Western Teacher - Volume 48.8 - October 2019

Volume 48.8 October 2019

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

Who cares about your workload?

We do.

pg.10

sstuwa.org.au

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Features

Volume 48.8 October 2019

In this edition Correspondence:

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

Member Assist:

Ph: 9210 6060 memberassist@sstuwa.org.au Print post publication 100004470 | $4.95 ABN: 544 780 946 35 Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) 1 West Street, West Perth WA. Printed by Vanguard Press, 26 James Street, Northbridge WA. October 2019.

Cover: Workload is one of the key areas covered by both the schools and TAFE Log of Claims. Read more on page 10.

To access the digital copy of Western Teacher, type this link into your browser: sstuwa.org.au/westernteacher

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/sstuwa

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

26 July

5 August

6 September

9 September

4 October

4 November

29 November

Dates are subject to change

In this edition

Lynette Virgona scholarship nominations open.......................................7 Aussie preschool kids left behind by Morrison......................................................8 OECD data shows effects of school funding cuts................................................9 Bargaining framework..............................10 Q&A with Member Assist..........................11 Third time lucky? Progress of the WA WHS Act and regulations....................12 Educators and their unions taking the lead..........................................14 Drop in public VET students reflects funding crisis............................................16

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

Advertisements in Western Teacher are the responsibility of advertisers. While Western Teacher makes reasonable efforts to ensure that no misleading claims are made by advertisers, responsibility is not accepted by The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) for statements made or the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.)

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

At the close of the nominations on 12 August 2019 for senior officers and executive positions, there were no positions contested. All nominees from the Byrne Unity Team were declared elected by the Australian Electoral Commission.

On behalf of the Byrne Unity Team, we express our appreciation to outgoing executive members Edd Black, Natalie Blewitt and Wes Buzza and thank them for their commitment to public education and the SSTUWA. We welcome our new members Jasmine Harris, Matthew Jarman and Carina Ward.

Your Senior Officers and Executive members for 2020-2022 are: General Secretary Mary Franklyn

Senior Vice President Paul Bridge

President Pat Byrne

Vice President Samantha Schofield

Simon Hitchens Matthew Jarman Jan Lau Kathy Mannion

Sharmila Nagar Graeme Repper Lincoln Rose Anne Tumak

Sharon Vertigan Pauline Winrow Carina Ward

Executive Members Bruce Banyard Kate Bunney Cathy de Thierry Jasmine Harris

We look forward to representing you during our term of office; continuing to protect and improve members’ industrial and professional rights, promoting high quality public education and ensuring that the current and long term interests are at the centre of everything we do.

Western Teacher October 2019

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Log of Claims to tackle critical issues

From the President

By Pat Byrne President

With overwhelming support from members for the 2019 Log of Claims, the process of moving towards a new general agreement has moved into the negotiation phase.

outside of classroom learning on issues such as student welfare and wellbeing issues, student engagement and behaviour.

It should be said that while these discussions will no doubt be testing at times the general tenor of the negotiations has been positive so far and we welcome this more collaborative approach.

At the same time over 43 per cent of respondents reported that there had been decreasing employer support on issues relating to student behaviour and welfare.

There is of course a major stumbling block in the state government’s insistence on suppressing public service salaries.

This is especially disappointing at a time when so many leading economists – and even the head of the Reserve Bank – have acknowledged that low wages growth is a major factor in the contraction of the Australian economy.

There will be little point in governments securing surpluses through stringent wage policies if the economy suffers a recession through a lack of spending.

That said, there are many issues which require investment and support beyond wages. The SSTUWA has identified the key problem areas of system support, teachers’ work (including workload), attraction and retention issues as well as safety in schools.

The SSTUWA engaged Dr Scott Fitzgerald from the School of Management at Curtin University to conduct a workload survey for us. His report, Understanding Work in WA Public Schools, offers the basis for a number of key claims in 2019.

How does that process work?

Let’s take working with children with behavioural issues as an example. The survey conducted by Dr Fitzgerald found almost two thirds of respondents were communicating with individual students

The solution frontline teachers said they needed? Increased support – for both students with special needs, on behavioural issues and more broadly, curriculum support.

That has been reflected in some specific elements of the Log of Claims.

At a basic level there is a need for definitions of workplace violence and psychological health into the General Agreement, so people on all sides can be clear what we are dealing with.

The SSTUWA will also be seeking the creation of a crisis intervention team to assist schools with the Issue Resolution Process (under the Occupational Safety and Health Act).

There will also be a series of recommendations made to impact on behaviour management including: That the parties develop Stage 2 of the “Let’s Stand Together” behaviour management strategy aimed at providing a safe, supportive and disciplined environment for all students and staff.

Stage 2 will: • Incorporate the review of the Behaviour Management Policy scheduled for 2020.

• Be inclusive of the current 10 point plan.

• Provide a holistic approach to behaviour in schools which incorporates

prevention, management and response strategies for students, educators and school communities.

• Include a renewed direction for the Positive Behaviours for Learning project and broaden access to all schools.

• Incorporate learning behaviours, preventing bullying and violence, responding to bullying and violence and ensuring whole community buy-in.

• See the Let’s Stand Together model be adopted for teachers of student with disabilities. The parties agree to develop a strategy within six months of the date of registration of this Agreement.

Until very recently government wages policy required agreement and award changes to be cost neutral.

This has now changed such that Treasury may approve matters which are not cost neutral. This was apparent in the EBA negotiations with the CPSU/CSA which clearly incurred additional expenditure.

It is not yet clear what this means for SSTUWA negotiations.

What is clear is that our Log of Claims does incur additional expenditure from government, which we argue is essential for the maintenance and improvement of our public education system in WA. While both union parties have outlined their claims in detail, we have yet to have any response from the employer in relation to any of them.

Agreement negotiations can be long and complex journeys but the support from members along the way, starting with our workload survey last year, plus strong endorsement of the Log of Claims, means we have started the process in a positive way.

Western Teacher October 2019

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From the General Secretary

GA negotiations underway

By Mary Franklyn General Secretary

GA negotiations underway for schools and TAFE Work is proceeding apace on the Schools General Agreement (GA) 2019 and the TAFE General Agreement 2019.

The president has outlined on page 5 how the process for schools is being applied, while we have had great input from TAFE members and the hard-working TAFE Committee.

There are common denominators in the Log of Claims in each of the sectors.

Workload is rising, departmental support in key areas is falling; the government is suppressing wages when experts say it is time for salaries to rise to boost the economy.

Doing more with less is not an approach that will deliver top class education in either schools or TAFEs. Formal negotiations are now underway in both cases and are expected to continue during October and November. We hope to be able to report back to members between the middle and end of Term 4 before the conclusion of current agreements.

The support shown by members in the development of the respective log of claims is much appreciated and places us in a sound position to do the heavy lifting with the employer and to call for this Labor government to step up to the plate and show leadership for public schools and TAFE. Negotiations require resolve, patience and persistence. We have this and we will be pressing this government to deliver.

Play is Learning campaign A spectacularly successful launch of the Play is Learning campaign saw plenty of coverage in the media for this crucial campaign.

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Western Teacher October 2019

The campaign will be developing further in Term 4 with a series of forums in metro and country areas to inform school leaders of the campaign details and to provide time for early childhood education (ECE) members to give practical support on strategies that work for play-based programs.

Full information on the forums can be found at playislearning.org.au We also plan to take the campaign to Parliament, with a briefing session for MPs.

Safety in schools It was extremely encouraging to receive notification from the Director General of the Education Department of a new campaign – No Voice to Violence – which seeks to make students think twice before sharing footage of violent incidents at school.

The SSTUWA is especially pleased that this is seen as part of process of “sparking a community conversation” about violence in schools.

This was the essence of the SSTUWA’s campaign which grew out of the concerns of many of our members and at the direction of State Council.

The Education Minister’s 10 point plan on the theme of Let’s Take a Stand Together very much grew from those initial conversations with the union.

We welcome the written confirmation that the department is committed to a long term strategy to address violence.

The next step for the employer/ government is to support SSTUWA members in their call for a systemic approach to positive behaviour management across the state. This call is within our GA 2019 claim.

Being punched, bit, slapped and/or verbally abused isn’t part of the job. Being protected, supported and safe at work is what every worker has a right to.

We are calling for a statewide approach that ensures prevention, management and action.

