Queensland Teachers' Union | Trade union

Queensland Teachers' Union

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25.01.2022 Throughout Term 3, the QTU and the department achieved agreement on a suite of workload reduction initiatives. Following the agreement the QTU has published an A2 poster that outlines what the agreement looks like in your workplace. The QTU is aware that some departmental employees are advising teachers and principals that the QTU material is not the department’s position. These departmental employees are wrong. Earlier this week, the Deputy Director-General State School Di...vision wrote to all principals in state schools, reaffirming the department’s commitment to the agreed statement. Based on the Deputy Director-General’s communication, there is a reasonable expectation that A workload lens should be used when applying (frameworks like P-12 CARF) in the local context, not because we don’t want staff to do their absolute best, but because we want to ensure their time is allocated to the things that matter most. The Deputy Director-General also notes, There is room for central and regional offices to improve the way we do things: to proactively assist schools and to ensure that new or changed requirements do not inadvertently add to workload. The QTU will continue to support members in schools to enliven the workload reduction initiatives identified in the agreed statement, and agreed to in the QTU A2 size poster. The QTU’s A2 poster can be downloaded from http://www.qtu.asn.au/workload-reduction-resource-sem2-2020 or you can contact your local QTU organiser.

24.01.2022 The Teach Queensland Virtual Career Fair is still on. Come chat to us at the QTU booth. Head to: https://teachqld.vfairs.com

23.01.2022 Please say hello to one of our newest members Nanine from Coolum State High. She is pictured with our fantastic workplace rep Jude. Great to have you in the union Nanine. #QTUProud

23.01.2022 Say hello to one of our newest members, Ella from Gladstone West State School, who joined the union last week. She’s pictured here with our wonderful rep Lauren. Welcome Ella! #qtuproud

21.01.2022 CLOSES OCTOBER 6: Don't forget to vote in the NAPLAN ban member ballot. Click here for more info: https://www.qtu.asn.au/howtovote #Dontforgettovote

21.01.2022 The statistics show one in three women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. It’s a society-wide issue and a union one as well. The QTU supports the White Ribbon Day letterbox campaign to spread awareness of DV issues. You can get involved by tying a white ribbon or balloon to your letterbox on White Ribbon Day, this Friday. By doing so you can encourage everyone in your community to demonstrate their stance against DV and create opportunities for importa...nt conversations. You can find out more, including other ways to get involved here: https://www.whiteribbon.org.au The QTU has also prepared a brochure for members affected by domestic and family violence. You can find it here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//Employees_affected_by_domestic_and The union also supports the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. As part of this year’s campaign, our members have been invited to attend a one hour webinar organised by the Services Union, which will focus on a number of issues relating to domestic and family violence and how to recognise and respond to it in the workplace. There are three sessions available, you can register and find out more at the below links. Thursday, 26 Nov 10:00am https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AHwhTCwLRauwX88iTJaq4g Friday, 4 Dec 6:00pm https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QVpv23BbQ_usS5MwY9Iu7Q Wednesday, 9 December 2:00pm https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sLwN66_tShq1aZ7dKK4BKw

20.01.2022 Today the QTU Peninsula Area Council met in Cairns for their final meeting with long-serving regional Organiser Maureen Duffy. Maureen has spent the past 25 years supporting teachers and school leaders, initially in North Queensland and then in Far North Queensland and the Northwest. Thanks Maureen!

19.01.2022 There will be no health insurance premium increase for TUH Health Fund members this year. That’s right zero, zilch, zip, nil, absolutely nothing! They're also offering extra savings: Join by 31 October 2020 and get your 2nd month free!* Already a member? Every time you refer a friend who joins, you'll get a $100 eGift card.*... *T&Cs apply. Find out more www.tuh.com.au/qtufb

18.01.2022 The September school holidays are a workplace right and a time for teachers, heads of program and school leaders to rest and recharge. QTU members should not be directed to complete work over the two weeks of the holidays. This includes reading and responding to emails. The exception might be checking for COVID related information about school closures and other matters of public importance, although this information can also be accessed from the Department of Health websit...e: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/ The QTU recommends using the automatic replies (out of office) function during the September school holidays with a response like Thank you for contacting me. Queensland school holidays commence on the afternoon of Friday, 18 September. Term 4 commences on Tuesday, 6th October, the day after the Queen’s Birthday weekend. In accordance with Department of Education’s Procedure ‘Social Media for School and Departmental Promotion’, arrangements for compensation for time worked out of hours to update and moderate social media channels, including on weekends, school holidays and after hours should also be in place.

