

Western Motor Vehicle Consultants

We’ll find a car you’ll love. Save time and money when sourcing your next vehicle. sstuwa.org.au/westernmotors

Computers

Altronics

Build it yourself electronics centre. VIP trade discount in store and online. sstuwa.org.au/altronics

Apple on Campus

For details visit: sstuwa.org.au/apple

Dell

Save up to 5% off selected items. sstuwa.org.au/dell

HP Computers

Huge savings for members on laptops, accessories, printers and more. sstuwa.org.au/hp

PLE Computers

Save on your IT with access to the PLE Computers academic portal. sstuwa.org.au/ple

The Good Guys Commercial

Online access to live discounted pricing on The Good Guys’ range. sstuwa.org.au/thegoodguys

Educational Resources

Classroom Management

A Thinking and Caring Approach. By Barrie Bennett and Peter Smilanich. sstuwa.org.au/classroommgmt

Effective Group Work

Beyond Cooperative Learning. By Barrie Bennett. sstuwa.org.au/effectivegroupwork

Graphic Intelligence

Possibilities for Assessment and Instruction. By Barrie Bennett. sstuwa.org.au/graphicintelligence

Instructional Intelligence

Building Instructional Expertise for the Classroom. An SSTUWA project in collaboration with Barrie Bennett. sstuwa.org.au/instructionalintelligence

Teacher Superstore

5-10% discount, in store and online. sstuwa.org.au/teachersuperstore

Entertainment

Movie tickets

Discounts on physical tickets (greater savings) and instant digital tickets. sstuwa.org.au/movietickets

Outback Splash

Featuring both water and year-round attractions. Discounted tickets for members. sstuwa.org.au/outbacksplash

Rockface

Indoor rock climbing in Balcatta. $15 all day climbing pass with harness hire. sstuwa.org.au/rockface

Food and Wine

Campbells

Access wholesale prices with a complimentary day pass. sstuwa.org.au/campbells

Cellar d’Or

Best value winery tour in the Margaret River Region. 10% discount for members. sstuwa.org.au/cellardor

Cracka Wines

7.5% off online wine orders. sstuwa.org.au/cracka

Taste Bud Tours

Swan Valley “Speed Grazing” – 20% discount. Good Food, Wine & Cider (am) or Good Food, Wine & Beer (pm). sstuwa.org.au/tastebudtours

Health and Wellbeing

Goodlife Health Clubs

20% discount on platinum 12 month memberships. Includes access to all Goodlife Health Clubs in WA. sstuwa.org.au/goodlife

St John

First aid saves lives. Discounted first aid courses and kits for members. sstuwa.org.au/stjohn

WA Opticians

20% discount on spectacle frames and lenses. Perth and East Perth. sstuwa.org.au/waopticians

Housing

Houspect

Buy, build and invest with confidence. $50 discount on building inspections. sstuwa.org.au/houspect

Johns Building Supplies

Trade prices on paint and painters’ hardware. Builders prices on all other hardware lines. sstuwa.org.au/jbs

SkylightsWA

Specialising in skylights and roof ventilation, servicing all regions of WA. 7% discount off selected products. sstuwa.org.au/skylightswa

Insurance and Legal

ISinsured

Insurance for union members. Home, contents, car, landlords. sstuwa.org.au/isinsured

SSTUWA

Legal Services

Access to quality legal services for both work-related and personal matters. sstuwa.org.au/legal

Teachers Health Fund

Join the thousands of teachers who have already made the switch. sstuwa.org.au/teachershealth

Teachers Health – Travel

For details visit: sstuwa.org.au/travelinsurance

Shopping

Dot Mall

BBQs, heaters and backyard kitchens. 5% discount for members. sstuwa.org.au/dotmall

Electrical buying

Let Union Shopper find the best deal on your electrical purchases. sstuwa.org.au/electricalbuying isubscribe

Up to an extra 10% off any print and digital magazine subscription; over 4,000 titles. sstuwa.org.au/isubscribe

Jackson’s

Drawing Supplies

10% discount in Jackson’s 12 shops and online. sstuwa.org.au/jacksons

Petals Flowers & Gifts

20% off flowers and gifts. World-wide delivery available. sstuwa.org.au/petals

Teacher Superstore

5-10% discount, in store and online. sstuwa.org.au/teachersuperstore

The Good Guys Commercial

Online access to live discounted pricing on The Good Guys’ full range. sstuwa.org.au/thegoodguys

Vet Products Direct

10% discount on pet products, plus advice from professionals. sstuwa.org.au/vetpro

Travel and Accommodation

Accor

Hotels

Great savings for teachers at Accor Hotels in the Asia Pacific region. sstuwa.org.au/accorhotels

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels welcomes SSTUWA members with exclusive rates at locations in Australia and NZ. sstuwa.org.au/choicehotels

Comfort Hotel Perth City

Rooms from $145 per night including Light Start Breakfast for two. Located near the WACA in East Perth. sstuwa.org.au/comfortperth

Experience Oz

Save 10% on over 3,000 experiences across Oz + NZ. sstuwa.org.au/experienceoz

Inn the Tuarts Guest Lodge

Forest retreat, 4-star, with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and BBQ. Adults (12 years+) only. Five minutes to Busselton. Studios and rooms. 22.5% off rack rate or best available rate. sstuwa.org.au/innthetuarts

Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat

Luxurious, self-contained accommodation in Margaret River. Discounted rates for members. sstuwa.org.au/jarrahgrove

Mandurah Houseboats

10% discount on houseboat holidays. sstuwa.org.au/houseboats

Rottnest ferry tickets

Save up to $15 on Rottnest ferry tickets with WestClub. sstuwa.org.au/rottnest

Classifieds

Block for sale: Jurien Bay

700sqm fully serviced, ready to build on, one block back from beach. Close to schools, town centre, marina and recreational water activities. Perfect holiday, retiree or sea-change locale. $108,000 (negotiable).

Peter: 0437 377 361 | westside@tower.net.au

Block for sale: Singleton

806sqm (cleared) quiet street, easy walking distance to beach, shops, schools and ovals. $315,000 (negotiable).

Jenny: 0435 257 124

Albany (Little Grove)

Silent Grove Cottage. Self-contained two bedroom (queen/two singles) on two hectares of bushland. Undercover parking. Close to yacht club, walking/bike trails, national park and beaches. Teachers’ rate: $150 per night. Stay seven, get one free. www.silentgrove.iinet.net.au 9844 4950 | merron@iinet.net

Augusta

3x1 spacious holiday rental. One double, one queen, five singles. 200m from the river and town. Magnificent river views. One large living area, three sided veranda and BBQ. Provide own linen and towels. $150 per night plus $50 cleaning fee. gregrowl@iinet.net.au

Balingup surrounds Farm accommodation surrounded by nature and wildlife. Located near Balingup, Nannup and Busselton. Pick your own avocados. Main house (three bedrooms, $300/night) or Quarters (one bedroom, $150/night). info@avodale.com

Cowaramup (Margaret River Region)

Private B&B within newly built home. Parkland setting. Private queen bedroom, bathroom and breakfast room. Private entry and dedicated parking. 10 mins to Margaret River, Gracetown, central to wineries/breweries and beaches. $120 per night per couple including breakfast. Lee: 0412 902 932

Dunsborough (Quindalup)

Large 4x2 holiday home on Geographe Bay Rd. Swimming beach 30m away. Free use of private boat mooring. Room to park boats with boat ramp a minute away. Slow combustion wood heater and reversecycle air-con. Available all year except for leavers’ vacation. No pets. 0419 943 203

a_r_moore@bigpond.com

Dwellingup

Après Huit and Dwell Cottage provide luxury self-contained accommodation set in beautifully landscaped gardens. Can

be rented separately or together. Après Huit: 2x2, main house. Dwell Cottage: 1x1, furnished in a French theme. Robert: 0419 954 079 dwellcottage.com.au

Dwellingup

In need of a tree change? Time out to reconnect with nature? Time for a vacation in Dwellingup’s Jarrah forest, 90 minutes from Perth. Chuditch Holiday Home is perfect for couples, groups and families. It’s centrally located and sleeps up to eight people. Shani: 0402 615 235 shanivore@hotmail.com

Floreat

Studio B&B. New, stylish single room. Fridge, kitchenette, TV, aircon in lovely peaceful Floreat house and garden. Linen, tea/coffee, continental/cooked breakfast ingredients supplied. Suit mature person wishing to enjoy quiet accommodation. Close to city, buses, shops, hospitals and beaches. $85 per night, min two nights. Weekly and monthly rates available. SMS: 0422 333 057

Frankland River

Escape to the country. Imagine waking up to uninterrupted views of paddocks and trees with peace, quiet and tranquility. Choose a 3 bedroom house or a cosy cabin set on picturesque 83 acres. A great place to relax and unwind. franklandriver.com.au Jade: 0430 450 093 | Sam: 0413 160 093

Fremantle

Short term accommodation in central Fremantle. Recently refurbished with all conveniences for modern living. Townhouse has three queen-sized bedrooms plus provision for two singles. Enjoy time in the rear garden, complete with BBQ. Secure parking for two cars, access controlled by electric gates. 9430 4458 | 0407 083 174 info@westerley.com.au

Fremantle

Staycation? Attending a function?

