Western Teacher - Volume 48.6 - July 2019 by SSTUWA

Volume 48.6 July 2019

The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.)

s WA Log of Claim Proposed SSTU

SSTUWA Log of Claims 2019 (Schools) vote 2019 (Schools)

2019

General l a r e n Ge Agreement Agreement SSTUWA Log of Claims 2019 (Schools) s im a l C f o Preparatory material for branch/worksite vote Log ice)

(without prejud

the pay ement in which Dear Union Reps, a number two year Agre reement, plus gotiation of a Ag ne l e ra th ne s Ge low e thmembers for a votegeon fol y remainsSSTUWA Log of Claims 2019 by ing lic d re po ain s ve rg co Ba Please prepare branch/worksite the proposed wa on t rs Enterprise te governmen m for each pe This round of 0 per annu (Schools). and the Award. The sta re a flat $1,00 e Agreement th increases we th bo to s l change . you get ready, please find enclosed: government’s position on To21help of cost neutra and 20 s, the state to date the years 2020 ber of reason et repair in WA unchanged for at for a numfor w th WA e brunt of budg vie th TU 1. Instructions voting e e SS th rn of for bo e m ve ar nu r unions ss the board ha OH per cent per an s acroBranch/worksite WA public secto nt and 0.6 meeting notice public transport, some GR 6 per ce Public servant2. 1.4 le. n ab ee , ten tw sts un be ’ co ing ies er ilit liv wages is ut de t in en es as (return by 5pm, Friday 30 August) 3. Attendance sheet s agreem large incre with the previou e we have seen source the same tim 4. Voting record of branch/worksite form (return by Friday 30 August) portant im5pm, members. At s. ge ucture – is an re BWA char public infrastr ing ensures a futu 5. Individual ballot form lud on rents, and TR ati inc – uc r ed c cto publi sful public se ision of quality ced and succes ctor, the prov will receive copies of the proposed SSTUWA Log of Claims 2019 (Schools), and the that sereps/worksites A well-resour owth; withinUnion t. gr d en s of two an m y on nit vir ging en will also be available at sstuwa.org.au ted wage claim of opportu a chandocuments ve so far adop le to thrive in bargaining ha ly workforce ab nt rre cu s t. ion ctor unensure Please that of your branch/worksite ar agreemenvote is received by 5pm, Friday 30 August (Week 6, Term 3). blic se ar a two ye this, those pu ely for each ye In the light of nt respectiv ce r pe 2.5 d Yours sincerely, per cent an ere has been in practice th cost s unchanged, ain ements to be m re s re ag y ge to lic s wa po ge Public sector e state government’s wages lls for any chan ca ich wh y lic th y s po While officiall aspect of wage e relation to the ing an increas movement in issues includ to a range of tion on the ts ua en nn ra em pe ov neutral. pr su t of ing im the r cent, paymen an offer contain al increases for r cent to 25 pe has received on GROH rent current 20 pe theByrne The CPSU/CSA eks), a freeze mPat we fro te 12 ra of g um din loa maxim to the casual al leave (to a nent of parent President, SSTUWA increase for unpaid compo a 1.3 per cent t. en em y would mean per cent for a lic po 0.5 s d ge an wa life of the Agre y scale rrent tomatic salar ance of the cu backwards, au go ten e th to ain of m ing , rs top inu e cont membe s at th teachers are be needed For SSTUWA ll ns nt for teacher wi ea ce r m ich pe is wh th , 0.8 s er s; lation cher teach beginning tea two per cent inf in light of the numbers of of e tim a At ipal. treme, level six princ hted in the ex is is short sig e years growth. salary wise. Th would cover th nt enrolment de stu d cte ement – which oje re pr ag for ar ye ter nt o ca tw rre to the cu a further extend beyond ns. of negotiating t, which would y in negotiatio has the option ee of flexibilit year agreemen The SSTUWA gr e de re a th a ide y ov ibl lly pr poss tia or – nt ten 1 ce po 02 r d -2 pe an 2020 o 2022 ed by 2.5 time frame int st year, follow wages policy cent for the fir r pe o tw of ges claim o a third year. endorsed a wa ent extends int State Council if the agreem nt ce 2019 2019 r pe e re and th

Context

SSTUWA. Printed by the

Authorised by

t Perth. .) 1 West St, Wes n of W.A. (Inc hers’ Unio Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) 1 West St, West Perth. Printed by the SSTUWA. July 2019. ool Teac The State Sch eral Secretary,

, Gen

Mary Franklyn

July 2019.

GA GA 2019

SCHOOLS

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2019

Have your say on the EBA sstuwa.org.au

pg 5

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Features

Volume 48.6 July 2019

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

2019 Publishing Dates Deadline Distributed 19 November

18 January

29 January

22 February

5 March

18 April

29 April

31 May

4 June

28 June

1 July

29 July

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 James Street, Northbridge WA. July 2019.

5 August

6 September

9 September

4 October

Cover: The proposed SSTUWA Log of Claims 2019 (Schools) has been sent to members for a vote. Read more on page 5.

4 November

29 November

Member Assist:

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

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In this edition

Dates are subject to change

Members dealing with long work hours, stress...............................................8 Myths, legends and school leaders..........10 Bargaining framework..............................12 Q&A with Member Assist..........................13 New educators at June State Council......14 10 reasons why new educators should be SSTUWA members...................16 Delegate diaries: 2018 Federal Women’s Conference................................18 Anna Stewart Memorial Project 2019.......20 PM is short-changing preschool..............22 Wear It Purple Day....................................22 The facts about school funding in Australia................................................24

Regulars

From the President.....................................5 From the General Secretary.......................6 National union news.................................26 Education and Training.............................28 Member Benefits......................................30 Classifieds.................................................32 Noticeboard...............................................34

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

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Log of Claims sent to members

From the President

By Pat Byrne President

As many of you are aware we are developing our Log of Claims ahead of negotiations for the next Schools General Agreement. This round of Enterprise Bargaining follows the two-year agreement signed in 2017 in which the pay increases were a flat $1,000 per annum for each person covered by the General Agreement, plus a number of cost neutral changes to both the Agreement and the Award. The state government wages policy remains unchanged for the years 2020 and 2021. WA public sector unions are of the view that for a number of reasons, the state government’s position on wages is untenable. Public servants across the board have borne the brunt of budget repair in WA to date with the previous agreement delivering between 1.46 per cent and 0.6 per cent per annum for SSTUWA members. At the same time we have seen large increases in utilities’ costs, public transport, some GROH rents and TRBWA charges. A well-resourced and successful public sector – including public infrastructure – is an important source of opportunity and growth; within that sector, the provision of quality public education ensures a future workforce able to thrive in a changing environment. In the light of this, those public sector unions currently bargaining have so far adopted wage claims of two per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively for each year of a two-year agreement.

While officially the state government’s wages policy remains unchanged, in practice there has been movement in relation to the aspect of wages policy which calls for any changes to agreements to be cost neutral. The CPSU/CSA has received an offer containing improvements to a range of issues, including an increase to the casual loading rate from the current 20 per cent to 25 per cent, payment of superannuation on the unpaid component of parental leave (to a maximum of 12 weeks) and a freeze on GROH rental increases for the life of the Agreement. For SSTUWA members, maintenance of the current wages policy would mean a 1.3 per cent increase for beginning teachers; 0.8 per cent for teachers at the top of the automatic salary scale and 0.5 per cent for a level six principal. At a time of two per cent inflation, this means teachers are continuing to go backwards, salary-wise. This is short sighted in the extreme, in light of the number of teachers needed to cater for projected student enrolment growth. The SSTUWA has the option of negotiating a further two-year agreement – which would cover the years 2020-2021 – or perhaps seeking a three-year agreement, which would extend beyond the current wages policy time frame into 2022 and potentially provide a degree of flexibility in negotiations. State Council endorsed a wages claim of two per cent for the first year, followed by 2.5 per cent and three per cent if the agreement extends into a third year. Such rises would be consistent with the national and state minimum wage

increase of three per cent and 2.75 per cent respectively. June State Council authorised a draft Log of Claims to be sent to branches for endorsement. This Log focuses on a combination of matters which are cost neutral and those which will incur additional expenditure from government. It aims at improving existing conditions through improvements in class sizes and DOTT time, providing greater system support through the creation of lead principal positions and the provision of curriculum support materials, improving attraction and retention incentives as well as a number of general matters such as an increase to the casual teacher loading rate. I want to reiterate to our members that the SSTUWA’s position is that there will be NO tradeoffs or any diminution of conditions and entitlements. The Log of Claims also expressly calls for the establishment of a lead principal position, as well as seeking increases to the provision of administrative time for deputy principals and heads of learning areas or equivalent. In addition the claim seeks to allow access to level four of the salary scale for level three principals on the basis of their end of line responsibilities, differentiating them from level three deputy principals and Level Three Classroom Teachers. The Log of Claims should reach members by the start of Term 3 and we urge you all to expedite your branch’s discussions and vote so that we can continue further negotiations. Western Teacher July 2019

From the General Secretary

Securing a safer workplace By Mary Franklyn General Secretary

At June State Council Conference I updated delegates on the work the union has been doing so far this year to protect and strengthen the most important people in our organisation – you, our members. An important area of focus has been workplace safety.

