LOVE for TED - Australian Education Union, Victorian Branch

AEUNEWSvolume 19 I issue 1 I march 2013victorian branchNOLOVEforTEDInside the AEU | A day in the life of a principal | Our short story winnerAEUt:03 9417 2822 f:1300 658 078 w:www.aeuvic.asn.au

newsnewsAudit confirms buildings crisisOne school building in 12 requires urgent work to remain safe and useable.At least $420 million is required to bring all Victorian president Meredith Peace said thegovernment school buildings up to standard, a report was a “wake-up call” for Premier Ted Baillieu.report by the Victorian Auditor-General’s office has “While he has been missing in action, our studentsfound.have been forced to learn in classrooms that requireAlmost 8% of buildings needed urgent work to urgent maintenance.remain useable, the report, Implementation of School “It is completely unacceptable that 33% ofInfrastructure Programs, said.schools — 505 in total — have buildings that are atThe AEU called on the Baillieu Government to the point of failure or have already failed.urgently increase maintenance funding and fulfill its “A further 7.5% of buildings require urgent worksbroken promise to complete the previous government’sprogram to rebuild or modernise every school The results of the AG’s audit are in line with theto remain safe and useable.”by 2016.AEU’s State of Our Schools survey of more than 600principals last year which found that 84% of schoolsneeded an equipment upgrade. Heating and airconditioning was the highest priority for more thanhalf the schools.Many schools that were in the middle of buildingprograms or with plans on the board ready to gohave been hit by the dramatic scaling back of capitalworks under the Coalition. Ms Peace said schoolcommunities needed confidence that investmentwould continue. — Nic Barnard AEU NewsAEU to Baillieu: Reverse the damageTHE AEU is urging the StateGovernment to rescind$850 million in public educationspending cuts in its May budget,saying the cuts affect mostly poorand disadvantaged young Victorians,entrench an unfair two-tier educationsystem and fail to accommodateVictoria’s significant populationgrowth.The AEU’s 2013–14 budgetsubmission calls for prompt approvalof new industrial agreements forteachers in public schools, kindergartensand TAFE to attract and retaingood teachers; the resumption ofa school rebuilding program, andrecognition of TAFEs as importantpublic providers of quality vocationaleducation and training in Victoria withthe funding to match.This Government’s spending onnew schools and rebuilding of oldschools is half that of the previousBracks/Brumby government. In thedecade to June 2011, Melbourne’spopulation increased by 647,200.A government infrastructure reportreleased late last year said thatVictoria will need 67 new secondaryschools over the next 30 years.Increased spending on educationwould enable:• Reduced class sizes in upperprimary and secondary schoolsand improved learning• Schools to deliver wide-rangingcurriculums, including affordableand accessible VETiSand VCAL programs, to helpimprove school retention rates• Reinstatement of numeracy andliteracy support programs andmore regional help for overburdenedschool leaders• Schools to better help childrenfrom low-income families.The submission says the CoalitionState Government needs to at leastdouble its present spending onschool infrastructure in real terms.Nor should funding be committedonly in stages to rebuilding, renovationor merger projects. Staged,partially-funded building projects aredisruptive and create uncertainty andon-site safety hazards, the submissionsays.On TAFE, the submission recommendsthat the State Governmentreverse last year’s TAFE budget cutsand reinstate the full service providerfunding for TAFE. It should also set upa public review of Victoria’s vocationaleducation and training system andarticulate a clear policy on thepublic TAFE system’s role in it. And itshould prescribe and enforce qualitystandards for teaching and learningin VET, including that delivered byprivate providers. — Sian Watkins AEU NewsWORKING Inside the 38The ban on working long hours has put a spotlight on work thegovernment takes for granted.Sian Watkins AEU NewsTHE AEU’s ban on working beyondthe 38-hour-week is highlightinghow much work is done outside the 38— not least to members themselves.Schools have postponed campsand student productions, movedparent—teacher evenings to daytimehours and cancelled other afterschoolactivities to prioritise their corework — teaching and learning in theclassroom.Even so, the ban has revealed thescale of teachers and ES members’workload and how much of their workis taken for granted.Members at the stopwork rally onFebruary 14 said implementing theban was not easy but it was necessary.Emerald Hill Secondary Collegeteacher Shane Closter said membersat his school were finding the bandifficult because the job could not bedone in a standard working week.