Cosmopolitan getaway? Fremantle is the place. Cafes, restaurants and breweries. Markets, beach, art galleries, museums, theatre, events, shopping, skate park, Ferris wheel, whale watching... What more could you want? Eco-Gallery Apartment is stylish, centrally located, sleeps three and has secure parking. (08) 6323 2339

admin@smartstaywa.com.au

Kallaroo

Serenity Escape is a 2x1 apartment with full kitchen, offering comfort and convenience. 20 min walk to beach, 5 min drive to train station, walking distance to Whitfords Brewing Co, cinema and shops. Toiletries, slippers and coffee machine provided. Min 2 nights. Sleeps 4, or 5 with mattress. No pets. $125/night for 3 people; $10/night per extra person.

Molly: 0428 166 559 mollysletters@gmail.com

Kalbarri

Clean, tidy, self-contained family-friendly 3x1 brick house at the top end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Sleeps 8: 2 x queen beds and 2 x bunk beds. Close to Blue Holes Beach, 15 min walk to town.

kalbarriwa.net.au | 0435 845 504

Lancelin

Large 5x2 holiday home. Everything within walking distance, close to beaches and town centre. Sleeps 14. Large wrap around verandah with outdoor seating/eating and bbq. Heaps of parking for boats or quads. $45/night/person (min 6). Min 2 nights.

SMS: 0412 804 345

Margaret River

Two bedrooms, private, comfortable, fully equipped stone cottage with fireplace, located amongst the forest opposite Boranup National Park, 17km south of Margaret River on Caves Road. Close to

Email 50 words or fewer to editor@sstuwa.org.au along with your union membership number. Free for members.

Classifieds

beaches, wineries, caves and galleries. $150 per night for two people, or provide own linen and towels for $120 per night.

Russell: 0418 933 270

Nannup

Seraphim Retreat is a pet friendly 3x1 character farm cottage, five minutes from friendly Nannup. Set in acreage, with established gardens and stunning valley views. Air conditioned and wood heater. Horse riders can bring their horses to access our arena and trails. Teacher discount: $159 weekends, $149 midweek. See website for details. seraphimretreatnannup.com SMS 0420 832 510

Safety Bay

Very clean and tidy, traditional style 3x1 duplex in Safety Bay. Fully furnished and equipped. One street from beach. Presently a minimum stay requirement (this may change). cnjn@aapt.net.au

Trigg

Self contained accommodation. Kitchen, laundry, queen sized bed plus fold out double couch in lounge. Free WiFi and Netflix. Own entrance. Find us on Facebook.

Kerry: 0409 884 330 | FB: @justriggin 67justriggin@gmail.com

Yallingup

Rammed earth cottage, 2x1, nestled amongst bushland. Well located, short walk to Studio Gallery Bistro, two-minute drive to Caves House. Beaches, galleries, wineries and restaurants close by. Sleeps six. No dogs. stayz.com.au (property 136151) Kirsty: 0419 927 660

Tranquillity Counselling, Psychotherapy and Career Development

I provide holistic, confidential practical counselling to help you deal with an array of issues, some being: general relationship, mental health, anger issues/management,

anxiety, depression, self-harm, grief and trauma, addiction, abuse, palliative care. Milica Robinson, MCnsig&Psychthpy, GradCertCareerDev, BEd. 0422 358 187

Retirement coach

Are you recently retired or retiring soon? You probably have a financial plan in place but developing a plan for the non-financial side of retirement can be as important as preparing financially. I offer support and guidance for the transition from work to retirement, helping you to find purpose and meaning in retirement. Contact me to arrange an obligation free chat. retirementcoaching01@gmail.com

Marriage celebrant

Marriage celebrant with 12 years of experience, working in the Peel, South West and Perth areas. Specialising in creating personalised ceremonies for couples at their chosen wedding location. I’d love to help you plan your special day!

Meridith: 0400 312 535 meri.lake4@gmail.com

Marriage celebrant

Heart Centered Ceremonies for couples wanting a personalised wedding. Lee will help you design your dream wedding – a memorable occasion. Mention this ad to receive a discount.

Lee: 0404 655 567 leehalligancelebrant.com.au

Marriage celebrant

Experienced professional celebrant available, all areas. Formal or informal, large or small weddings. A Beautiful Ceremony will help you design an unforgettable and uniquely personal ceremony.

Mary: 0418 906 391 maryburke40@hotmail.com

Learn to social dance

Learn jive, waltz, rumba, samba, tango and other dances for social events (ball, wedding, cruise, etc). A fun and easy course with quality instruction. Join with

or without a partner. Melville (LeisureFit) Recreation Centre. Mondays 7.30-9pm. $118/8 weeks. Beginners’ course held every term. Term 1 2023 starts 13 February.

Stan: 9330 6737 | stan@stansdancing.com

First aid training for students

St John Ambulance WA offers free first aid training to all school aged students, ranging from Triple 000 Hero for Kindergarten students to Road Trauma First Aid for secondary school students. Courses are curriculum mapped. (08) 9334 1259 youth@stjohnambulance.com.au

Free dairy excursions

Brownes Dairy invites your classroom to join a free curriculum-linked tour of the dairy in Balcatta. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 get a unique hands-on experience and see how our dairy operates and produces award winning dairy products enjoyed in WA for 130 years.

school.tours@brownesdairy.com.au

MAWA

The Mathematical Association of Western Australia offers professional learning opportunities, conferences and consultancy services to teachers and schools and networks. MAWA members receive 10 per cent discount on MAWA shop resources. For more information: mawainc.org.au 9345 0388 | eo@mawainc.org.au

Macramé is the new yoga

I'm a teacher running small group macramé classes in a cosy home studio. Join me and discover the power of mindfulness as you learn to engage your mind and your hands in a fun supportive environment. It's a powerful way to calm a busy mind.

marcia@knotinlove.com.au

2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation. This landmark moment is remembered every year on 13 February as an important step in the process of reconciliation. For more information and classroom resources visit: bit.ly/3pEJO9p

World Day of Social Justice 20 February

This day has been mandated by the United Nations since 2007 to recognise the need to promote social justice by tackling poverty, gender inequality, exclusion, unemployment and pursuing human rights and social protections. For more information visit: bit.ly/3oCAfZ3

State Council Conference

Items for June 2023 State Council must be received by 5pm Thursday 6 April. The event will be held on 9-10 June.

Items for November State Council must be received by 5pm Friday 22 September.

Please

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Building your union branch

At the start of each year, union members at your worksite should meet to organise your branch of the SSTUWA. It is generally the responsibility of the previous year’s union representative to arrange this meeting. The rep (or other member) should use the information in this document to build the worksite branch for 2023.

First days

1) Set up the union noticeboard.

2) Arrange to convene the initial union meeting, preferably during week one or two of 2023, or arrange to hold a ballot via email. (Note: all union members must be informed.)

Initial union meeting

Materials for meeting:

• The Nominations for branch office bearers form.

• Membership list.

• Getting Organised 2023 (this document).

• Agenda, venue and time.

These materials were posted to your worksite, attention of the SSTUWA representative, and the forms are also available online at sstuwa.org.au/go23

Meeting agenda

1) Branch elections

Conduct elections for branch positions and record the results on the Nominations for branch office bearers form. Refer to the box on the right of this page for role descriptors. The SSTUWA rules allow for one branch member per position, for all positions.

• Union rep

• Deputy union rep

• Treasurer

• Secretary

• Women’s contact officer

• District Council delegate

2) Union communications

• Agree on the regularity and forms of communication for union-related information within your worksite.

• Agree on and diarise future union meeting dates for the year. Check your worksite’s planner to minimise clashes.

• Delegate a union noticeboard keeper.