This framework will build positive learning and working environments for all staff and students. Early intervention to crisis management requires specific plans, training, resources and direction.

Our GA 2019 sets the framework for this to happen as an industrial matter and as an occupational safety and health (OSH) matter.

As SSTUWA members I call on you all to call out violence. It is not okay for any member to be left alone to stand up – we must and will do it with them.

Laws and policy alone cannot change violent behaviour – the application of laws and policy can and will.

We saw recent calls for mandatory jail sentences for adults who assault school leaders and teachers, who are public officers. The real issue here is that employees are reluctant to press charges against adults. This is what must change.

As your union we will advise you of your right to press changes, we will provide you with legal assistance and support to do this and we will encourage this action.

It is, however, always a challenge for any victim to take legal action and we will act collectively in our support of any member in such a situation.

OSH issues One of the finest areas of our work comes in OSH. Recent events have included members having their workplaces affected by fire and a new example of asbestos management.

Professional

In each case our OSH officer, Joy Barrett, was on the case immediately – in the case of the fire it was during her weekend.

There is a special focus on OSH in October, which is Safe Work Month.

Keep an eye on your eNews updates for information on a range of activities to help you stay safe at work.

Know when to say no One ever-increasing area of concern is the bombardment of teachers and leaders with demands from parents.

Let’s be clear that there are now guidelines around when parents can expect a response out of hours, whether on social media or email. This was agreed in the exchange of letters in the recent General Agreement.

According to McCrindle’s annual Future of Education report, the parent push for schools to care for the mental health of their children is coming at the expense of learning and teacher wellbeing.

Every school leader and teacher knows that feeling – when you feel a student needs additional assistance or you see that red flag signal. Make sure such help does not come at the cost of your own health. Your health comes first!

Union membership I am delighted to see member numbers on the rise. I want to thank and congratulate all the staff, union reps and branch members who have been signing up TAFE and school members.

We are making great strides in key areas such as safety and job security. The more members we have, the stronger our voice is on these key issues.

The message is also getting through that the union takes individual cases only for matters that commenced and happened while people were a member.

We will be here for you if something happens to you as a member of the SSTUWA – but that support does not apply to pre-existing cases.

Unionism is about being there for our fellow members as well as ourselves.

Every member case has the backing of us all.

Lynette Virgona scholarship nominations open The Lynette Virgona Memorial Scholarship has been established by the SSTUWA in memory of Lynette Virgona (pictured), who died of cancer in 2013 while serving as an Executive member of the SSTUWA and a branch councillor of the AEU (WA) Branch.

As well as serving at Executive level, Lynette was a representative at branch level, District Council, State Council and on SSTUWA committees.

Lynette trained as a teacher consultant under the Behaviour Management and Discipline (BMAD) project, which developed into the Classroom Management Strategies program, supporting teachers in managing students’ engagement in the classroom and countering behavioural issues.

This project evolved as an initiative between the Department of Education and the SSTUWA and has been covered in agreements since its inception.

It has delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars to public schools in WA to provide training and professional development, resources, programs, extra teachers and the teacher consultants focussed on supporting teachers to manage students’ engagement in the classroom and countering behavioural issues.

This scholarship, open to union members, has been established to remember Lynette’s strong union activism and to continue her work in the area of student management and instructional strategies, an area of work long supported by SSTUWA advocacy.

Last year’s recipient of the Lynette Virgona scholarship was TAFE lecturer Kristy Brown, who used her scholarship to attend professional development in the area of non-violent communication theory, which helps to prevent and resolve misunderstandings and conflict in the workplace between staff and students.

Kristy will share more about her professional learning in a future issue of Western Teacher.

Scholarship information The annual scholarship of $1,500 will be available to assist a member of the SSTUWA to take up training or professional development opportunities to develop their own skills and abilities in the areas of student behaviour and/or instructional strategies.

The scholarship funds will be paid at the time at which payment for the training/ professional development is being arranged. Funds may be used to cover the costs of the course and/or travel and accommodation and/or teacher relief.

The scholarship will be formally awarded as part of November State Council and is valid from 12 months from that date.

Applicants will be required to provide a report to Executive on the training/ professional development and be available to undertake some form of promotional action for the SSTUWA. To apply for the scholarship visit sstuwa.org.au/scholarships to fill out the relevant application form.

The deadline for applications is 4pm Monday 14 October 2019.

Western Teacher October 2019

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Issues

Aussie preschool kids left behind by Morrison The Morrison Government’s refusal to guarantee ongoing funding beyond 2020 for two years of preschool for all Australian children means that our early childhood education (ECE) sector receives little more than half the funding provided by other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to their preschools.

“Australia is just one of 11 OECD nations which do not provide two years of early childhood education.

• Only 86 per cent of four-year-olds are enrolled, again lower than the OECD average of 88 per cent.

“Scott Morrison’s failure to guarantee ongoing funding for two years of preschool for every three and four-yearold child makes absolutely no sense. Two years of early childhood education is fast becoming the global standard.

The OECD’s Education at a Glance 2019 report has shown that while countries including Sweden, Iceland and Norway all spend at least one per cent of GDP on ECE, Australia has been left languishing at only 0.57 per cent.

“In addition, the Morrison Government’s refusal to guarantee funding for any sort of early childhood education past July 2020 means that our ECE sector will continue to fall further and further behind.”

• Australia’s lack of investment in permanent ECE funding shows in that it has been unable to improve three to five-year-old enrolment at even the OECD average. From 2010-2017 Australia’s enrolment rate improved from 74 per cent to 84 per cent of three to five-year-olds, still lagging the OECD average of 87 per cent (up from 82 per cent in 2010).

And with ECE funding averaging 0.8 per cent of GDP across the OECD, this leaves Australia sitting behind 16 other countries when it comes to early childhood education funding, including Portugal, Latvia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Australian Education Union (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.

“These latest OECD figures show that Australia is already lagging behind much of the rest of the world when it comes to funding early childhood education,” she said.

According to the OECD report, about two-thirds of children in OECD countries who are enrolled in pre-primary education attend publicly-funded institutions.

However in several countries, including Australia, at least 70 per cent of children attend privately-funded ECE. Ms Haythorpe said that Australia needs a strong preschool sector to complement its existing strong public school system.

She said the Morrison Government’s failure to properly fund preschools places Australia squarely in the bottom third of the OECD rankings for both three and four-year-old enrolments.

According to the OECD report: • Only 67 per cent of three-year-old children in Australia are enrolled in ECE, far behind the OECD average of 79 per cent.

• Australia is years behind in terms of enrolment growth compared to the top OECD countries, all of whom have enrolment rates above 90 per cent.

“The benefits of a structured early childhood education program for our children are compelling and proven,” Ms Haythorpe 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.

“In addition, a recent analysis showed 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.

Investing in ECE just makes good sense.”

Ms Haythorpe said that funding 15 hours per week of preschool for three and four-year-old children would also provide certainty for parents and enable future workforce planning for teachers and other ECE professionals.

“It’s time for the Morrison Government to make this commitment for our children and families,” she said.

“Guaranteed funding for our early learning sector is a critically important investment in the future of our children.”

8

Western Teacher October 2019

Issues

OECD data shows effects of school funding cuts The dire effect of the Morrison Government’s cuts to public school funding has again been highlighted, with an international report revealing that total expenditure on schools and non-tertiary post-secondary education in Australia has fallen from 10.4 per cent of total government expenditure in 2010, to 8.9 per cent in 2016.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Education at a Glance 2019 report showed that across the OECD, average total expenditure on schools and nontertiary post-secondary education per student increased by five per cent in 2016 compared to 2010.

However, in 2016 Australia spent only 83.9 per cent of what it did in 2010 on school and non-tertiary education in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).

According to the report: • Australia is 10th in the OECD overall for GDP expenditure at the primary school level, but only 17th of the 35 countries that provided data at the secondary school level.

• At the secondary school level, only 4.2 per cent of total government expenditure in Australia is spent on education. This is below the OECD average of 4.4 per cent.

• Australia, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia and Spain were the only countries that did not spend more in 2016 than they did in 2010.

• Australian public expenditure on schools and non-university education is only 3.18 per cent of GDP, barely scraping in above the all OECD average of 3.11 per cent of GDP. • Australia spends less than two per cent of GDP on secondary education, again barely reaching the OECD average.

