Turakina Maori Girls' College Takes on the Government

Volume 36 • Number 7 • September / Mahuru 2015

Turakina Maori Girls' College takes on the government

PAGE 4 About PPTA

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PPTA News is the magazine of the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association. Approximately 18,000 copies are distributed free to secondary and area schools and other institu- tions. Not all the opinions expressed within PPTA News reflect Education Benevolent Society those of the PPTA. Life Cover - Income Protection - Editorial and advertising Enquiries should be addressed to: The editor, PPTA News, PO Disablement - Living Assurance. Box 2119, Wellington, New Zealand. EBS Health Care provides a comprehen- Ph: 04 384 9964 Fax: 382 8763 sive and growing range of low-cost medical Online: www.ppta.org.nz benefits. Editor: Anna Kirtlan Email: [email protected] Ph 0800 268 3763 www.ebs.org.nz Layout and design: Ben Weston Printed by Toolbox Imaging Deadlines PPTA members are eligible October edition: 5pm, 25 September for articles and ads. Nov/Dec edition: 5pm, 18 November for articles and ads. for a special banking package with Kiwibank. Kiwibank is 100% New PPTA ‌ field officer contacts Zealand owned and operated. It’s been thinking up ways to give Kiwis better value Contact your local field office for all queries about your collective banking since 2002. agreement entitlements or for assistance with employment The banking package currently includes relationship problems. 0.25% off Kiwibank’s advertised fixed Auckland home loan rates (excludes special offers or 4 Western Springs Road, Morningside one-offs), 0.50% off Kiwibank’s advertised P O Box 52 006, Auckland 1352 variable home loan rate (excludes revolving ph (09) 815 8610 fax (09) 815 8612 home loans and offset mortgage), free email: [email protected] EFTPOS on your everyday accounts and great Hamilton discounts on credit cards and insurance. Level 1, 650 Te Rapa Rd, Te Rapa P O Box 20 294, Hamilton 3241 Visit www.ppta.org.nz/membership/ ph (07) 849 0168 fax (07) 849 1794 benefits to view the complete package, and email: [email protected] the terms and conditions that apply. If you’d Palmerston North like to join Kiwibank, call 0800 629 008. Guardian Trust House, cnr The Square and Main Street Kiwibank Limited’s Disclosure Statement P O Box 168, Palmerston North 4440 is available from your local Kiwibank or at ph (06) 358 4036 fax (06) 358 4055 email: [email protected] www.kiwibank.co.nz. Christchurch Level 1, 501 Papanui Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053 ph (03) 366 6524 fax (03) 379 4011 email: [email protected] Dunedin Hertz rental car Queens Garden Court, 3 Crawford Street PPTA members can receive special P O Box 1561, Dunedin 9054 member rates - quote CDP no 1674602 ph (03) 477 1311 fax (03) 477 1804 when booking. Ph 0800 654 321 email: [email protected] www.hertz.co.nz Inside this issue... Turakina Māori Girls' College challenges government 4 Teaching students about their rights at work 9 Chris Hipkins describes Labour's charter schools policy 5 Paid parental leave 10 PPTA annual conference 2015 papers in summary 6 Student Shakespeare 13

2 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 President’s viewpoint Life under the big top