3) Work health and safety

It is important to have elected health and safety reps (HSRs) to represent staff for work health and safety matters. The new Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) has changed the way elections for HSRs occur. See the Q&A on page 18 of this document for further information.

Ensure your workplace has elected HSRs and advise the SSTUWA of the result of the election/s via the HSR update form included in your worksite’s Getting Organised pack and available online at sstuwa.org.au/go23

The SSTUWA can provide support for HSR elections if required.

After the meeting

Important jobs to do as the 2023 union rep and/or deputy union rep:

1) Return the Nominations for branch office bearers form to the union office. You must return this form every school year. We recommend you return this form by Friday 3 March. You may also submit this form electronically via sstuwa.org.au/go23

2) Review and update your membership list, and email the amended list to membership@sstuwa.org.au

3) Meet with your worksite’s leader to:

• Advise the leader of the union branch officers election outcome.

• Raise, discuss and/or negotiate any immediate union member issues.

• Schedule future meeting times for each term. (A minimum of two is suggested.)

• Seek an agreement for union rep time.

4) Contact your district organiser at the SSTUWA to touch base: call or email the office on (08) 9210 6000 or contact@sstuwa.org.au

Introduce yourself, outline your worksite issues, and/or invite your SSTUWA district organiser to visit your workplace.

5) Most importantly, register for union delegate training. Visit the training tab at sstuwa.org.au or call the Education and Training Centre on (08) 9210 6035.

Branch roles

One branch member per position

Union representative

The union rep is elected to represent the interests of all members in the workplace. The role of the union rep is explored in union rep training offered each term by our Education and Training Centre.

Deputy union representative

The deputy union rep is elected to be in a position to fill the union rep role should it be necessary. Their main role is to assist the union rep in representing the interests of their members. The deputy union rep can also attend training offered each term by our Education and Training Centre.

Treasurer

The treasurer is responsible for claiming branch operating expenses. They should complete the branch financial return form that was included in the info pack posted to your worksite (also available online at sstuwa.org.au/go23)

Teachers Mutual Bank can establish an operating account for your branch with no account keeping fees. Call (08) 9421 8701 and visit tmbank.com.au

Secretary

The secretary works with the union rep to distribute information to the members at the worksite. They also record the items discussed at branch meetings and the outcomes/actions agreed to be taken by the branch.

Women’s contact officer

The women’s contact officer works in conjunction with the union rep to encourage women’s involvement in union structures, disseminate information about women’s issues and gender equity, promote women’s issues, and provide opportunities for women’s voices to be heard.

District Council delegate

The District Council delegate represents the branch at District Council meetings to ensure the branch has a voice within the wider union. They then share the information that they received with the branch upon their return.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

for operating expenses

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Support for union reps

Union reps play a vital leadership role at the workplace. The union rep is often the first point of contact for members in schools and TAFE colleges seeking information or advice about their working conditions or entitlements.

On receipt of the Nominations for branch office bearers form the SSTUWA will mail a branch kit to your worksite’s elected representative. This introductory kit will enable the rep to establish themself in the workplace.

Schools: Union representative legislative rights and responsibility

Teachers Award 1993 Clause 62

62.

Union Facilities for Union Representatives

(1) The Employer recognises the rights of the SSTUWA and PFWA to organise and represent its members.

(2) The Employer will recognise SSTUWA representatives and the members of the PFWA Council as the representatives of the PFWA and will allow them to carry out their roles and functions.

(3) SSTUWA representatives in the Department have a legitimate role and function in assisting the SSTUWA in the tasks of recruitment, organising, communication and representing members’ interests in the workplace, Department and SSTUWA branch.

(4) The Employer recognises that, under the SSTUWA’s rules, SSTUWA representatives are members of a branch representing members within a SSTUWA electorate. A SSTUWA branch may cover more than one workplace.

(5) The SSTUWA will advise the Employer in writing of the names of the SSTUWA representatives in the Department.

(6) The Employer must recognise the authorisation of each the SSTUWA and PFWA representatives in the Department and must provide them with the following.

(a) Paid time off from normal duties to perform their functions as a Union representative such as organising, recruiting, individual grievance handling, collective bargaining, involvement in the branch and to attend Union business in accordance with this clause and the Department’s Industrial Relations Advice 6 of 2009. The Department will consult with the Unions regarding any proposed changes to this Industrial Relations Advice.

(b) Access to facilities required for the purpose of carrying out their duties. Facilities may include but not be limited to, the use of filing cabinets, meeting rooms, telephones, fax, email, internet, photocopiers and stationery. Such access to facilities must not unreasonably affect the

operation of the organisation and is in accordance with normal Departmental protocols.

(c) A noticeboard for the display of Union materials including broadcast email facilities.

(d) Paid access to periods of leave for the purpose of attending Union training courses in accordance with Clause 63. – Leave to Attend Union Business of the Award. Country representatives will be provided with appropriate travel time.

(e) Notification of the commencement of new employees, and as part of their induction, time to discuss the benefits of Union membership with them.

(f) Access to awards, agreements, policies and procedures.

(g) The names of any Equal Employment Opportunity and Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare representatives.

(7) The Employer recognises that it is paramount that Union representatives in the workplace are not threatened or disadvantaged in any way as a result of their role as a Union representative.

Union representative time allocation (Schools)

To ensure the Department of Education meets its obligations under the terms of the Award, the department and the SSTUWA agree that the table below will be used as a guide when allocating paid time off for union representatives to perform their duties.

Refer to Industrial Relations Advice Number 12 of 2022 for full details.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

TAFE: Union representative facilities

TAFE General Agreement 2021 Clause 91

91. Union Facilities for Union Representatives

1 The Managing Directors recognise the rights of the Union to organise and represent its members. Union representatives in Colleges have a legitimate role and function in assisting the Union in the tasks of recruitment, organising, communication and representing members’ interests in the workplace, at the College and on Union committees.

2 The Managing Directors recognises that, under the Union’s rules, Union representatives represent members in a branch, which may cover one or more workplaces or may cover part of a workplace.

3 The Managing Directors recognises that, under the Union’s rules, a TAFE Committee representative represents members in a branch at the TAFE Committee.

4 The Managing Directors will recognise Union representatives in Colleges and will allow them to carry out their role and functions.

5 The Union will advise the employer in writing of the names of the Union representatives in the College.

6 The Managing Directors shall recognise the authorisation of each Union representative in the College and shall provide them with the following:

a) Paid time off from normal duties to perform their functions as a Union representative such as organising, recruiting, individual grievance handling, collective bargaining, involvement on Union committees and to

attend Union business in accordance with Clause 71Leave to Attend Union Business of this Agreement.

b) Access to facilities required for the purpose of carrying out their duties. Facilities may include but not be limited to, the use of filing cabinets, meeting rooms, telephones, fax, email, internet, photocopiers and stationery. Such access to facilities shall not unreasonably affect the operation of the organisation and shall be in accordance with normal College protocols.

c) A noticeboard for the display of Union materials including broadcast email facilities.

d) Paid access to periods of leave for the purpose of attending Union training courses in accordance with Clause 72 - Trade Union Training Leave of this Agreement. Country representatives will be provided with appropriate travel time.

e) Notification of the commencement of new employees, and as part of their induction, provide time for the Union representative to discuss the benefits of Union membership with them.

f) Access to awards, agreements, policies and procedures.

g) Access to information on matters affecting employees in accordance with Clause 11 – College Consultation and Clause 14 – Notification of Change of this Agreement.

h) The names of any Equal Employment Opportunity and Safety and Health representatives.

7 The employer recognises that it is paramount that Union representatives in the workplace are not threatened or disadvantaged in any way as a result of their role as a Union representative.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Every school/college has a designated organiser to support union reps and members with managing school/ branch matters. Find your workplace’s organiser on page nine. From left: Cat Mason, Joe Isaia, Frank Herzog, Ian Daw, Vicki Turner, Sally Dennis, Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler, Cherry Bogunovich, Natalie Swinbourn. Not pictured: David Lee (leaders), Ramona Mitusis (TAFE).

State Council Conference elections

2023 SSTUWA State Council/AEU WA Branch Council dates: 9-10 June and 10-11 November

State Council Conference

Any member may nominate as a delegate to State Council Conference. Such delegates represent the district.

Branches are not required to endorse nominations; however, it is in the interests of the branches to encourage members of their branch to nominate to ensure branch views are heard.

Branches may forward motions to State Council Conference. Closing dates for motions to State Council Conference is determined by Executive and published in the Western Teacher.