Australian Education Union (AEU) Federal President Correna Haythorpe (pictured)

said that the OECD report reflected the long history of Liberal-National Government cuts to public school funding.

“The Morrison Government should hang its head in shame at these school funding figures,” she said.

“Under the Abbott, the Turnbull and the Morrison Governments, we have seen a relentless drive to cut funding and thus educational opportunity to public schools.

“What is most concerning is that these figures are from 2016. Since then we saw the Turnbull Government cut $1.9 billion in funding from public schools in 2018 and 2019, as well as the Morrison Government sign funding deals that mean 99 per cent of public schools will be funded under the Schooling Resource Standard by 2023.

“Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan may claim his government is providing record school funding, but these OECD numbers do not lie. We need urgent action from the Commonwealth to reverse these funding cuts and give Australia’s 2.5 million public school children a fair go.”

Amongst other findings from the OECD report: • Salary scales and career trajectories for Australian teachers are significantly flatter and much more limited than for many of their OECD colleagues.

• Average teaching salaries for countries at the top of the OECD scale are 67 per cent higher than average starting salaries. In Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Korea and Spain, lower secondary school teachers continually progress to reach the top of the salary scale after 35 years of service. By contrast, the Australian salary scale is much more limited.

• Australian upper secondary school teachers spend an average of 816 hours per year teaching, 22 per cent more time than the OECD average of 667 hours per year.

“As the OECD data shows, Australian public school teachers are amongst the best and hardest-working teachers in the world and they deserve to earn a salary commensurate to their skills and knowledge,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“A teacher’s increasing skills and experience need to be recognised throughout their career with nationally competitive salaries. We need to retain and nurture our experienced public school teachers. This creates an environment where new teachers can learn from more experienced teachers and provides a collegial environment for support and mentoring.”

Ms Haythorpe said that the heavy workloads experienced by Australian public school teachers was in large part due to funding constraints imposed by the Morrison Government.

She said that this workload created pressures which reduced the teaching and learning time for teachers.

“Cutting funding from public schools is not the way to provide time for our teachers to get the best from their students,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“Putting extra resources into schools is the best way to ensure that all students get the support and attention they need in the classroom.”

Western Teacher October 2019

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General Agreement 2019 Schools: Bargaining framework

October 2019 | No. 7

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 was forwarded to members for a vote and finalised by the SSTUWA Executive. We then served that Log of Claims on the employer – the Department of Education – and formal negotiations have commenced. The aim is to have that negotiation process finalised by December 2019.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

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.

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.

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.

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 September – Negotiations commenced Term 4 – Member/rep/delegate education

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Western Teacher October 2019

GA GA 2019

2019

2019

General Agreement 2019 TAFE

After great input from TAFE members and the hard-working TAFE Committee, the committee and the SSTUWA Executive have now endorsed the Log of Claims and negotiations have commenced.

In TAFEs the key workload issues are having a big impact on teaching and preparation time.

Contact hours are nowhere near what is promised to students.

Far too often priority is given to auditors following up on the latest reporting requirements instead of preparations to deliver top class education and training to students.

There is a real determination among TAFE members to continue to tackle permanency. To have only a short-term contract is detrimental to knowledge retention and is, of course, difficult for individuals who want to make long-term plans, who find it harder to get loans and who suffer the stress caused by uncertainty over their future employment.

2019

It is crucial to show the employer that we care about workload, we care about job security, we care about students and the ability of educators to deliver quality programs with adequate resources and supplies.

GA GA 2019

TAFE

• Decision making re: any offers, options and actions

SCHOOLS

Consideration of next steps

GA GA

The new student management system (SMS) has also caused extensive increases in workload and much stress.

• Cluster district and branch meetings • Communications – GA news

Who cares about your job security?

TAFE

In our most recent EBA process the SSTUWA was clear that it wanted employers that respect the work school leaders, teachers and lecturers do.

2019

QA and

Members’ matters

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

with Member Assist Q

I went home sick after lunch and was debited half a day of sick leave from my sick leave credits. Is this correct?

A

Yes, clause 41(1)(e) of the Award states sick leave may be taken in half days or full days.

I took two days of sick Q leave and did not get a medical certificate. Is this

okay or do I have get a medical certificate?

A

Clause 41 of the Award covers this question. Employees can take up to five days in one credit year without evidence as long as a period does not exceed two days.

1. The nature of the illness and/or disability of the employee.

2. The period the employee is unfit for duty.

I’m the union rep at my Q school and a staff member who is not in the SSTUWA has asked for assistance with an issue. Will the union give this person assistance?

A

Firstly, advise the staff member that they should join the SSTUWA as a member, but explain that if the issue they have is pre-existing then the rules of the SSTUWA do not allow the member to receive legal assistance from the Legal Services Team. Upon joining the SSTUWA, the staff member can receive general advice regarding the issue from Member Assist.

evidence is required Do I have to take all my Q What for sick leave?

Q long service leave (LSL) within two years of it becoming

A

Know Your Rights

KYR

The reference to evidence means the provision of evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person. This evidence must be in writing and include the following details:

available?

A

Yes, the Director General of Education invoked clause 38(8) of the Award that can direct employees

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

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

to take accrued long service leave and determine the date on when this leave is taken. This was due to the large liability the Department of Education (DoE) had for LSL. The SSTUWA did negotiate in the 2017 General Agreement exchange of letters that employees can keep five days LSL credits until the next entitlement of LSL is accrued.

I am on leave without pay Q (LWOP); can I undertake casual/relief teaching?

A

The DoE policy is that employees cannot undertake casual/relief teaching during a period of LWOP. There are two exceptions to the policy.

1. If the employee is on unpaid parental leave, as the Award specifically provides for the employee to engage in “special temporary employment.”

2. There are no casual teachers available at the time and all other avenues have been exhausted.

Is leave without pay an Q entitlement for employees to access?

A

Approval for LWOP is entirely discretionary from the employer and not an entitlement. If LWOP is not granted, reasons for the decision will be provided in writing. Employees can only be granted LWOP if all other leave credits have been exhausted.

Western Teacher October 2019

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Occupational safety and health

Third time lucky?

Progress of the WA WHS Act and regulations

By Joy Barrett OSH organiser

In June 2017, the Minister for Industrial Relations, Bill Johnston, MLA, announced that a ministerial advisory panel (MAP) would be appointed, with representatives from all the relevant stakeholder groups, to advise him on modernising the workplace health and safety (WHS) laws in WA. His instructions to the MAP were that they were to use the model WHS laws as a basis for developing their recommendations but that consideration should be given to the amendments that have occurred in other states and the unique geographic and economic circumstances of WA. The other stipulation was that there should be a single, amalgamated WHS act to cover general industry and the resources sector in WA. The previous WA WHS Green Bill developed under the Barnett Government was to be disregarded.

The MAP met from October 2017 until March 2018.

A final report of the deliberations of that panel was released in June 2018. There were 44 recommendations made by the MAP that were variations on the model WHS Act provisions.

Further detail of these recommendations and the report can be found at: bit.ly/2kKuJFV These recommendations were released for a public comment period which extended until 31 August 2018.

Recently the minister announced that their deliberations were complete and the WA WHS Bill is in the final stage of drafting.

The minister has announced that it is his intention that the bill will be introduced 12

Western Teacher October 2019

into Parliament imminently and hoped that it would be passed by the Legislative Assembly by Christmas.

Until the drafted act is released, a number of provisions and changes are not confirmed.

He has discussed the proposed contents of the bill with all the relevant stakeholders but advised that there are some legal issues to be resolved to make the legislation workable.

What are some of the changes you can expect to see in the WA WHS Bill?

In particular he referred to the nature of the wording of the industrial manslaughter (IM) provisions.

• The bill will contain provisions for the offence of industrial manslaughter.

It was advised that most of the recommendations of the MAP have been accepted by Cabinet, except those that relate to the right of entry (RoE) for unions to the workplace.

In consultation with the employers’ representatives and unions there will be no provisions regarding RoE in the WHS Act. RoE provisions will remain in the Industrial Relations Act. The recommendation that unions be able to initiate prosecutions for a contravention of the WHS civil penalty provisions was also rejected. As most of these relate to RoE, the power would not be very useful anyway.

Union initiated prosecution is obviously seen as very contentious by employers groups and the provision would have led to unnecessary criticism of the bill and deflected attention from the positive improvements this new act would bring for workplace safety.