ome would argue that on the best some comfort in having someone to days our classrooms can, and share the blame with. Sshould, resemble a circus ring and EDUCANZ sits at one end of the teachers are, when at our most inspiring, continuum of influence and as such it is a little bit clown, a smattering of lion right that we remain outside their tent. tamer and a chunk of trapeze artist. How We do not need to help EDUCANZ to do we decide, as a union, when we are spend more of our money on more circus "in the tent" and when we are out? When acts that the profession doesn't need. do we join the circus and when do we sit (Although, someone else paying the outside and leave the ringmaster to it? It ringmaster could help to change that). can be a difficult call, given that there are On the other hand, bargaining our obvious pros and cons to each position. collective agreements sits at the other by Angela Roberts There are two reasons why you end of the continuum. This is a place might want to be in the tent. Firstly, to where we truly have power to negotiate bear witness; to keep an eye on how fair pay and conditions for teachers, some of the issues facing the profession the ringmaster is managing the show, as workers and as professionals. This can be resolved. It is unfortunate that we to see what the clowns are up to or to was the main reason why it was worth have to consider how hard we may need seek inspiration from the acrobatics on being in the IES tent — the terms for to fight for a fair settlement, but if we do the trapeze. our members involved in the initiative have to fight, that is OK. Because when The other, more obvious, reason is have been protected in our collective we fight, we do win. to influence what the ringmaster puts on agreements. And this is why we must It is worth being in the tent at a time the programme, to make sure that the now put our energy into backing our when the ringmaster must listen to us. It show is a good one; that the circus is one STCA bargaining team. This is the best is then that there is true potential for us that the clowns want to perform in and opportunity that we have to make our to help ensure that our circus becomes the punters will want to come and see. employer seriously think about how the Greatest Show on Earth. This is usually the crucial question: can we influence the ringmaster? Often this is not a simple yes or no. Rather, in the end, it comes down to where we sit on a "continuum of influence". If the ringmaster’s decisions are bound up in shonky legislation (like EDUCANZ, for example) it doesn’t matter what opinion we take to the table, there are some acts that cannot be removed from the programme — no matter how painful they are to watch. There is no point in being in the tent if the programme is set, if there is no real ability to impact on the decisions being made. All you are doing by remaining in the tent when you have no real say and no power to truly challenge and shape what is happening, is giving credibility to the choices that the ringmaster makes. It's easy to understand why this can be a very appealing prospect for the ringmaster. The performers are much more likely to get into the ring (even if they are unhappy) if the trapeze artists and the lion tamers say it will be all right on the night. If the show goes horribly wrong and the ringmaster realises that they spent too much time on glittering lights and sparkly costumes rather than making sure that the guy in the cannon had a safe place to land, they will find

3 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Charter schools

Maori girls' college challenges government double standard

Students of Turakina Māori Girls' College past and present didn't let the weather dampen the spirit of their demonstration against a lack of government support outside Parliament.

to these schools showed a lack of support for state sector options for Māori. “It undermines kura and iwi when the minister of education supports a privatised, untested model instead of the traditional model for Māori. “Charter schools are funded at a level far above the public school average hile the government pours Despite Ministry of Education advice of $7055 per student. Imagine what millions of dollars into miniscule and an independent audit advising Turakina could do with that support?” charter schools, a 110 year old against keeping the school open, Parata she said. W The students assembled at state-integrated Māori college is reduced gave it a second chance earlier this year. to pleading at Parliament’s door. The audit was ordered after a drop Parliament were in no doubt of the Earlier this month around 150 in roll following serious concerns around positive impact of the schooling they students, supporters and old girls from bullying, truancy, drug-abuse and under- received at the state-integrated Presby- Turakina Māori Girls’ College took part staffing. terian Māori school in Marton. in a "flash-haka" outside Parliament in The school also received a $129,000 Strong young women braved a grey an effort to save their school. boost to cover “extra costs associated and rainy afternoon to perform waiata The school, which has 62 students, with implementing its remedial plan” and and speak to the gathered crowd about is facing closure due to financial and is now funded to the tune of $50,000 their experience at the school. governance issues as well as a declining per student. Education minister Hekia Parata roll. On the other side of the fence is refused to come out to meet the protest Education minister Hekia Parata Turakina Māori Girls’ College. so the group presented a petition to Māori began consultation over the school’s Its land is owned by the school’s Party co-leader Marama Fox in a bid future in August and says the falling proprietor, so the state does not have to to protect the future of Māori boarding school roll means it doesn’t have the support the costs of that and, unlike the schools. funds it needs. experimental charter school, it is up and “The government should be In contrast, the government has running — the facilities are already there. putting resources into supporting the poured nearly $2M into Whangaruru’s PPTA president Angela Roberts existing education system, not throwing troubled Te Pumanawa o Te Wairua believed it was an issue of fairness and them away on experimental private charter school, which has a roll of just 39. felt the double standard in the approach enterprises,” Roberts said.