State Council is held twice a year in Term 2 and Term 4.

The decision making structures of the SSTUWA and the AEU WA Branch now reflect each other.

Persons elected to the AEU WA Branch Senior Officer, Executive and Branch Council positions are deemed to be elected to the corresponding positions within the SSTUWA.

For State Council Conference delegates, the equivalent position in the AEU WA Branch is Branch Councillor. Delegates elected as AEU WA Branch Councillors will be deemed to be SSTUWA State Council Conference delegates.

Elections will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) in accordance with the rules of the AEU WA Branch.

Please refer to the election notice on page seven of this document. Nomination forms are also available from the AEC, the SSTUWA office and the SSTUWA website at sstuwa.org.au/go23

It is important to remember that nominees and their proposers and seconders must be financial members of the SSTUWA and attached to the district for which representation is being sought. It is therefore critical that prospective candidates are aware of which district they belong to.

A list of districts together with the worksites contained within each state electorate may be found on pages 9 – 15 of this document.

Some districts changed at the start of 2019 due to a realignment of state electoral boundaries. In some instances electorate names have remained but boundaries have changed. Members are advised to check the list of worksites to determine their district, and to be aware that it may have changed.

The foundation of the SSTUWA is you – the membership.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Australian Education Union (AEU) Western Australian Branch ELECTION NOTICE - E2022/141

Nominations are called for:

Election Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009

Scheduled

Members of Branch Council* from the following Districts:

Belmont (7)

Bunbury (9)

Butler (9)

Fremantle (8) Goldfields (7) Hillarys (11)

Jandakot (10)

Kalamunda (10)

Kimberley-Pilbara (12) Maylands (7)

Moore (9) Morley (7) Murray (8) Perth (9) Riverton (10) Rockingham (14) Scarborough (7) Stirling (7) Swan (9) Victoria Park (7)

*Note: In accordance with WA Federal Branch Rules 9(2)-(3): • “Where sufficient nominations have been received from women financial members, at least fifty per cent of Branch Councillors shall be women”; and • “Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (2) above to be complied with are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected”.

Nominations, which must be in writing and comply with the registered rules of the Organisation, may be made at any time from 27/01/2023.

Additional forms are available from the Returning Officer.

Prospective candidates and nominators should verify their financial status and any other qualifications required by the Organisation's rules prior to lodging nominations.

Nominations must reach the Returning Officer via the lodgement method(s) stipulated below not later than 12:00pm Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) on 10/02/2023.

*Refer to sstuwa.org.au/go23 for the notes accompanying the election notice, including lodgement instructions (page 2 of 2).

Nomination Form

Australian Education Union (AEU) – Western Australian Branch Scheduled Election E2022/141

CANDIDATE:

Full Name (Print clearly) Membership Number: (Print clearly) For the office of:

Location: (District)

Member of Branch Council

Name for ballot paper: Print your name as you wish it to appear on the ballot paper

Nominator/s (at least two (2) financial members of the Branch) I/We, the undersigned members of the AEU - Western Australian Branch, nominate the person named above:

NOMINATORS

Full Name (Print clearly)

Membership Number SIGNATURE DATE _ / __ /___ _ /_ _ /____ _ /_ _ /____

CANDIDATE'S CONSENT

I, ____________________________________________________(print your name) consent to the nomination for the above office. I declare that I am eligible under the rules and am not disqualified from being a candidate [see Chapter 7, Part 4 of the Fair Work (Regis tered Organisations) Act 2009 ]. Please indicate preferred title e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms ______

Personal email: _________________________________________________________________ (AEC ’s preferred method of communication)

Address: Phone: Signed: _/_ _/_ Please see instructions on the next page *Refer to sstuwa.org.au/go23 for the instructions accompanying the nomination form

District structure and organisers 2023

SSTUWA/AEU WA Branch

Find your SSTUWA/AEU WA Branch district below by locating the electorate of your workplace. (Casual members should locate the electorate of their home address.) Ensure you nominate for the correct district by also locating your workplace within the list on pages 10-15.

Every school/college has a designated organiser to support union reps and members with managing school/branch matters. Find your district’s organiser below.

District 1 - Belmont

Electorates: Bassendean, Belmont, Forrestfield Union organiser: Joe Isaia

District 2 - Bunbury

Electorates: Bunbury, Collie-Preston, Vasse Union organiser: Joe Isaia

District 3 - Butler

Electorates: Burns Beach, Butler, Joondalup Union organiser: Cherry Bogunovich

District 4 - Fremantle

Electorates: Bicton, Fremantle, Willagee Union organiser: Ian Daw

District 5 - Goldfields

Electorates: Kalgoorlie (CM), Roe (VT & ID)

Union organisers: Ian Daw (ID), Cat Mason (CM), Vicki Turner (VT)

District 6 - Hillarys

Electorates: Hillarys, Kingsley, Wanneroo Union organiser: Cherry Bogunovich

District 7 - Jandakot

Electorates: Cockburn, Jandakot, Southern River Union organiser: Ian Daw

District 8 - Kalamunda

Electorates: Armadale (ME), Darling Range (ME), Kalamunda (JI) Union organisers: Joe Isaia (JI) and Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler (ME)

District 9 - Kimberley-Pilbara

Electorates: Kimberley (FH), North West Central (SD, FH & CM), Pilbara (CM)

Union organisers: Sally Dennis (SD), Frank Herzog (FH), Cat Mason (CM)

District 10 - Maylands

Electorates: Balcatta, Maylands, Mount Lawley Union organiser: Sally Dennis

District 11 - Moore

Electorates: Central Wheatbelt (ME), Geraldton (SD), Moore (SD & ME) Union organisers: Sally Dennis (SD), Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler (ME)

District 12 -

Morley

Electorates: Landsdale, Mirrabooka, Morley Union organiser: Vicki Turner

District 13 - Murray

Electorates: Dawesville, Mandurah, Murray-Wellington Union organiser: Sally Dennis

District 14 - Perth

Electorates: Cottesloe, Nedlands, Perth Union organiser: Vicki Turner

District 15 - Riverton

Electorates: Bateman, Riverton, Thornlie Union organiser: Sally Dennis

District 16 - Rockingham

Electorates: Baldivis, Kwinana, Rockingham, Warnbro Union organisers: Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler

District 17 - Scarborough

Electorates: Carine, Churchlands, Scarborough Union organiser: Vicki Turner

District 18 - Stirling

Electorates: Albany, WarrenBlackwood Union organiser: Ian Daw

District 19 - Swan Electorates: Midland, Swan Hills, West Swan Union organiser: Joe Isaia