Safety is our Priority Members have the right to go to work every day secure in the knowledge that they are walking into a safe workplace. Since June of last year the SSTUWA has been engaged in the Safety is our Priority campaign, which aims to correct the imbalance that now exists between the rights of all staff and students to a safe working and learning environment, as opposed to the rights of the perpetrator/s. The union called for a review of violence and behaviour management in schools and in December 2018 the state government launched a plan to address violence in schools: Let’s Take A Stand Together: Minister’s Statement on School Violence 10 point action plan. This plan provides specific changes for exclusions and suspensions which the union welcomed as the first step in shifting the agenda towards the safety and welfare of the employee. Alternative learning settings provide for immediate options but additional funding is required to support options for students and families who require short and long term intervention. The union has welcomed the agreement to review Regulation 38 as this has been a key area of our violence campaign focus over the last few years. The minister’s 10 actions are seen as stage one in our union campaign to deliver safety at work for members. 6

Western Teacher July 2019

Changes to practice will, of course, take time. Most schools are coping well but there are some concerns in a few workplaces. The union will be involved in addressing these issues, which include:

Actions 1 and 2: Exclusion and suspension •

A lack of consistency of application across schools.

•

A lack of open informative communication with the key parties at the school level during and after.

•

A lack of knowledge of the procedural requirements by school leaders and OSH reps in applying the minister’s directive and requirements.

•

A lack of application of essential process components of the Keeping Our Workplace Safe (KOWS) guidelines that are required to make the exclusion or suspension process effective. These include: re-entry plans, informing police, restorative

justice, debriefing for staff, recovery time for staff, consultation with OSH reps and security officer options. •

A lack of the consideration and application of OSH provisions, Education Act/Regulations provisions and criminal action in cases of assaults of staff members.

To better tackle and address these implementation issues, the union has established an internal team to manage all school cases related to exclusions and suspensions. This team will manage each case directly with the school, the regional executive director (RED) and the specific central office unit responsible. The second challenge is to work with all parties to have KOWS used as the required checklist around all exclusion and suspension processes that are a result of violence against a staff member and/or a student.

From the General Secretary

Action 3: Alternative learning centres This strategy requires urgent funding to ensure its expansion. The implementation of the exclusion instruction and suspension directive has resulted in an increase in students directed out of our schools. We would expect this growth to continue. The government/department will need to move this standalone short term option if they are to ensure the line is held and that neighbouring schools do not become alternative learning centres. The ongoing union campaign will target government funding as essential for the deliver on this action strategy. The government has not delivered support in this year’s budget. Quality care and education alternatives for students at risks are of concern and must be addressed.

Action 4: Clear advice for principals, teachers and education assistants on authority and responsibility to take action The union and department have negotiated guidelines to provide advice to employees who are confronted with violent student or adult behaviour at work. These guidelines are important for the school leaders and the managers of these incidents. The application of these reviewed guidelines for Regulation 38 will now be tested. Where the union is of a view it is not applied fairly, the union will challenge and question the case to ensure employees are assessed as acting accordingly when they act to protect other students, employees and themselves. This action in the minister’s 10 point plan will need continued monitoring and attention.

Action 5: Provide training and support for school staff The initial training of school leaders at the commencement of 2019 was welcomed by the union. However, this was not mandated training and the follow up of providing this training to all school staff has not occurred in many schools. The lack of this training for all school staff has seen errors arise in applying actions one and two, misunderstandings between

staff and in a few instances highly divisive outcomes. Additional to the school leader training, all graduate teachers now have Team Teach as the required graduate module four. Moving forward, the challenges and direction for our Safety in Schools campaign for 2019/2020 are: • Building a union team to provide immediate direct school advice and action to ensure the correct application of the student exclusion and suspension requirements and correct laws and policy that ensure staff safety. This team will work with the new DoE unit to ensure proper process, examine processes where required and improve processes (eg re-entry plans). • Building on our current training program to be the providers of a discrete TUT accredited 2020 course for Keeping Our Workplace Safe and the minister’s 10 point plan. • Ensuring improved safety at work provisions through our General Agreement 2019. • Continue to challenge and prosecute those member cases that demonstrate a lack of adherence to the policies and laws covering our safety and rights. • The provision of a targeted resource package for those schools where behaviour management and violence is a major issue. • Developing campaign materials for the next stage of our campaign – for

our members and targeted allies and audiences (other school employee unions, non-members, parents, school councils, local politicians, government and the community). In conclusion, we have been successful in achieving direct action from the minister and the department for more effective immediate management of violence in schools, but this only represents the first step in our campaign.

Play is Learning The SSTUWA is also currently running an early childhood education campaign, Play is Learning, which aims to support K-2 teachers to teach a play-based curriculum in line with the National Quality Standard and Early Years Learning Framework . An integral part of the union’s Play is Learning campaign has been to explore the state of play in our schools and the SSTUWA has conducted a survey of early childhood educators regarding learning and play in K-2 classrooms. Murdoch University early childhood education director Sandra Hesterman will present major findings of the survey at the Early Childhood Educators Conference at the SSTUWA on 12 August. Dr Hesterman, one of the conference’s guest speakers, will also share recommendations on the state of play in WA. The conference is now fully booked out, but members can request to be added to the waiting list at sstuwa.org.au/training To learn more about the Play is Learning campaign, visit: playislearning.org.au Western Teacher July 2019

Issues

Members dealing with long work hours, stress Teachers and school leaders are still working long hours, dealing with increasing workloads and feel like they are not receiving the support they need to cope from education authorities, according to a new workload survey. The Understanding Work in WA Public Schools survey was recently commissioned by the SSTUWA and sheds more light on the current work stresses being endured by its members. It was conducted by Curtin University senior lecturer and discipline lead Scott Fitzgerald and researchers from the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales. The online questionnaire was completed by over 1,700 SSTUWA members during Term 4 in 2018, with members responding to questions on topics such as work hours, types of teaching and learning activities in their classrooms and changes to work in schools over the past five years. Those surveyed included primary and secondary teachers, school leaders, program coordinators, heads of learning areas, senior teachers and Level 3 Classroom Teachers. The survey results were first presented by Dr Fitzgerald at June State Council Conference and reported in the June

More emails, more policies, more administrative paperwork, less time for developing innovative and interesting lessons.

issue of Western Teacher, where key findings were that increasing workloads were affecting educators’ ability to teach, their home life and deterred many from pursuing higher career aspirations. During the school term members reported working an average of 53 hours a week, with 10 of those spent working after hours at home. Just over a quarter said they often or always had an uninterrupted break of 15 minutes at recess on a typical day, while only about 15 per cent said they often or always had an uninterrupted break of 30 minutes at lunch on a typical day. Survey respondents said there had been increases in their workload across areas such as longer hours, collection and analysis of data and reporting and administrative tasks. They also stated that the complexity of their work had increased. School leaders, heads of departments, program coordinators and consultants were the groups that reported the highest increases in workload. Only 10.8 per cent of survey respondents felt they had enough time to devote to classes and students, which included lesson planning, marking and building rapport with students. “I find it much more difficult to know my students, have a positive relationship with them and prepare valuable learning experiences as my time is taken up,” a member said in the survey. About 16 per cent felt they had opportunities to collaborate with teaching colleagues, which included activities such as mentoring. “Collaboration with colleagues, lesson planning and evaluating lessons in a quality, thoughtful manner is almost impossible,” one member said.

Western Teacher July 2019

“We are so busy trying to keep up with extracurricular/new systems … emails, administration ... that we really don’t have time to form trusting partnerships and share our successes and failures and share resources. “Our staff room only has people in it twice a week – those are the two times we are required to be in attendance. Everybody eats at their desk trying to keep afloat.” Only about 11 per cent of members felt that the Department of Education (DoE) had given increased support for the implementation of ICT systems and software, while an even fewer percentage of members felt increased support had been provided by the DoE in the areas of: one-line budget and/or Independent Public School (IPS) implementation; new curricula; new policies and procedures and the implementation of processes to do with student behaviour and welfare. “Student behaviour has deteriorated with little work done by the department to address this issue in schools,” a surveyed member said. “The department needs to provide more psychologists in schools. Especially in the country.” Another member said: “The processes involved in managing student behaviour is at an all-time low. Only the students with high level behavioural problems are being addressed. The majority of students are not being disciplined and as a result the number of students with poor behaviour is increasing and not being addressed.” Regarding IPS, one member stated: “Workload has increased, stress amongst staff is palpable, standardised testing is taking over, (there are) constant interruptions to the timetable, kids’ stress levels are huge. Everything has become way more difficult for teaching staff since we became an IPS.”

Issues Members surveyed said much of their work was now focussed on compliance, rather than teaching and learning, with this compliance coming in areas such as: • Working on Teacher Registration Board-related requirements. • Providing evidence of implementing departmental policies and procedures.

I have become jaded, worn out, demoralised and feel like I am forced to choose between my family or my job.