Enforcement and penalties

• There will be two classes of IM: Class one: This will apply to a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) or an officer who knowingly fails in respect of their WHS duties, which leads to a fatality of a worker or other person. This will carry a maximum penalty of $10 million or 20 years of imprisonment for an individual conducting an undertaking or business. These prosecutions will be heard in the District Court.

• Class two: Where negligence by a person operating a PCBU or officer results in the fatality of a worker or other person. This will carry a maximum penalty of $5 million or 10 years imprisonment. These prosecutions will be heard in the Magistrates Court.

Enforceable undertakings A person or business can enter into an enforceable undertaking rather than pay a fine whereby an equivalent amount of money will be spent on improving WHS

Occupational safety and health conditions at the workplace. This option will not be available where a fatality is involved.

Increased powers for inspectors WHS tribunal and registrar • The tribunal will have the power to direct the registrar to investigate WHS matters.

• Unions will be able to take disputes to the tribunal on behalf of members.

(Currently the individual must make application to the tribunal on their own behalf.)

• Where a WHS dispute has not been resolved in a workplace a union or a worker will be able to refer the matter to an inspector. The inspector will have two days to make a decision on the dispute. If after that time there has been no response or a decision from the regulator, a union or a worker will be able to refer the dispute to the WHS tribunal.

Safety and health representative and committees • OSH representatives will be known as health and safety representatives (HSRs).

• Their term of office will be three years.

• HSRs will be able to direct that unsafe work is ceased after consultation with the PCBU and after they have undertaken training.

• HSRs can assist workgroups of other PCBUs in the workplace.

• The onus will be on PCBUs to hold Health and Safety (H&S) Committee meetings during work hours and to facilitate attendance or representatives.

• The Commission for Occupational Safety and Health will continue to examine and approve HSR training providers.

• HSRs should be able to attend any course of WHS training that is approved or conducted by the regulator, on the provision of reasonable notice.

• The relevant section will be rephrased to say HSR training is a requirement rather than an entitlement.

• HSR training must take place within three months of their election being declared.

• PCBUs will be required to appoint a management representative to sit on the safety committee who can authorise decisions made by the committee.

• HSRs will be notified if a PCBU seeks to review a provisional improvement notice (PIN).

The consultation period began on 26 August and will end 26 November.

Regulations do not have to be approved by Parliament, therefore it is hoped that the package will be ready to sit alongside the act once it reaches gazettal stage.

There will be three sets of regulations.

Duty of care

1. WHS regulations applying generally to all Western Australian workplaces.

• A new duty of care on the providers of WHS advice service or providers.

2. WHS regulations applying to the mining sector.

Psychological health

3. WHS regulations applying to petroleum and geothermal energy operations.

• The act will clarify that the general duty of care encompasses both physical health and psychological health.

• This will allow specific regulations to be developed which will spell out the requirements necessary to meet the general duty of care.

WA WHS regulations The minster has approved the Department of Mines and Industry Regulation (DMIRS) to commence public consultation on a new set of WHS regulations. The regulation package is again based on the model WHS regulations with some changes to suit WA. The minster has also advised that additional matters identified in the public consultation process may be approved for regulation.

Unions will have a large number of proposed amendments for the government to consider in their submissions and will focus on a number of issues such as: • Environmental issues (e.g. Dust, noise and heat).

• Psychosocial health hazards (e.g.

Violence, harassment and FIFO).

• Maintaining and improving WA’s health surveillance regime.

• Exposure standards and occupational disease.

• Gendered violence.

Information on the consultation can be found at: bit.ly/2m2VANK

Increased resources to be provided to Worksafe The McGowan Labor Government will invest $12.9 million in new initiatives to enhance workplace health and safety.

An additional 24 full time equivalent staff, including 21 additional inspectors, will be employed by Worksafe. This will bring the total number of inspectors to 120 to conduct more safety inspections, enforce workplace safety and provide more education and awareness support.

The significant boost in safety inspectors will bring Western Australia in line with New South Wales and Queensland and ensures that a ratio of 1.0 inspector FTE per 10,000 employees is met.

These inspectors will investigate fatal and serious incidents and an additional 16 vehicles will be added to the fleet to lift the number of workplace inspections.

There will also be inspectors with expertise in industrial and regional cases and those inspecting service industries and specialists.

A new worker safety campaign called Better Worker Safety, which aims to put safety at the front of minds and improve workplace safety and health outcomes in Western Australia, will also be developed as part of the McGowan Government’s increased workplace safety initiatives.

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Issues

Educators and their unions taking the lead

By Natalie Blewitt Vice President

Bangkok welcomed educators from around the world to participate in the 8th Education International (EI) World Congress recently. About 800 delegates and 343 observers, representing 283 organisations in 151 countries, attended a variety of workshops, breakout sessions, engaged in debate and conversed over the state of education. In part two of her report on the event, SSTUWA Vice President Natalie Blewitt covers the LGBTI and equity discussions at EI World Congress.

LGBTI caucus – make no assumptions The Make No Assumptions breakout session focussed on building support for LGBTI rights within education unions.

Panel members shared their thoughts and issues facing educators who identify as LGBTI across their regions.

Sara Sundstrom, from the Swedish Teachers Union, outlined the history of homosexuality in Sweden.

She spoke about the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1944, although being homosexual continued to remain as a “mental illness” until 1979.

Teachers in Sweden continue to report to their union that there have been situations where principals have asked teachers not to tell students or parents they are LGBTI as this may effect enrolments in their schools.

She also reported that LGBTI employees still encounter questions and discrimination in their workplaces but these are often resolved at the local level.

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Western Teacher October 2019

It is extremely rare for these types of cases to reach the courts. None the less, there still remains limited resourcing and funding available to support LGBTI educators and students.

In Brazil, it was reported that every 24 hours one LGBTI person is murdered and the life expectancy of transgender women reaches only 35 years of age.

No laws have been passed in congress to protect those who identify as LGBTI. In fact, the Brazilian minister for human rights expresses openly that boys should wear blue and girls should wear pink.

It was reported that the current government is openly racist and homophobic. But in spite of these conditions, there are many teachers who are committed to giving value to diversity and they also want to make learning conditions better for LGBTI students.

The local trade union is joining with LGBTI communities and they are encouraging LGBTI teachers to join so some action can be taken against discrimination.

In Spain, they are facing a backlash where the far right have influence. The situation has become so serious that some people are trying to implement conversion therapy to “convert” people who identify as LGBTI to heterosexuals.

Families have tried to stop LGBTI teachers from teaching their children, fearing they

may be “contagious or something”.

There is a pressure on those who identify as LGBTI not to share their sexual orientation or gender identity, and those who do are facing the pressure.

They are fighting many obstacles and even the teachers who are promoting equality in the classroom face claims by families, which is leading some to go to court.

Thankfully, no one has been convicted yet.

One message was clear: unions are fighting with other organisations to promote inclusivity, regardless of the region.

In some countries, governments are looking to decriminalise LGBTI. For others, they are moving forward with legislative change.

So, for EI, there is not one size that fits all.

The conversation must continue.

Issues

Women’s caucus and roundtable discussion – leadership toolkit

EI President Susan Hopgood (pictured above left, centre) said gender equality and women’s rights “are not solely a women’s issue but a matter of human rights”.

“We will not rest until all girls and boys have access to complete, free primary and secondary education taught by qualified teachers,” Susan said.

Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women board member Rashidah Shuib described being a woman like dancing the tango: You move forward with purpose, strength and determination but sometimes you are required to turn and move in another direction.

Sometimes, you may even need to bend but one cannot bend too much as they would fall over.

“Education International has vowed to continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls in all our work and to support member organisations to ensure their trade union structures are safe and inclusive spaces for women.”

“That is what governments committed to, that is what we will demand. Nothing less. That is a direct charge to us as teachers and support personnel at every level.

Rashidah also spoke about leadership – leadership as a social justice.

In conclusion

Leadership is about issues and an agenda; it’s not about an individual. She referenced three Ps in her address: • Power: A responsibility that is meant to be shared.

• Push: Timing is critical to be able to push your agenda. Map your area and push in the direction of the strengths of the people around you.

• Practice: Become a role model for other women. Practise what you preach.