District 20 - Victoria Park

Electorates: Cannington, South Perth, Victoria Park Union organiser: Ian Daw

School leaders

Electorates: State-wide Union organiser: David Lee

TAFE

Electorates: State-wide Union organiser: Ramona Mitussis

Contact your SSTUWA district organiser: 9210 6000 | contact@sstuwa.org.au

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

District 1 – Belmont

Electorates: Bassendean, Belmont, Forrestfield

Bassendean

Anzac Terrace Primary School

Ashfield Primary School

Bassendean Primary School

Beechboro Primary School

Cyril Jackson Senior Campus

Cyril Jackson Senior Campus ESC

East Beechboro Primary School

Eden Hill Primary School

Hampton Senior High School

Kiara College

Lockridge Primary School

Reid Street Engagement Centre West Beechboro Primary School

Belmont

Belmay Primary School

Belmont City College

Belmont Primary School

Carlisle Primary School

Cloverdale ESC

Cloverdale Primary School

Kewdale Primary School

Redcliffe Primary School

Rivervale Primary School

South East Metropolitan Language Development Centre

Forrestfield

Darling Range Sports College

Dawson Park Primary School East Kenwick Primary School

Edney Primary School

Forrestfield Primary School High Wycombe Primary School

Kenwick School

Maida Vale Primary School Wattle Grove Primary School Woodlupine Primary School

District 2 – Bunbury

Electorates: Bunbury, Collie-Preston, Vasse

Bunbury

Adam Road Primary School

Bunbury Primary School

Bunbury Senior High School

Carey Park Primary School

College Row School

Cooinda Primary School

Dalyellup College

Dalyellup Primary School

Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School

Greater Bunbury Engagement Centre

Maidens Park Primary School

Manea Senior College

Newton Moore ESC

Newton Moore Senior High School

Picton Primary School

South Bunbury ESC

South Bunbury Primary School

South Regional TAFE - Bunbury

Southwest Regional Education Office

Tuart Forest Primary School

Collie-Preston

Allanson Primary School

Amaroo Primary School

Australind Primary School

Australind Senior High School

Boyanup Primary School

Capel Primary School

Clifton Park Primary School

Collie Senior High School

Dardanup Primary School

Donnybrook District High School

Eaton Community College

Eaton Primary School

Fairview Primary School

Glen Huon Primary School

Kirup Primary School

River Valley Primary School

South Regional TAFE - Collie Treendale Primary School

Wilson Park Primary School

Vasse Busselton Primary School

Busselton Senior High School Cape Naturaliste College

Cowaramup Primary School

Dunsborough Primary School

Geographe ESC

Geographe Primary School

South Regional TAFE - Busselton Vasse Primary School

West Busselton Primary School

District 3 – Butler

Electorates: Burns Beach, Butler, Joondalup

Burns Beach

Burns Beach Primary School

Clarkson Community High School

Clarkson Primary School

Currambine Primary School

Kinross College Kinross Primary School

Mindarie Primary School

Mindarie Senior College

North Metropolitan TAFE - Clarkson Quinns Beach Primary School

Quinns Rocks Primary School

Somerly Primary School

Butler

Alkimos Beach Primary School

Alkimos College

Alkimos Primary School

Butler College

Butler Primary School

East Butler Primary School John Butler Primary College Merriwa ESC

Merriwa Primary School

Shorehaven Primary School

Two Rocks Primary School Yanchep Beach Primary School

Yanchep Lagoon Primary School

Yanchep Rise Primary School

Yanchep Secondary College

Joondalup

Beaumaris Primary School

Clarkson Engagement Centre

Connolly Primary School

Eddystone Primary School

Edgewater Primary School

Heathridge Primary School

Joondalup ESC

Joondalup Primary School

North Metropolitan TAFE - Kendrew

North Metropolitan TAFE - McLarty

Ocean Reef Primary School

Ocean Reef Senior High School

Poseidon Primary School

District 4 – Fremantle

Electorates: Bicton, Fremantle, Willagee

Bicton

Attadale Primary School

Bicton Primary School

Melville Primary School

Melville Senior High School

Palmyra Primary School

Richmond Primary School

Fremantle

Beaconsfield Primary School

East Fremantle Primary School

East Hamilton Hill Primary School

Fremantle College

Fremantle Primary School

Hilton Primary School

John Curtin College Of The Arts

Phoenix Primary School

South Metro Education Regional Office

South Metropolitan TAFE - Beaconsfield

South Metropolitan TAFE - Maritime

Southwell Primary School

Spearwood Primary School

White Gum Valley Primary School

Winterfold Primary School

Willagee

Bibra Lake Primary School

Caralee Community School

Coolbellup Community School

Coolbellup Learning Centre

Fremantle Language Development Centre

Lakeland Senior High School

Newton Primary School

North Lake Senior Campus

Samson Primary School

South Lake Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Murdoch

Spearwood Alternative School

District 5 – Goldfields

Electorates: Kalgoorlie, Roe

Kalgoorlie

Boulder Primary School

Central Regional TAFE - Kalgoorlie

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Coolgardie Primary School

East Kalgoorlie Primary School

Eastern Goldfields College

Eastern Goldfields ESC

Goldfields Education Regional Office

Goldfields Engagement Centre

Hannans Primary School

Kalgoorlie Primary School

Kalgoorlie School of The Air

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School

Kambalda Primary School

Kambalda West District High School

Laverton School

Leinster Community School

Leonora District High School

Menzies Community School

Mount Margaret Remote Community School

Norseman District High School

North Kalgoorlie Primary School

O’Connor ESC

O’Connor Primary School

South Kalgoorlie Primary School

Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community School

Roe

Borden Primary School

Braeside Primary School

Bremer Bay Primary School

Broomehill Primary School

Cascade Primary School

Castletown Primary School

Condingup Primary School

Cranbrook Primary School

Darkan Primary School

Dumbleyung Primary School

East Narrogin Primary School

Esperance ESC

Esperance Local Education Office

Esperance Primary School

Esperance Senior High School

Frankland River Primary School

Gairdner Primary School

Gnowangerup District High School

Hopetoun Primary School

Jerdacuttup Primary School

Jerramungup District High School

Katanning Primary School

Katanning Senior High School

Kojonup District High School

Kukerin Primary School

Lake Grace District High School

Lake King Primary School

Munglinup Primary School

Narrogin Local Education Office

Narrogin Primary School

Narrogin Senior High School

Newdegate Primary School

Nulsen Primary School

Nyabing Primary School

Ongerup Primary School

Pingrup Primary School

Ravensthorpe District High School

Salmon Gums Primary School

Scaddan Primary School

South Regional TAFE - Esperance South Regional TAFE - Katanning

South Regional TAFE - Narrogin

Tambellup Primary School

WA College of Agriculture - Narrogin

Wagin District High School

Williams Primary School Woodanilling Primary School

District 6 – Hillarys

Electorates: Hillarys, Kingsley, Wanneroo

Hillarys

Bambara Primary School

Beldon ESC

Beldon Primary School

Belridge Secondary College Belridge Secondary ESC

Craigie Heights Primary School

Early Childhood Education

Hillarys Primary School Midland Learning Academy Mullaloo Beach Primary School Mullaloo Heights Primary School Padbury Primary School

School of Special Education Needs: Behaviour and Engagement School of Special Education Needs: Disability School of Special Education Needs: Sensory

South Padbury Primary School

Springfield Primary School Statewide Services Centre West Coast Language Development Centre

Kingsley

Creaney ESC

Creaney Primary School

Dalmain Primary School East Hamersley Primary School Glendale Primary School Goollelal Primary School Greenwood College Greenwood Primary School Halidon Primary School Hawker Park Primary School North Woodvale Primary School

Warwick Senior High School West Coast Secondary ESC West Greenwood Primary School Woodvale Primary School Woodvale Secondary College

Wanneroo

Banksia Grove Primary School

Carramar Primary School

East Wanneroo Primary School

Grandis Primary School

Joseph Banks Secondary College Spring Hill Primary School

Tapping Primary School

Wanneroo Primary School

Wanneroo Secondary College

District 7 – Jandakot

Electorates: Cockburn, Jandakot, Southern River

Cockburn

Atwell College

Atwell Primary School

Beeliar Primary School

Coogee Primary School

Harmony Primary School

Jandakot Primary School

South Coogee Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Munster

Success Primary School

Yangebup Primary School

Jandakot

Aspiri Primary School

Canning Vale ESC

Canning Vale Primary School

Forrestdale Primary School

Harrisdale Primary School

Harrisdale Senior High School

Leeming Primary School

Leeming Senior High School

Leeming Senior High School ESC

North Harrisdale Primary School

Piara Waters Primary School

Piara Waters Senior High School

Ranford Primary School

Riva Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Jandakot

Treeby Primary School

West Leeming Primary School

Southern River

Ashburton Drive Primary School

Bletchley Park Primary School

Caladenia Primary School

Campbell Primary School

Canning Vale College

Excelsior Primary School

Huntingdale Primary School

Seaforth Primary School

Southern Grove Primary School

Southern River College

Wirrabirra ESC

Wirrabirra Primary School

Yarralinka Primary School

District 8 – Kalamunda

Electorates: Armadale, Darling Range, Kalamunda

Armadale

Armadale ESC

Armadale Senior High School

Cecil Andrews College

Challis Community Primary School

Grovelands Primary School

Gwynne Park ESC

Gwynne Park Primary School

Kelmscott Senior High School

Kingsley Primary School

Neerigen Brook Primary School

Seville Drive Engagement Centre

South Metropolitan TAFE - Armadale Westfield Park Primary School

Willandra Primary School

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Darling Range

Armadale Primary School

Beenyup Primary School

Byford Primary School

Byford Secondary College

Clifton Hills Primary School

Jarrahdale Primary School

Kelmscott Primary School

Marri Grove Primary School

Mundijong Primary School

Roleystone Community College

Serpentine Primary School

West Byford Primary School Woodland Grove Primary School

Kalamunda

Darlington Primary School

Falls Road Primary School

Glen Forrest Primary School

Gooseberry Hill Primary School

Kalamunda Primary ESC

Kalamunda Primary School

Kalamunda Secondary ESC

Kalamunda Senior High School

Lesmurdie Primary School

Lesmurdie Senior High School

Mundaring Primary School

Orange Grove Primary School

Parkerville Primary School

Pickering Brook Primary School Walliston Primary School

District 9 – Kimberley-Pilbara

Electorates: Kimberley, North West Central, Pilbara

Kimberley

Bayulu Remote Community School

Broome North Primary School

Broome Primary School

Broome Senior High School

Cable Beach Primary School

Dawul Remote Community School

Derby District High School

Djugerari Remote Community School

East Kimberley College

Fitzroy Valley District High School

Halls Creek District High School

Jungdranung Remote Community School

Kalumburu Remote Community School

Kimberley Education Regional Office

Kimberley Engagement Centre

Kimberley School of The Air

La Grange Remote Community School

Looma Remote Community School

Muludja Remote Community School

Ngalapita Remote Community School

North Regional TAFE - Broome

North Regional TAFE - Derby

North Regional TAFE - Halls Creek

North Regional TAFE - Kununurra

North Regional TAFE - Wyndham

One Arm Point Remote Community School

Roebuck Primary School

Wananami Remote Community School

Wangkatjungka Remote Community School

Wyndham District High School

North West Central Blackstone Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Burringurrah Remote Community School