“(It’s) hard to apply withoutaffecting students, particularly seniorstudents,” he said. “If teachers aretrying to ensure that senior studentsare looked after, they’re doing lessmarking of younger students’ work.”AEU president Meredith Peace toldthe Hisense Arena rally that the banwas “challenging”, but “it tells theGovernment we will not be taken forgranted. This is voluntary time, timethat is given with good will.”Members report support fromparents for their action, and letters toPremier Baillieu have sheeted homeresponsibility for cancelled activitiesfirmly to the Government.One Spensley Street parent, KateTurner, wrote: “I have seen the extrahours (staff) put into collaborativeprojects … chatting to concernedparents before and after school,attending camps, weekend excursionsand school festivals.”She continues: “Already thestudents at our school are missing outon aspects of school life …. However,as inconvenient and frustrating as itis, for me it serves to highlight thevalue of all our school staff andthe work they do.”AEU organiser Michael Hillsaid teachers typically workedbetween 45 and 60 hours aweek including preparation,marking and reporting,organising and runningout-of-hours activitiesand camps, andattending schoolmeetings.Hill said members’ support for thecampaign had intensified in the pastsix months. Staff at schools he visitedwere keen to find out what otherschools were doing to implement theban.Staff at one primary school, fromES to principal, are “marching intogether and leaving together at theappointed finishing hour”, he said.“They’re making a very importantstatement to parents.”His message to any teachers whofelt guilty about the38-hour week wasthat “we needto showourschoolsEBA2013üemployer and the public what it takesfor granted — a system that worksonly if they work long hours.“I’m telling members to draw somelines and do their best. Rather thanfeel guilty, they should consider howmuch time the job has stolen fromtheir family life and a healthy work/lifebalance.”Advice on implementing the bancan be found at www.aeuvic.asn.au/eba_members. In with the NEWMARINO D’Ortenzio and BrileyDuncan are the AEU’s newschool sector deputy vice presidents,setting out on a three-yearterm.Duncan, deputy VP primary,has been active in the union sincebecoming a teacher in 2003, fromthe New Educators Network, hersub-branch and region throughto branch council and executive.She says she got involved because“the AEU is the only place wheremembers can receive vital advocacyand advice”.Deputy to James Rankin shewants to ensure that members’concerns and issues are heard andaddressed. “I’m looking forward toworking with members across the stateto ensure that they have all of thesupport they need,” she says.One of, if not the, best-dressed ofmany in the AEU’s Abbotsford office,D’Ortenzio, deputy VP secondary,joins the team with an aim to activatemembers in defending public educationand to look after new educators.He has spent the past five yearsteaching maths, science and VCAL atLakeview Senior College.D’Ortenzio, who went to LalorNorth SC, was an arts/science graduate ofLatrobe University whodecided to teach afterrealising that laboratoryresearch work was not forhim. He went on to teach“absolutely fabulous kids”at Hillcrest SecondaryCollege in Broadmeadows for fouryears until 2005 before teaching innorth London for a year.He was not a committed unionistfrom the start. Sub-branch leadershipwas foisted on him unawares. “Ididn’t mind. It was about helping otherMarino D’OrtenzioBriley Duncanteachers and they’d probably put meup because they knew I’d do it.”D’Ortenzio says that one goodthing about his new job is that he’splaying better squash on Mondaynights. It leaves him less exhaustedthan a day spent teaching. 8 aeu news |march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 9

newsnewsPreschool ratings to go onlineUniversal access and a new ratings website are this year’s challenges for early childhood.Nic Barnard AEU NewsPRESCHOOLS are bracing for the launch of theMy Child website providing ratings of earlychildhood facilities under the new assessmentregime.Assessment teams began visiting preschoolslast spring, the latest step in the national reformprogram which also saw most preschools introduce“universal access” this year. Other reforms haveincluded the introduction last year of nationalstandards and regulations.Preschools are rated from 1 to 5 against thestandards under the new assessment system. Theratings will be published on the website, which isexpected to be launched in Term 2. Eventually everyState trickles welfare outNic Barnard AEU Newspreschool in the country will be assessed.AEU deputy vice president Martel Menz saidmembers had so far found the assessment processa positive experience. “I’ve only heard positivethings,” she said. “Members’ main concern is howpeople will use the information when it’s publishedonline — and how the media will use it.”Among the first preschools to get a top“exceeding the national standard” rating wasWarracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten, whereAEU member Glenda Hewitt is a teacher. She toldher local paper the rating