4 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Charter schools

Flawed model has no place in NZ - Labour

Recently there have been mixed messages about the Labour Party’s charter school policy after an MP said it was “up for review”. We gave Chris Hipkins, Labour's education spokesperson, a chance to set the record straight.

he Labour Party’s position on charter schools is crystal clear — we Tdon’t support their establishment and when we’re next in government the legislation that allows for their creation will be repealed. Charter schools don’t have to teach to New Zealand’s internationally respected curriculum, don’t have to employ registered and qualified teachers and don’t have the same accountabilities that every other school in New Zealand has. The first round of charter schools are receiving up to five times the amount of funding that comparable state schools get and some of their spending decisions to date have been highly questionable. Take the failing Whangaruru charter school's decision to spend most of fortable with aspects of the model they their upfront funding purchasing a are working within, but they see it as the Let me be very clear, farm. If Hekia Parata does eventually only way around the stifling regulations decide to close them down, as the they come up against when trying to do under Labour charter Ministry of Education have repeatedly things differently within the state school recommended, that huge investment of system. schools will be a thing public money will be lost forever. It’s more than a little ironic that Other charter schools have been the current obsession with national of the past." stockpiling huge surpluses and directing standards, NCEA targets, indicators funding that should be going into kids' and performance management doesn’t on a case-by-case basis, but none will education towards "management fees" extend to charter schools. And yet the continue in their present form. Where and other dubious spending. That’s government will try and tell us they are there are positive innovations that can wrong. the most accountable of all. Experience and should be incorporated into the We simply don’t need the flawed suggests otherwise. public school system, we will endeavour charter schools model in New Zealand. The Labour Party is firmly committed to do that. But let me be very clear, under Our schools already have one of the to a quality public education system Labour charter schools will be a thing of most autonomous governance regimes in which every New Zealand child has the past. in the OECD and there is already huge the chance to achieve to their fullest opportunity for creativity and innovation potential. We recognise that every child within our school system. is different and our education system Party by party The biggest barrier to that creativity needs to cater to that. and innovation is the red tape that We will direct extra funding for the current National government keep education to where it can make the The Green Party, New Zealand wrapping schools in. If they really want to biggest difference to the greatest number First and United Future have all make a difference for all Kiwi kids, they of students. Charter schools simply fail to said they would repeal charter should deal with that problem. meet that criteria. school legislation. Act, National I’m aware that even some of the When in government, we will deal and the Māori Party support it. advocates of charter schools are uncom- with each of the existing charter schools

5 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Annual Conference Informed DEBATE

Failing charter schools, the battle with EDUCANZ, crisis in middle leadership and whether or not the NCEA can be saved are just some of issues members will discuss and vote on at this year’s PPTA Annual Conference.

he impact of new models of Initial teacher education Middle leadership in crisis teacher education and a number of amendments to the PPTA's in change: But is it for the This paper outlines work PPTA's T middle leadership taskforce has done in constitution will also be discussed at the better? conference, which is the decision-making its inaugural year to clarify the important This paper examines the impact of body of the association. role middle leaders play in curriculum new models of initial teacher education Held at the Brentwood Hotel in delivery and the extent to which the (ITE) that make greater demands on Wellington, the 2015 conference will run increasing workload demands, particu- schools. It considers the effects on from Tuesday 29 September to Thursday larly around NCEA, are compromising teacher workload and problems with new 1 October. that role. funding models, and seeks to find ways Live-streamed coverage of all the that partnerships between schools and speeches, debates and decisions will be teacher education providers can be better provided via www.ppta.org.nz managed and teachers better recognised Summaries of the conference papers for their contribution. are as follows. EDUCANZ: the current state The NCEA: Can it be saved? of play This paper examines why teacher support for the National Certificate This paper provides a report of of Educational Achievement (NCEA) PPTA's actions opposing the govern- has struggled to rise beyond a "fragile ment's scrapping of the New Zealand consensus" since its 2002 inception and Teachers Council and replacing it with a advocates major changes in government non-representative and overtly political policies to enable the qualification to body, EDUCANZ. fulfill its potential. Charter schools: an update This paper examines the extent of the failure of the charter school experiment to provide an improved alternative to the public education system in New Zealand.