• Data collection analysis and reporting associated with state-wide strategies. • Work associated with a school review process. • Responding to and dealing with School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) requirements. • Planning and implementation of state wide policies (eg literacy and numeracy strategy). • Planning and preparation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs). • Reporting of student attainment information to relevant authorities (eg DoE, SCSA). • Classroom work associated with external assessment (eg specific orientation and preparation of students). • Before and/or after school hours meetings and/or professional learning. Members said there was now a tsunami of paperwork due to more administrative tasks, meetings and there was sense among educators of never being able to complete their work. “I spend most of my DOTT filling in paperwork, reading reports, analysing data, justifying anything that is different to the norm and making sure that all policies and procedures are followed,” a member said. Another member stated: “More emails, more policies, more administrative paperwork, less time for developing innovative and interesting lessons.” As reported in June Western Teacher, this intensification of workload led many members surveyed to agree or strongly agree (85.1 per cent) that their school’s capacity to develop and sustain quality teaching and learning was being hindered. Compliance and administrative demands were also cited as obstacles to this, as well. About 79 per cent of teacher respondents reported a negative impact on career aspirations due to these factors, while the figure was 67.4 per cent for heads of

departments/program coordinators and 57.6 per cent for school leaders. The family and work-life balance of educators is being affected by the increased workload demands, with 79 per cent stating those demands often or always conflicted with family responsibilities. About 85 per cent said workload demands often or always impacted negatively on their work-life balance. The survey concluded that: “Teachers report a desire for greater professional respect and valuing of their judgement, their capacity to teach and the fact they do so with the interests of their students, parents and the wider Australian community foremost in their minds.” It said educators had to be properly resourced “in order to meet the diverse needs of the complex cohorts of students which the state’s public schools are increasingly being called upon to support” and called for “increased within-schoolshours time for collaboration in core, teaching-related activities, (which) is consistent with teachers’ self-identified professional purpose (students’ learning development).” The final word goes to a member who said in the survey: “I used to love teaching and being a teacher.” “After everything I have seen, experienced and had to endure in my career in the profession (which is under a decade) I have become jaded, worn out, demoralised and feel like I am forced to choose between my family or my job.

Supporting teachers and school leaders The Understanding Work in WA Public Schools survey noted the following possible strategies that could provide support: • Providing more specialist teacher support for students with special needs. • Reducing face-to-face teaching time for teachers, heads of department (HODS), heads of learning area (HOLAs), deputy principals and principals to increase collaboration on planning, programming, assessing and reporting. • Ensuring that there is consultation prior to any significant change, reform or initiative to ensure it has educational value and to determine the time and resources necessary to support effective implementation in schools. • More effective system-level planning to prevent imposing competing workload demands and/or unrealistic time frames on schools. • Alternative programs and settings for students with behavioural/emotional/ mental health issues. • Acknowledging the professional judgment of teachers, executives and principals by developing protocols for the collection/recording and analysis of data, to eliminate processes that are unnecessary/cumbersome/extremely time consuming. • Providing more professional learning and development for staff during school hours to support collaboration in and across workplaces. • Providing more teacher consultancy support for curriculum and other program implementation. • Ensuring ICT systems and software (eg SIS, Connect, iKon, etc.) are fit for purpose, with the necessary time and resources provided for implementation. • Teacher-directed collaboration with colleagues. Provide more administrative and support staff. • Supporting the implementation of initiatives, programs and strategies by a targeted reduction of face-to-face teaching time for relevant staff.

“I write this in despair for our profession, utter shock at what I have seen and serious concern for our students and teachers.

• Employing more staff within the department to undertake administrative tasks and other duties to assist schools to meet compliance obligations (eg occupational health and safety).

“Enough is enough before we lose every good teacher we have, myself included.”

• Ensuring there is a functioning Workload Advisory Committee in every workplace. Western Teacher July 2019

Industrial

Leaders don’t have their own voice in the union

H YT

Members of the School Leaders Committee and School Leaders Reference Group provide input into the creation of the EBA Log of Claims. Senior officers take the advice of the groups to the bargaining table during EBA negotiations.

These representative groups meet regularly and teleconference facilities are available, so we have participants directly involved from across the state, in primary, secondary and educational support sectors.

Western Teacher July 2019

The School Leaders Committee and School Leaders Reference Group were established to ensure there is a forum specifically for the needs of leader members.

Leaders have no say in EBA negotiations

The union’s School Leaders Committee and School Leaders Reference Group discuss and progress key issues for school leaders and address the needs of leader members. Both bodies advise SSTUWA senior officers and put forward issues and recommendations to the SSTUWA Executive Committee. Several school leaders have been elected to sit on the Executive Committee.

Two former school principals work full time at the SSTUWA to look after the needs and interests of leaders in schools. The school leaders’ organiser and school leaders’ consultant are only a phone call away. They work collaboratively with union organisers and the Legal Services Team to connect members to the services and support they need. They also provide advice and recommendations to the SSTUWA senior officers and Executive Committee through the School Leaders Committee and School Leaders Reference Group.

There’s nobody to support school leaders in the union

Myths, legends and school leaders

In a dispute or grievance only teachers are represented

Not so! Where a difficulty arises the school leaders’ organiser supports and represents the leader member. Where further expertise or advice is required the organiser links the leader to the union’s Legal Services Team for additional support.

Industrial

The union would not progress Clause 16

On five occasions during the life of the 2014 General Agreement, the Department of Education was approached to commence negotiations regarding Clause 16. Each time, they refused. The reason: No money to negotiate with!

With the signing of the current agreement, the department has finally agreed to commence discussions…three years later.

The union supports sub-standard performance

As a union the SSTUWA does not support substandard performance by teachers or school leaders. The union does support a fair review process. In 2016, the Executive Committee approved a process whereby every member identified as possibly being ineffective would be provided with a case manager to assist them. Under the process, the case manager ensures the substandard performance review process the member is undertaking is fair, in terms of the balance of support provided, time to implement and embed into their practice and delivering better student results. The school leaders’ organiser then contacts the administrator managing the sub-standard performance review process, offering support to member and non-member leaders alike to provide the fair process described above. Where there is clear evidence that the criteria for a fair process has been met and the member does not meet the requirements of satisfactory performance, the union will not take the matter to the WAIRC in the event the member is dismissed. Western Teacher July 2019

General Agreement 2019 Schools: Bargaining framework

July 2019 | No. 5

Bargaining framework

General Agreement 2019 Schools The General Agreement 2017 nominally expires on 5 December 2019, meaning negotiations are due to commence for a replacement Agreement in the early part of Semester 2 2019. Extensive debate at the June 2019 State Council has produced a comprehensive Log of Claims which will be – as the next step of the process – forwarded to union reps (and in schools where there are no reps but there are members, to principals). It will now be a matter for members to vote on the Log of Claims for their workplaces to ensure SSTUWA senior officers are presenting the views of the majority of members when going to the negotiating table. Once the votes have been cast, the Log of Claims will be finalised through the elected Executive of the union. We then serve that Log of Claims on the employer – the Department of Education – and formal negotiations commence. The aim is to have that negotiation process finalised by December 2019. The state government wages policy continues to offer a flat $1,000 per annum. For new or recently-qualified teachers and lecturers this is not a bad deal, indeed for some it is better than 1.5 per cent. For more senior colleagues though it is not so good. In our most recent EBA process the SSTUWA was clear that it wanted employers that respect the work school leaders, teachers and lecturers do. There have been some encouraging developments in the form of the Minister’s commitment to making schools safer and in the declarations of the new director general that they want to work in an environment of trust and respect. There is still much to do to gather the support teachers and lecturers need to do their jobs properly and to mitigate the everincreasing and detrimental levels of red tape teachers have to work through. This is why the upcoming EBA negotiations are framed in the way they are – this agreement is an opportunity to take back our professional space and our professional voice. Remember, this is the second agreement in a sequence of what we expected would be three agreements under this government.

2019

Western Teacher July 2019

It is encouraging to see an upswing in membership numbers as people realise the fight that lies ahead. Our voice must be loud and proud to get the education environment members deserve.

Timeline for remainder of 2019 Term 2 – Log of Claims finalised • State Council endorsed draft Log of Claims to go to membership • Mailed out to schools, Week 10

Term 3 • Member/branch vote on Log of Claims via branch and cluster meetings • Meetings Weeks 2-6 • Voting to be completed by 30 August

September – Negotiations commence

2019

• Cluster district and branch meetings • Communications – GA news

Consideration of next steps

GA GA

• Decision making re: any offers, options and actions

2019

SCHOOLS

GA GA

TAFE Committee is currently reviewing a potential log of claims and wider consultation will be undertaken with members.

Taking back our professional space is about pushing back against the “teachers can’t be trusted” mantra which underpins much of education policy making. NAPLAN and NAPLAN Online are classic examples; the push for learning progressions as per the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) is another. Funding for these matters replaces funding for real professional learning and in the process teacher judgement is devalued and teacher professionalism further reduced.

Term 4 – Member/rep/delegate education

TAFE

TAFE General Agreement 2019

Schools General Agreement 20 19 and Award 1993

2019

QA and

Members’ matters

The team in Member Assist answers some of members’ most commonly asked questions

with Member Assist

I have just received an overpayment notice. Can the Department of Education (DoE) take back the money in one pay period?

proceeding with salary packaging. The SSTUWA member benefits program contains a number of companies offering salary packaging/novated leasing on vehicles; visit sstuwa.org.au/cars

No. Clause 24 of the Award states that any overpayments will be repaid within a reasonable period of time. It also states that the most the Employer can deduct from any one pay period is 10 per cent of the employee’s net pay.

I’m looking into salary packaging a car through my employment. How do I organise this?

Know Your Rights

KYR

Salary packaging is available for a range of items through your employment. The DoE has a salary packaging guide for staff which can be found in the policies section of the DoE portal and at the back of the schools Little Red Book. It is strongly recommended that you get financial advice before

I have been a fixed term employee for three years and have been offered a permanent position at another school. Do I have to do a probationary period again?

A permanent or fixed term contract employee must give the Employer

written notice of their intention to resign of not less than one month. The one month’s notice can include the holiday periods.

I have to attend the funeral of my grandfather in Perth. Do I receive extra travel time to attend as I am in a regional school?

No. The probationary period of 12 months commences from the first day of employment with the DoE and applies to employees employed on a permanent or fixed term contract basis.

hours per bereavement.

I am looking at terminating my employment with the DoE. What notice must I give and do the school holidays count?

Have a question? A full compilation of Know Your Rights information sheets are available on the SSTUWA website and app.

