Volume 38 | Number 7 | November/December | Whitia-naunau/Hakihea 2017

Solving the shortage – teachers speak out at PPTA annual conference (pgs 12-13) About PPTA

PPTA News PPTA member benefits

ISSN 0111-6630 (Print) ISSN 1178-752X (Online)

PPTA News is the magazine of the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association. Approximately 18,000 HealthCarePlus copies are distributed free to secondary and area schools and other institutions. Not all the opinions expressed within HealthCarePlus offers PPTA members health, life and PPTA News reflect those of the PPTA. disability insurance. Editorial and advertising When disruption to your health happens it’s a good idea to have affordable protection in place. Enquiries should be addressed to: The editor, PPTA News, The sooner you join HealthCarePlus, the sooner we can PO Box 2119, Wellington, New Zealand. help you pay for your day-to-day health costs. Phone: 04 384 9964 Fax: 382 8763 Phone: 0800 268 3763 Online: www.ppta.org.nz Email: [email protected] Editor: Anna Kirtlan Email: [email protected] www.healthcareplus.org.nz Printed by: Toolbox Imaging Deadlines February/March edition: 5pm, 2 Feb 2018 for articles and ads

PPTA field officer contacts Kiwibank Contact your local field office for all queries about your collective agreement entitlements or for assistance with PPTA members are eligible for a special banking package employment relationship problems. with Kiwibank. Kiwibank is 100% New Zealand owned and operated. It’s been thinking up ways to give Kiwis better value banking 4 Western Springs Road, Morningside since 2002. PO Box 52 006, Auckland 1352 The banking package currently includes 0.25% off Phone: (09) 815 8610 Fax (09) 815 8612 Kiwibank’s advertised fixed home loan rates (excludes Email: [email protected] special offers or one-offs), 0.50% off Kiwibank’s advertised Hamilton variable home loan rate (excludes revolving home loans and Level 1, 650 Te Rapa Rd, Te Rapa offset mortgage), free EFTPOS on your everyday accounts PO Box 20 294, Hamilton 3241 and great discounts on credit cards and insurance. Phone: (07) 849 0168 Fax (07) 849 1794 To view the complete package, and the terms and conditions Email: [email protected] that apply, visit www.ppta.org.nz/membership/benefits Palmerston North If you’d like to join Kiwibank, call 0800 629 008. Guardian Trust House, cnr The Square and Main Street Kiwibank Limited’s Disclosure Statement is available from PO Box 168, Palmerston North 4440 your local Kiwibank or at www.kiwibank.co.nz Phone: (06) 358 4036 Fax (06) 358 4055 Email: [email protected] Christchurch Level 1, 501 Papanui Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053 PO Box 5032, Papanui, Christchurch 8542 Phone: (03) 366 6524 Fax (03) 379 4011 Email: [email protected] Hertz Car Rental Dunedin PPTA members can receive special member rates - Queens Garden Court, 3 Crawford Street quote CDP no 1674602 when booking. PO Box 1561, Dunedin 9054 Phone: (03) 477 1311 Fax (03) 477 1804 Phone: 0800 654 321 Email: [email protected] www.hertz.co.nz

In this issue...

President’s viewpoint 3 Te Kura turns corporate 6 Making te reo visible 4 Grass roots politics 10-11 Let’s do... what? 5 Annual conference 12-13

2 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 President's Viewpoint

Time for teachers to secure their own oxygen masks

The importance of teachers prioritising their own well-being.

following the escape-path lighting all principal John Russell at our annual the way to the beach!) As educators conference, working on developing our we know that allowing ourselves claims for the STCA bargaining round time to reflect on the year and our next year, continuing with our pay and achievements can help our emotional equity case and pressing for action wellbeing and will be motivating for on the teacher wellbeing commitment when we start all over again in 2018. the previous education minister made Gearing up at the International Summit of the Teaching Profession earlier this year. A bit of R & R is a good thing but it’s not Jack Boyle | President, PPTA PPTA’s intention to sit on the tarmac till We’ll need to prepare February. The difficulties we face as a for a little turbulence During the safety briefing on profession need to be acknowledged When you get back to school next every plane journey adults are and solutions implemented. So while year we’ll be asking you to channel reminded that, in case of an it’s pleasing that the new government is making noises about some of the your energy into collective motivation emergency, they are to secure – to make sure teacher wellbeing is their own oxygen masks before most pressing issues we face, we will continue to advocate for genuine guaranteed for all of us. they help children fit theirs. support from government and from We know we can do it: “the most Why? Because it helps you look society, in terms of pay, working fundamental and pervasive benefit after children more effectively. conditions and professional support. of wellbeing is a growth in self- I’m convinced that the same is true of We’ll be working over the break to confidence”. Rest well. And thank you teacher mental health and wellbeing. pursue the variation proposed by for all that you do. Various factors contribute to stress in the workplace; teacher burnout, not feeling supported as a professional, continual change, increasing workload, feeling like we have no say in the direction education is taking – it all adds up. As the end of year oxygen masks drop from the ceiling it’s important we prioritise our own well-being. Taking a break Teachers are the heart of education. Our contribution makes it successful. As we near the end of the school year, fill in the last forms, inquiry documents and testimonials and awhi the seniors concluding their exams, I hope we can all take a moment to recognise how important teachers are. I hope that we feel acknowledged for our efforts and have the opportunity to acknowledge others - we deserve it. Our high-quality public education system is built on the hard work of teachers. While the concept of holidays has become almost a myth for teachers, I sincerely hope you get some downtime over the summer break. It’s time to enjoy a welcome wind down after a crazily busy and pressured year. (I’ll be

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 3 Te reo Maori-

Students make te reo visible through clothing brand

PPTA News talks with Tokoroa High School student Jay McLaren-Harris, the CEO of Tumeke Clothing.