6 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Notices

Livestream

Keep up with the dialogue, debate and decisions that make up PPTA’s Annual Conference with live video streaming accessed from www.ppta.org.nz. If you’re unable to tune in real time, clips of key speeches will be available on the website.

Star pin-ups

PPTA noticeboards are the perfect way for us to reach you in the staffroom. Travels around schools have shown us the creative lengths branches will go to for maximum visability. During branch visits PPTA president Angela Roberts was quite impressed with these examples from Botany Downs Secondary College and Reporoa College. Do you have a noticeboard that could rival these? Send photos to [email protected] and we will print them in PPTA News and share them via our new @PPTANews twitter account.

Botany Downs Secondary College Reporoa College

7 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Member benefits

Your PPTA membership card gets you great discounts at ...

To access most discounts your membership card must be presented at the point of sale and a discount will be applied to the item(s) you are purchasing where applicable. Payment can be by using cash, eftpos or credit card. Please confirm before concluding a deal to ensure availability and avoid issues. If a membership number is requested it is your MOE number. Please remember that failure to produce the card to the store staff will mean you can’t receive the discounts, no card = no deal! For full details visit: www.ppta.org.nz/membership/benefits (then scroll down to theMember retail discounts list PDF).

8 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Solidarity

Empowering young workers

Hutt Valley NET (Network of Establishing Teachers) coordinator Chris Carr talks about the importance of helping student workers become empowered workers and shares resources now available for schools.

am immensely proud of our union. We subject teachers and by careers advisers, are a body that stands for the rights these only reach a relatively small portion Iof teachers as workers and which of our students. Students as a group consistently balances our own needs This situation became glaringly with a sense of social responsibility that obvious recently when Alex Lelong, have very little idea at times challenges even our own fight Lawrence Mikkelsen, Nathan Thomson, for improved conditions. Why then don’t and I, NET reps from around the country, of their rights and we encourage our students to improve attended the Council of Trade Unions responsibilities their own conditions of work? Why don’t Stand Up conference earlier this year. we take an active part in educating our At the conference, we were surrounded as workers. This students to be more than just skilled by young union volunteers who were workers and make them empowered passionately trying to improve the working leaves them open to workers as well? conditions of young workers. Time and exploitation." Sometimes it’s easy to forget that time again they expressed frustration at our students have lives outside of how difficult it is to help young people school: that after their 12 or 13 years of stand up for their rights when they don’t learning about similes, symbiosis, and even know what those rights are. workshop or a shortened taster presen- statistics, students are thrown out into For the past few months I have been tation suitable for an assembly. It covers the workforce and suddenly required to working with Hamilton’s Young Workers everything from the minimum wage navigate the world of contracts, bosses, Resource Centre and the CTU’s affiliated to sexual harassment and workplace and pay cheques. Even while studying, youth unions to come up with some steps bullying. a significant proportion of our students to remedy this situation. The first step These volunteers are chomping at the (42.5% according to a 2006 Department that we’ve come up with is to provide bit to start visiting schools. If you’d like of Labour Survey) have part-time jobs. schools with speakers to teach about to arrange a visit, email me at empower- Unfortunately our education system the rights of young workers. We have a [email protected]. You may also find currently does very little to educate young rapidly growing set of enthusiastic young your school being contacted by a union people about what to expect when they union volunteers who have stepped up to volunteer in the near future. If so make enter the workforce. Students as a group present an entertaining and informative them welcome, they’re there to help. have very little idea of their rights and presentation about workers’ rights in If you’re interested in the excellent responsibilities as workers. This leaves New Zealand. advice and resources the Young Workers them open to exploitation. Though there This presentation can be delivered Resource Centre produces, check out are important efforts made by individual in a classroom session, a lunchtime http://www.ywrc.org.nz/.