was “a reflection of thewonderful teamwork, respect and support thatexists between staff and families”.MY SCHOOL NEEDSTHE State Government is accused of “drip-feeding” a program to put welfareofficers in primary schools to generate maximum headlines.The new school year has seen primary welfare officers in 90 schools for thefirst time, in an expansion of a program begun by the previous government. Theappointments have generated headlines in local papers across the state.The AEU has long pushed for a welfare officer in every primary school as partof its My School Needs campaign. Deputy secretary Carolyn Clancy said: “Theroll-out is far too slow and there will still be schools that do not have a fundedwelfare office when the roll-out is complete.”The PWOs will provide support to students and their families and are alsoexpected to be part of schools’ attempts to prevent bullying.Clancy said the officers were already experiencing “mission creep” as theexpectations of their role expanded. “Whatever the latest issue in the headlinesis, [Education Minister] Martin Dixon’s answer is that primary welfare officers willdeal with it,” she said.“They are certainly getting a bang for their buck particularly as this was aprogram started by the previous Labor Government.” TRADES HALL & LABOUR COUNCILSAEU DELEGATES 2013Expressions of interest are invited from financial members interested in being an AEUdelegate to the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) or Regional Labour Councils.The following vacancies have to be filled:VTHC 19 Bendigo 4 Ballarat 4Geelong 7 Gippsland 4 Goulburn Valley 4North East & Border 4 South West 4 Mallee Murray 4Expressions of interest in writing or via email should be submitted by 4pm, Wednesday20 March 2013 to: John Cassidy, AEU Victorian Branch, 112 Trenerry Crescent, PO Box 363,Abbotsford, 3067. Fax (03) 9417 6198. Email: john.cassidy@aeuvic.asn.auAt least three-quarters of preschools are thisyear providing universal access — 15 hours offunded early-years education for all 4-year-olds.Universal access is supported by early childhoodmembers but many have raised concerns aboutincreasing workload, underfunding and lack ofinfrastructure, with a knock-on impact on programsfor 3-year-olds.Menz said: “I’m hearing that some 3-year-oldprograms have been reduced this year; for examplesome of the centres running two sessions a weekare now running only one. Some members areconcerned aboutthat.” Quote of the month“We’re building the plane aswe’re flying it.”A newly-appointed regional director, briefs principals on the DEECDrestructure, which has cut about 200 school-support jobs, replaced70 regional network leaders with a handful of “senior advisors,regional performance and planning” (SARPPs) and mashed nineregions into four.Do you have a quote of the month from the classroom or meeting room?Email aeunews@aeuvic.asn.au.Teachers getawayThe newest holidaydestination for exhaustededucators is a tropical islandresort owned and operated bya teachers credit union.AEU members receivea special rate at the FijiHideaway resort and spa,situated on a mile of white sand on Coral Coast on the island of VitiLevu. The facility is owned by Fiji Teachers’ Credit Union. Educationworkers and their families get five nights for the price of four.The resort offers group discounts, wedding and honeymoonpackages and family getaways from $160 a night. More details athideawayfiji.com. QUEENSLANDSCHOOLS start the year with 569fewer teachers thanks to theNewman Government’s budget cuts.Queensland Teachers Unionwarned the loss would put pressureon class sizes and reduce openingsfor new graduates. Deputyprincipals would have to increaseteaching loads and subject and yearlevel coordinators would have lesstime release.“This is not fat or waste in thesystem,” QTU general secretaryGraham Moloney said. “If you don’tinvest (in state education) thenin the clearest possible way youshow that you do not consider itimportant.”WESTERN AUSTRALIATHE State School Teachers’ Unionwarns that returning a BarnettGovernment at the March 9 electionwill mean further cuts to schoolfunding.The union’s policy scorecardgives the Liberals a fail on funding,job security and TAFE. On workingconditions, the Liberals werecredited with making WA teachersthe best paid in the nation, but withremoving support and cutting travelbudgets, thus restricting access toPD in Australia’s largest state.SSTUWA president AnneGisborne said the Liberals’ planto make almost every school an“independent public school” was“a complete abdication of theBarnett Government’s responsibilityfor equity in the education of ourchildren”.NEW SOUTH WALESNSW Teachers Federation will holda ballot of TAFE members forprotected action over a new TAFEagreement, against a backdrop ofsavage cuts, including the loss of800 TAFE staff over four years,course fee increases of 9.5% and adoubling of concession fees for lowincome students. Quick slow forNATIONAL CURRICULUMThe Australian Curriculum is here … or is it?Sian Watkins AEU NewsOFFICIALLY, phase one