Shelly Moore Krajacic, from the US National Education Association, spoke about deliberate succession. Women need to have seven points of interaction to be encouraged into leadership. Men only need one! Women take on leadership positions, “not because of power but because we want to make a difference”. She continued by saying that it is not enough just to enrol other women in courses or workshops, we must take them with us, guiding them and leading them past us on their journey to leadership.

We all need to continue to create opportunities and spaces for sharing experiences, learning and strategising.

Education International is a global federation of 391 education unions in 176 countries, bringing together some 32 million educators.

“Individually, of course, each of us has our own aspirations and professional story, but we are united in the belief that quality education is the key to a better future for our children, for our communities, for our countries,” Susan said.

As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries around the world have agreed on a global education goal: To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. A crucial target of this education goal is to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

“Teachers matter more than ever and we can be the world’s most significant force in a movement integrated for quality education, justice and sustainability.

“Clearly, we need to take greater action in terms of defending democracy. We have a resolution on EI taking the lead on democracy and we need to take the lead.”

EI General Secretary David Edwards said: “We must be the protectors of democracy, no one else is going to address this at the level we can. In classrooms, union halls, communities, parliament houses, on the streets and at the global level we must build alliances and we must organise.

"If not now, then when? If not us, then who?"

“There is no ground to give.

There is no wisdom in the waiting. It is time to take the lead.” – Susan Hopgood

Shelly also commented that a sign of a great leader is to make leaders of others.

As women, we need to be: “the agents of change. We need to mentor others to be able to build capacity.”

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Issues

Drop in public VET students reflects funding crisis The plummeting numbers of students enrolled with nationally-recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers is yet another pointer to the funding crisis facing Australia’s TAFE network.

According to a National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) report recently released: • Students enrolled in nationallyrecognised programs decreased by 5.9 per cent to two million people in 2018, compared with 2017, and decreased by 16.2 per cent between 2015 to 2018.

• Students enrolled in subjects not delivered as part of a nationallyrecognised program increased by 4.9 per cent to 2.5 million people in 2018, compared with 2017.

• Overall student numbers decreased by 1.5 per cent to 4.1 million people in 2018, compared with 2017.

Australian Education Union Victoria Branch President Meredith Peace said that the drop in the number of government-funded VET students was a direct consequence of the Morrison Government’s campaign to undermine TAFE. “The Morrison Government should be ashamed by what it has done to TAFE,” Ms Peace said.

“The reduction in publicly-funded VET student numbers is no surprise given that Liberal/National governments are slashing and burning TAFE funding across the country. Fewer public VET students being enrolled is a direct result of the $3 billion that the Federal Coalition has pulled out of TAFE. “Our TAFE system has been systematically undermined by profit-driven private providers advocating for a system that provides no clear qualifications, no national consistency and no guarantee of quality or qualified teachers.

“Since coming to power in 2013 the Federal Coalition has failed to invest in high-quality public vocational education to provide Australians with a pathway to real 16

Western Teacher October 2019

skills and long term careers.

“These figures highlight the need for nationally-recognised qualifications to ensure that VET course quality is maintained.”

Ms Peace said that the private-provider VET model being touted by groups such as the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia would see public VET student numbers slashed even further.

Ms Peace said that TAFE must remain a strong public provider of vocational education in Australia.

She called upon the Morrison Government to: • Guarantee a minimum of 70 per cent government funding to the public TAFE system. In addition, no public funding should go to private for-profit providers, consistent with other education sectors.

• Restore funding and rebuild the TAFE system, to insure continuing confidence in the quality of the courses and qualifications and the institution.

• Abandon the failed student loans experiment, and cancel the debts of all students caught up in private for-profit provider scams.

• Re-invest in the TAFE teaching workforce and develop a futurefocused TAFE workforce development strategy in collaboration with the profession and unions.

• Develop a capital investment strategy in consultation with state governments, to address the deplorable state of TAFE facilities around the country.

• Support a comprehensive independent inquiry into vocational education including TAFE. “Any proposal which undermines the importance of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments working together to build a strong, vibrant, fully funded public TAFE will be fiercely opposed by the AEU,” Ms Peace said.

Pride Fairday Join WA’s biggest LGBTIQ festival and take part in the community celebrations at this year’s Pride Fairday.

Held on Saturday 2 November from 11am to 6pm at Hyde Park, the Fairday marks the beginning of Perth’s annual Pride festival which runs for the month of November.

The theme for this year’s event is "Reflect; love, heroes, community & identity."

It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy great food and entertainment while celebrating our LGBTIQ community.

There will be something for everyone and plenty of space for picnics with family and friends.

Please come along and visit the SSTUWA stall and meet some of the SSTUWA LGBTIQ Committee members and allies.

The LGBTIQ Committee is a good place to share ideas and concerns, look at relevant issues and ways to resolve them, and consider policies that impact on LGBTIQ school leaders, teachers, TAFE lecturers and students.

Our schools and TAFE colleges must be welcoming and safe places for all who identify as LGBTIQ. If you are interested in joining the LGBTIQ Committee, please contact Colleen Mack on cmack@sstuwa.org.au For more information and the full PrideFEST program visit bit.ly/2kuctQS

REASONS REASONS

10 1 3 5 7 9

TAFE

Why TAFE lecturers Why TAFEbe lecturers should SSTUWA should be SSTUWA members members

Better access to permanency and workload reduction

Who cares about your job security and workload? We do. Your union is focussed on continually improving job security and addressing workload issues.

Support and protection

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

2

Important gains

The SSTUWA has secured a number of achievements for TAFE members: permanency, reduction in teaching load, overtime, accrued professional development time, paid family and domestic violence leave, and much more.

Campus branch

Union membership means you are never alone at your campus. 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.

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 for TAFE.

4

Education and Training Centre

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

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.

6 8

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.

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 lecturers access a reduced fixed rate.

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Authorised by Mary Franklyn, General Secretary, The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. (Inc.) September 2019.

Western Teacher October 2019

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25 2019

#WorldTeachersDay

YOUNG TEACHERS, THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION

Professional

Lesson ideas to finish the year strongly

By Natalie Blewitt Vice President

Ode to Term Four An

There will be so many things happening in Term Four, Read on a little further as we explore.

Some of the tasks you may have to complete, You may even feel like you’re run off your feet.

Final assessments and reports too, Are two of the tasks you will have to do.

Marking and grading, these never end, Add to those meetings that you attend.

Catch up with parents about students’ progress, Conversations to be had as you express, How your students have improved this year, You will feel excited as the end draws near.

Our Year 12 students will be off in a flash, With Year 11s soon after making the dash.

Out of school as 2019 ends, You will finally get to enjoy your weekends.

For our primary teachers, the end of year brings, Classroom clean ups, you’ll find some interesting things.

Christmas crafts, games and parties too, As the year draws to an end for you.

We know these last 10 weeks will be very busy, And your head will feel like it’s whirling and dizzy.

Take a moment to reflect on your achievements this year, And know you’ve made a difference to all who are near.

To our new educators, we’re sure you’ve learnt so much, And thank you to those who have kept in touch.

Throughout the year via Facebook or emails, We certainly have shared some tales.

Look upon Term Four as your final shot, And really give it all you’ve got.

For the students who are in your care, After all, your teaching can take them anywhere.

-Natalie Blewitt 20

Western Teacher October 2019

Term 4 is about to start and many of you are undoubtedly in the midst of preparing your lessons and classrooms for a fantastic term of discovery and learning.

Below are some events that are occurring during the next term that you may want to consider incorporating into your curriculum, lessons or just general classroom discussions. They also may drive conversations you can have with your colleagues and school leadership.

World Teachers’ Day: 25 October Celebrated globally on 5 October, but in Australia on 25 October due to the school holidays, World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers. This recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment and teaching and learning conditions. World Teachers’ Day this year includes a global statement, that “The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher.” For more information visit: en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldteachersday and see the pull out poster on Page 18-19 of this edition of Western Teacher.

Anti-Poverty Week: 13-19 October Poverty exists, hurts us all and is something we can all do something about. While Anti-Poverty Week will be held from the 13-19 October this year, 17 October is earmarked annually as a day of action on solutions to end poverty. For 2019 the day will focus on the Raise the Rate campaign, which is calling for an increase to the rate of Newstart and associated allowances by $75 a week. For more information visit: antipovertyweek.org.au

Enviroweek: 21-27 October Enviroweek empowers children to take responsibility for looking after their environment and preserving it for future generations. Enviroweek is a valuable educational tool. It educates about a global issue that affects us all and raises awareness for students and parents in an engaging way. For more information visit: enviroweek.org

Remembrance Day: 11 November Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. For more information visit: awm.gov.au/commemoration/remembrance-day

White Ribbon Day: 22 November The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls. For more information visit: whiteribbon.org.au The SSTUWA wishes all of its members all the best for the last school term of the year.