9 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Paid parental leave

More good news for worker parents

Paid parental leave is back on the agenda this month with two bills in Parliament.

he government’s Employment while on paid leave without losing their 26 weeks paid parental leave for all Standards Legislation Bill will paid parental leave entitlement. parents. Textend paid parental leave to more The bill was due to have its first The 26 for Babies Bill launch was held workers, including those in casualised reading this month. at Parliament on 26 August. Supporters work, and the primary carer of a child This bill has noted that the in the audience were joined by cross (which may be any person who assumes government has already conceded an party MPs from the Greens, NZ First and parental responsibility for the day to day extension of paid parental leave to 16 Labour. Supporters heard from Moroney, care of a child under five years of age – weeks from 1 April 2015 to increase to Labour Party leader Andrew Little, a eg a grandparent). 18 weeks from 1 April 2016 and also tertiary student who spoke about what The bill also proposes to allow recently agreed that up to 27 weeks the bill would mean for her generation workers who are on parental leave to paid parental leave should be available and 26 for Babies Coalition coordinator return to work for a set number of days to parents of pre-term babies. Rebecca Matthews. without losing their paid parental leave Workplace relations minister Michael PPTA president Angela Roberts said entitlement, which may be useful for Woodhouse has said if a baby was born it was important for parents to have this teachers who want to attend a specific early its parents would receive additional time to bond with their children and for course that is running while they are weekly payments for each week prior a baby’s development. away. For example if there were NCEA to 37 weeks gestation. For example a “While it’s good to see the or curriculum changes. mother who gives birth at 28 weeks government shifting on its opposition The second bill that is in Parliament would receive nine additional weekly to giving New Zealand families more is Sue Moroney’s member’s bill to payments to make it a total of 37 weeks . paid parental leave, all parents and extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks PPTA joined other coalition supporters families should be entitled to this time and to enable women workers to have at the launch of Moroney’s new bill in the first year or the first six months of "keep in touch days" with their workplace and continue to support the need for a baby’s life."

10 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 News

Union women inspire

PTA women met with other women parental leave campaigns. legislation and policy on insecure work unionists in July to talk about key PPTA Te Huarahi’s Whaea Gazala and this will be voted on at the CTU’s Pcampaigns and issues affecting played a key role in the conference, biennial conference. women workers. ensuring that tikanga was followed and PPTA women’s officer Eva Hartshorn- The CTU’s biennial women’s Komiti Pasifika’s Maria Lemalie joined a Sanders said the feedback from the conference, Inspiring Union Women, panel speaking about issues for Pasifika conference had been incredibly positive included an update on the equal pay, women in the workplace. and is looking forward to the next one in living wage, health and safety and paid PPTA women supported a remit on two years’ time. Banned book attracts silent reading protest

n 10 September book lovers from Wellington and Dunedin took part Oin an act of civil disobedience through silent reading. The protesters gathered to read young adult novel Into the River which was the subject of a temporary ban following complaints about its content (including drugs, language and sexual themes) by conservative lobby group Family First. The group was seeking a restricted age limit for the book. Into the River, written by New Zealand author Ted Dawe, won both Best Young Adult Fiction and the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2013 even those letting people read it over their of previously banned books such as New Zealand Post Children’s Book shoulder would be liable for a fine. The Grapes of Wrath and Catcher in Awards and was stocked in many school PPTA News attended the Wellington the Rye. libraries. Those libraries had to remove protest where organisers described Wellington protest organiser Susan the books from their shelves or risk its silence as symbolising the silence Pearce was pleased with the turn out and facing a $10,000 fine. It was however of ideas. Readers, writers (including media attention the protest drew. legal to have a copy bought before the prominent Wellington author Elizabeth “In the age of likes and retweets, ban for "personal use". Knox) and politicians gathered outside there’s still nothing like a real gathering. At the time PPTA News went to print Wellington’s Unity Books — those “Hopefully many more people will the ban was still in place, meaning it was without copies of Into the River realise the power and irrepressibility of illegal to sell, display or lend the book and reading brown paper covered copies the written word through this,” she said.

11 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Notices

PPTA News joins the Twitterverse

For behind the scenes action, heads up on content and the photos we’d love to print if we had the room, give @PPTANews a follow.

PPTA has a number of Twitter accounts for those interested. The association’s official account is @PPTAWeb, for professional issues check out @PPTA_PIU and for new and establishing teachers there is @PPTA_NETs

For blogs, resources and association updates keep an eye on www.ppta.org.nz.