A group of talented Tokoroa High School students is putting te reo Māori in the public eye through people’s wardrobes. Tokoroa High School year 13 student Jay McLaren-Harris is the CEO of Tumeke Clothing, a clothing brand with aim of increasing the visibility and use of New Zealand’s native language through simple, easy to learn, te reo phrases. Hailing from “the great iwi Ngapuhi” Jay is passionate about te reo. He says the idea for the clothing company grew out of a political situation where leader criticised Minister for Māori Development , for speaking te reo in parliament. The Tumeke Clothing Team Jay realised that unfortunately Winston had a point. If only a small percentage Every detail of the clothing was The future of Tumeke Clothing may of the country understood te reo, how meticulously thought out. The Tumeke have a different form as board could the rest understand the debates logo was placed in the upper left chest members go their separate ways after being held in parliament? area, to symbolise that language was school. One of the board members In an ideal world te reo should be able at the heart of the project, and simple has been offered a league contract te reo phrases were on the back, to be spoken everywhere and people in Australia, while others are headed emphasising the fact that language is overseas. should be able to understand it. The the backbone of our culture. problem that needed to be solved was “Whatever we do we want to keep the the lack of visibility of te reo in people’s “What we are creating is a story rather kaupapa of the business the same, everyday lives, he said. than a product. That’s our approach. whether we do clothing or something We share our story and if people agree different,” Jay said. Through the Young Enterprise Scheme with it they buy a shirt,” Jay said. The group is already branching out, (YES) Jay joined forces with three of The Tumeke Clothing team is as launching the “I stand with Tumeke” his Tokoroa High classmates, Jordan multicultural as they come. “Only two of social media campaign to promote te reo Taylor (production director), Casey Clark us are Māori, one is a Cook Islander and and even holding their own conference. (communications director) and Lachlan one is European. Within our board we The Let’s Have a Korero forum was held Poko (marketing/sales director) to help are quite diverse, but it is the exact same come up with a solution. at Tokoroa High School. Its kaupapa message from all of us. In New Zealand was to increase the visibility of te reo “We needed something different. We te reo Māori, our native language, is not and incorporate core Māori values into thought, what’s something that people as visible as it should be.” homes, schools and workplaces. Around use every day? That people affiliate with The reaction to Tumeke was “massive” 60 to 70 people attended, including every day? Clothing.” and garnered fans from across the new Labour MP Tamati Coffey and Ngā political spectrum, including the man Manu Kōrero secondary school speech The YES programme works with that started it all, the right honourable competition prize winner Tuimaleali’ifano schools, using a combination of Winston Peters. The brand was officially Fiso, who travelled from ’s teachers and members of the business launched by Te Ururoa Flavell and the Sacred Heart College to be there. community to give students experience group was mentored by new Associate in the business world. Jay himself has been involved in Ngā Minister of Education Kelvin Davis. Manu Kōrero, which is sponsored by The group set about creating a product The brand was endorsed by a number PPTA, for the past four years, this year of politicians, including the Māori and with a purpose and, after weeks of coming third in senior English and National parties, which made a lot of consultation with cultural and business winning senior English impromptu. people want to jump on board. advisors and iwi leaders, Tumeke “Ngā Manu Kōrero sets a precedent. Clothing was born. “There is a lot of “We even made a sale to David It says we have some great orators in support, but it is challenging. Once we Seymour of the ACT Party,” Jay said. our country in terms of our youth, in both were able to settle on a product and a “It shows that, regardless of your te reo and English. It shows how we can story we were able to find supportive political values, we can all play a role in celebrate both without excluding one mentors and advisors,” Jay said. protecting our native language,” he said. or the other,” he said.

4 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Election 2017

Let’s do... what?

PPTA members discuss what we might expect from a Labour-led government

The Labour Party’s education manifesto contains a number of proposals and promises for PPTA members to look forward to and watch out for. This includes commitments to review NCEA and assessment, support inclusive education, promote safety in schools, support Māori educational achievement, repeal the charter school legislation and address teacher shortages to name a few. A number of PPTA members have looked at these promises and have shared with the PPTA News how they feel they will impact on their schools and communities. Hutt Valley/Wairarapa executive member Chris Carr was particularly interested in the promised focus on safer schools. “The Hutt Valley has a history of The new education team: (Clockwise from top left) fighting for greater classroom safety for Minister of Education , and associate education teachers and students so it’s excellent ministers , and Kelvin Davis to see that the new government has made this a priority,” he said. the government intended to deal with nature of the statements made in The manifesto promises that Labour will teacher supply issues. Labour’s election manifesto. “ensure that schools are fully supported “I just hope they’re aware of just what “They have certainly indicated concern in in dealing with behavioural issues by it is going to cost and how urgent it is,” all of the areas that we (PPTA) have been increasing the number of social workers she said. most vocal about recently but, for me, it’s available to all levels of the education all about workload and most specifically sector, ensuring all schools have an “(Education minister) Chris Hipkins has the intended review of NCEA,” he said. effective anti-bullying programme and said we can’t expect them to catch up providing external multi-agency support on nine years overnight, but we don’t The Labour manifesto promises to for schools in cases of criminal activity, have time to wait. Teachers shortages “undertake a review of the current NCEA such as assault” are reaching critical levels.” related assessment load on students and teachers with a view to bringing the focus The manifesto also promises to review the “I'm also really pleased to see Labour back to delivering on the vision of our funding system for guidance counsellors addressing the elephant in the room internationally renowned curriculum.” in schools, including investigating the - the over reliance on international possibility of ring-fencing funding for it, a students to fund our schools. Treating Kevin would like to hear more detail move Chris is pleased to see. other peoples' kids as cash cows to about this. prop our education system is not ok, “We need to know that our students “Who will be charged with undertaking and leads to huge inequities within the and teachers are well in all senses the review, what will the terms of system,” she said. of the word; improvements to mental reference be and what will they see as health services are an important part Melanie was particularly pleased to see success?” he asks. of this and I'm glad to see this is being the end of charter schools in Labour’s Establishing Teachers Committee recognised through increased funding promise to repeal the legislation allowing member, Wellington Girls’ College for guidance counsellors. As with all for them. “It’s a policy that never should teacher Cam Stewart is also cautious in such policies, it's the delivery and have happened. The question does his optimism. support of these programmes that remain though as to what happens “There are some positive noises from determines their success and it's our to those that have already been the new government, particularly around role as a union to make sure this is established. I look forward to seeing the Education Council and reducing done in a way that is effective for both clear leadership around this,” she said. assessment load. The proof of the pudding, students and staff,” he said. Wellington-Marlborough executive as always, is in the eating, and we as a PPTA junior vice president Melanie member Kevin Greig says his biggest union need to ensure they follow through Webber was “absolutely delighted” that area of suspicion is the ambiguous on some of these good policies,” he said.

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 5 Te Kura

Correspondence School’s corporate turn could hurt

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu – The Correspondence School is spending hundreds of thousands on overseas travel and is determined to become a COOL.