of the Australian Curriculum isnow being implemented in Victorian schools — and theVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has only twomembers of staff helping 1,450 schools implement it.While other states are phasing in the first four subjectsof the Australian Curriculum over three to five years,Victorian teachers have been expected to get on with it thisyear, having received little time last year to learn it. Whatpreparatory guidance they did get was squeezed in wherepossible or provided online for those who had the energyleft to digest it.The AEU has banned implementation of AusVELS as partof its EBA campaign and called for the national curriculumto be delayed until much more support is provided. Theunion is demanding two extra pupil-free days for wholeschoolplanning, time release for teachers to familiarisethemselves with it, and comprehensive face-to-face PDdelivered by the Education Department or the VCAA.Victoria’s VELS website was archived in December. ErinAulich, AEU secondary sector vice president, said membersshould continue to use VELS until the union’s dispute withthe State Government is resolved and its demands forappropriate support and resourcing are met. The archivedVELS site is at tinyurl.com/aeacysg.The new hybrid curriculum, AusVELS, which replacesVELS, is the fourth new curriculum imposed on Victorianteachers in the past 17 years.Education Minister Martin Dixon confusingly suggestedlast month that Victoria would mutiny and not adopt the AC.“I make no apologies for breaking away from the nationalcurriculum model in the interests of Victorian students,’’ hesaid.This was just tough talk. Victoria has officially introducedEnd of endeavourENDEAVOUR Hills Secondary Collegeclosed its doors for the last timeat Christmas, ending 43 years ofeducating the youth of the Dovetonarea in Melbourne’s outer south-east.It opened in 1969 as a technicalschool for boys (37 were enrolled),serving the housing commissionestates of Doveton, Hallam andEumemmerring, and the families ofworkers in the factories of Heinz,Holden and others.It became Endeavour Hills TechnicalSchool when the Monash Freewaydivided the suburbs, admitted girls in1982 and became a secondary collegein 1990 when technical educationceased.In December the school closed,having seen thousands of studentsand hundreds of teachers and supportstaff pass through.Staff were resilient, united andoptimistic despite declining enrolmentsand imminent closure. Their commitmentto the diverse school communitywas always to the fore, and theyensured that 2012 was a positive andAusVELS, which merges the four new AC subjects — maths,science, English and history — into the existing VELS;other states are similarly merging the AC requirements intotheir own curriculums. Other AC subject areas in years P-10will be added over the next three years.But teachers in several other states have been treatedmore considerately. Phase one implementation in NSWhas been delayed until next year. It will be phased in overthree years in primary schools and over two years in highschools.South Australian teachers are getting two pupil-freedays a year until 2017 and the curriculum is being phasedin over three years in primary and five in secondary. WA willhave full implementation only in 2015.Victorian teachers and schools have expressed concernsabout the prospect of assessing students against AusVELScriteria when students’ work has so far been VELS-based.Many schools have already installed AusVELS reportingsoftware in readiness for mid-year reports.Teachers are still using VELS for remaining subjectsincluding the arts, geography, languages, health and PE.They must apply and report against two different curriculumsfor several years until the AC is implemented across allyears of schooling and all subject areas.The VCAA ran trials of phase one of the AC in 54state and Catholic schools in Terms 2 and 3 last year butresults have not been made public. Schools tested the newcurriculum in different ways.“Face-to-face and online professional learning events tosupport the implementation of the Australian Curriculum inVictoria are scheduled on a regular basis,” the VCAA website says. But, when checked late last month, no dates andtimes were listed. Kerrie Dawson (ES), AEU rep Chris Gurr and principal Barbara Mothersdaleat Endeavour Hills Secondary College’s farewellrewarding year. It is with great respect,admiration and humility that I observedtheir commitment to the staff, studentsand community. — Kim Daly AEU organiser10 aeu news |march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 11