Do something different with your school break

chool holidays offer the perfect of the Marlborough Sounds, Outward chance to indulge in a long awaited Bound offers a unique opportunity lie-in or to tackle those overdue for teachers to enjoy a personal S adventure whilst developing their soft Courses DIY jobs, but how about doing something different with your time outside the skills. We use the mountains, lakes Outward Bound Teachers Discovery classroom. and rivers on our doorstep as our 8 day course Working on your continuing profes- classroom. Together with your team Running annually of watchmates you’ll climb, sail, tramp sional development doesn't always For education professionals aged 23+ mean seminars or hours spent with your and kayak your way through some of head in more paperwork. Instead, why the most breathtaking locations in Outward Bound Connect not boost your skillset and engage with New Zealand. 8 day course other teaching professionals as part of Make an investment in your career Runs 4-5 times per year an Outward Bound course? and your future with an Outward Bound For youth workers aged 20+ Set in the spectacular surroundings adventure of a lifetime.

12 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Shakespeare in schools Home-grown interpretations

Forty-six highly talented young actors and directors will be setting the scene for their future during the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ (SGCNZ) National Shakespeare Schools Production next month.

hosen from 5500 nationwide important roles of student costumier playwright Michael Wilson. They will listen during the SGCNZ 2015 regional and student composer. The costumier to historical talks, learn singing and stage Cand national University of Otago will be given $100 to purchase items combat. Sheilah Winn Shakespeare festivals, and fabric to create costume items and Previous Shakespeare Schools they will perform scenes from three plays the composer will work closely with the Production member Morgan Hopkins (Pericles, As You Like It and Much Ado directors writing and performing pieces to described the week-long residential about Nothing) after an intensive week create the mood of each scene’s setting. course as an “amazing life-changing of rehearsals and workshops. For the first time the group will experience that I will most certainly This year the course will be held also include students from a Māori cherish forever.” at the Silverstream Retreat in Stokes immersion school, Te Wharekura o SGCNZ CEO Dawn Sanders said Valley, Wellington from 27 September Mauao in Bethlehem, Bay of Plenty and the workshops would provide skills for to 5 October, with a public performance one from Te Aro o Te Kura Pounamu – The the young people, not just to become held at Upper Hutt’s Expressions theatre Correspondence School, who is home theatre practitioners, but also to take on 3 October (7.30pm) and Parliament’s schooled. into whichever workplace of their legislative chamber on 4 October (4pm). All participants will do workshops choice. The aspiring thespians will be together for half of each day then split up "Knowing the future of New Zealand is joined by the winners of the SGCNZ/ to work with a high calibre director. Each in the hands of these outstanding young Bernina Shakespeare costume design group will rehearse 40 minutes of the play Kiwis augers well for all concerned," she and the SGCNZ/Morrison Music Trust selected by their director; Pericles will be said. Shakespeare music composition compe- directed by Peter Hambleton, As You Like The whole troupe will be continu- titions. These two will take on the It by Rachel Henry and Much Ado About ously assessed during the entire week Nothing by Perry Piercy. by all staff involved and 245 students Students will learn mime with Sir Jon selected to be members of SGCNZ Young Trimmer and recording skills with radio Shakespeare Company to travel to the UK in the July school holidays in 2016, Sanders said.

Students from Te Wharekura o Mauao performing a scene from Macbeth.

PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 1313 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Advice and guidance

Out in the field Too cool for school Information and advice from PPTA’s intrepid field officers.