As long as you are more than 240km from Perth the Employer will

grant paid time off for the travel period undertaken in the employee’s ordinary working hours up to a maximum of 15

I am currently on level 2.5 of the pay scale; when will I go up to 2.6?

Teachers who are employed on a fixed term or permanent basis will

automatically progress up the salary scale on their yearly anniversary date. Casual

Schools: sstuwa.org.au/schoolsKYR | TAFE: visit sstuwa.org.au/TAFEkyr

relief teachers will automatically progress

You can also speak with your union rep and contact Member Assist: (08) 9210 6060 | 1800 106 683 | memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

scale on the completion of 200 days

to the next salary step of the incremental worked. Western Teacher July 2019

New educator update

New educators at June State Council

New educators at June State Council: Front (L to R): Vanessa Williamson, Tom James, Chloe Bravos, Danielle Boyd, Kim Annear, Katrina Rees, Sarah Murray, Kelsy Duncan. Back (L to R): Sam Testa, Cameron Dean, Jesse Weston, Mark Longbottom, Joey Wright, Caitlin McKerchar, Melina Hale.

State Council Conference is held twice a year in Terms 2 and 4. It is the supreme decision-making body of the SSTUWA, where members from across WA nominate to attend and represent their district, having input into the policies and direction of our union. The 50th State Council Conference was held last month and some of the delegates were new educators. Creating and working in high trust environments was the theme of the conference. Delegates heard from three speakers, Dr Scott Fitzgerald (senior lecturer and discipline lead, Curtin University), who shared workload survey results through his keynote, The Work of Teaching and Leading.

This November we will be running our guest program where new educator guests will be invited to observe the 51st State Council Conference. Those who are interested can visit sstuwa.org.au/NEN to express their interest in being a part of the program.

Kim Annear: We were involved in decisions that guide the direction of the profession and work towards improving conditions for teachers.

In the meantime, some of the delegates to June’s State Council Conference give an insight into the conference from the perspective of a new educator.

Jesse Weston: I had the opportunity to vote on motions, present potential solutions to issues and network with other teachers.

Why did you decide to become a State Council delegate this year?

Katrina Rees: I put forward a motion, spoke for motions and caught up with other delegates.

Paul Otto: To be involved in the [EBA] renegotiation process, plus I see this as part of my duties as an informed and engaged member of the union.

Professor Barrie Bennett’s (emeritus professor, University of Toronto) keynote focussed on what teachers would be doing in a high trust environment where workload issues were shifted to focus on effective teaching and learning.

Tom James: I was a guest last year and decided to nominate this year. As the supreme decision making body, I felt that it was important to participate and nominate. It is the real place to make a real difference.

Delegates also heard from Department of Education Director General Lisa Rodgers about creating and working in a high trust environment.

Danielle Boyd: To gain a better understanding of the policies behind education, and make a difference in education.

Western Teacher July 2019

Describe the things you did or were involved in over the two days of State Council.

What did you enjoy or find most interesting? Kelsy Duncan: It was absolutely heartwarming to hear the unity of such clever people, advocating for our profession, creating and working in a high trust environment. Melina Hale: The enthusiasm and involvement from all speakers and union Executive members. This demonstrated the clarity and openness of the union as well as the feeling that we’re in this together. It is a great feeling.

New educator update Kim Annear: Hearing from all districts and getting the opportunity to hear what issues affect teachers from all around WA. Caitlin McKerchar: Seeing the motions and what the current issues are. Being able to see and hear people back up their motions. Danielle Boyd: I really enjoyed listening to Lisa Rodgers to understand her perspective of education in WA. I found the discussions around the Log of Claims interesting and these assisted me in better understanding our rights.

What did you learn from being a State Council delegate? Mark Longbottom: The great difference that the union is able to make. Caitlin McKerchar: How important State Council is. We wouldn’t have an EBA, etc. without delegates having an opportunity to vote on important areas. Sam Testa: The process required to make decisions as a union. At my first State Council, I didn’t really understand how to have input other than voting. This is my second State Council and I’m much more comfortable with the process now. Kelsy Duncan: We have an amazingly solid union with values that reflect what staff need.

New educators at June State Council: Sam Testa, Kim Annear, Mardi McNamara and Tom James

Danielle Boyd: I feel better informed on some issues in education. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my colleagues and initiating conversations with others regarding various issues and how the union can assist in finding solutions. Tom James: Sharing the educational climate outside of the school site. Jesse Weston: I have a better context of how I fit into the whole picture of teaching in WA.

Kyle Griffiths: The value of robust debate and the methods of developing policy.

Melina Hale: Try to promote the union more in conversation about what the union is doing and aiming towards. To be able to share what I have learnt.

Jesse Weston: That there is a lot of hard work that goes into protecting and adapting the rights of teachers.

Katrina Rees: I will be better informed when speaking to other members and my principal.

How do you think what you learnt will benefit or impact your union/ teaching work upon your return to school?

Chloe Bravos: I feel more confident in explaining the benefits and importance of union membership to potential new members, and more confident in representing members of our branch.

Kelsy Duncan: I look forward to promoting the vision of high trust environments for teaching and learning. Sam Testa: I can better represent members and help put together branch motions.

What reasons would you give to other new educators to encourage them to be a State Council delegate?

Mark Longbottom: I will be able to better manage my workload and help direct others to do the same.

Mark Longbottom: That being in the union isn’t just about support if something goes wrong. The union is about fighting for teachers’ rights and this is the best way to do this.

Kyle Griffiths: It benefits my union work as it gives insight into the methods and means of policy development and strategy.

Jesse Weston: This is a great opportunity to see how you as a teacher fit into the wider picture. Also that people are here, willing to fight for you.

Caitlyn McKerchar: I can understand what the current issues are and how we can change them.

Chloe Bravos: You can start making a difference to staff and working conditions from early in your career.

Melina Hale: It is a very good experience. You realise you all have value, insights and worth regardless of your years of teaching experience. You learn more about how the union works. It is a good way to interact with education staff from all over the state. Katrina Rees: It is a great way to get involved and have a greater say in what is happening with the direction of the union. Sam Testa: Have your say, represent your colleagues, hear and discuss issues facing our profession. Network. Caitlyn McKerchar: You can understand the process of State Council, vote on important issues, and be an advocate for all teachers. Danielle Boyd: It’s very informative and for new educators it can expand understanding of issues in education.

Have you had colleagues ask why you are a member of the SSTUWA? Are you a new union rep who is looking to have meaningful conversations with your colleagues? Not sure what to say? The Growth Team speaks with early career teachers while in attendance at Graduate Modules and find these 10 reasons (on the following page) useful to share with nonmembers. Try out these ideas the next time you have a recruitment conversation.

Western Teacher July 2019

REASONS

New educator update

Why new educators should be SSTUWA members

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

Support and protection The SSTUWA looks after our members and their rights. If you run into problems at work, your

Journey Accident Cover insurance If you have an accident whilst travelling to or from work, which results in your inability to work, you may be entitled to a benefit for any loss of income. Available to all financial members.

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, discounted health insurance with Teachers Health, travel bargains, movie tickets and more.

Western Teacher â&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192; July 2019

union has got your back.

Properly funded, accessible education Promoting the benefits of properly funded and accessible public education for all is a key area of our operations. Join us in the campaign for fair funding of public schools.

Education and Training Centre (ETC) The SSTUWA 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.

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.

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.

SSTUWA committee elections

Western Teacher July 2019

Industrial

Delegate diaries:

2018 Federal Women’s Conference Four SSTUWA members Joanne Needs, Sharmila Nagar, Janette Bedwell and Katharina Spanbroek joined union vice president Samantha Schofield and women and equity officer Colleen Mack for the 2018 AEU Federal Women’s Conference in Melbourne last October.

Speaking up for what we believe in

Key speakers included ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, media commentator Van Badham, ACTU Indigenous officer Kara Keys and Professor Raewyn Connell from the University of Sydney.

She makes a lot of sense to me. At the conference she spoke to a room full of female unionists and talked about values and equality in work and in life.

Here are some of the SSTUWA delegates’ thoughts on the conference.

Following this she shared some tips with the audience. These included, be yourself, support other women and remind yourself of the ordinariness of men. I think that by that she was encouraging all of us in the room to stop questioning our worth, as we tend to do, and speak up for what we believe in.

Getting the gender issue right in our schools With nervous excitement and clammy hands, I boarded the plane to Melbourne, uncertain of what lay ahead of me, only knowing that I would be surrounded by a collective of powerful women. “We are women, we are union” was the theme and it was highlighted by the motivational speakers and female leaders currently working for women’s rights in Australia. There were many times during the conference where I felt like that eager student we have all experienced in our class, hungry to know more. This was certainly the case when I heard Professor Raewyn Connell deliver her keynote address: Our Strategic Situation in Gender and Education. Professor Connell provided information on gender issues faced in the 1980s and its ongoing impact in education today. Her efforts in the 1980s working with disadvantaged schools and her social theories about gender issues provided the backdrop to her speech. What strongly resonated with me was her fundamental point that we need to get gender issues right in schools. Some of her recommendations included the need to desegregate the curriculum, and for all involved to be concerned with democratising gender relations in schools. As I sat on the plane back to Perth, exhausted yet invigorated by the conference, I couldn’t help but reflect upon Professor Connell’s words and wondered whether the gender equity problem was re-surfacing in our current political climate and what influence it would have in our schools. Sharmila Nagar 18

Western Teacher July 2019

Hearing Sally McManus speak was the highlight of the conference for me. I had followed her on social media and read articles about her and appreciated her honesty, resoluteness and strength.