campaignOur February 14 stopwork found membersincreasingly hard-hearted towards the VictorianPremier. Nic Barnard reports.CONSIDERINGNo love for Tedit was Valentine’s Day, an exasperated mood pervaded the AEU’sthird schools’ stopwork rally in eight months.Since the rolling rallies of Term 4, the second anniversary of our claim hasticked past and the Baillieu Government has taken us to court, while membershave returned to school this year to further evidence of cuts to their budgets.Members’ frustration at the Coalition’s time wasting was palpable inHisense Arena, and their anger at the Government’s lack of respect — notonly towards them but also to their schools and students — simmered.And while members rejected a call for a two-day stopwork in Mayto coincide with this year’s national tests, the cheers that greetedthe proposed amendment — and the loud boos for NAPLAN —suggested they made the decision with their heads, not theirhearts. Not happy, Ted.A no-nonsense speech from new AEU president MeredithPeace set the tone. For the first time, too, there was noentertainment.The union can thank the Baillieu Government for theresolute mood. Its farcical attempt to ban the strikespurred many members into action.What angered many was not only that theCoalition had suddenly found “breaches” in adocument it has had for two years. The targetof its complaints go to the heart of whymembers are taking action: class sizes,an issue that speaks strongly aboutworkload and members’ struggle tomeet the needs of every student;and the appalling levels ofcontract employment andinsecurity endured particularlyby support staffand new teachers.As one member put it on Twitter: “Ted’s trying to make job security illegal.”The Government’s weekend advertisements advising parents to send their childrento school on February 14 in spite of stopwork action was a final straw.“Our principal class members have simply been harassed by their regions,” Peacetold the rally. “On telling the region that their school was going to be closed, theywere invariably told they would have to go to school to supervise any child thatturned up.“Principal class members, you have done the AEU and your staff proud withyour support for today’s action.”About 2900 people have joined the union since the start of the year,including 400 student teachers. Schools including Greenvale and Mount Elizaprimary schools were closed for the first time.Support from the labour movement is also getting more vocal, with AEUand IEU banners at Parliament joined by flags from a host of other unions.A message from ACTU president Ged Kearney — no stranger tonegotiations with governments from her days at the nurses’ union —put it simply: “We are with you.”The rally’s resolution puts the focus on marginal seats andCoalition backbenchers. In Mildura, MP Peter Crisp agreed tomeet members who marched on his office. Other MPs did thesame in the final stages of Term 4’s rolling stoppages.Crisp’s seat is safe but his overtures to thosechanting “one-term Ted” were seen as evidence thatthe campaign is causing backbenchers politicalpain. This was confirmed when Jeff Kennett,speaking on 3AW later that day, instructedBaillieu, his protégé, to settle the dispute.Kennett never deigned to meet theAEU in his day. He may now regretthis given that his severe cuts toeducation between 1992-99contributed to his ousting.Come 2014, PremierBaillieu may feel thesame way. MILDURAphotos: hwa gohcampaign@KateLangbroekAs a parent; a taxpayer; adecent person, I support the@AEUVictoria, respect teachers,and want the Premier tohonour his pledge to them.Kaye Stirland: Good luck teachers — from a very supportiveparent. I can easily put up with one day of inconvenience tosupport you in your quest.Karry Chamberlain: Blame the government for this, not our preciousteachers who are fighting for our children’s educations!Robyn Newman: Sending support and solidarity from your WAcomrades, keep fighting for what we and our students alldeserve!@Steph_PhilbrickHey Baillieu, teachers vote youknow. Oh wait, you knewthat when you made yourelection “promise”.#keepthepromise #WearRed12 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 13

MILDURADENIS EVANScampaigncampaignBruce CollinsMontmorency SecondaryCollegeIt’s the first time ever the wholeschool has shut down. People seethe injustice of our conditions andare surprised that the Governmenthasn’t responded yet and they’verealised they’ve got to join the fight.GAVIN FERRIER PHOTOGRAPHYJane Lockie (left) withAngela HollandMornington SpecialDevelopmental SchoolWe feel we should be respectedmore as professionals. Performancebonuses for teachers would bevery disruptive for us working asa team and we feel we deservethe pay increases that Ted Baillieupromised.Over 1000 members watched the rally on a screen outside the arena@DavidLuke4 So proud ofthe commitment that Victeachers display towardseducating our next generationof leaders.Wish Ted thought so too.Jessica Garby: Dear Ted, if you thought your fight with theteachers union was bad you should spend a day with my girls ona rainy day. Get this mess sorted, Ted, before you have a seriousmental health issue on your conscience as well.@Catty_Jones Feelingproud to be part of such anawesome union. Great day for@AEUVictoria. Thanks to theother unions who joined us insolidarity!14 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 15