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu – The Correspondence School is a critical part of the public education system, yet it is behaving more and more like a commercial entity. Figures released through the Official Information Act (OIA) show the school’s board has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on overseas travel, much of it geared towards becoming a Community of Online Learning (COOL). PPTA members at Te Kura have raised Image: Rob Starling CC BY-SA 2.0) concerns about the COOLs legislation, with a number making submissions to the Education and Science Select of its annual budget. However one Te work to the requirements of the New Committee opposing changes to the Kura member who contacted PPTA had Zealand Curriculum and National Education (Update) Amendment Bill that to self-fund attending their own subject Certificate of Educational Achievement would allow them to come into being. conference as they were told it was ‘not (NCEA) assessments. This ensures that in the budget.’ all students have access to registered These concerns have included the teacher lead learning. The intrusion of In notes provided with the OIA response process, or lack thereof, the legislation unqualified and unregistered teachers Te Kura says the growth of overseas had been through, the effect COOLs into the distance learning environment travel expenditure over this time could have on young people and the undermines the success of New period is directly linked to the school’s introduction of private enterprise into Zealand students,” one teacher said. our public education system. “programme of online transformation and progression towards being an online COOLs also had the potential to PPTA president Jack Boyle said members distance education provider.” disable the pastoral care of students had contacted him with concerns about learning online. the number of overseas trips taken by “One of Te Kura's strategic priorities senior management and the commercial is the transition to an online delivery “Te Kura provides pastoral care to all their turn Te Kura appeared to be taking. model, that allows for much more distant learning students. This is a very flexible, engaging and efficient delivery to time intensive and expensive, but integral, “They (Te Kura management) appear to students. Te Kura is set to become one of part of their learning. It is highly unlikely be more interested in swanning around NZ's first Communities of Online Learning that private COOLS will devote similar the world than their bread and butter. no later than 2019,” the notes say. time and resources to the wellbeing of The support for COOLs, allowing their their students,” one member said. ‘CEO’ to not be a teacher, not having “It’s ironic that they’re claiming to be any staff representation on their board such advocates for online education, The COOL legislation provides for open and allowing any student to enrol in yet they have to go to face-to-face access to online schools, stating that direct competition with other schools, conferences around the world to learn students may enrol at a school or a are all symptomatic of this,” he said. how to do it,” Jack said. COOL. At present there is a dual-funding system where, when a student is enrolled The OIA information reveals that between A number of Te Kura members are both in a school and at Te Kura, it 2014 and 2016 Te Kura had spent more very concerned about the direction the usually doesn’t cost the enrolling school than half a million dollars on overseas school appears to be taking in regards anything. Te Kura now wants to remove travel, the majority taken by senior to becoming a COOL. this mechanism, which could end up leadership and the chief executive. “Rather than making changes in response costing schools a lot if students choose to Countries visited included; Australia, to the needs of all future New Zealanders, do some courses through Te Kura. Vanuatu, the United States, Singapore, this legislation appears to be a response Other concerns voiced by members the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, to a small number of interest groups that included the proposed removal of a China, South Africa and Spain. do not have a wide view of education managed enrolment system to ensure in New Zealanders,” one said in their In 2014 $148,811.66 was spent on 14 students have the right support to submission to the Education and Science overseas trips. In 2015 there were 21, succeed and the fact that Te Kura Select Committee. totalling $195,144. 85 and in 2016 18 had one of the only boards of trustees trips cost the school $261,834.34. Members also felt COOLs would without staff representation. lead to the de-professionalism of the Te Kura says the average annual spend For more information see the extended teaching profession on overseas travel of $200,000 a year version of this story on the PPTA News of this period is less than half a percent “Te Kura teachers are registered and section of ppta.org.nz

6 | PPTA NEWS September/October | Mahuru/Whiringa-ā-nuku 2017 Author interview

Teacher’s book aims to ready students for real work

PPTA member Wayne Benton’s book Real World Ready aims to prepare students for life outside of school.

Hawera High School teacher Wayne Benton has been a PPTA member for 14 years. He has been teaching horticulture, Gateway workplace learning and STAR (Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource) for 12 years with the last 10 spent at Hawera High as HOD transition. His passion is ensuring young people transition successfully into the competitive real world of work. Can you briefly tell us what Real World Ready is all about? Teaching young people how to navigate their way successfully into the challenging world of employment using a set of proven strategies. What prompted you to write it? When coordinating and teaching life skills for Gateway, it became very obvious that there was little comprehensive up to date material that was appealing and written unprepared. It may take 10 years, and experience to learn from. The students for students to read. Financial literacy is some may never, figure out how to then have a valuable guide to take extremely important for students when save money for example. Every student with them at the end of the course, they begin working and earning money. should have an equal chance to live a unlike the unit standards that are Yet I found this was taught in small happy and financially independent life. withheld for moderation. sections by different subject lines not as Where do you see the role of a What sort of feedback have you had so a complete package. This inspired me to student’s whanau? write the book. far from teachers/students/families? Whanau are very influential on a The feedback has been very positive Where did you draw the information you student’s patterns of success. Many used to write it from? for teachers, students and whanau. have not been mentored in the proven Many teachers are now using the book In my previous career I was involved in strategies themselves. Therefore if we to ensure each year 12 or 13 student the finance industry, including insurance, do not teach this in school the pattern of understands each strategy. advising businesses how to instigate poverty more than likely will be repeated. When the students took the books the appropriate systems to protect What about teacher PLD in these areas? themselves. A great deal of this life home one principal was inundated with experience has been shared in the book. There is lots of PLD around how to phone calls from parents saying that assist students in choosing a career this was the best thing their child had What sort of process did you go through? path but very little or no training for learnt at school and thanked him. Not Observing students as to how work- teachers on how to set up students' your usual principal's call! ready they were and then discussing bank accounts, the importance of Where can people find your book? with many business owners as to the insurance, living independently, huge gaps they were experiencing with physical and mental readiness. You can email [email protected] younger employees helped form the Do you think schools should be resourced or phone 0275 406 540. strategies explained in the book. to provide this sort of support? The book normally retails for $35 Is this an area where you perceive there Every school should have access to these however for schools a bulk discounted is a gap in resources for schools? resources so that all students, either price of $25 only applies. This can be There is a big lack of student friendly academic or trade orientated, have a funded from STAR, Gateway or Careers. resources for teaches to use in schools. chance to learn these important life skills. The website realworldready.co.nz I experienced this as a new teacher How do you think your book will help has a number of free resources for coming into secondary school and teachers/students/families? everyone to use for example, an decided to create this book. interview planner, CV and cover letter. Along with the book is a guide available Do you believe it is a school’s place to as to what strategies or chapters PPTA News has a copy of Real World teach these skills? align with many unit standards. This Ready to give away for review. If this Absolutely, otherwise our young people helps teachers and students by having sounds like you email [email protected] enter the real world of work totally easy to read knowledge, wisdom and First in first served!

PPTA NEWS September/October | Mahuru/Whiringa-ā-nuku 2017 | 7 Clause of the month

Affirmation for subject specialists through increment

Fabric technology and graphics teacher Barbara Joseph talks about the service/qualification increment - a $2000 payment many teachers may not be aware they are eligible for.