Teacher workload in Australia continues to rise

Issues

New figures released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 show that teacher workload in Australia increased significantly since 2013. The increase was one of the largest in the OECD. The new figures confirm the concerns of teacher organisations and teachers about their increasing workload.

The increased workload, especially time spent on management and administration, and the stress it places on their lives is a reason reported by many teachers for leaving the profession.

The TALIS survey results mirror some of those from the SSTUWA’s own survey of members on workload, the Understanding Work in WA Public Schools survey, which was conducted by Curtin University senior lecturer and discipline lead Scott Fitzgerald, in conjunction with researchers from the Universities of Sydney and New South Wales.

As reported in June and July Western Teacher, members surveyed reported that increasing workload and long hours were affecting their ability to teach and were impacting negatively on their work life balance.

According to TALIS figures, working hours for Australian lower secondary teachers increased by two hours per week in the five years between surveys [See Chart 1].

(Continued on page 22.)

Western Teacher October 2019

21

Issues (Continued from page 21) This was the equal third largest increase in the OECD behind Chile (9 hours) and Iceland (4 hours).

The average increase across the OECD was 0.5 hours. In contrast to Australia, teachers’ workload fell in 10 OECD countries, most notably in Portugal (-5.1 hours) and Korea (-3 hours).

Lower secondary school teachers in Australia now have a much longer working week than the average across OECD countries – 45 hours per week compared with 39 hours [See Chart 2].

The working week for Australian teachers is the sixth highest in the OECD, behind only Japan (56 hours), Alberta (Canada) and England (both 47 hours), USA and New Zealand (both 46 hours).

In contrast, teachers in Finland have an average working week of 33 hours and Korean teachers work 34 hours per week. Working hours include work during weekends, evenings or other out-of-class hours.

Australian lower secondary teachers spend 19.9 hours per week in actual teaching [See Chart 3].

This is only slightly less than the average of 20.6 hours for the OECD. Teachers in Chile, USA and Alberta (Canada) spend 28.5, 28.1 and 27.2 hours respectively in actual teaching compared to 15.8 hours in Norway, 16.8 hours in Italy and 17.4 hours in Netherlands.

Time spent teaching increased by over an hour per week in Australia from 18.6 hours in 2013 to 19.9 hours in 2018.

average of 18.2 hours per week [See Chart 4].

and administration in the OECD [See Chart 5].

This was equal fifth largest increase out of 23 OECD countries for which comparable data is available.

The Australian average is the fourth largest in the OECD, behind Japan (38 hours), England (26.8 hours) and New Zealand (25.2 hours).

Australian teachers spend 6.5 hours per week on these tasks compared to an average of 4.1 hours in OECD countries and only 1.4 hours in Finland and 2.1 hours in France.

There was little change in teaching time in many OECD countries since 2013, and it fell by nearly one hour in Korea and Portugal.

The big difference is that Australian teachers spend significantly more time on non-teaching tasks than nearly every other OECD country.

Australian lower secondary teachers spend 24.9 hours per week on nonteaching tasks compared to the OECD 22

Western Teacher October 2019

Performance management and administrative tasks contributes significantly to the higher non-teaching hours in Australia.

Only teachers in Japan (8.4 hours) and Korea (7.1 hours) spend longer hours on management and administration.

Hours spent on planning, collaboration with other teachers and marking is also much higher than in most OECD countries.

Comparable figures for management tasks are not available for 2013 but there was little change in time spent on administration since 2013.

Australian teachers spend the third highest number of hours on management

Australian teachers also spend more work hours on lesson planning, collaboration

Issues with other teachers and marking student work than in most OECD countries.

The Australian average of 15.9 hours is significantly higher than the average for the OECD of 13.5 hours [See Chart 6].

mentoring, which the OECD tells us Australian teachers are striving to create despite the resource challenges they face.

“Australian public school teachers are amongst the best in the world and should

Only teachers in England, Japan and Portugal spend noticeably more hours on these activities than teachers in Australia.

be part of a system which is the envy of

Finland’s teachers spend just 10 hours per week on these activities.

were constantly asked to do more with

According to TALIS, Australian teachers regarded initial teacher education and induction processes as leaving them feeling unprepared for the classroom, while access to professional development was limited by excessive workload and inflexible schedules.

other countries.”

Ms Haythorpe said Australia’s teachers less, leading to excessive workloads and workplace stress.

Australian teachers reported in TALIS that reducing class sizes and reducing teachers’ administration load by recruiting more support staff were by far their highest priorities.

“The federal Coalition Government has denied public schools $14 billion over the next decade which entrenches funding inequality in our schools for years to come,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“These TALIS findings demonstrate the critical importance of fair funding for public schools to ensure that Australian teachers have the resources to give every student the teaching and learning opportunities and attention they need.”

The Australian Council for Educational Research will publish a national report containing detailed analysis of TALIS 2018 results for Australia in late 2019.

This is an expanded version of an article that first appeared on the Save our Schools Australia website.

Less than 30 per cent of new teachers in Australia received formal or informal induction, while 60 per cent of Australian teachers reported that their professional development was curtailed by conflicts with their work schedule.

Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said it was critically important that Departments of Education provided sufficient support to beginning teachers in these schools to enable them to do their job well and teach students despite the overwhelming pressure they were under.

“As recommended by the OECD, this includes induction programs, reduced teaching load, access to regular mentoring and secure, ongoing employment,” she said.

“Escalating workloads impacts on teaching and learning in schools.

Teachers should not be spending more time on administration than on teaching.”

Ms Haythorpe said schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas faced staffing and resource shortages at a greater level than schools in more advantaged communities.

“It is vital that these schools have a diverse staff mix, including staff with significant experience in the classroom,” she said.

“This creates an environment where new teachers can learn from more experienced teachers and provides a collegial environment for support and Western Teacher October 2019

23

Election

Australian Education Union Western Australia Branch

DECLARATION OF RESULTS - E2019/13 Uncontested Offices Scheduled Election The results of the election for the following offices conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and the rules of the organisation are: WA Branch Branch President (1) Candidates BYRNE Patricia

Branch Senior Vice President (1) Candidates BRIDGE Paul Jonathon

Branch Vice President (1) Candidates SCHOFIELD Samantha

Branch Secretary (1) Candidates Franklyn Mary

Ordinary Executive Members (14) Candidates BANYARD Leslie BUNNEY Catherine DE THIERRY Catherine HARRIS Jasmine Lea HITCHENS Simon Andrew JARMAN Matthew LAU Jan Marie MANNION Kathryn NAGAR Sharmila REPPER Alexander Graeme ROSE Lincoln TUMAK Anne VERTIGAN Sharon Lee WINROW Pauline L

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Executive Member (1) Candidates WARD Carina

As the number of nominations accepted did not exceed the number of positions to be filled, I declare the above candidates elected.

Liz Houlton Returning Officer Telephone: 08 6363 8056 Email: waelections@aec.gov.au 27/08/2019

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Western Teacher October 2019

Seen around the SSTUWA Early childhood education (ECE) and playbased learning took centre stage at this year’s SSTUWA Early Childhood Educator Conference.

Canadian educator, speaker and writer Trevor MacKenzie was the keynote speaker and had conference attendees enthralled with his thoughts on how to leverage play to empower learners.

His stories of past students, who had unlocked their potential through playbased learning, were inspirational.

Attendees also participated in a range of workshops during the conference

Seen around

on topics such as play-based learning and discovery, digital technologies and incorporating movement into ECE. Trevor’s keynote and the workshops set the stage for the launch of the Play is Learning campaign, which calls on the state government to secure access to play-based learning (PBL) for all early childhood students.

SSTUWA President Pat Byrne said research had shown conclusively that PBL benefited children in ways such as improved academic outcomes, wellbeing, creativity, problem-solving and social skills.

ECE and Play: Bonnie Newman and Roxanne Tognela.

ECE and Play: Wendy Wade, Christine Dingli with ECE Conference keynote speaker Trevor MacKenzie and Natasha Adams.