campaignCatholic blocThe Independent Education Union says more than3000 staff from Catholic schools rallied alongsideAEU members at Parliament House after marching fromtheir own rally in Treasury Gardens.Members took action despite the Catholic EducationOffice taking out an injunction against the union. Rallieswere also held in Warrnambool and Wodonga.IEU Victorian general secretary Deb James said anumber of schools closed for the day and many were severely disrupted.Catholic school staff salaries are linked to government school pay rates, sotheir own agreement is on hold until the AEU dispute is resolved. “Our membersare, like AEU members, really angry,” James said.“The dispute has gone on far too long and the Government is showingno leadership and no sign of being willing to settle the dispute. I don’t knowwhether they’re stubborn or stupid.“I don’t think they know how to settle it now — they’ve dug themselves into ahole and they seem happy to stay there.”Numbers are in …Victoria remains the lowest spending state on education. The latestProductivity Commission figures showed the state spent $1,453 per studentless than the national average in 2010–11.Victoria was also lowest for primary and secondary expenditure per studenton combined state and federal funding.Education Minister Martin Dixon has been bullishly proclaiming that Victoriahas increased spending on education — even as principals find new holes intheir budgets.The Coalition claims spending has increased by 5.2% — but after adjustingfor inflation, a growing student population and increased federal funding this is,in fact, a cut.Its claim of a 3% increase for schools masks a real-terms cut and includes a$100m increase in state funding for private schools.Don’t panic!WAS the Government’s response to the February 14 stopwork slightlypanicked?Having failed to block the action in the Federal court, it again posted advertstelling parents they could send their kids to school regardless — and was thenforced to round up retired principals and agency teachers to go into schoolswhere principals informed the department all staff would be striking.There were even reports of prins being told to drop off the school keys attheir nearest department office — which these days is not close by. Next they’llbe telling prins to leave the keys under the mat. @ThornburyRocks Goodluck today - I’m wearing red &it being Valentine’s Day let mesay it loud & proudI HEART TEACHERS! #AEU#aeustopworkRoss ToogoodNorth Fitzroy Primary SchoolI’m a contract staff member. It’sabout job security and peace ofmind — that’s the main thing forme and feeling confident that I don’thave to concentrate on applying forjobs at the end of the year and canconcentrate on work.Joe the lorry drivergave a loud toot and agrin as he waited for themarch to pass on BatmanAvenue. His daughter is ateacher. “Keep up the goodwork — fight for what youbelieve in.”@Relle05 Ummm Ted,sweetie, when Jeff Kennett istelling you to negotiate, it’s afair bet that you have taken thistoo far! #wearredAnneRowville Primary SchoolWe cannot do our job in 38 hoursa week. We are dealing withpeople. We are not digging ironore out of the ground. We can’tclock on and clock off.Carolyn JonesWeeroona College, BendigoWhen I started teaching 16 years ago there wasexcellent support for new teachers. But now,there’s no time; there’s no time for planning, notime to implement the fabulous programs outthere or the ones you are meant to be doing.There is less money in the school for welfareand enrichment programs for weaker kids. There’smore kids (in the school) with disabilities andthere’s no one left in the regional office to help.There is only so much you can do in a week.campaign16 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 17

featurefeatureA MUST SEE FORALL TEACHERS!“EVERY KID DESERVES ATEACHER LIKE NILAJA SUN.IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKEANGELS WEEP TO WATCHTHIS CARING, COMMITTEDPERFORMANCE” VARIETYHerald SunAustralian StageNOCHILD .PRESENTED BY THEATRE WORKSWRITTEN & PERFORMED BY NILAJA SUNHilarious, thought-provoking andgalvanising, Nilaja Sun’s one-womantour de force depicts a USeducation system cut adrift.7-19 May 2013Groups of 8 or more only $40 per ticketTheatre Works14 Acland Street, St Kilda03 9534 3388theatreworks.org.auSwitchingoffWhat’s a teacher to do when the off-button doesn’twork?TERRI was a teacher. Every day of everymonth she was a teacher. During the nightshe would think about ways to teach newconcepts. While shopping she’d see somethingand instantly think how it would help herteaching, before she’d even thought about howit’d make a great present for her grandkids.Weekends didn’t mean days off for Terri.It just meant she was at school by herself.Terri even had trouble shutting off during theholidays. One day during the summer break,Terri was roaming the aisles of the localsupermarket.