Barbara Joseph has been teaching fabric technology and graphics at Western Springs College since 2004. She loves working with and inspiring young people but, like many teachers, is often too busy to stop and smell the roses. She did get the chance to do that however, with the help of a clause in the PPTA collective agreement. Teachers in secondary schools who do not have a permanent unit and have been at their salary maximum for three years are eligible for the $2000 service/qualification increment (clause 4.9 in the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement). Teachers in area schools who hold no more than three units and who have been at their salary maximum for three years will also be eligible (clause 3.18 in the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement). There is a wide range of qualifications that fit Stopping to smell the roses (and pay her respects): the criteria. PPTA member Barbara Joseph used some of her service The payment has to be applied for increment payment to visit friends and family in the UK and Barbara only became aware of it through an article in the PPTA News. years before leaving and swearing that I Barbara described the process of She wants to make sure more teachers would never teach again ,” she said. applying as simple. out there know about it so those who are eligible can apply. Barbara lived in the UK for another 16 “I dug out my degree certificates and years working in community based arts paperwork that I had used in applying “The impact of the increment of projects and facilitating collaborative for my job, filled out a downloadable course is not about money. This pay projects such as murals, banners form and our school finance officer increment affirms that teachers who and installations. After returning to processed my application. The are specialists in their subject and just New Zealand she continued to work increment is $2000 extra each year want to teach are valued,” she said. in that field, working on arts projects and I also received three years of it If anyone deserves to be recognised for with groups such as mental health back paid,” she said. consumers and homeless families. her contributions to arts and education, Barbara used some of this money to stop it’s Barbara – though her road into “I saw the light and decided to give and smell the roses in the UK, travelling teaching had a somewhat rocky start. teaching another go when I applied for over there for Christmas in 2015 with her “Growing up, I was taught how to make a Technology job at Western Springs. I partner Danny and visiting her daughter clothes and crafts by my mother and thought my skills and experience would who lives in London. be a good fit for the role,” she said. aunties. I have always loved to draw “Danny is Glaswegian and between us and paint and ‘make stuff’,” she said. Many years later, Barbara learned about we have very strong emotional bonds She gained a Master of Fine Arts the service increment through reading a with friends and family in the UK,” degree in painting and printmaking PPTA News article written by junior vice she said. from the Elam School of Fine Arts president, and Western Springs College Barbara encourages any member who in Auckland, followed by a teaching teacher, Melanie Webber. thinks they might be eligible for the diploma at what was then the Auckland “In it she was talking about what service increment to apply. Teachers College. Following that she she had found out about little known moved to the UK in the 1980s to work “Go for it, you deserve it!,” she says. clauses in the secondary teachers’ at a high school in North West London. collective. I had never heard of this For more information on the service/ “It had been labelled "School of Shame" particular increment but realised that qualification increment and how to by the Sun newspaper as a teacher I was eligible to receive it. I talked to apply visit the Your Pay section under had been killed by a pupil there a few Melanie about it and she encouraged Advice and Issues on the PPTA website years before. I stuck it out for two tough me to apply.” or contact your local field officer.

8 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Holiday entitlements

Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday

At this time of year teachers are looking forward to a well-earned break…so what are your entitlements?

Teachers are paid an annual vacation. If you work the first two terms salary for the school year (28 and then resign your final pay will be Holiday pay Jan to 27 Jan of the following three weeks plus one carry over week equalling four weeks in total. year). The school year is broken investigation into four terms each, usually 10 Fixed term teachers weeks long. After working a term A teacher on a fixed term of one year reaches a teacher earns three weeks of who has not secured employment vacation of which two are used for the following year will be paid out teachers the above amount just prior to the during the term break and one Christmas break. For many years payroll is carried over. If your job continues into the next school systems around the country Sick leave without pay (LWOP) can be year your school should let Education have been calculating holiday taken for up to 90 days without any Payroll know. Similarly if you are moving pay in a way that does not loss to holiday pay. However other to a new school immediately after the leave without pay of more than five comply with the Holiday Pay holidays, ask your current school to days will affect the end of school year Act 2003. This means it is inform Education Payroll. This will allow calculations. After five days you will likely that teachers have not you to continue to be paid fortnightly. begin to lose holiday pay at the rate of been paid the holiday pay 30% of the period of LWOP, including And for those who are leaving… that they are entitled to. the intervening weekend. Both the Secondary Teachers Collective The Ministry of Education has Permanent teachers Agreement and Area School Teachers completed a review to investigate Collective Agreement require teachers A permanent teacher who completes its compliance with the Holidays to give two calendar months’ notice (not the school year and stays on the Act 2003 (the act) and has eight weeks as is commonly thought). Education Payroll for the following year acknowledged there is a problem will have earned three weeks for term If you are intending to resign it is in the application of the act four plus three weeks that has been advisable to state that the resignation that will affect the majority of carried over, plus the statutory holidays is effective from 27 Jan. Both fixed term – equalling eight weeks, and they will and permanent teachers may negotiate PPTA members. continued to be paid fortnightly over the a different period of notice with their The broad area of non-compliance end of year holidays. So for every term school. For assistance with this you relates to the manner in which should contact your PPTA field officer. you teach you earn three weeks paid types of leave are calculated and then applied to employees taking certain types of leave. Record keeping has also been identified as an area where further work will need to be conducted. PPTA has joined a working party group with the other education sector unions and the ministry to look at this. It’s a hugely complicated area, and more so for teachers as our holidays are very different from other working people. The ministry is in the process of scoping the issue further and we anticipate it will take some time before a resolution to the matter will be finalised. More information and Ministry of Education resources can be found on the Your Pay section of the PPTA website

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 9 Election 2017

Grassroots engagement keeps politicians on their toes

PPTA members throughout the country kept politicians and the public informed through a series of election events.

Around the country over the last few months PPTA members gathered in schools, universities and community halls to make sure their local politicians were aware of the big issues in education. From inviting politicians into schools in the Manawatu-Whanganui region to well-run and well-attended education panels in Northland (see page 11), West Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Lower Hutt, Southland and more – PPTA members were fabulous advocates for ensuring our would-be politicians and the public heard about what matters in education. PPTA president Jack Boyle said members’ grass roots engagement around education as an election issue was inspiring. “I was lucky to attend a couple of the regional election debates and there are a couple of things that really struck me. One is how well we advocate for our profession, our schools and our children. The other thing is that it’s really true that PPTA is members. You just got on and did the mahi,” he said. “The ability to organically and locally organise is an enormous strength and it makes a real difference for communities to know that what each branch and region does is totally authentic. “As we move to this post-election period we can be hopeful that such member-led activism continues to advance what is widely held and deeply felt for teachers, students and our society,” he said. Numeracy, literacy, mental health and poverty were just some of the topics covered during the debates with education the thread connecting them all. Schooling the politicians: Speakers at PPTA Manawatu-Whanganui political panel visited schools in the region beforehand “It is quite astonishing how responsibility for funding state education at all levels has been systematically shifted from Before that particular panel the PPTA Manawatu-Whanganui regional chair government to households. This is yet Manawatu-Whanganui region came up Grant Collie said the candidates he another inequitable tax on the most with a novel way of letting politicians approached jumped at the opportunity disadvantaged in our society and experience what really goes on in the and it was an excellent way to bring completely undermines government classroom. Political candidates sat in on candidates and teachers together. rhetoric that children’s lives matter.” secondary school classes in Ruapehu, If you had an election event in your area Massey University institute of education Whanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and and would like to share how it went, professor John O’Neill told the Horowhenua, interacting with teachers email [email protected] Manawatu-Whanganui political panel. and students in an organic fashion.