ECE and Play: Conference presenter Carey Rogers with Samantha Kop.

ECE and Play: Conference presenter Pam Westphal with Catherine De Saran.

ECE and Play: General Secretary Mary Franklyn, ECE Committee member Jude James and President Pat Byrne.

ECE and Play: Donna Davies, Kristy Howson and Clare Douglass.

Western Teacher October 2019

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National union news

National union news WA job search data needs action UnionsWA has released research it has undertaken with the University of Western Australia (UWA) that analyses Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on duration of job search across regions within WA recently released and over the past decade.

It shows that currently about 22,000 Western Australians have been searching for work for more than a year. The research shows that the duration of job search has risen sharply in WA, but significantly so in Perth North West, Perth North East, Perth South East, Mandurah and the Wheatbelt regions of WA. UnionsWA has called for more to be done to support unemployed job seekers, including increasing the Newstart Allowance and a greater effort by federal and state governments to grow local jobs.

UnionsWA Secretary Meredith Hammat said the 22,000 WA job seekers who had been looking for work for a year or longer, was up from just 3,000 a decade ago.

“These job seekers, their families and our community are doing it tough,” she said.

“In the decade since the global financial crisis trends for job search in WA have worsened with median or typical durations now extending to between four and five months in hard-pressed areas of the Perth North West, Perth North East, Perth South East, Mandurah and the Wheatbelt.

because job seekers are likely to be on the payment only temporarily while they are between jobs.

“That excuse from the federal government is simply not good enough in the face of this evidence.

“More needs to be done to create local jobs.

“Those who are unemployed by necessity spend all their income locally in order to just survive.

“Raising Newstart Allowance will therefore both raise these people out of poverty and give our local economy a much-needed economic boost through increased spending.

“Recently the Reserve Bank of Australia noted the low rates of wage growth, and in particular the impact of the capping at low levels of public sector workforce wage rises, is a factor in our struggling economy and jobs market.

“The large and growing pool of those who are long term unemployed is putting pressure on our public services and our public sector workforce.

“The case for fairer and greater pay increases beyond the WA State Wages Policy is clear and the economic case for doing so is getting stronger.

“This means that half of job seekers are searching for longer than four or five months, some for much longer.

“Improving access to job skills training, buying locally made goods and services and limiting the exploitation of temporary overseas labour are also among the measures needed to strengthen our local economy and jobs market.

“Responding to growing calls for increasing the rate of Newstart Allowance, the federal government has claimed that the low level of payment is justified

UWA Professor Alison Preston said the analysis, undertaken at the request of UnionsWA, took a deliberately long term and cautious approach to the ABS data.

26

Western Teacher October 2019

“ABS data can vary from month to month and when looking at regions of WA with relatively small populations differences can fluctuate substantially,” she said.

“For example, the most recent ABS raw data for June 2019 suggests a large increase in duration of job search in many regions of WA. “By using an annual average for duration of job search monthly increases are passed over in preference to trends over a past yearly average to each month.

“Similarly, the use by the ABS and this work of median rather than average duration of job search tends to highlight a lower figure because, in practice, there are comparatively small numbers of very long-term job seekers and if an average figure were used instead of a median, then it would be much higher.”

Jim McIntosh, a Newstart Allowance recipient, said he had been on Newstart for six years, including periods when he had been incapacitated for work, mostly as a result of depression.

“Newstart Allowance is barely enough to survive on, it’s not enough to live on,” he said.

“When, for several years, I was well enough to search for or take on work I suspect, because of my age – I am now 65 years old – I had no job interviews despite applying for many, many jobs, being skilled and experienced.

“We need to both create more jobs and work to address discrimination in employment in all its forms.”

To read more visit: bit.ly/2kmgaIj

National union news

Morrison slammed for backing failed bid to cut sick leave The peak body for working people has slammed the Morrison Government’s intervention in a failed case that could have seen sick and personal leave rights cut for thousands of people working shifts.

The case between Cadbury owner Mondelez, backed by a federal government intervention in the case, and people working at its Tasmanian chocolate factory set important precedent protecting sick leave for shift workers.

Mondelez had unsuccessfully argued in the Fair Work Commission for a reduced entitlement for the sick days of people working shift work for the company, saying that because they worked 12-hour days they should be entitled to fewer sick days than the National Employment

Standards in the Fair Work Act require.

The company brought a case against two individual workers and their union – the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union – in the Federal Court in February this year.

The Morrison Government intervened in the court case – on the side of the company.

After a difficult and lengthy court process in which the workers at Cadbury fought not only their multi-national employer and powerful industry lobbies, but their own national government, they have emerged victorious.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said the fact that the Morrison Government would intervene on the side of a company that

is trying to cut people’s personal leave below the legal minimum was a disgrace.

“If Mondelez and the federal government had been successful in their case it would have undermined a basic workplace right for thousands of shift workers,” she said.

“Working people deserve a government that is on their side – not one that sides with big business to undermine basic rights like sick leave.

“The prime minister needs to explain why his government intervened to support an attack by a multi-national company on the rights of Australian workers.

“And he needs to ensure that neither he nor his ministers will use taxpayer money to try to cut basic employment standards again.”

No progress on gender pay gap The gender pay gap remains stationary at 14 per cent, equating to an additional 59 days pay this financial year for the average male worker compared to the average female, according to data released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

The Morrison Government has also campaigned against universal paid family and domestic violence leave, the living wage and expanding support for people with caring responsibilities, all measures which would close the gender pay gap.

believe it existed or didn’t believe it was a

On average, women fall $241.50 short of men’s average earnings each week.

Structural issues including undervaluing labour in feminised industries, unpaid labour and caring responsibilities and institutional sexism mean that the pay gap persists.

The gap extends into retirement, with women currently retiring with 40 per cent less super than men, due in part to super not being paid on income earnt during parental leave – another solution which the Morrison Government has opposed.

The rates of poverty and homelessness for older women are increasing.

workplace at every turn,” she said.

The Morrison Government opposed measures put forward by the ALP at the last election to improve the appallingly low pay for workers in childcare – a predominantly female workforce – describing it as the road to communism.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said the Morrison Government was doing nothing to close the gender pay gap because it was made up of people who either didn’t

problem.

“This government has campaigned against measures which would have improved women’s pay and position in the “The insecure work and low wage growth crises which have become the hallmark of this government affect women more than men and contribute directly to the stubborn persistence of the gap.

“It is impossible for a government which is conflicted over whether a problem exists to fix that problem. Women in Australia deserve so much better.”

“Services have been excellent; this company has my complete trust.”

Jim, Mount Claremont

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Western Teacher October 2019

27

Education and Training Centre

Education & Training Centre Term 4 Learning Opportunities Industrial Training Events (TUT) Title

Date

Union Representative Level One: Schools

Thursday – Friday 31 October – 1 November

Assertiveness for Women: TAFE and Schools

Friday 8 November

Violence: Skilled Up and Safe – Perth

Wednesday – Thursday 20 – 21 November

OSH Training Title

Date

Education Specific Five-Day Introductory Course for OSH Reps

Monday – Friday 28 October – 1 November

Education Specific Two-Day Refresher Course for OSH Reps

Thursday – Friday 7 – 8 November

Professional Events Title

Date

Writing a Competitive Job Application for Teaching Positions

Saturday 9 November

Conferences and Forums Title

Date

School Leader Forum

Friday 8 November

Safety in our Schools Conference

Tuesday 12 November

State Council Conference

Friday – Saturday 15 – 16 November

Women’s Conference

Friday 29 November

Online Learning Events Title

Date

Ten Top Tips for Getting That Next Job and Advancing Your Career

Wednesday 16 October

Flipped Classrooms – Using Digital Technology to Enhance Student Learning

Tuesday 22 October

Working with Students with ADHD

Tuesday 22 October

28

Western Teacher October 2019

Education and Training Centre

SSTUWA 2019 Women’s Conference Registrations Now Open:

sstuwa.org.au/training | training@sstuwa.org.au

Friday 29 November

9am – 3.30pm

We invite women SSTUWA members to register for the 2019 Women’s Conference. It will be an opportunity to celebrate inspirational women and their achievements, a time to participate in discussions that address gender disparity and an occasion to grow more powerful together. Take the opportunity to network, learn, explore and be inspired by a range of conference speakers. We are privileged to be welcoming Debbie Kilroy as our keynote speaker and Frauke BoltenBoshhammer as our afternoon guest speaker. You will also be invited to select from two great concurrent sessions, as well as participate in an afternoon workshop of your choice.