17.01.2022 Mission accomplished.

17.01.2022 The QTU’s NAPLAN directive was unanimously supported and ratified by the 110 members of the State Council on 7 November. All members have been directed not to participate in any NAPLAN activities. This includes taking on other people’s work while they undertake NAPLAN - related activities. The QTU will support all members, including principals, in implementing the ban.... Find out more in our latest Newsflash: https://www.qtu.asn.au//lat/25-november-2020-naplan-update

17.01.2022 Just a reminder to members to vote in our NAPLAN ban ballot, which closes on Thursday You can find out more here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//latest-news-slider/11-sep-2020-nap

16.01.2022 Time’s running out! Have you applied for the TUH Health Fund Thank You Teachers Bursary yet? Applications close 5pm this Friday 27th November. We want to hear your innovative ideas to help benefit the education community in the post-COVID world of learning. To find out more and apply, visit www.qtu.asn.au/tuhbursary ... #tuhhealthfund #thankqldteachers

16.01.2022 During Term 3 2020, the QTU and the Department of Education took part in a series of discussions on teacher workload issues, which culminated in a series of workload reduction strategies, both immediate and future, designed to create more space for teachers to teach and for school leaders to lead. To help members understand the impact of these measures in their workplaces, the QTU has produced the resource linked below (member-only access), which explains what the agreement’s headline measures will mean in practice, and perhaps more importantly, what they will not mean. You can find it here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//workload_reduction_resource_A2_Pos

16.01.2022 A nationwide survey has found the great majority of Australians believe the federal government should increase funding for TAFE to aid our post-COVID economic recovery. Find out more here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//survey-shows-almost-all-australian

15.01.2022 Are you able to work for Catholic Education while on unpaid leave from Education Queensland? Find the answer to that question, and others frequently asked of our QTAD team in the article below https://www.qtu.asn.au//queensland-teachers-journ/QTAD-Q-A

15.01.2022 TAFE should be at the centre of our economic recovery. Governments across Australia have an opportunity to address skills shortages, reduce inequality and youth unemployment and provide career pathways for all Australians while driving the recovery of our economy. We’re calling on governments to #rebuildwithtafe

15.01.2022 The ballot to ban NAPLAN will open on Friday and close Thursday. Our President Kevin Bates recently prepared a short video for your information, which can be found at https://www.qtu.asn.au/naplan There are 2 more member briefings via zoom if you are interested to be held Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from 4:30-5:30. Please register here if you are interested in attending: https://www.qtu.asn.au/NAPLANbriefingRSVP... If you haven’t already done so, please go to the My QTU page and update your email details so the ballot can come to your preferred email address. Enough is Enough. The tri-state final report identifies what many of us have known for a long time-NAPLAN is flawed. Vote in the ballot to ban preparation and implementation of NAPLAN in 2021. More than 3000 Qld state school teachers and principals participated in the AEU State of our Schools 2020 survey. Of those more than 83% of principals say that NAPLAN increases or greatly increases teacher workload, while almost 70% of teachers said that NAPLAN increases workload.