s the mercury plummets, Murphy at 18–20°C" and gives a range of may strike with the boiler bursting temperatures depending on the type of A– or some other event to prevent heating and the type of room. Again, this adequate heating. How cold is too is consistent with the Code of Practice cold when teaching and learning? The above. Ministry of Education’s Health and The Secondary Teachers’ Collective Safety Code of Practice for State and Agreement (STCA) does not specify State Integrated Schools says some temperatures, however there is the means of heating shall be provided in provision for good and safe working each of the following rooms to achieve conditions under STCA 3.1.1 (b) (i) and the listed temperatures: class rooms, under STCA 12.1.1 it says the "parties lecture rooms, laboratories, auditoriums, recognise the importance of ensuring typing and sewing rooms should be 18˚C; good and safe working conditions through woodwork and metalwork rooms 16˚C; health and safety in the workplace and gymnasiums 12 to 14˚C (perimeter that it is a mutual obligation of the spaces and changing rooms only) and employer and employees to achieve this office and administration areas 20˚C. through a participative approach". This is fairly consistent with the World Under STCA 12.1.2 it continues "To Health Organisation (WHO) recommenda- this end, the employers and employees tion of a minimum of 18˚C, or 20˚C for attention is drawn to the Health and Safety So this links it to the MoE's code of more vulnerable groups like children, the in Employment Act 1992. This and other practice above and requires a partici- elderly and people who are ill. The WHO legislation, relevant Codes of Practice pative approach for the branch and recommendation is also supported by the and Guidelines are the reference points the employer. For advice around what Ministry of Health. for gaining a common understanding of this approach should look like if your The MoE's Designing Quality Learning what those obligations are, what will assist working environment drops below the Spaces: Heating and Insulation states in meeting those mutual obligations and above temperatures, contact your local "classrooms should be maintained also in promoting best practice." field officer.

Are you over 50 years of age?

Any teachers in the 50 + age group unaware of the implications which will entitlements to pay for First World who were teaching in 1992 when affect their income when they retire War costs! the Government Superannuation and for that matter their spouse’s With everyone in the state sector Fund scheme closed and are still income should the annuitant pass involved, policy advice to Cabinet from contributing to it should join our on first. Treasury was in most cases positive, organisation. In previous times all on the state when improvements and anomalies pay rolls (teachers, police, defence, were addressed – not so now! The reason for doing so is simple. government departments, politicians, With a membership of 27,000 we are universities, cabinet ministers, Yours sincerely, the last lobby group left to protect railways post office etc) used this Bryan Whisker your rights now and in the future for scheme from 1900 until the Roger Vice-president, GSA government superannuation. Douglas revolution of 1989. The GSA, (former PPTA vice-president & state Problems are arising because of formed in 1920, was the annuitant secondary school principal) government policy changes and these group established when the then affect those still working. Many are government attempted to reduce Subscription $21.45 p.a.

14 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 Light relief / Notices

to read it over their shoulder unless they work of fiction, but instead it is from a blog were happy to foot a hefty fine - quite by Diane Ravitch revealing the exploitation a harsh punishment for allowing an of South Florida’s public school system IN THE annoying practice we think. by unchecked charter-school operators NEWS Charter school get rich collecting taxpayer dollars for schools that quickly shut down. “In the past five quick scheme years, 56 South Florida charter schools A slight overkill? “Want to get rich quick? Hurry on down have closed, expelling thousands of Having someone reading over your to Florida and open a charter school? You students. Five charter schools in Broward shoulder used to just be a mild irritant don’t need any experience in education, and Palm Beach counties didn’t survive but now it can land you with a $10,000 it doesn’t matter if you have failed in the three months”. Is this really the kind fine. That’s if the book you are reading past, just come up with a good idea” — we of "innovation" we want to see in New is New Zealand young adult novel would love this statement to be a joke or a Zealand? Into the River. Teachers work hard and While the book is under an interim the public knows it ban (courtesy of The vast majority of respondents to a complaint by the 2015 Warehouse Stationary Inspiring conservative lobby Teachers survey believe the job is harder group Family First) now that it was 10 years ago. it is illegal to sell, display or lend the book. On getting a legal opinion, organisers of a protest involving a silent reading of the book also had to advise people not to allow others

The PUMs are an opportunity for the PPTA membership to be updated about the state of negotiations in more detail and to consider what is

In order to show the government needed to make progress. that PPTA is serious about its STCA Full details of times and claim, the executive has resolved venues will become to hold membership-wide regional available at paid union meetings (PUMs) near www.ppta.org.nz the beginning of Term 4.

15 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015 16 PPTA NEWS Mahuru • September 2015