Keynote Speaker: Debbie Kilroy, Sisters Inside Inc Debbie Kilroy’s story is one of the great reversals of fortune in Australian legal history. Her journey from a criminal who spent time in prison to practising lawyer is a fascinating tale of courage and resilience. Since its establishment in the 1990s, Debbie has led Sisters Inside Inc, an organisation that advocates for the human rights of criminalised women in Queensland.

Debbie’s passion and commitment to her work has earned her an Order of Australia and she made history in 2007 when she became the first former prisoner to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Queensland.

Concurrent Sessions Choose from two concurrent sessions: •

Preserving Your Work/Life Well-Being – Jenny Cole, BEAM Consulting

•

Criminalised, Racialised, Marginalised Women and Girls – Debbie Kilroy

Conference Workshops Choose from four workshops: •

Women: Your Financial Affairs, Your Future – Karen Speldwinde, P&N Bank

•

Your Working Day and Where We’re Up To with the EBA – Cherry Bogunovich, SSTUWA

•

Fitness for Work: Issues and Practice – Liz Carbone, SSTUWA

•

Unconscious Bias in the Workplace: What does it really mean and how can you address it? – Olivia Brown, AEU

Afternoon Guest Speaker: Frauke BoltenBoshhammer, Kimberley Fine Diamonds A tale of love and loss, hardship and heartache, but ultimately an inspiring story of how a young girl from Germany overcame tragedy to pioneer a diamond empire in one of the most unforgiving terrains on earth. Within minutes of landing in Kununurra, Frauke Bolten had made up her mind to get on a plane back home to Germany. It was 1981 and the dusty frontier town was no place for a woman. However, Frauke stayed, determined to help her husband carve out a new life in farming. Then tragedy struck.

Western Teacher October 2019

29

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

HP

Save up to 15% off selected items.

sstuwa.org.au/hp

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 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

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

Graphic Intelligence

Motor Market by Union Shopper

sstuwa.org.au/graphicintelligence

sstuwa.org.au/hertz

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

Possibilities for Assessment and Instruction. By Barrie Bennett.

Instructional Intelligence

10% discount on vehicle hire in Australia.

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

sstuwa.org.au/thrifty

sstuwa.org.au/instructionalintelligence

tyresales.com.au

Teacher Superstore

sstuwa.org.au/motormarket

Thrifty Car and Truck Rental

10% discount on tyres.

sstuwa.org.au/tyresales

Western Motor Vehicle Consultants

We’ll find a car you’ll love. Save time and money when sourcing your next vehicle.

sstuwa.org.au/westernmotors

Computers Altronics

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.

Movie tickets

Cars

Apple on Campus

sstuwa.org.au/movietickets

Allwest Fleet

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

sstuwa.org.au/allwestfleet

30

Massive discounts on products and services for SSTUWA members

Western Teacher October 2019

sstuwa.org.au/altronics For details visit:

sstuwa.org.au/apple

Dell

Save up to 15% off selected items.

sstuwa.org.au/dell

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

Rockface

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

Cracka Wines

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.

sstuwa.org.au/statravelinsurance

7.5% off online wine orders.

Shopping

Taste Bud Tours

10% discount, in store and online.

sstuwa.org.au/cracka

Abacus Educational Supplies

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

sstuwa.org.au/abacus

Health and Wellbeing

sstuwa.org.au/dotmall

sstuwa.org.au/tastebudtours

Dot Mall

BBQs, heaters and backyard kitchens.

5% discount for members.

St John

Electrical buying

sstuwa.org.au/stjohn

sstuwa.org.au/electricalbuying

First aid saves lives. Discounted first aid courses and kits for members.

Let Union Shopper find the best deal on your electrical purchases.

WA Opticians

isubscribe

sstuwa.org.au/waopticians

sstuwa.org.au/isubscribe

20% discount on spectacle frames and lenses. Perth and East Perth.

Housing Houspect

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

sstuwa.org.au/houspect

Johns Building Supplies

Trade prices on paint and painters’ hardware. Builders prices on all other hardware lines.

sstuwa.org.au/jbs

SkylightsWA

Specialising in skylights and roof ventilation, servicing all regions of WA. 7% discount off selected products.

sstuwa.org.au/skylightswa

Insurance and Legal ISinsured

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

Jackson’s Drawing Supplies

10% discount in Jackson’s 12 shops and online.

sstuwa.org.au/jacksons

Petals Flowers & Gifts

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

sstuwa.org.au/petals

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.

sstuwa.org.au/itic

sstuwa.org.au/retravision

sstuwa.org.au/jarrahgrove

Cost plus 5% on all products. Osborne Park location only; in store or via phone.

Nation-wide delivery available.

Luxurious, self-contained accommodation in Margaret River.

Discounted rates for members.

Teacher Superstore

Mandurah Houseboats

5-10% discount, in store and online.

sstuwa.org.au/teachersuperstore

The Good Guys Commercial

SSTUWA Legal Services

Vet Products Direct

sstuwa.org.au/legal

Great savings for teachers at Accor Hotels in the Asia Pacific region.

Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat

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

Access to quality legal services for both work-related and personal matters.

Accor Hotels

Retravision

Insurance for union members. Home, contents, car, landlords.

sstuwa.org.au/isinsured

Travel and Accommodation

sstuwa.org.au/thegoodguys

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

sstuwa.org.au/vetpro

10% discount on houseboat holidays.

sstuwa.org.au/houseboats

Rottnest ferry tickets

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

sstuwa.org.au/rottnest

STA Travel

Exclusive discounts for members.

sstuwa.org.au/statravel

Western Teacher October 2019

31

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 October 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

Discover the best of India

Bespoke guided tours. Choose: your itinerary; your dates; your inclusions; your ayurvedic/yoga retreat; your festivals; your budget. Your holiday, your way!

Personalised information sessions – we come to you. H&M Luxury Tours ...creating memories!

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 4 starts 21 October.

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 October 2019

33

Noticeboard

Noticeboard

Email to editor@sstuwa.org.au

Retired Teachers’ Association Our recent quarterly meeting was on Wednesday 25 September at the SSTUWA building in West Perth.

The speaker was from St John Ambulance and provided practical training and information.

12.30pm sharp. It will be held at the Commonwealth League Headquarters at 276 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park. The lunch cost will be $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers.

The annual lunch on Wednesday 13 November will be preceded by a special general meeting at

The visit of the choir to Parkland Villas was a great success.

Ann Strauss: 9387 2906

Level 3 Classroom Teachers’ Association

State Council Conference

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

November State Council Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, 15-16 November.

Term 4 19 October

For further information and materials, visit sstuwa.org.au/NovSC

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

1963 Claremont Teachers' College graduates annual reunion lunch

Extraordinary vacancies

Please add to your diaries that the now annual reunion lunch will always be held on the Tuesday before the Melbourne Cup at The Herdy, 33 Herdsman Parade, Wembley.

Lunch and drinks are available from the extensive bistro menu, including seniors' choices.

Are you interested in becoming a UnionsWA Council delegate or Education Committee member?

The venue would appreciate an indication of numbers so RSVP by Friday 25 October to:

Nominations are open until 5pm Wednesday 13 November.

Clive: 9451 2950 | diplodocus46@bigpond.com or Jardine: 9446 7375 | jardanne@bigpond.com

More info: sstuwa.org.au/elections

This year's gathering will be on Tuesday 29 October at noon.

SSTUWA committee meeting dates:

34

The literature group guest on 16 September was Andrew Landsdown. On 7 October at noon will be an own choice session, with 21 October to be confirmed.

Early Childhood Educators’ Committee

TAFE Committee

Time: 4.15pm 6 November

SSTUWA committee elections

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

International Committee

LGBTIQ Committee

Time: 5pm

Time: 4.30pm

Time: 4pm

Dates to be confirmed

Dates to be confirmed

29 October

New Educator Committee

Women’s Committee

Psych Services Committee

ATSIE Committee

Time: 4.30pm

Time: 4.15pm

Time: 4.45pm

Time: 4pm

19 November

Dates to be confirmed

28 November

14 November

Western Teacher October 2019

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 2020 & beyond!

Please see tipsfs.com.au

Are You Retiring or Reducing Hours in 2020?

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?