“Chocolate bars,” she said to herself. “I coulduse their prices to teach decimals.”As Terri scribbled notes on her shopping list,a boy scratched his head and peered at themoney in his hand. He was trying to calculatehow many chocolate bars he could purchase.Terri couldn’t help herself. “Three times onedollar-twenty,” she fired at the boy.The boy looked back in horror. “Maths duringthe holidays? No way!” He raced out of the aisleand was last spotted heading for the doughnutsin the bakery section.After gathering all her items, planning lessonson nutrition in the fruit and vegetable sectionand teaching the woman in the dairy section howto convert litres to millilitres, Terri headed forthe checkout.“Welcome,” said the attendant, not raisingher eyes to make eye-contact.“Good morning, Melissa,” said Terri, readingthe young lady’s badge.She waited for a response. None came.Melissa quickly scanned each of Terri’s items.“That’ll be five hundred and thirty-six dollars.”Terri’s eyebrows shot up towards her hairline.“That can’t be right.”The checkout girl checked the screen aboveSummer writing competitionher register. “It says here five hundred andthirty-six dollars.”Terri knew her twenty items couldn’t addup to such a high amount. “I’d like you tore-check.”Reluctantly, Melissa began re-scanning theitems.“You don’t need to re-scan every item,” saidTerri. “Add the prices in your head. But makesure you have each number in its correct placevaluecolumn.”Melissa shrugged her shoulders. “I don’tneed to think. The register does that for me.”Terri returned home, her docket for $78of groceries in her hand after she had addedthe total herself and Melissa checked it with acalculator.She dumped her shopping on the kitchenbench. “It happened again, Norm,” she moanedto her husband.Norm had heard it all before. Just yesterdayhe had watched as Terri politely asked theirbuilder to re-draw the cupboard he was makingfor them, and this time to rule the lines.“Not everyone lives and breathes theirjob,” said Norm. “Food critics don’t give theirpartner’s meals a score out of ten. Fitnessinstructors don’t make their kids do 20 sit-upsbefore bed.”“But…”Norm didn’t even let Terri finish her sentence.He knew Terri’s passion was teaching, but sheneeded to learn to forget about it occasionallyor she’d burn out. “You need to give your minda break,” he said. “Pack your bags because I’mbooking us a holiday.”The first week of Terri’s trip had a few minorincidents. The first day she spotted a girl at acafé with her feet on a table. “Does your motherMatt Porter, a teacher at Merrivale Primary School, is the winnerof AEU News’ inaugural summer writing competition for thistopical story. He wins our $500 fiction first prize.let you do that to your furniture at home?”The girl looked around, checking that Terri was talking toher.Terri didn’t wait for an answer. “I think not. Kindly removeyour feet from the furniture.” She then pointed to the legs ofthe chair the girl was sitting on. “And make sure you’ve gotfour on the floor.”Day two saw Terri holding hands with a man at the movietheatre. But Norm didn’t need to worry. The man was a workerand was figuring the change Terri needed. When she sawhim counting on his fingers she grabbed his hand. “Figure itmentally,” she encouraged.However, Terri gradually began to relax.Finally, one day Terri woke up, grabbed her favourite bookand headed to the pool.Hours later she lay on the sun lounge, her open bookresting on her chest as she dozed in the sun.Terri woke as the bar attendant delivered her a bill for thethree tequila sunrises she’d enjoyed that afternoon. Terri eyedthe bill. Tequila was spelt with two i’s. She didn’t give the boya lesson in phonics. She didn’t even make up a rhyme to helphim remember how to spell it next time. She closed her eyesand dozed off.Terri’s mind had finally switched off from teaching.“So this is what it feels like to be totally relaxed,”murmured Terri.“Don’t get too used to it,” said Norm. “School goes backtomorrow.” Be anearlybird!Pre-book your schoolholiday appointment.AEU members getgreat discounts!Visit our new Health Centre at52 Bridge Road, Richmond toenjoy great discounts on qualityEyecare and Dental services:35% off spectacle frames*25% off sunglasses frames*25% off contact lenses^Plus, we’ll give you a FREEColgate Dental Travel Pack!**Call 8412 0200 or visitteachershealth.com.au/RichmondFor members and the community.*Offer available to AEU members and the general public, up to a maximum discount of $250. Spectacle frames must be purchased in conjunction with prescription lenses. ^Offer available to AEU members and the general public, up to amaximum discount of $250. A minimum of 6 months supply must be purchased. **Offer available to Teachers Health Fund members and the general public, upon completion of a dental examination at Teachers Health Centre, Richmond.Teachers Federation Health Ltd ABN 86 097 030 414 trading as Teachers Health Centre. THC-R-A-AEUVIC-11/1220 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 21