14.01.2022 WORKLOAD WEDNESDAY: CLASS SIZES Class sizes should not be in excess of the specified targets outlined in the 2019 Department of Education State School Teachers’ Certified Agreement. The workload of teachers and education leaders matters and this clause from the agreement must be enforced. CLASS SIZES - GENERAL... Prep-year 3 and years 11-12 = Max 25 students per class Years 4-10 = Max 28 students per class The 2019 Certified Agreement states: Classes in excess of these maximum target sizes should only occur in exceptional circumstances. An exceptional circumstance is described as rare, unusual, atypical or unexpected. It does not include a new enrolment post Day 8 and, at this stage of the year, there should be no exceptional circumstances preventing the class size provisions of the Certified Agreement being met. Where there are such exceptional circumstances, there should a timely, collaborative and consultative process with staff in accordance with the consultative principles contained in the agreement. During this consultation phase, members are able to negotiate additional resources to accommodate the extra workload due to the increase in class size. For example, additional teacher-aide time, additional time at reporting periods, additional non-contact time (this is not an exhaustive list). If this does not occur, the concern should be raised at a workplace meeting or by engaging in the dispute resolution procedures. Members requiring support should contact QTAD or their regional organiser. COMPOSITE CLASSES Where composite classes exist across cohorts (e.g. year 3/4), the class size target would be the lower cohort target. PRACTICAL CLASSES The health and safety provisions of the 2019 Certified Agreement also commit the department to ensuring that class sizes for practical subjects take into account any risks that accompany the activity, and that curriculum activity risk assessments (CARAs) are in place for all practical subjects. Each workplace will take all reasonable steps to identify, prevent, manage and respond to workplace health, safety and wellbeing matters including the consideration of infrastructure capacity to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for curriculum delivery particularly for practical subject. Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments play a key role in informing health and safety considerations, including class sizes, for the delivery of these subjects. For advice or assistance with matters relating to class sizes, please contact our Queensland Teachers’ Assist desk on 1300 11 7823 or email [email protected]

14.01.2022 Following the state election, there are now four QTU members in the Queensland Parliament. Congratulations to Tom Smith for Bundaberg on his election and to Scott Stewart MP - Member for Townsville, Julieanne Gilbert Member for Mackay and Corrine McMillan MP - State Member for Mansfield on their re-election. While the QTU is politically unaligned and does not contribute financially to any political parties - it is important that there are voices in politics who understand the challenges and opportunities in our profession.

14.01.2022 To all the Year 12s finishing up today: You’ve endured a final year like no other with the disruption from COVID. But, with the support of your families, a lot of hard work on your part and a Herculean effort from school staff, you’ve gotten through it. Now, after 13 years of schooling, it’s time for you to take on the world ... Congratulations and all the best!

13.01.2022 Join our experts live to discuss the inequality in Australia's public education funding system, what it means for teachers, parents, students and Australia, and get your questions answered. In this webinar we’ll discuss the big issues shaping the education debate: tax cuts, COVID-19, the economic recession and plans for jobs and wages. Chaired by AEU President Correna Haythorpe, our expert panel includes former Senator Doug Cameron, President of the ACTU, Michele O'Neil, Exe...cutive Director of Per Capita, Emma Dawson, and senior economist Adam Rorris. You can register for free here: https://us02web.zoom.us//2816025/WN_gPJMyc0lRnOURcqrbm8suQ

13.01.2022 If you haven’t had a chance to vote in our NAPLAN ban member ballot, don’t worry - we’ve extended it until October 6 You can find out more in our latest Newsflash: https://www.qtu.asn.au//latest-ne/17-sep-2020-nflash-41-20

12.01.2022 Did you know you can access paid keeping in touch days while on unpaid parental leave? Find out more here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//queensland-teac/keeping-touch-days

12.01.2022 Congratulations to Dr Christian Rowan on his appointment as opposition Education spokesman, and to Brent Mickelberg on being named opposition Employment and Training spokesman, which includes responsibility for TAFE. We at the QTU look forward to developing and maintaining a positive working relationship with you and your colleagues over the next four years. The Opposition has an important role to play in Queensland politics and we will be urging you to use your position to support strong, evidence-based education policies, as well as efforts to address the workload of our members.