Carnarvon Community College

Carnarvon School Of The Air

Central Regional TAFE - Carnarvon Cue Primary School

Exmouth District High School

Gascoyne Junction Remote Community School

Jameson Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Kalbarri District High School

Kiwirrkurra Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Meekatharra District High School

Mount Magnet District High School

Ngaanyatjarra Lands School

North Tom Price Primary School

Onslow Primary School

Pannawonica Primary School

Paraburdoo Primary School

Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School

Shark Bay School

Tjirrkarli Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Tjukurla Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Tom Price Primary School

Tom Price Senior High School

Useless Loop Primary School Wanarn Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Warakurna Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Warburton Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Wiluna Remote Community School Wingellina Campus (Ngaanyatjarra Lands School)

Yalgoo Primary School

Yulga Jinna Remote Community School

Pilbara

Baler Primary School

Baynton West Primary School

Cassia ESC

Cassia Primary School

Christmas Island District High School

Cocos Islands District High School

Dampier Primary School

Hedland Senior High School

Jigalong Remote Community School

Karratha Primary School

Karratha Senior High School

Marble Bar Primary School

Millars Well Primary School

Newman Primary School

Newman Senior High School

North Regional TAFE - Karratha

North Regional TAFE - Newman

North Regional TAFE - Pundulmurra

Nullagine Primary School

Pegs Creek Primary School

Pilbara Education Regional Office

Pilbara Engagement Centre

Port Hedland Primary School

Port Hedland School Of The Air

Roebourne District High School

South Hedland Primary School

South Newman Primary School

Tambrey Primary School

Wickham Primary School

Yandeyarra Remote Community School

District 10 – Maylands

Electorates: Balcatta, Maylands, Mount Lawley

Balcatta

Balcatta Primary School

Balcatta Senior High School

North Metropolitan Education Regional Office

Osborne Primary School

Takari Primary School

Tuart Hill Primary School

West Balcatta Primary School

Westminster ESC Westminster Primary School

Maylands

Bayswater Primary School

Durham Road School

Embleton Primary School

Hillcrest Primary School

Inglewood Primary School

Instrumental Music School Services

John Forrest Secondary College

Maylands Peninsula Primary School

Mount Lawley

Coolbinia Primary School

Mount Lawley Primary School

Mount Lawley Senior High School

North East Metropolitan Language Development Centre

North Metropolitan TAFE - Mount Lawley

Sir David Brand School

Sutherland Dianella Primary School

West Morley Primary School

Yokine Primary School

District 11 – Moore

Electorates: Central Wheatbelt, Geraldton, Moore

Central Wheatbelt

Avonvale ESC

Avonvale Primary School

Babakin Primary School

Bakers Hill Primary School

Beacon Primary School

Bencubbin Primary School

Beverley District High School

Boddington District High School

Brookton District High School

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Bruce Rock District High School

Central Regional TAFE - Merredin

Central Regional TAFE - Northam

Corrigin District High School

Cunderdin District High School

Hyden Primary School

Kellerberrin District High School

Kondinin Primary School

Koorda Primary School

Kulin District High School

Meckering Primary School

Merredin College

Moorine Rock Primary School

Mukinbudin District High School

Narembeen District High School

Northam Primary School

Northam Senior High School

Nungarin Primary School

Pingelly Primary School

Quairading District High School

Southern Cross District High School

Tammin Primary School

Trayning Primary School

WA College of Agriculture - Cunderdin

Wandering Primary School

West Northam Primary School

Wheatbelt Education Regional Office

Wheatbelt Engagement Centre

Wickepin Primary School

Wundowie Primary School

Wyalkatchem District High School

Yealering Primary School York District High School

Geraldton

Allendale Primary School

Beachlands Primary School

Bluff Point Primary School

Central Regional TAFE - Geraldton Champion Bay Senior High School

Geraldton Primary School

Geraldton Senior High School

Holland Street School

Meekatharra School Of The Air

Midwest Engagement Centre

Mount Tarcoola Primary School

Rangeway Primary School

Waggrakine Primary School

Walkaway Primary School

Wandina Primary School

Moore

Badgingarra Primary School

Bindoon Primary School

Binnu Primary School

Bolgart Primary School

Cadoux Primary School

Calingiri Primary School

Carnamah District High School

Central Midlands Senior High School

Central Regional TAFE - Moora

Cervantes Primary School

Chapman Valley Primary School

Coorow Primary School

Dalwallinu District High School

Dandaragan Primary School

Dongara District High School

Dowerin District High School

Eneabba Primary School

Gingin District High School

Goomalling Primary School

Jurien Bay District High School

Kalannie Primary School

Lancelin Primary School

Leeman Primary School

Miling Primary School

Mingenew Primary School

Moora Primary School

Morawa District High School

Mullewa District High School

Northampton District High School

Perenjori Primary School

Three Springs Primary School

Toodyay District High School

WA College of Agriculture - Morawa Watheroo Primary School

Wongan Hills District High School

Yerecoin Primary School Yuna Primary School

District 12 – Morley

Electorates: Landsdale, Mirrabooka, Morley

Landsdale

Alinjarra Primary School

Ashdale Primary School

Ashdale Secondary College

Carnaby Rise Primary School

Hocking Primary School

Landsdale Gardens Primary School

Landsdale Primary School

Madeley Primary School

Pearsall Primary School

Mirrabooka

Balga Primary School

Balga Senior High School Boyare Primary School

Burbridge School

Dryandra Primary School Girrawheen Senior High School

Gladys Newton School

Hudson Park Primary School

Koondoola Primary School

Marangaroo Primary School

North Balga Primary School

North Metropolitan TAFE - Balga Rawlinson Primary School

Redcliffe Avenue Engagement Centre

Roseworth ESC

Roseworth Primary School

Waddington Primary School

Warriapendi Primary School

Westminster Junior Primary School

Morley

Camboon Primary School

Dianella Heights Primary School

Dianella Primary College

Dianella Secondary College

Dianella Secondary College ESC

Hampton Park Primary School

Morley Primary School

Morley Senior High School

Nollamara Primary School

Noranda Primary School

North Morley Primary School

Weld Square Primary School

District 13 – Murray

Electorates: Dawesville, Mandurah, Murray-Wellington

Dawesville

Dudley Park Primary School

Falcon Primary School

Glencoe Primary School

Halls Head College

Halls Head College ESC

Halls Head Primary School

Ocean Road Primary School

South Halls Head Primary School

Mandurah

Coastal Lakes College

Coodanup College

Greenfields Primary School

John Tonkin College

John Tonkin College ESC

Lakelands Primary School

Madora Bay Primary School

Mandurah Primary School

Meadow Springs ESC

Meadow Springs Primary School

North Mandurah Primary School

Oakwood Primary School

Riverside ESC Riverside Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Mandurah Murray-Wellington