In a calm and reassuring way, she reminded us that what we have to say is important, and where men would not consider their opinions unworthy, neither should women. I will take these thoughts back to the branch and hopefully inspire our members. Joanne Needs

The power of education I had the privilege of being the SSTUWA TAFE representative at the 2018 AEU Federal Women’s Conference. This was an aweinspiring event that allowed me the unique opportunity to hear from some of the most energetic and powerful women leaders in Australia. AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe spoke about her history, the story of her mum who left school to enter the workforce at 13 years of age, who at the age of 50 entered TAFE to become a nurse, epitomising women’s stories in education. This is an example of the power of our education system, TAFE in particular, a system we must all defend. It was a powerful conference, a showcase for how women can and do achieve many great things for the equality for women in our male-dominated world. Janette Bedwell

We are women, we are union What a privilege it was to be able to attend the 2018 AEU Federal Women’s Conference in Melbourne. As a newly-appointed women’s contact officer for my school I was able to learn more about what my role meant to Australian education and how I could participate in creating change. Networking with my fellow WA colleagues, as well as educators from across Australia, allowed me more insight into what

Industrial

SSTUWA delegates to the FWC 2018: Joanne Needs, Sharmila Nagar, Janette Bedwell, Katharina Spanbroek, SSTUWA Vice President Samantha Schofield and women and equity officer Colleen Mack. value a conference like this holds through shared stories and experiences.

and maybe they might slowly start to take a different form.

For me there were a number of keynote speakers and stories that really focused the themes of the conference, surprisingly one of which was a speaker from ME Bank, whose role was to tell us about the many products available to us educators.

I learnt a lot about myself as a new educator but also a lot about myself as a young female growing up in a different world to that of my mother and grandmother.

She pointed out that women across all industries need to work together to push for change – across all industries. For me this made me think back to the stories of my grandmother in her first year of studying medicine at university. She was asked to leave the lecture theatre in anticipation of the anatomy lesson. Somehow my grandmother still completed her medical degree despite not being allowed to view images of the human anatomy. I have never believed that one person can make a difference but I suppose it always has to start with one person; one person to put it in motion. We can work to change On day one of the conference, I opened my phone to a notification. My aunty has tagged me in a link to a web series, Sheilas. I click to open and I find myself watching a comedic short episode about a female champion swimmer who becomes Australia’s first female Olympian. It’s a convenient moment for me to see a mini-series like this. Aside from the comedy, which had me giggling away, I started to think that maybe one person can’t change everything for good. But slowly I realise that one person can set those wheels in motion. By constantly setting those reminders and questioning, instead of accepting, we can work to change. Don’t allow issues to be ignored. Have them there on a platter to be scrutinised, questioned, challenged, picked and pulled apart

Don’t undermine the sisterhood.

Being aware of unconscious bias The unconscious bias workshop had me look at parts of my environment, and possibly myself, that I do not like. Unconscious biases are developed at an early age and affect you without you knowing. They are the biases that are, the way I see it, injected into you without your consent. They are what surrounds you. My mother’s family migrated to Australia after World War II from Europe. My grandparents were never subtle about their opinions, instead they were out in the open – loud Dutchies. I told myself I didn’t agree with these and that I thought differently, especially when I was older. Somehow, though, I think they might sneak their way in when I’m not ready. Not all these biases are necessarily negative but maybe they are the biases that lean me towards choosing this or that text for my class. It was interesting to note that unconscious biases are not so easily identified, the conscious biases are the ones that we are aware of. Imagine how these unconscious biases can still affect the employment of women. AEU Federal women’s officer Olivia Brown told us that being aware and questioning why choices are made will help us to identify our unconscious biases. Education + Action = Change. Katharina Spanbroek The 2019 AEU Federal Women’s Conference will be held in Melbourne from 3-4 October. Western Teacher July 2019

Industrial

Anna Stewart Memorial Project 2019 The Anna Stewart Memorial Project is a week-long development program, during which union women from diverse workplaces and occupations spend time together discussing work and issues that affect them. Applications are now open for one woman SSTUWA member to be involved in this year’s project, which will run 21-25 October. The delegate will spend a day at the SSTUWA and have numerous networking opportunities with the wider WA union movement at various other locations, including UnionsWA headquarters. The project is a mix of training sessions, discussion, presentations from influential women in unions and politics, plus a day of work placement with union organisers. The aims of the project are to: • Give women the tools and training to take on leadership roles within their unions and workplaces. • Discuss the particular needs of female union members and the difference women leaders can make to the development and growth of their union. • Teach women about workplace issues such as discrimination, awards, agreements, wages, superannuation, politics, history, feminism and workplace laws that affect working women. Commencing in 1985, the Anna Stewart Memorial Project also assists SSTUWA participants to gain a deeper understanding of the complex role of unions and the Department of Education in both striving to achieve better outcomes for students and better outcomes for employees and promoting public education. The project is a memorial to Anna, a former union official who passed away in 1983, aged 35. 20

Western Teacher July 2019

Her involvement with the union movement began at a time when women’s work was poorly paid and lacked job security and recognition. Anna Stewart worked passionately and tirelessly to involve women directly in deciding on principles and priorities to put before unions and government in order to achieve real quality of status and opportunities for women. Anna secured remarkable gains, particularly for working women. She achieved gains directly for the members for whom she worked and indirectly for all women by setting precedents in a number of areas and by her own personal example. The influence of Anna’s life and work remains immeasurable. She brought hope and support to women throughout the trade union movement, providing them with the strength and confidence to continue the fight. Women still experience job insecurity and low pay and are often under-represented in decision making and leadership positions.

In submitting an expression of interest to this project, members are asked to ensure that they have conditional approval from their relevant line manager as per their relevant general agreement. There is no charge for attending the course and members can access trade union training leave for their participation. SSTUWA candidates in their applications will have to briefly: • Outline how they have engaged in union activities at both formal and informal levels, particularly in respect to women members. • Outline their areas of interest – both in education and within the union. • Explain how you think you will benefit by participating in this project. Deadline for applications is Friday 23 August, with the successful applicant being notified a week after. For application forms visit bit.ly/AnnaStewart

Download the SSTUWA app

Access Know Your Rights, your membership card, training history and more in the palm of your hand. Available now in the App Store and Google Play. Western Teacher July 2019

Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) ABN: 544 780 946 35. 2017.

Issues

PM is short-changing preschool The Morrison Government is throwing away billions of dollars of national economic benefit by failing to guarantee ongoing funding for 15 hours per week of preschool for Australia’s 700,000 threeand four-year-old children. A new report has shown that for every dollar invested in early childhood education Australia receives two dollars back through higher tax revenues, higher wages and productivity and lower spending on welfare and criminal justice. While most countries around the world offer their children two years of preschool as standard, Australia only offers one year of early childhood education. AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the Morrison Government’s refusal to guarantee funding for early childhood education for more than 12 months at a time, and failure to provide funding for three-year-old children, was extremely short sighted and would cost Australia dearly in years to come.

through to 2020 and only for four-year-old children, and ignores the benefits of early childhood education for three year olds. “According to the analysis, the $2.3 billion invested each year by government and parents for universal access to early childhood education in the year before school generates $4.8 billion in flow-on benefits.” Ms Haythorpe said Mr Morrison was throwing away billions of dollars of economic and societal benefits by refusing to bring Australia up to even the minimum preschool standards offered by most other countries. “In today’s uncertain economic climate a two for one return on investment would seem like an obvious winner, so the Morrison Government’s failure to invest properly in the future of our children is extremely short-sighted,” she said. World Bank data shows that in 2015, the vast majority of countries provided two or three years of pre-primary education.

“This report confirms what everyone in the early childhood sector already knows – investing in two years of preschool for our children should be a priority for the Morrison Government,” she said.

Only 11 countries provide one year: Algeria, Angola, Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Australia.

“The Morrison Government has refused to guarantee ongoing funding for preschool, choosing to extend ECE funding only

Ms Haythorpe said that Australia is already lagging behind much of the rest of the world when it comes to funding

early childhood education. “The benefits of a structured early childhood education program are compelling and proven,” she said. “The skills and abilities children develop in preschool lead to stronger academic performance through school, a greater likelihood of undertaking further education. “Preschool also improves cognitive, social and emotional outcomes, and is important in providing a strong foundation for learning. “Children from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit the most from early learning, as it provides a strong foundation for them to close the achievement gap with their peers. “The number of years spent in early childhood education is a strong indicator of a child’s level of achievement in later stages of life, both in and out of school. “Guaranteed funding for our early learning sector is a critically important investment in the future of our children.” Ms Haythorpe said that funding 15 hours per week of preschool for three and fouryear-old children would provide certainty for parents and enable future workforce planning for teachers and other early childhood education professionals.

Wear It Purple Day: Stand up, stand out Wear it Purple Day on 30 August is about fostering supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. It also celebrates and promotes the value of diversity and inclusion. When someone stands up and stands out as a role model, it helps others to be confident in who they are. This day was founded because of the bullying, harassment and deaths caused by intolerance of their

Western Teacher July 2019

sexuality or gender identity. Students at safe and supportive schools have better educational outcomes and are less likely to have poor mental health. If you are interested in ensuring your school or college is a supportive and safe place for LGBTIQA+ students, staff and families, have a look at the Inclusive Education WA website or get in contact with the team.