11.01.2022 Congratulations to QTU activist Suzee Dearlove on receiving the Emma Miller Award tonight. The Awards, hosted by the @queenslandunions annually, recognise the contribution of women to their Union, activism and the empowerment of others. Suzee’s story is best in her own words. Don’t forget to read it in the next edition of The Teachers Journal. #qtuproud #qtuproudanddeadly #emmamiller

09.01.2022 Teach Qld is holding a virtual career fair tomorrow for beginning, pre-service and experienced teachers. We will have a booth open as well. You can register and find out more here: https://teachqld.vfairs.com/en/

09.01.2022 Here at the QTU, we fully support this message. Our union has a proud history of not only advocating for improved pay and conditions for members, but also for standing against injustice in all its forms, including racism. #QTUProud

08.01.2022 What can you commit to stopping in the name or workload reduction? We all know systems and schools need to change to reduce workload and while the workload reduction commitments we received from the state government earlier this month are an important step, there is still plenty to be done. (For more on the initial outcome of our negotiations, click here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//Agreed_Statement_17September2020.p) ... However, individuals can also help we know that teachers will often default to saying yes for the good of their students. However, we also know those well-intentioned one-off action intended to help out can quickly become an expectation, resulting in incremental workload creep. The QTU’s August State Council meeting saw the launch of Enough!, a WWAM action designed to highlight the importance of reclaiming work-life balance. In the lead up to our WWAM in November we’re urging you to visit the QTU website and download your own workload reduction Enough! Card and: Think of a small action to reclaim work-life balance that you and your colleagues can support each other with Write the action on the back of your Enough! card, and check in with each other. Send a photo of your Enough! card to [email protected]

08.01.2022 Our members can now access a webinar from the QTU’s lawyers, Holding Redlich, which will cover the following topics: Defamation Criminal and disciplinary proceedings Workcover... The webinar will be available to all financial QTU members for the next three months. You can register here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/legal-seminars

08.01.2022 The teaching profession is under threat on a number of fronts - from those in media and politics that seek to gaslight us, from governments that stand in the way of proper resourcing and from politicians and bureaucrats who make decisions about the future of education without consulting with us. In his final journal article as General Secretary, Graham Moloney takes aim at those who seek to undermine us and talks about the importance of reasserting our professional autonomy. You can read it here: https://www.qtu.asn.au//quee/editorial-infinity-and-beyond

07.01.2022 The NAPLAN ban member ballot has now opened and will close on Thursday 17 September. As always, this ballot is your opportunity to have a direct say in the Union’s decisions, and a large voter turnout gives added strength to the result, publicly and with government. Instructions on how to vote can be found in the Newsflash below.... https://www.qtu.asn.au//latest-news-slider/11-sep-2020-nap

07.01.2022 Please check out our latest Newsflash for an update on workload reduction negotiations with the department Also, we’ve had a few questions from members about the department’s designation of the final two days of the school year as pupil free days. To be clear: eligible school-based employees (including teachers and principals) will not be required to attend school on those two days or perform other duties in lieu of that time. Schools will be closed. ... Read the Newsflash for more information. https://www.qtu.asn.au//18-sep-2020-first-phase-workload-r

07.01.2022 DON’T FORGET: The QTU NAPLAN ban member ballot closes next Tuesday. Make sure your voice is heard. For more on how to vote in the ballot head here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/howtovote #dontforget

06.01.2022 Following a request from the QTU on behalf of our members, the QCAA is conducting a post cycle review of the new QCE. The review will use a range of tools to seek feedback from stakeholders, including surveys, focus groups and school-developed submissions, which will inform improvements to Queensland’s senior assessment and certification processes. We’re urging members to make sure your voice is heard by submitting your feedback to the review.... You can find out more here: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au///post-cycle-review-qce-system

05.01.2022 What did you get up to today? QTU activists in Far North Queensland, North Queensland and Central Queensland spent it working with each other at their Area Councils. #qtuproud #qtuproudanddeadly #qtueverywhere

05.01.2022 A big welcome to our newest QTU members from Cunnamulla - Wendy and Ystyn, pictured with their local reps. The QTU is everywhere - at every public school and TAFE campus in every corner of Queensland. #qtuproud #QTUiseverywhere

02.01.2022 The QTU are a founding member of the Queensland Community Alliance, which brings together faith groups, charities, unions, community organisations and ethnic associations to work for the common good. On Monday night the QCA will host its Maroonprint Election Assembly to discuss proposals to deal with the challenges facing Queenslanders in the wake of COVID-19. These will then be taken to the Premier and Opposition Leader. We strongly encourage interested members to attend th...e assembly, which will be carried out online on Monday evening. You can RSVP at the link below. https://www.qldcommunityalliance.org/assembly_2020