Brunswick Junction Primary School

Carcoola Primary School

Dwellingup Primary School

Harvey Primary School

Harvey Senior High School

Kingston Primary School

North Dandalup Primary School

Parkfield Primary School

Pinjarra Primary School

Pinjarra Senior High School

WA College of Agriculture - Harvey Waroona District High School

Yarloop Primary School

District 14 – Perth

Electorates: Cottesloe, Nedlands, Perth

Cottesloe

City Beach Primary School

Cottesloe Primary School

Freshwater Bay Primary School

Mosman Park Primary School

Mosman Park School For Deaf Children

Mount Claremont Primary School

North Cottesloe Primary School

North Fremantle Primary School

Swanbourne Primary School

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Nedlands

Bob Hawke College

Dalkeith Primary School

Hollywood Primary School

Jolimont Primary School

Nedlands Primary School

North Metropolitan TAFE - Oral Health

Perth Modern School

Rosalie Primary School

School of Special Education Needs: Medical And Mental Health Shenton College

Shenton College Deaf Education Centre

Subiaco Primary School

Perth

Central & District Staff Head Office

Highgate Primary School

Kyilla Primary School

Mount Hawthorn ESC

Mount Hawthorn Primary School

North Metropolitan TAFE - 12 Aberdeen

North Metropolitan TAFE - 19 Aberdeen

North Metropolitan TAFE - 25 Aberdeen

North Metropolitan TAFE - 30 Aberdeen

North Metropolitan TAFE - East Perth

North Metropolitan TAFE - Leederville

North Perth Primary School School of Isolated And Distance Education

Secondary Staffing Department of Education

District 15 – Riverton

Electorates: Bateman, Riverton, Thornlie

Bateman

Applecross Primary School

Applecross Senior High School

Ardross Primary School

Bateman Primary School

Booragoon Primary School

Brentwood Primary School

Kardinya Primary School

Mount Pleasant Primary School

Winthrop Primary School

Riverton

Banksia Park Primary School

Bull Creek Primary School

Burrendah Primary School

Castlereagh School

Oberthur Primary School

Riverton ESC

Riverton Primary School

Rossmoyne Primary School

Rossmoyne Senior High School

Rostrata Primary School

Shelley Primary School

Willetton Primary School

Willetton Senior High School

Thornlie

Bramfield Park Primary School

Dellar Road Engagement Centre

East Maddington Primary School

Forest Crescent Primary School

Gosnells Primary School

Maddington ESC

Maddington Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Thornlie NonTrade

South Metropolitan TAFE - Thornlie Trade

South Thornlie Primary School

Thornlie Primary School

Thornlie Senior High School

Yale Primary School Yule Brook College

District 16 – Rockingham

Electorates: Baldivis, Kwinana, Rockingham, Warnbro

Baldivis

Baldivis Gardens Primary School

Baldivis Primary School

Baldivis Secondary College

Makybe Rise Primary School

Pine View Primary School Ridge View Secondary College

Rivergums Primary School

Settlers Primary School

Sheoak Grove Primary School

Tuart Rise Primary School

Waikiki Primary School

Wellard Primary School

Wellard Village Primary School

Kwinana

Aubin Grove Primary School

Bertram Primary School

Calista Primary School

Gilmore College

Hammond Park Primary School

Hammond Park Secondary College

Honeywood Primary School

Leda ESC

Leda Primary School

Medina Primary School

North Parmelia Primary School

Orelia Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Kwinana

South Metropolitan TAFE - Naval Base

Rockingham

Benjamin Way Engagement Centre

Bungaree Primary School

Charthouse Primary School

Cooloongup Primary School

East Waikiki Primary School

Hillman Primary School

Malibu School

Rockingham Beach ESC

Rockingham Beach Primary School

Rockingham Senior High School

Rockingham Senior High School ESC

Safety Bay Primary School

Safety Bay Senior High School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Rockingham Non-Trade

South Metropolitan TAFE - Rockingham Trade

Warnbro

Comet Bay College

Comet Bay Primary School

Endeavour ESC

Endeavour Primary School

Golden Bay Primary School

Koorana ESC

Koorana Primary School

Peel Language Development School

Port Kennedy Primary School

Rockingham Lakes Primary School

Secret Harbour Primary School

Singleton Primary School

Warnbro Community High School

Warnbro Community High School ESC

Warnbro Primary School

District 17 – Scarborough

Electorates: Carine, Churchlands, Scarborough

Carine

Carine Primary School

Carine Senior High School

Davallia Primary School

Duncraig Primary School

Duncraig Senior High School

Glengarry Primary School

Karrinyup Primary School

Marmion Primary School

North Beach Primary School

Poynter Primary School

Sorrento Primary School

Churchlands

Churchlands Primary School

Churchlands Senior High School

Floreat Park Primary School

Kapinara Primary School

Lake Monger Primary School

Wembley Downs Primary School

Wembley Primary School

West Leederville Primary School

Woodlands Primary School

Scarborough

Deanmore Primary School

Doubleview Primary School

Lake Gwelup Primary School

Newborough Primary School

Scarborough Primary School

Yuluma Primary School

District 18 – Stirling

Electorates: Albany, Warren-Blackwood

Albany

Albany Local Education Office

Albany Primary School

Albany Secondary ESC

Albany Senior High School

Flinders Park Primary School

Great Southern Engagement Centre

Little Grove Primary School

Mount Lockyer Primary School

Mount Manypeaks Primary School

North Albany Senior High School

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

South Regional TAFE - Albany

South Stirling Primary School

Spencer Park ESC

Spencer Park Primary School

Wellstead Primary School

Yakamia Primary School

Warren-Blackwood

Augusta Primary School

Balingup Primary School

Boyup Brook District High School

Bridgetown High School

Bridgetown Primary School

Denmark Primary School

Denmark Senior High School

East Manjimup Primary School

Greenbushes Primary School

Karridale Primary School

Kendenup Primary School

Manjimup ESC

Manjimup Local Education Office

Manjimup Primary School

Manjimup Senior High School

Margaret River Primary School

Margaret River Senior High School

Mount Barker Community College

Nannup District High School

Northcliffe District High School

Pemberton District High School

Rapids Landing Primary School

South Regional TAFE - Denmark

South Regional TAFE - Manjimup

South Regional TAFE - Margaret River

WA College of Agriculture - Denmark

Walpole Primary School

District 19 – Swan

Electorates: Midland, Swan Hills, West Swan

Midland

Caversham Valley Primary School

Clayton View Primary School

Governor Stirling Senior High School

Greenmount Primary School

Guildford Primary School

Helena Valley Primary School

Middle Swan Primary School

Midvale Primary School

Moorditj Noongar Community College

North Metropolitan TAFE - Midland

Swan View Primary School

Swan View Senior High School

Woodbridge Primary School

Swan Hills

Anne Hamersley Primary School

Arbor Grove Primary School

Aveley Secondary College

Bullsbrook College

Chidlow Primary School

Eastern Hills Senior High School

Ellen Stirling Primary School

Gidgegannup Primary School

Herne Hill Primary School

Malvern Springs Primary School

Mount Helena Primary School

Sawyers Valley Primary School

Upper Swan Primary School

Wooroloo Primary School

West Swan

Aveley North Primary School

Aveley Primary School

Ballajura Community College

Ballajura Primary School

Brabham Primary School

Caversham Primary School

Dayton Primary School

Ellenbrook Primary School

Ellenbrook Secondary College

Illawarra Primary School

South Ballajura ESC

South Ballajura Primary School

District 20 – Victoria Park

Electorates: Cannington, South Perth, Victoria Park

Cannington

Bannister Creek Primary School

Beckenham Primary School

Brookman Primary School

Cannington Community College

Cannington Community ESC

Gibbs Street Primary School

Lynwood Senior High School

Parkwood Primary School

Queens Park Primary School

Sevenoaks Senior College

South Perth

Collier Primary School

Como Primary School

Como Secondary College

Curtin Primary School

Kensington Primary School

Manning Primary School

South Perth Primary School

Victoria Park

Bentley Primary School

Canning College

Carson Street School

East Victoria Park ESC

East Victoria Park Primary School

Kensington Secondary School

Kent Street Senior High School

Lathlain Primary School

Millen Primary School

South Metropolitan TAFE - Bentley

South Metropolitan TAFE - Carlisle

Victoria Park Primary School

Wilson Primary School

You can also find your district online. Visit sstuwa.org.au/findmydistrict

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

SSTUWA committee nominations

Opening date: Monday 23 January 2023

Closing date: Noon, Monday 27 February 2023

Declaration: Friday 3 March 2023

Committees 2023

Nominations are called for the following committees:

• Aboriginal Education Committee

• Early Childhood Educators Committee

• LGBTIQ+ Committee

• New Educators Committee

• School Leaders Committee

• TAFE Committee

• Women’s Committee

Committee information

Committees are restricted to a maximum of 15 people with the exception of the TAFE Committee. Nominations must be dated, signed by the nominator and seconder and bear the written consent of the nominees or his/her agent, all of whom must be financial members of the union.

Should fewer than 15 nominations be received for a committee, Executive shall make a specific decision about whether the committee is to actually proceed.