10 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Election 2017

Northland community and educators ask tough questions

PPTA executive member Terry Robson reports on the Upper Northland political panel held in Kaikohe.

On a chilly night in Kaikohe, Northland, a political event took place. It was organised by intrepid regional committee members of the Northland Upper region of the PPTA; Brian Dunckley, Graham Sharp, Sarah Morgan, Diana Henderson, Ester Van Dyke (and husband Andrew) and Terry Robson. PPTA president Jack Boyle was in helpful attendance also. Well in excess of a hundred attended this event. The politicians they came From left: Willow-Jean Prime (Labour), Matt King (National), Catherine to listen to were the Rt Hon. Winston Delahunty (Green), Hone Harawera (Mana) and Winston Peters (New Zealand Peters (New Zealand First) Willow Jean First) talk politics with PPTA’s Northland regional chair Graham Sharp Prime (Labour) Hone Harawera (Mana) Catherine Delahunty (Green) and Matt is less focused on assessment and more King (National). Apologies were received suggested rental homes should require from Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis. focused on the needs of the student. The a ‘warrant of fitness’ to get rental Each politician was given 10 minutes Green Party supports universal te reo housing up to liveable levels for low to introduce themselves and their Māori in schools. income tenants. She admonished the government for the continued sale of political party’s messages. This report Matt King will mainly concentrate on those issues state housing and claimed that a well- concerning parents, educators and Matt King spoke at length about the funded education system was the key students within New Zealand education. infrastructure benefits to Northlanders to an improved future. that have occurred under a National- Winston Peters Hone Harawera led government. He reiterated Hone Harawera spoke at length about his government’s commitment to The Rt. Hon. Winston Peters spoke how the rugby league competition infrastructure in Northland where about how this election was the prime was helping youth in the Far North. money is needed to be spent on roads time for Northland to reassert itself as He questioned why young students in and bridges. He spoke about growing a powerhouse primary producer and tertiary education had to pay such a up as a Northlander and that he government game changer, discussing high cost for their education over and believes the quality of people’s lives is forestry in particular. He argued that above the rising cost of accommodation improving but he suggested that he had much of the profits are being collected in the big centres like Auckland. been into ‘Once Were Warriors’ homes south of Northland and that much more He reminded us that the cost of an around Northland and although he money needs to be invested in education, education was more reasonable in the was not poor himself, he had observed infrastructure, roads and bridges. past. He blamed Labour and National people’s hardship in face to face visits Questions from the audience for selling off assets in the past, making to people’s homes. Matt apologised for things worse for the youth of today. having little to discuss about education What followed was a Q and A session because it was not his thing. Catherine Delahunty with the issues of private forests, poor Willow-Jean Prime wireless networks and the future of Catherine Delahunty spoke about the regional development in the Kaikohe quality of public education and the Willow-Jean Prime informed us that area being raised. The final question politics of education. She contended that Labour has many useful policies. She raised was by the youngest of the all cultures need to be respected more, was passionately concerned about the audience, an Okaihau College senior along with improved conflict resolution. increasing number of people living in student and it was poignant in that it She wants adult New Zealanders to poverty and homeless in Northland, concerned teen suicide prevention. The realise about global climate change claiming that this has become much panel communicated their contention issues and she voiced concerns about worse in the last three years and that that one of the reasons for such a high unrealistic NCEA targets, expressing the food bank hasn’t enough food to teen suicide rate was the pressure of sorrow for the predicament teachers have feed the impoverished. Things are too much assessment in schools and getting worse, she claims people are found themselves in over this. She stated students continually being faced with an concern about a lack of government not getting the best education, housing, assessment system geared for failure. spending in education and how we have and health support. She stated parts of Everyone who attended agreed this suffered under the experiment of 20 New Zealand and particularly Northland event proved to be well worth the effort. years of the neo-liberal model and a need have the highest unemployment and for an inspirational education system that fastest growing level of crime. She Well done the Northland Upper Region!

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 11 Annual conference

Shortage solutions and surprise support Delegates at PPTA annual conference debate the association’s industrial strategy and a surprise amendment is made

Solutions to the secondary – we just can’t understand why the relieve the shortage of teachers. government has not taken steps to teacher shortage affecting Russel, a principal for 29 years and address the problems with recruitment member of the New Zealand Secondary young people’s education were and retention. high on the agenda at PPTA’s Principals Council (NZSPC), said the annual conference last month. “Our conference will figure out how to shortage was the price we were paying get the action we need to address this for letting teachers’ pay drop relative to Nearly 160 delegates met for three crisis before it gets any worse.” the average wage. “In a recent survey days during the school holidays to 80 percent of principals said they were “Teachers and principals hate being in discuss and vote on the big issues for having to compromise on appointments this position. We become teachers to secondary teachers. because teacher shortages are so dire. help children reach their potential and In my 29 years as a principal I have seen The conference is the association’s we do our absolute best but things have the tide coming in and going out. I can tell got to a point where teachers are burning democratic decision-making body and you that the tide is moving further and out and leaving. We have to speak out.” decisions made there dictate PPTA’s further out,” he said. policy for the coming year. And speak out they did – after robust "Now is the time to inject some energy debate overwhelmingly supporting the One of the biggest issues was the growing and reality into this situation," he strategy, with a few amendments, set nation-wide teacher shortage and its said "This is a fundamental first step out in the paper. negative consequences for students. This towards dealing to this crisis. We need was addressed in the conference’s 2018 Surprise support from principals to get on with the job." industrial strategy paper. During the debate on the industrial paper Delegates present agreed, voting to PPTA executive member Austen Pageau Naenae College principal John Russell accept the additional recommendation said we were already in a situation made a surprise amendment to the paper as part of a strategy they hoped would where students were missing out. that teachers receive an immediate 5 provide some serious answers to the “Teachers are being forced to teach percent pay rise as an interim measure to teacher shortage. outside their subject areas, courses are being cancelled, class sizes are increasing and schools can’t even get relieving teachers,” he said. Austen spoke of the triple whammy seriously eroding teacher recruitment and retention. “A large proportion of ‘baby boomer’ teachers will leave the teaching workforce in the next 10 years, more teachers are leaving teaching to take up more financially rewarding careers and fewer people are being attracted into teaching. 40 percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years and we’re not even training enough new teachers to keep up with the demand now, let alone for the roll growth we’re expecting over the next 10 years.” Despite the recommendations in two 2016 reports the government had taken no steps to improve pay, which has fallen far behind what is needed to recruit and retain teachers, Austen said. There had also been no meaningful steps taken to reduce teachers’ excessive and bureaucratic workload, which was the second major factor contributing to teacher shortages, he said. Finding solutions to secondary shortages: “We know, parents know and school PPTA annual conference delegates have the hard discussions principals all know what is happening