They provide information on LGBTIQA+ to schools; staff professional development and training; advice on policy and curriculum; support for schools and families with trans or gender diverse students; and have a great range of resources, including downloadable posters for display. For more information and resources visit http://bit.ly/2X1NUcn and http://bit.ly/2xqksRI

Issues

The facts about school funding in Australia By Trevor Cobbold Convenor, Save our Schools Australia

New figures show that total government funding per student in public schools adjusted for inflation (real funding) was cut between 2009 and 2017, while funding for Catholic and Independent schools increased massively.

Chart 1

Even during the Gonski funding period of 2013-2017 the funding increase for private schools was over three times the increase for public schools. All states took the opportunity of increased real Commonwealth funding for public schools to cut their own real funding of public schools over 2009-2017 and most increased funding for private schools. Both Coalition and Labor state governments cut funding for public schools while increasing funding for private schools. Australia has an inequitable school funding system that continues to discriminate against public schools and disadvantaged students. Government funding increases have been badly misdirected in favouring the more privileged, better-off school sectors and students. Over 80 per cent of disadvantaged students are in public schools and over 90 per cent of disadvantaged schools are public schools.

Total income of schools, 2017 The total income per student of Independent and Catholic schools is now significantly higher than in public schools – $14,215 in public schools compared to $15,740 in Catholic schools and $22,108 in Independent schools (See Chart 1).

Funding 2009-2017 The income disparity between public and private schools has widened substantially 24

Western Teacher July 2019

Source: ACARA, National Report on Schooling data portal. since 2009. Total real income per student in public schools fell by $58 per student (-0.5 per cent) but increased by $1,888 (17.8 per cent) in Catholic schools and by $2,306 (15.1 per cent) for Independent schools. The increased income disparity between public and private schools was due to much larger Commonwealth government funding increases for private schools than for public schools, reduced funding of public schools by state governments and fee increases above cost increases by private schools. Government funding increases have massively favoured private schools. Real funding for public schools was cut by $17 per student (-0.2 per cent) while funding for Catholic schools increased by $1,420 per student (18.4 per cent) and for

Independent schools by $1,318 (20.9 per cent). The Commonwealth funding increase for private schools was over double that for public schools. It increased funding for Catholic schools by $1,309 (22.7 per cent) per student and by $1,205 (26.3 per cent) for Independent schools compared to $560 (34.9 per cent) for public schools. Every state cut funding for public schools. Several cuts were very large as in Western Australia (-$1,575) and the Northern Territory (-$4,777). Average state government funding for public schools was cut by $577 (-6.4 per cent) per student while funding was increased for Catholic schools by $112 (5.7 per cent) and $113 (6.5 per cent) for Independent schools.

Issues Private schools also increased fees and other income by more than cost increases. After allowing for inflation, Catholic schools increased fees and other income by $466 (16.1 per cent) per student and Independent schools by $988 (11 per cent).

Chart 2

Funding 2013 to 2017 The income disparity between public and private schools also widened since the introduction of the Gonski funding plan in 2014. Total income per student in public schools increased by only $202 (1.8 per cent) compared to $1,005 (8.7 per cent) in Catholic schools and $1,267 (7.8 per cent) in Independent schools (See Chart 2). The increased income disparity between public and private schools in this period was also due to much larger Commonwealth government funding increases for private schools than for public schools, reduced funding of public schools by state governments and fee increases above cost increases by private schools. Total real Commonwealth and state government funding per student in Catholic and Independent schools increased by over three times that in public schools: $216 (2.1 per cent) in public schools compared to $773 (9.2 per cent) in Catholic schools and $799 (11.7 per cent) in Independent schools. The Commonwealth increased real funding for Catholic schools by $749 (11.8 per cent) per student and $737 (14.6 per cent) for Independent schools compared to $449 (26.2 per cent) in public schools. All states except Victoria and Tasmania cut funding for public schools. The average state funding was cut by $233 (-2.7 per cent) per student compared to an increase of $24 (1.2 per cent) per student in Catholic schools and $62 (3.4 per cent) in Independent schools. Private schools also increased fees and other income by more than cost increases. After allowing for inflation, Catholic schools increased fees and other income by $232 (7.4 per cent) per student and Independent schools by $468 (4.9 per cent).

Public schools will remain under-funded indefinitely while private schools are overfunded Public schools will only be funded at 91 per cent of their Schooling Resource Standard

Sources: ACARA, National Report on Schooling data portal. Adjusted for inflation by combined index of ABS Wage Price Index for private and public education and training and ABS Consumer Price Index (SRS) at best while private schools will be funded at over 100 per cent from 2023 if not earlier.

commitment so that they only have to fund public schools to 71 per cent of their SRS.

The Commonwealth has guaranteed that private schools will be funded at 80 per cent of their SRS by 2023.

It means that public schools will only be funded at 91 per cent of the SRS at best. They will be defrauded by a cumulative total of about $60 billion to 2027.

Every state except Victoria and the Northern Territory currently funds private schools at over 20 per cent of their SRS and there are caveats in all agreements except the ACT (the Victorian agreement is yet to be published) that allows them to continue to be funded at above 20 per cent.

In addition, private schools will receive an additional $4.6 billion under the funding arrangements announced by the Morrison Government last year to apply over 10 years from 2020. It will ensure that private schools are even more over-funded in the future.

Thus, private schools will be funded at over 100 per cent of their SRS by 2023 if not earlier and it will very likely continue indefinitely.

Policy direction

In contrast, public schools will remain well under-funded indefinitely. The Commonwealth is committed to funding public schools to 20 per cent of the SRS, but state governments are only required to fund public schools to 75 per cent of their SRS by 2027 (2028 in the case of Victoria, 2032 for Queensland and no time limit for the Northern Territory). However, an accounting trick in all agreements, apart from that for the ACT, allows the states to claim other nonschool based expenditure (depreciation, school transport, regulatory agencies) up to four per cent of the SRS towards their

There is no prospect that the new Morrison Government will fund public schools beyond 20 per cent of their SRS. The immediate priority is to pressure the states to commit to funding public schools at 80 per cent of the SRS by 2023 and to reduce their over-funding of private schools. Public education organisations must continue to advocate for a nationally integrated funding model directed at reducing disadvantage in education, ending special deals and over-funding of private schools, and boosting funding for public schools. This is an edited version of an article first published on the Save our Schools Australia website. Western Teacher â&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192; July 2019

National union news

National union news Paying full-time bills with part-time jobs More than one million Australians want more hours but can’t get them, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows.

People who are unable to get the hours they need are in a poor negotiating position and often do not have the bargaining power to secure fair pay rises.

The Participation, Job Search and Mobility figures released by the bureau reveal that nearly one-in-10 working Australians – 8.2 per cent of the labour force – are unable to get the hours they want.

This is contributing to a lack of wages growth, which translates into the poor consumer demand that is holding our economy back.

Nearly half of those workers had been in the situation for more than a year. The concerning figures are part of a broader problem of insecure work, with Australia having the third-highest rate of non-standard work in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Secretary Sally McManus said working people needed enough hours to be able to plan and live decent lives. “Nearly half of the more than one million people who can’t get these hours have been underemployed for more than a year,” she said.

“For many working people, part-time work, whether it’s casual or permanent, is not a choice. These figures show that clearly. “The Morrison Government is positioning to further undermine the rights of working people in the coming industrial relations review, with employers pushing for a watering down of unfair dismissal laws and the ability to reduce working people’s take-home pay. “When more than one million people need more hours and can’t get them, it’s an indication of a larger imbalance between the power of employers and workers. “The Morrison Government must respond with a real plan to address insecure work.”

Check your pay People should check their next few payslips to make sure they’re getting the correct pay rate as union-won pay rises for more than two million working people kicked in from 1 July.

pay slip and get on board for higher pay and better job security.

higher – 21 per cent on median earnings. Joining your union is the path to better pay.

Workers are urged to contact their union, or the ACTU on 1300 486 466 or at australianunions.org.au

More than 2.2 million working people who are paid under their awards should receive a three per cent pay rise in their first full pay period after 1 July.

The success of the unions’ campaign means an extra $21.60 pay per week for people working full-time on the minimum wage.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said this was an important increase for the two million plus people whose wages were reliant on awards.

The three per cent increase that will apply to all award wages is the result of the Australian unions’ campaign for higher pay for the growing number of people working under awards. It comes at a time when Australia is in a low wage crisis. The ACTU is urging people who have not yet joined their union to check their next

The new national minimum wage has risen to $19.49 per hour. There are also higher rates under many industry awards and people working casually get a loading to compensate for the lack of paid annual leave or personal leave. While overall wage growth has been at near record lows for more than six years, pay for union members is consistently

“This increase was won by unions despite the opposition of employer groups who argued for real wage cuts,” she said. “People who are not yet members can show their support by joining their union. “Research shows that union members win consistently higher pay than those without the protection of a union. “So check your pay, pick up the phone or go online, and join your union.”

ACTU calls on PM to kick-start wage growth At the same time workers are enjoying pay rises under their awards, cuts to penalty rates have taken effect and the ACTU has called for immediate action to kick-start wage growth as new research shows 26

Western Teacher July 2019

how badly the wages crisis has squeezed household budgets and weakened the economy. ACTU Secretary Sally McManus has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison

calling on him to strengthen wages by reversing penalty rates cuts, introducing a national living wage and removing caps on pay rises for Commonwealth public sector workers.

National union news Ms McManus said the penalty rates taking effect from 1 July would see further pressure on household budgets for thousands of Australian working people, which would flow into even lower retail sales figures. “This government delivered us six years of near record low wage growth which has weakened the economy and made it harder and harder for people to make ends meet,” she said. “The entire economy is being impacted by the government’s punitive policies like penalty rate cuts, public sector wage rise caps and their refusal to meaningfully boost the minimum wage. “To kick-start wage growth the government needs to reverse penalty rate cuts, introduce a living wage and remove wage rise caps on the pay of public sector workers.