The committees generally meet at least once a term. The term of office is 12 months and will end on completion of the 2023 committee elections. Notification of meetings is published in early 2023.

Nominations open on Monday 23 January 2023. Nominations close at noon Monday 27 February 2023. Email copies will be accepted.

TAFE Committee

TAFE Committee shall consist of members of the TAFE division, made up of TAFE Executive member/s, AEU National TAFE Council Executive member/s, and a representative from each of the TAFE branches. Note: A branch is a TAFE campus.

A branch representative for the TAFE Committee should be nominated by their TAFE branch during the first branch meeting of the calendar year, which must be held before the end of February.

Where there is only one nomination, the branch needs to endorse the member as the TAFE Committee branch representative for the year. Where there is more than one nomination, the members’ names should be forwarded to the Returning Officer who will make arrangements with the branch secretary to conduct an election.

TAFE Committee proxy position

This position has been reviewed and clarified by the returning officer. It is not a position that can be filled during the committee election period.

Proxy positions for each elected branch committee member will be opened after the committee elections. Details and procedures will be published at that time.

Committee terms of reference

The terms of reference of the committees, as endorsed by Executive, are as follows:

1. Review and revise relevant union policy.

2. Assist in the formulation of position papers.

3. Assist in the planning and organisation of seminars, conferences and other membership activities.

4. Monitor government and employer actions under relevant legislation.

5. Evaluate SSTUWA rules, policies and other positions as examples of “best practice”.

6. Consider and make recommendations on matters referred by the Administrative Committee and Executive.

7. Make recommendations to Executive on matters considered by the committee.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Powers, functions and rights of an HSR

A Q&A with the SSTUWA WHS organiser

When it comes to work health and safety (WHS), the health and safety representative (HSR) plays an invaluable role as the representative for workers within their work group, liaising with the person conducting business or undertaking (PCBU). Under WA’s recently introduced Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act), a trained HSR has the power to perform several important tasks that can monitor the safety and conditions of a workplace and prevent risks to employees.

While the powers and responsibilities remain consistent for HSRs across industries, SSTUWA WHS Organiser Antony Pearson explains what the role might entail in an education-based work environment.

How does someone enter the role

of HSR?

Under the WHS Act, an HSR is elected by the work group that they represent. They then hold office for three years, unless they resign from their role (giving written notice to the PCBU), cease to be a worker of that work group, are disqualified under section 65 of the WHS Act or are removed from their position by a majority of their work group members.

What are the powers of an HSR?

A trained HSR has powers to represent their work group in WHS matters and can:

● Inspect the workplace:

○ After giving the PCBU notice.

○ Without notice if there has been a WHS risk or incident.

● Accompany inspectors during an inspection.

● Attend a meeting between workers and the PCBU or an inspector (with the workers’ consent).

● Request the PCBU form a health and safety committee.

● Receive WHS information that affects the work group. (A worker’s personal or medical information must not be provided without consent.)

● Request the assistance of another person.

● Issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN).

● Direct workers to stop unsafe work.

What might unsafe work in a school or TAFE look like?

Stopping unsafe work is a new power and function of the HSR under the WHS Act. Trained HSRs may direct members of their work group to cease unsafe work if there is reasonable concern that continuing work would expose the worker(s) to a serious risk from an immediate or imminent exposure to a hazard.

Potential hazards that can lead to unsafe work in a school or TAFE could be (but are not limited to) the following:

● Violence and aggression from people in or around your workplace.

● Chemical hazards, such as those used for science experiments, cleaning or gardening products, etc.

● Improper safety precautions in highrisk subjects such as design and technology.

● Teaching equipment being stacked or stored haphazardly in supply cupboards.

● Body stresses that come with things such as the ergonomics of office furniture.

● Slips, trips and falls.

● Psychosocial hazards (related to the psychological and social conditions of the workplace).

Before issuing the direction, the HSR must consult with the PCBU to attempt to resolve the matter. It is wise that the HSR keeps all risk assessments, inspection reports, communications, notes, etc on the relevant hazard to demonstrate consultation has occurred.

The HSR must always inform the PCBU of any direction to cease unsafe work, ideally in writing, and we recommend that HSRs seek advice from their union if considering this course of action.

If the risk is so serious, immediate or imminent that there is not sufficient time for consultation prior to a direction to cease unsafe work, the HSR must inform and consult with the PCBU as soon as practicable.

Can the HSR look after the safety of another work group?

An HSR can only use their powers for the work group they represent, unless the HSR for another work group at the workplace is unavailable and:

● There is a serious risk to worker safety and health from an immediate or imminent exposure to a hazard.

● A member of another work group asks for assistance.

Do HSRs look out for the health and safety of students as well?

In schools, duty of care covers students while WHS covers the workers. Workers are defined in the WHS Act as employees, contractors and subcontractors (and their employees), outworkers, apprentices, work experience students, volunteers and trainees.

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

Is the HSR liable for any accidents or unsafe working conditions that might occur during their length of office?

No, an HSR is not personally liable for anything done (or not done) in good faith while carrying out their role.

It is also an offence for the PCBU, or anyone, to discriminate against an HSR for any action they take while performing their role, or to threaten them to discourage them from exercising a power.

school teachers in WA, the PCBU is the Department of Education (DoE).

It is worth noting that the HSR can choose the training course they wish to undertake and cannot be directed by the PCBU to a particular provider.

invaluable practical experience for the type of conditions that an HSR working at a school might encounter, as it is based on the policies and procedures of the DoE.

This is highly dependent on the size of the school or TAFE, number of students and what sort of subjects are taught. For instance, a school with higher-risk subjects like design and technology and such would require a greater number of HSRs compared to a smaller primary school. But, as a rule of thumb, the SSTUWA recommends at least one HSR per 40 full-time equivalent workers.

The SSTUWA’s Education and Training Centre (ETC), in conjunction with approved training provider Unity, hosts an education-specific five-day course for HSRs, which includes conducting a site inspection at a local school.

For employees of the DoE, it provides

In addition to the five-day introductory course for HSRs, the ETC also runs oneday refresher courses for HSRs who completed the new five day course in 2022. More information on these courses is available on pages 24-25 of January Western Teacher and at sstuwa.org.au/training. Find the course dates below.

For lecturers, many TAFEs host their own approved HSR training courses. TAFE members can access general HSR training, and we would advise them to contact Unity to arrange a general fiveday HSR course.

To be able to carry out their full range of powers and functions, HSRs are required to complete a five-day initial training course through a provider that has been approved by the Work Health and Safety Commission.

The cost of this training should be covered by the PCBU, and the HSR is entitled to their usual pay while they attend the course. In the case of public

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.

How many HSRs are in the average-sized school or TAFE?

How does an HSR undertake training?

Would a teacher’s HSR training differ to the training of someone in another industry?

Contacting the SSTUWA

How can we help you?

Reception

Member Assist

Membership

Education and Training Centre

For general enquiries and to speak with a particular staff member at the union office.

Your first point of contact for any individual issues: industrial rights, access to legal services and workers’ compensation matters.

Contact the team in membership for payment queries and to update your details including changes to contact info, work fraction and pay scale. You can also join the union and update your details online.

Offering you industrial and professional courses, conferences and forums to better understand your rights, further your career, and enhance your well-being.

(08) 9210 6000 | 1800 199 073 contact@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6060 | 1800 106 683 memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6000 membership@sstuwa.org.au sstuwa.org.au/join sstuwa.org.au/updatemydetails

(08) 9210 6035 training@sstuwa.org.au sstuwa.org.au/training

Branch expenses

App and website support

Senior officers

Contact the Accounts Team for expense enquiries related to courses, worksite branches and unionrelated travel.

(08) 9210 6000 accounts@sstuwa.org.au

For technical support with app and website issues. sstuwa.org.au/contact

President Matt Jarman

Senior Vice President Natalie Blewitt

School/TAFE organisers

Specialists

News

Member benefits

Vice President

Sharmila Nagar

General Secretary Mary Franklyn

Every school/college has a designated organiser to support union reps and members with managing school/branch matters. Organisers visit branches, attend meetings, provide information and advice and assist with dispute management, amongst many other activities.

Specialists are available to help with issues in areas including early childhood education, new educators, school leaders, TAFE, women and equity, and work health and safety.

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(08) 9210 6000 contact@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6000 contact@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6060 memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6000 editor@sstuwa.org.au

(08) 9210 6000 sstuwa.org.au/benefits

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) January 2023.