12 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Facing the big issues together Robust debate and well-made decisions at PPTA’s 2017 annual conference

PPTA delegates from throughout an industrial strategy for the 2018 hapū, iwi, Māori communities and the country met in Wellington collective agreement to help address schools working together – mā te mahi these through pay and conditions. from 3-5 October to debate and tahi, ka ora ait e taitamaiti. We thank our members for the robust debate vote on the big issues affecting Other papers discussed examined the NCEA review, Communities of Learning, and well-made decisions which we look secondary teachers. flexible learning spaces, careers forward to implementing. PPTA’s annual conference is the services, affirming diversity and the The conference papers are available casualization of day relief teachers. association’s decision making body at ppta.org.nz and the conference and one of the main issues was The association also produced its first sessions can be viewed on the NZPPTA secondary teacher shortages and bilingual discussion paper – Whānau, Youtube channel. Gender Equality

Making equality reality

Newly elected to New Zealand’s National Council of Women’s board, PPTA member Arna Metcalfe shares the council’s work and its relevance to secondary schools.

Kia ora koutou I am excited to share with the PPTA membership what the National Council of Women New Zealand (NCWNZ) has been up to recently. The PPTA is a longstanding member of NCWNZ. Since 1896 NCWNZ has been leading the fight for gender equality. NCWNZ serves as an umbrella group to focus the voices of many individuals and organisations such as unions, faith and youth groups, and those supporting women’s rights in particular. Our founding president, Kate Sheppard, was vocal in her support of equality, stating that, “All that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman, and must be overcome.” NCWNZ is leading a new campaign launched in September which calls for a Gender Equal NZ. Discrimination can be more subtle than it once was. We see it in the everyday interactions we all face, with subtle gender inequality being revealed in attitudes and assumptions. For some, gender inequality is more obvious. For Arna Metcalfe teaches at Auckland’s Marcellin College all of us, the job is not done. and has been a PPTA member for 15 years Gender Equal NZ is starting conversations - calling out inequalities passed unanimously. The full wording education is necessary to give young in policy, society and the media that of it is “That NCWNZ supports best people the support to develop healthy perpetuate an unequal status quo. practice, age appropriate compulsory relationships, for them to encourage and relationship and sexuality education support their peers to do the same. In NCWNZ is organised both nationally in primary and secondary schools, particular online pornography needs to and through geographic branches. including dealing with issues of respect be addressed and put into perspective At the branch level, PPTA is able to and consent.” through open dialogue. For some this send representatives to take part in alone is their sex education tool.” activities, discussion, and conversation In support of this remit, the proposers, about national and local issues. I would Hawke’s Bay and Auckland branches We also supported Universal Basic encourage PPTA branches across the stated, “at the moment secondary Income for all New Zealanders, pay country to make sure that we take up schools are inconsistent with the equity for women with disabilities with this opportunity to work together. In scope and content of sex and sexuality particular reference to Māori women Auckland the PPTA Women’s Network, education. Consent and respect are with disabilities, and appropriate Auckland Women’s Centre and NCWNZ vitally important concepts to promote funding of mental health and well-being services to meet current and increased Auckland branch are collectively in sex and relationship education. needs in communities, especially after organising a hui for high school At present these specific topics are major natural disasters. students to support them in their discretionary, relying on schools and their boards to have the will and the existing and fledgling feminist groups. We call on everyone to join the funding to provide such programmes. campaign for a Gender Equal NZ. At our recent conference in As of April 2017 only 23 percent We care about the experiences of all Christchurch a number of remits were of all schools were using the ACC genders and believe in equality for all. discussed that were highly relevant funded 'Mates and Dates' programme. Information about the campaign can be to PPTA membership. The remit (Dominion Post: 'Consent not a Priority' 4 found at https://genderequal.nz/ most explicitly relating to education April 2017). To this end such education was around sexuality education and should be compulsory. We believe such Nga mihi

14 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Opinion

Making equality reality Is the twitterverse teaching or harming our students?

PPTA member Ben Robson examines the impact of social media ‘fast-braining’ on students (abridged). See PPTA News section of ppta.org.nz for full version and resources.

I would describe myself as a moderately cynical secondary school teacher who still loves his job. I am finding that increasingly often, I have able students in a state of anxiety, when given a task or assessment in class that should be easily manageable. One of the major contributors to the declining resilience of many students is their constant, all pervasive use of technology. The question I keep asking myself is; “are we as educators; helping or hindering students in our drive to ‘modernise’ the New Zealand school system?” The arguments in favor of integrating technology in education are obvious and definitely have some merit. They Technology in schools has obvious benefits include; improved productivity due but are our students equipped to use it effectively? to students submitting assignments online, improving links between home There is very little genuine, methodical are inheriting a cohort of tech addicted and school, an increase in engagement thinking and mindfulness that occurs students. By encouraging technology from students that do not find traditional when you are scrolling a newsfeed, in the classroom we are to an extent; learning environments effective, and looking at a friend’s Instagram or tempting the addict. more collaboration between students snapchatting someone with a picture of NCEA, with its numerous assessments, and teachers via programs such as your lunch. presents an ever-growing challenge Google docs and classroom. What is now happening in the for students who spend the majority of While schools are implementing these education sector is that we are tacitly their day in the youinstasnaptwitface initiatives with honorable intentions, enabling many students system 1/fast alternate reality. The goal (I hope) of an the danger is that many students are brain social media addiction. education is to teach resilience, new not adequately equipped to use these skills and ideas. You cannot, and will As I mentioned above; I am confronted technologies effectively. Perhaps never be able to, fast brain your way to on a daily basis with wonderful, more importantly, many teachers are an education. intelligent students who want to not adequately equipped to guide achieve but struggle as soon as the I would certainly agree our education students in appropriate, mindful use prospect of applying effort arises. An system needs to keep evolving and of technology. assessment will be handed out to the technology certainly has a role to play. Daniel Kahneman, who in 2011 wrote class and some students will be literally However, I’m just not convinced that the acclaimed Thinking, Fast and Slow, close to tears when they are given what enough consideration is being given to presents us with the idea that humans I would consider a totally reasonable the downsides of the hyper-connected have two distinct systems of thought; and achievable task. The major driver classroom, and that enough support for system 1 and system 2, otherwise of this anxiety is the fact that most teachers and learners is being put in known as fast brain and slow brain. of these students, due to their heavy place. The Ministry of Education in all its use of social media, have become assessment driven wisdom, seems to be System 1 is our brain’s autopilot if you accustomed to fast braining their way diving headlong down the rabbit hole of like. System 2 is the approach we use through life. They are becoming less technology and future focused learning. when confronted with a problem that resilient and less adept at using their requires a considered, logical response. Schooling and education is system type 2, or slow brain. 2/slow brain thinking by nature. It Depending on which study you choose to I agree we should be teaching students develops self-awareness, confidence look at, the average teenager will spend self-discipline and willpower. However and discipline. We must make sure we between five and nine hours a day on trying to teach a student who already help students become mindful, resilient some form of social media (with all spends upwards of five hours a day on users of technology and social media studies there is a definite upward trend). social media about restraint is about as rather than slaves to clickbait. We Most of our time spent on social media effective as telling an alcoholic to ‘just should recognise this and make sure is certainly what could be classified stop drinking’. It’s the ambulance at our education system keeps the goal of as system 1, or fast brain thinking. the bottom of the cliff. As educators we student well-being at its core.