“It is grossly unfair that some of our lowest paid and hardest working people are facing further penalty rate cuts from July – these cuts have been shown not to generate a single new job. “We need systemic change, not blind adherence to a broken trickle-down ideology.” New research by the Centre for Future Work shows that already weak Australian wage growth has weakened further over the past nine months. It projects that these three measures alone would boost national wage growth by a combined 1.25 per cent. The research carried out by the Centre’s director and economist Dr Jim Stanford shows these three measures would boost household incomes by a combined $10.2 billion a year, stimulate $8.5 billion a year

in additional consumer spending and increase government revenues. “Record-slow wage growth is perhaps the most serious macroeconomic problem facing Australia, and it is a major cause of current weakness in consumer spending, GDP growth and consumer confidence,” Dr Stanford said. “The government has predicted, in successive budgets, that market forces will automatically drive a quick rebound in wages, but it hasn’t happened. Instead, the government can and should take direct action to support stronger wages. “While these three measures would not single-handedly solve the whole problem, our simulations confirm they would have a major and positive effect in supporting a return to normal wage trends across the labour market.”

Eliminating work violence and harassment A ground-breaking convention and recommendation to eliminate violence and harassment at work has been adopted overwhelmingly at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, on the organisation’s 100th year anniversary. The two-year negotiations included unions, ILO member governments and employer organisations. ACTU representatives worked alongside union representatives from around the world on the convention that for the first time sets an international standard to prevent and eliminate violence and harassment at work. The convention places obligations on governments to develop national laws prohibiting workplace violence and on employers to take proactive steps to

prevent violence and harassment. The Australian government voted for the convention and recommendation to eliminate violence and harassment at work. The ACTU has called on the Morrison Government to ratify and fully implement the convention. We urgently need stronger powers for the Fair Work Commission (FWC), as well as work health and safety regulators and human rights commissions to proactively address violence, inequality and discrimination at work. This must include establishing a gender equality panel in the FWC that would have the power to hear and determine sexual harassment and sex discrimination claims.

ACTU President Michele O’Neil called the convention historic and ground-breaking. “Until now there has been no international standard addressing violence and harassment of working people at work,” she said. “This sets a new global standard and will lead to real change in the lives of working people. Ending gender-based violence requires concerted, committed action at every level. Women and the LGBTI community are disproportionately impacted by violence and harassment at work. “Everyone should go to work free from the fear of harassment and violence. Australian unions have been proud to campaign and work alongside the global union movement to achieve something incredibly important at the ILO.”

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Western Teacher July 2019

Education and Training Centre

Education & Training Centre SharpReading Workshops in October Due to popular demand the SSTUWA is pleased to host another series of SharpReading workshops conducted by co-writer, Hilton Ayrey from New Zealand.

What is SharpReading? SharpReading is not another magic bullet strategy; here today, gone tomorrow. It is an approach to reading education based on tried, proven and effective teaching and learning practices. SharpReading is based on hundreds of hours of careful observations of students, identifying what works for the learner, and trying to discard the bits that clutter and clog the brain and turn the students off. SharpReading is an effective approach to shared and guided reading instruction.

The pedagogy is based on keeping it SIMPLE and ensuring that students always experience SUCCESS.

It takes time to HABITUALISE reading strategies so there must be systems in place to allow this to happen.

The outcome must be student AUTONOMY.

How do you do that? You do it through structured ROUTINES.

…and a simple developmental learning PROGRESSION.

That’s SHARP! This approach fits any curriculum and meets the needs of teachers and students in a range of contexts. This can be used with any reading resources currently in your school.

“My students have said: ‘This is fun. I like trying to unpack sentences and convincing others that I know what is going on.’ “They really enjoy the clear structure of the session and the challenges it brings.” Holly, Year 4 teacher, Napier

Visit sstuwa.org.au/training to join a SHARP event. 28

Western Teacher July 2019

Education and Training Centre

SharpReading Events at SSTUWA

Highly recommended for the experienced classroom teacher who is looking for a fresh approach to developing decoding fluency, or the beginning teacher who needs some structure to get an effective reading program up and running, as well as the relieving teacher who needs a stand-alone routine that can be quickly introduced as a once-off in an existing classroom program.

Getting Guided Reading Right for the Beginning Reader: PP-Year 2

A Systematic Approach to Comprehension: Years 2-6

Tuesday 1 October, 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 2 October, 9am – 3pm

A big part of reading instruction in the early years revolves around the guided reading lesson – small groups for 10-15 minutes a day (if you are lucky). Have you ever questioned what you are actually achieving in that 10-15 minutes?

This course helps to create a manageable guided reading program in your Year 2-6 classroom. It targets readers who have developed fluency with decoding and have the available head space to process text at a much deeper level as they construct meaning and think critically.

SharpReading Five Bits Guided Reading Routine direct from New Zealand aims to:

SharpReading guided and shared reading routines are quite unique and shift the focus of control from the teacher to the students, providing them with the opportunity to truly habitualise comprehension skills and transfer them into everyday reading.

•

Truly develop decoding fluency – this approach works!

•

Provide a simple, structured experience that creates security for the reader.

•

Free up the teacher to monitor the strategies their readers are using and then plan the next step of teaching.

Provide for simple, manageable data collection during the lesson.

The Next Steps for Comprehension Instruction

The Older Struggling Reader: Year 3-8

Thursday 3 October, 9am – 3pm

Friday 4 October, 9am – 3pm

This course is designed as a next step for those who have previously participated in the SharpReading Stage 3: A Systematic Approach to Comprehension workshop and have incorporated the SharpReading approach into their reading program.

Almost every Year 3-8 classroom has them; those readers who still struggle with decoding fluency, whose reading age is one plus years behind their chronological age, for whom the gap is widening all the time and whose confidence levels about reading are in tatters.

Now that there is an understanding of the foundation for active reading covered in Stage 3, Stages 4-6 can be bolted on to the routine to develop all the critical thinking that we hope for in our readers but struggle to consistently achieve.

This workshop will equip you to deliver a well-researched and proven eight to 10 week intervention that will develop those missing decoding strategies and rebuild reader confidence.

Western Teacher July 2019

Member benefits

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.

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

Bose headphones or Bluetooth speaker, or a year’s worth of Magic Hand car washes with any easifleet procured novated lease.

sstuwa.org.au/easifleet

Fleet Network

Package your next car and save on tax. Bonus Samsung 8” tablet or Dash Cam with vehicle delivery.

sstuwa.org.au/fleetnetwork

Hertz

5-10% discount on vehicle hire in Australia, NZ, USA and Canada.

sstuwa.org.au/hertz

Motor Market by Union Shopper

You choose the car, then we find you the lowest price.

sstuwa.org.au/motormarket

Thrifty Car and Truck Rental

10% discount on vehicle hire in Australia.

Save up to 15% off selected items.

sstuwa.org.au/hp

Lenovo

Save up to 15% off selected items.

sstuwa.org.au/lenovo

Longroad Website Development

Discounted website development and hosting.

sstuwa.org.au/longroad

PLE Computers

Save on your IT with access to the PLE Computers academic portal.

sstuwa.org.au/ple

Educational Resources Abacus Educational Supplies

10% discount, in store and online.

sstuwa.org.au/abacus

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

tyresales.com.au

Building Instructional Expertise for the Classroom. An SSTUWA project in collaboration with Barrie Bennett.

sstuwa.org.au/tyresales

Teacher Superstore

sstuwa.org.au/thrifty 10% discount on tyres.

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

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

sstuwa.org.au/teachersuperstore

Entertainment Adventure World

Save up to $14.50 on Adventure World tickets with Westclub.

sstuwa.org.au/adventureworld

sstuwa.org.au/tmbank

Build it yourself electronics centre. VIP trade discount in store and online.

Cars

Apple on Campus

Discounts on physical tickets (greater savings) and instant digital tickets.

sstuwa.org.au/apple

Rockface

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

Western Teacher July 2019

sstuwa.org.au/altronics For details visit:

Dell

Save up to 15% off selected items.

sstuwa.org.au/dell

Movie tickets

sstuwa.org.au/movietickets

Indoor rock climbing in Northbridge. $14 all day climbing pass with harness hire.

sstuwa.org.au/rockface

Member benefits *Terms & conditions apply.

Please visit our website for full details.

For more information visit sstuwa.org.au/benefits and the benefits tab of the SSTUWA App Food and Wine Campbells

Complimentary day pass to access wholesale prices on groceries and other goods.

sstuwa.org.au/campbells

Cellar d’Or

Best value winery tour in the Margaret RIver Region. 10% discount for members.

sstuwa.org.au/cellardor

Teachers Health Fund

Join the thousands of teachers who have already made the switch.

sstuwa.org.au/teachershealth

Teachers Health – Travel

10% discount on travel insurance.

sstuwa.org.au/travelinsurance

STA Travel Insurance

$20 discount for members.

Cracka Wines

sstuwa.org.au/statravelinsurance

sstuwa.org.au/cracka

Shopping

7.5% off online wine orders.

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 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

Abacus Educational Supplies

10% discount, in store and online.

sstuwa.org.au/abacus

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

Buy, build and invest with confidence. $50 discount on building inspections.

Petals Flowers & Gifts

Johns Building Supplies

sstuwa.org.au/petals

sstuwa.org.au/houspect

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

20% off flowers and gifts. World-wide delivery available.