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 15 New faces

New staff happy to call New Zealand home

Introducing PPTA’s newest staff members – advisory officer Jen Dive and Auckland field officer Kendra Greenwood.

advertised at the same time as I had in the UK for four years she moved to started looking for a new job in Welly. New Zealand in 1998. Kendra taught I feel incredibly privileged to be able at James Cook High School for 10 years to continue to work for a teachers before realising her original reason for union. I will always view myself, first moving to New Zealand “to have some and foremost, as a teacher and am land, grow a few veggies and have passionate about the important work my horses close by.” So in 2008 she that teachers undertake in their moved to Taipuha in Northland to teach classrooms every day.” at Otamatea High School. In her new role as Advisory Officer, Kendra’s background is in computer Industrial, Jen will be working on PPTA’s collective agreements in the lead up to science but she decided to train as a bargaining for the Secondary Teachers’ maths and hard materials (Technology) Collective Agreement next year. “While teacher. “Consequently I have taught the New Zealand education sector has computing, electronics, woodwork Jen Dive – Aussie’s loss, our gain some significant differences to the and maths. I have been a head of PPTA’s newest advisory officer Australian education system, there department, specialist classroom are many common issues such as the teacher and an assistant principal.” Jen Dive is an Australian who workload and supply issues that will has seen the light, moving continue to be a focus for PPTA.” Kendra joined PPTA as soon as she across the ditch to Wellington. started working in New Zealand and, Since starting her job at the end of through the encouragement of fellow Lucky for us this move coincided with August, Jen has been out visiting all members, became branch chair an opening in the PPTA industrial PPTA’s regional offices and many of her school and executive for advisory team. schools. “I hope to attend as many Counties Manukau. regional events as possible and I am Jen grew up in the central west of New looking forward to getting into branches “When I moved and joined Northland South Wales and has been living in to meet as many members as I can, so Lower, I became the regional chair Sydney for the a number of years. She if you see me around please say hello!” before once more stepping up to has both a teaching and industrial executive member for Northland. background, most recently holding the Alongside these structural positions I role of industrial officer with the New have worked on a number of taskforces South Wales Teachers Federation from and committees both within PPTA and 2012 until earlier this year. as a PPTA representative,” she said. Prior to working for the teachers Kendra first took up the field officer role federation Jen worked as a secondary in 2015 when another field officer was PE teacher for six years. on maternity leave and realised then “I mainly worked in a small central how closely the values of PPTA aligned school, which is similar to an area with her own values. school,” she said. “I firmly believe free state education is Jen has also recently completed a Juris vital to the prosperity of society, and Doctor, a post graduate qualification the health of the education system is in law, through the University of dependent on the professional well- Kendra Greenwood – a familiar face Technology, Sydney. being of teachers,” she said. in the field Jen and her partner decided to move Kendra has a particular interest in to New Zealand to get away from PPTA’s newest field officer is how the pedagogical expectations of the hustle and bustle of Sydney. a face a number of you might teachers have shifted over time and how “Wellington was the natural choice recognise. Kendra Greenwood the digital era has changed practices. for us as my partner grew up in the has held PPTA regional chair “But as an ex-teacher who discovered Hutt Valley and still has family there. and executive positions in camaraderie through being a member We have settled into the Hutt and of the union I would like to be able Wellington really well (despite the rain!). both Counties Manukau and to continue to support that sense We are enjoying exploring and taking Northland and has previously of community through the branch, our labradoodle on lots of interesting worked as a field officer. regional and network structures. Being walks,” she said. Like Jen, Kendra is an international an activist can be extremely rewarding.” “It was really a stroke of luck that import, hailing from North Yorkshire the advisory officer position was in the United Kingdom. After teaching

16 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Digital assessment

Collaborating on digital assessment transformation

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) chief executive Karen Poutasi on working with schools to develop technology-based assessment.

Teachers and schools play a pilots is a crucial part of our approach. from candidates participating in the crucial role in the work we are Post-examination surveys help to NCEA Digital Pilot examinations. further our knowledge of where schools doing to help learners qualify for These digital examinations will be marked are at, along with what’s working well online. Feedback from the subject the future world. and what can be improved. experts involved in marking will be We are working closely with schools to We have worked closely with a number particularly important as digital marking investigate technology-based methods of schools and kura on a series of becomes part of business as usual. of assessment through our digital trials co-managed trials. These are different This is a challenging and exciting time and pilots. These build on previous trials from the other trials in that NZQA and pilots as we work towards a goal of to be involved in education. We must has supervised and marked these remain responsive and relevant to the having all examinations available online, examinations on behalf of the schools where appropriate, by 2020. demands of the future – NZQA will work in order to increase our understanding hard to get it right, but the support Our approach of staged, managed, of how digital examinations are of the education sector is vital. We co-creation with schools is working managed. This information, along hope to continue our very productive well. The trials and pilots enable with feedback from students and staff relationship with the PPTA, which schools to participate at a pace they throughout the year (before and after is a key member of our Secondary are comfortable with, and provide an the trials), will help us develop a bank Qualifications Advisory Group. We’ll opportunity for schools to assess their of knowledge that can be shared with continue to work with learners, whānau, capacity for digital assessment and its the sector. teachers, educators, iwi and industry relevance to delivering teaching and throughout the country to achieve our This year, around 1670 subject learning. They also provide students vision that all New Zealand learners experts are contracted as markers for with an opportunity to experience “Qualify for the Future World: Kia noho NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship examinations in a digital format. takatu ki tō āmua ao”. examinations throughout the country. Feedback from teachers, students, These markers will be responsible for More information on can be found at supervisors, and examination centre marking over 1.2 million candidate nzqa.govt.nz under Digital Assessment: managers involved in the trials and entries, of which up to 11,000 will be NCEA Digital Trials and Pilots.