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

International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC)

Discounts on flights, restaurants, movies, shopping, groceries and more. $10 off ITIC for members.

Retravision

sstuwa.org.au/itic

sstuwa.org.au/retravision

Luxurious, self-contained accommodation in Margaret River. Discounted rates for members.

Cost plus 5% on all products. Osborne Park location only; in store or via phone. Nation-wide delivery available.

Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat

Teacher Superstore

sstuwa.org.au/jarrahgrove

sstuwa.org.au/teachersuperstore

10% discount on houseboat holidays.

5-10% discount, in store and online.

Mandurah Houseboats

The Good Guys Commercial

sstuwa.org.au/houseboats

sstuwa.org.au/thegoodguys

Save up to $18 on Rottnest ferry tickets with WestClub.

Online access to live discounted pricing on The Good Guys’ full range.

Rottnest ferry tickets

Vet Products Direct

sstuwa.org.au/rottnest

10% discount on pet products, plus advice from professionals.

sstuwa.org.au/vetpro

STA Travel

Exclusive discounts for members.

sstuwa.org.au/statravel

Western Teacher July 2019

Classifieds

Classifieds Block for sale: Kalbarri

Large 770sqm block, ready to build on, two streets from the beach. 22m frontage with north facing winter aspect. Walking distance to all facilities. Be quick as seller will negotiate. All offers considered. 0402 349 203

For sale: Cooloongup

3x2 plus large utility room, fully powered workshop set amongst a quiet street and bushland. Large patio area and backyard for entertaining and family time. Offers from $350,000. EOI: 0401 847 317

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

Albany

“Wywurry Holidays” in 2x1 fully furnished cottage. Min 2 nights, max 6 weeks. Sleeps 4, more with camp beds. Pet friendly. 20 min walk to Middleton Beach. $100/night for 4 people; $10/night per extra person. $550/week. $2,000/month. Linen fee optional $50 per visit/week. Sara: 0499 057 647 saralindsay41@gmail.com

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 | 9448 5527 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

Falcon

Shady two bedroom beach cottage 300 metres from surf beach and protected Falcon Bay. Located on a grassy, peppermint gum 1012 sq metre block. Sleeps eight. Well-equipped including BBQ. Close to Miami Village and all amenities, great for crabbing and fishing. Less than one hour from Perth’s CBD along Forrest Hwy. $150 per night for Western Teacher readers. 0415 035 390 | richard.wright@iinet.net.au

Floreat

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

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

Cowaramup (Margaret River Region)

France (South)

Augusta

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

Denmark

The Rise is a modern, comfortable, 3x2 fully equipped house close to town with elevated views. Located close to Scotsdale and Mt Shadforth drives and their many tourist attractions. Stay for 7 nights and pay for 6 nights. Bookings.denmark.com.au (property The Rise) (08) 9848 2055, 9am to 5pm

3x2 house located in quaint village adjacent to Canal du Midi - noted for having 300 days of sunshine per year and hence lots of vineyards. Spain is 1hr drive; Barcelona is 2hr drive. $700 per week. 0407 368 511 | craigrebecca@bigpond.com

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

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

Mt Lawley/Dianella

Newly built 1x1 self-contained extension, furnished, with laundry, dining, lounge, kitchen and one undercover parking bay. Aircon, TV, fridge, washing machine and microwave included. Quiet residential area close to city, buses, Galleria Morley, Mt Lawley cafe strip and Northbridge. 10 min walk to Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre; golf course across the road. $80 per night, min two nights. $50 per night for weekly and monthly rentals. 0439 964 239 | cymbie.burgoyne@gmail.com

Northam

Renovated, self-contained 30s-style three bedroom house with beautiful river views. Short walk across the bridges to town. Sleeps six-eight. Kevin: 0414 446 431

Prevelly

One bedroom private spa apartment in quiet Prevelly cul-de-sac. Two minute walk from beach. Suits couples. $165 per night for Western Teacher readers. Lucy: lcartell@iinet.net.au

Scarborough

Stay on Brighton. Comfortable 3x2 unit is a home away from home with everything you need. Sleeps six adults. Caters for children. Conveniently located near shops and café; 10 minute walk to beach. Western Teacher special: stay six nights and the seventh night is free. Lisa: 0408 914 090 lisamaree77@hotmail.com

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

Email 50 words or fewer to editor@sstuwa.org.au with your phone and union membership numbers. Free for members. 32

Western Teacher July 2019

Classifieds

Classifieds Victoria (Jan Juc Beach)

Planning a holiday to Victoria? Stay on the beautiful Surf Coast, in between Torquay and the famous Bells Beach. Sleeps eight comfortably. Walking distance to the beach, golf club, shops and river mouth. Everything you need is already there. Large entertaining areas. Discount for Western Teacher readers. 0403 803 064

Curious about Cuba?

Interested in: Agriculture sustainability, food security, global social justice, universal health care and education, socialism in practice? Be more than a tourist! Join the 37th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba, 28 Dec 2019 to 16 Jan 2020. Rhonda: 0428 055 635 bowgadabird1@hotmail.com cubabrigade.org.au

Luxury Diwali tour to India

$7,650pp, 19 Oct to 5 Nov. Teachers’ discount: $300. Visiting Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Includes airfares, transfers, fees and gratuities, five star hotels, most meals, live Bollywood show, two tiger safaris, participation in Diwali festival and mock Indian wedding. 0409 554 702 | support@luxetoursindia.com luxetoursindia.com

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 3 starts 29 July. 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. 9334 1259 | youth@stjohnambulance.com.au

Actors reading to kids: it’s Storyville!

Storyville is a free literacy initiative run by Australian performers through the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance. The program harnesses the talent of performers to encourage children to read and specifically targets primary schools with socio-economic disadvantage or where for a majority of students English is a second language. diane.cameron@equityfoundation.org.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

Calling all retired teachers!

Are you a retired teacher with a spirit of adventure and time to spare? Would you like to assist families in remote areas of WA? You may like to join REVISE WA as a tutor. For more info, visit www.revisewa.com.au

Wanted: Teacher resources

Wanted: Your unwanted teacher resources and materials. Declutter and make some extra cash at the same time. If you have unused and unwanted resources cluttering up your classroom or home, call Kris. Kris: 0401 263 070

Belly Rubs Boarding Kennels

Personalised approach to boarding your canine companion. $25 per dog – mention you’re a teacher to receive a 10 per cent discount. Located in Southern River. Elisa: 0417 620 766 | bellyrubsboarding.com

Western Teacher July 2019

Noticeboard

Email to editor@sstuwa.org.au

AEU WA Branch election for federal delegates

Retired Teachers’ Association The choir is looking forward to performing at the Parkland Villas, Woodlands, on 26 August at 1.30pm.

All election advice and information is available at sstuwa.org.au

On 24 June we enjoyed the writing of Robert Drewe. On 19 August the speaker at literature will be Shane McCauley on words and meanings, origins and interesting phrases. We hope to have a talk on Katharine Susannah Prichard in October.

Nominations open on Monday 5 August and close at noon on Monday 26 August. The ballot, if required, will open on Monday 16 September and close at noon on Monday 7 October.

Ann Strauss: 9387 2906

State Council Conference Members/branches wishing to submit motions for November State Council must do so by 5pm Friday 27 September 2019.

Do you enjoy singing?

Meekatharra DHS Savage Street site turns 50!

If so, Working Voices Choir would like you to join us. We sing songs of social justice, union and environmental songs. No auditions needed.

Come on up for a BBQ, fun activities and a trip down memory lane! All staff and students, past and present, and their families are welcome. Friday 2 August, 3-7pm.

For more information, visit workingvoiceschoir.org.au

More info: 9981 1092

Level 3 Classroom Teachers’ Association

2019 meeting dates: Saturdays, 10.30am-noon at the State Library Term 3

Term 4

10 August

19 October

14 September

23 November Mon 9 December Celebration event

Venue subject to change. Visit www.l3cta.org.au for venue information and to confirm attendance, or email contact@l3cta.org.au

SSTUWA committee meeting dates:

Early Childhood Educators’ Committee

TAFE Committee

21 August

International Committee

LGBTIQ Committee

Dates to be confirmed

New Educator Committee

Women’s Committee

Psych Services Committee

ATSIE Committee

Time: 4.30pm

Time: 4.15pm

Time: 4.45pm

Time: 4pm

Dates to be confirmed

29 August

Time: 4.15pm

27 August

Venue: SSTUWA office | Contact: (08) 9210 6000 or contact@sstuwa.org.au Teleconference facilities are available

6 November

19 November

Western Teacher July 2019

Time: 5pm

Time: 4.30pm

28 November

Time: 4pm

15 August

31 October

It feels good to be ethical

Globally, 128 companies were named as a 2019 World’s Most Ethical Company1, including 5 banks. And we’re one of them for the 6th year in a row!

Join us^ tmbank.com.au ^Membership is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are current or retired employees of the Australian education sector or family members of members of the Bank. 1 The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practice. The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient (EQ) framework and honours superior achievements in transparency, integrity, ethics and compliance. Worlds Most Ethical Companies and ‘Ethisphere’ names and marks are registered trade marks of Ethisphere LLL. www.ethisphere.com Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981 | 00711-CSR-0419-WME-A4-WT

Transition to Retirement Specialists

Financial solutions and advice to help you transition

TTR and Tax benefits will continue into 2019 & beyond! Please see tipsfs.com.au

Are You Retiring or Reducing Hours in 2019? What you will need to consider … • • • •

Can I afford to drop a day? How much will be enough to retire on? How can I maximize my income & reduce tax? When is it best to pay off my mortgage?