NZQA is working with schools to trial digital assessment

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 17 Out in the field

Surplus staffing - when your school has a falling roll

Information and advice from PPTA’s intrepid field officers

The provisional staffing notices drop in secondary aged students and • is provided by a NZQA accredited have arrived in schools and in recent years fewer students have provider been taking physical education in the should be being shared with senior school. • is full-time staff where schools are in a The PPTA field officer has attended a • enhances or upgrades teaching skills; falling roll situation. branch meeting to explain the surplus the course must focus on classroom The notices set out the “provisional staffing procedures and in particular practice and/or school management. staffing” numbers - the number of the voluntary options. The principal David saw an opportunity to up-skill teachers and units the Ministry of has also advised two positions can be in mathematics and checked out a managed by attrition and he has made Education will fund in your school next number of level 7 maths courses. the voluntary offers available. year. If student numbers have dropped A level 7 course at AUT which he in the past year, or the projected David is interested making a voluntary met the prerequisites for interested numbers for Year 9 coming in the next offer and has contacted his field officer him. The principal submitted the year are expected to be lower than for advice. At a meeting his field officer course details on his behalf to the usual, then your school might be told explained that there are three options ministry which approved the course. it needs to lose teaching staff. The available and it is up to the employer His employer, after considering the reduction of teaching staff is commonly as to whether or not any voluntary curriculum and pastoral needs of expressed as full-time teacher offer is accepted. the school for 2018, accepted his equivalents (FTTEs). Where the FTTE requiring reduction is more than 1.0 (a The three voluntary options are voluntary offer. supernumerary employment, long whole teaching position) the employer Surplus staffing is a very stressful time service payment and retraining. David has to follow the surplus staffing for all concerned so it is important is interested in the retraining option procedures in your collective agreement. to understand the process and as a way of up-skilling. The field officer Surplus staffing – making a explained the retraining provisions as seek advice about options if you are voluntary offer set out in the collective agreement considering making a voluntary offer. along with the ministry retraining There is a lot to consider and weigh up. David teaches physical education in a guidelines. Their advice is to include school where the principal has recently The Advice and Issues section of the paperwork showing the course: announced the Ministry of Education PPTA website explains the surplus will be funding three fewer FTTEs next • is equivalent to tertiary level – at staffing process in more detail. If you year due to a fall in the school roll. least New Zealand Qualifications have any concerns or questions please Demographic changes have seen a Authority (NZQA) level 7 contact your local field officer.

There are a number of options in your collective agreement if your school has a falling roll

18 | PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 Chalkdust

A look into PPTA’s past

A series looking at education through the eyes of the PPTA News

This month we are travelling reluctance of some branches to appoint Ministry of Education expressing back to 1987. a women’s contact while a few had strong disappointment at the package appointed a man... This is unacceptable. of proposals produced by the State Teachers hit the streets It is a negation of conference’s Services Co-ordinating Committee to intention that women should be actively meet the needs of areas experiencing Wellington and Hutt Valley teachers encouraged to become involved in PPTA," chronic staffing difficulties. marched on Parliament. Branches up president Peter Allen said. and down the country voted to strike for one, two or more days. Telegrams Drama llamas flooded into Parliament and PPTA On hearing for the first time of the NZ head office expressing the anger and Association for Drama in Education, a frustration that teachers felt at having cynic was moved to remark: “I thought been let down so badly and so unjustly that’s what the PPTA was for.” by a Government that had declared its commitment in the 1984 election Tribunal on our side campaign to improving the quality of public education. The Public Sector Tribunal decision, which awards secondary teachers When the PM tells you to PO salary increases substantially above those the Government offered in Following the Prime Minister’s high February, vindicates the case the PPTA quality debate with a teacher during has been advancing since its claim which he made the now famous was lodged in August last year” – PPTA comment about what he thought the president Peter Allen. teacher should do, a slogan for a bumper sticker/button soon presented “In the winners and losers context, we itself. The suggestion: “I’m a teacher won and quite handsomely” – PPTA Minister-speak, and I’m already pissed off.” assistant general secretary and salary some things never change claim advocate Kevin Bunker Great moments in linguo-calligraphic interpersonal communications No. 1: The Minister recently sent a letter to a regional secretary containing the following piece of deathless prose: “For this reason I am sympathetic to a current proposal from the department seeking the resources to commence the work required to bring into being a system which has comprehensive enhancements.” Unexpected hazard (or bonus) Reframing par excellence of new women’s officer position What day is it again? The NSW Assistant Minister of Education An unexpected hazard has been provided one of the great reframes uncovered in the women’s officer job. From a staffroom noticeboard: “For when he was asked in Parliament why a Every time she goes to a women’s various reasons it will not be possible to certain school had a shortage of books meeting everybody turns up with follow a Monday timetable on Thursday. in its library. “It is not a shortage of huge quantities of delicious food. In Therefore only Tuesday will be treated books, it is an excess of shelves.” as a Monday.” consequence the women’s officer is Abolishing corporal punishment expanding in her role in a manner she Laughing at impending doom didn’t expect. The Government Caucus has An advertisement for a show opening at determined that the abolition of corporal Our current women’s officer would like Wellington’s Depot Theatre: punishment should be handled by to make it known she would not object legislation, either by amendment to the to this situation at all. “NANCY, NANCY, GET MY CLUBS” – An Anti-Nuclear Cabaret Crimes Act or by some special education Our women’s networks legislation. Whichever method is chosen did not come easily As fall-out approaches, what better way however, it is unlikely to be enacted until to postpone the inevitable than with a next year…Asked if anything could be “While considerable progress has been few cheap swipes at nuclear hype and a done in the time before the legislation made towards the establishment of little razzamatazz. could be enacted the Minister of women’s networks in PPTA, it had not Education said his “wildest hope” was Telling them by telegram been done without some hostility from that education authorities would ban it, some male teachers…the hostility of The conference instructed the although such a move in Auckland had some members was evidenced by the president to send a telegram to the recently be defeated.

PPTA NEWS November/December | Whitiānaunau/Hakihea 2017 | 19 up re how our ‘d su ee ay t ea up S o e Get the right fi da m ur e how oury ‘day as Se ’ to e you and your family d m Get the right fi plans ay ’ you and your family plans t for t for

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Leaving teaching? Please fill in our survey

PPTA has started an ongoing survey to provide annual information from secondary teachers and school leaders on why they leave teaching in New Zealand schools. This information is not collected by the New Zealand Ministry of Education or any other organisation from those who leave. We believe this information is essential in planning for the future. The survey can be completed in five minutes and responses will be anonymous. Just go to ppta.org.nz and search ‘leaving teaching’. If you have any questions about the survey please contact Rob Willetts – [email protected]