featurePrincipal workloadFred Clarke is not alone in workinglong days. Our survey of principal classmembers last year found:featureA dayin the life…* The average working week was57.4 hours.* Workload was an issue for 85% ofprincipals.* Stress (44%) and lack of adminsupport (41%) were other majorconcerns.From asbestos audits to buying aschool aeroplane, it’s all in a very longday’s work for principal Fred Clarke.In the first of an occasional seriesfollowing members in their jobs,Sian Watkins tries to keep up.* The biggest issues in the running ofschools were lack of maintenancefunding (76%) and inadequatebudgets (66%).* Nine out of 10 principals saidfundraising was important or veryimportant to the running of theirschools.SPEND a day with Fred Clarke and you understand why few people aspire tobe school principals.His day started at 6.45am and ended at 9pm at the Shell Club in Coriowhere he dined with two staff members, two students and their parents, part ofNorthern Bay College’s strategy to forge closer ties with the people it serves.Clarke asked the students what they would do at the school if they wereboss. One, in Year 11 this year, wanted the uniform policy more strictly enforced— too many students were looking “sloppy”. Done deal, Clarke said.Clarke wore many hats the day AEU News tried to keep up with him. Hewas a bureaucrat, project manager, an aviation financier, business manager,networker, staff manager and team builder. In charge of about 2,300 studentsand 350 staff, Clarke is more CEO than principal. Naughty students do notwait outside his door but those of six campus principals and their assistantprincipals.Northern Bay metamorphosed in 2011 from the merger and/or closure ofnine schools in the Norlane-Corio area of Geelong. About 63% of its under-16sreceive the Education Maintenance Allowance. Several welfare agencies runprograms in the school and a family services worker helps vulnerable childrenin five junior campuses.A primary campus will close at the end of the year to make Northern Baya five-campus school. Clarke is trying to reduce the $1 million payroll deficitincurred by the mergers by increasing class sizes and not replacing teacherswho leave. He’s overseeing staff logistics, trying to get the best people intoareas that require deft teaching and leadership.The most recent campus closure (the former Norlane High School) costNorthern Bay $397,399 in base funding and it’s not known what funding it willlose when the Vermont Road campus closes at year’s end.Clarke says that the efficiencies generated by operating as one schoolhelp ameliorate and partially offset these funding losses. For example, onephotocopier contract has proved significantly cheaper than separate contractsfor nine schools. The merger has also enabled staff movement to send “talentto where it’s needed most”.But budget headaches remain. A big one is the new trade training centre,which is used by five schools in the area. How can it generate income to coverthe cost of a centre manager or its annual cleaning and utilities bills, whichamount to about $34,000? A new VET taster course for Year 10 students willhelp meet the latter, but more income is needed to cover maintenance. TheFederal Government provided the money to build TTCs but no annual funding tocover their running costs. The coalition State Government says it’s a problemfor principals to solve.PHOTOs Angela BaileyIt’s 6.45am when Clarke arrives at work, a few days before the Christmasholiday. He prints his day’s schedule and the papers he has read or workedon at the weekend (performance reviews and a report on school-basedapprenticeships) and begins to dig his way through emails. He’s received 62 bylunchtime, most of which, unfortunately, require a response.Concerned about the creeping intrusiveness of work emails, Clarke isconsidering setting a school-wide 7pm deadline this year. He’s noticed emailsbeing sent when staff should be relaxing. “Teachers with young kids put themto bed at 8.30 and then they’re on the computer sending work emails at 11pm.It’s not good.”Clarke sits down with business manager Linda Johnson from 7.30am to8.15am before leaving his office at the Goldsworthy Road 9–12 campus for the8.30am staff briefing in the senior campus.Staff, who all wear name tags, are reminded by campus principal KenMassari about reports (“Make sure you’ve got your dots in the right spot”), tocull unnecessary stuff in readiness for their office move, leadership meetings,Kris Kringle presents (“I notice mine is still not under the tree,” jokes LuTemelkovski), staff birthdays and that Year 12 results, placed in Year 12teachers’ pigeon holes, are for their eyes only.On one wall are colourful graphs showing the 0.34 average improvement inthe Year 9 students’ literacy and numeracy, a result of Professor John Hattie’s“visible learning” philosophy to which the school adheres. Clarke says Hattie’smodel has “given us a common language across the campuses. Kids in thisschool know what VELS level they’re at and what they need to do to showgrowth. Staff also know what they need to do to have an impact.”Also on the wall is a newspaper article headlined: “Parents the key: kidssuffer from not enough books, not enough sleep”. Next to it, an old hand hasscribbled “Radical new theory about learning”.Clarke grabs a cup of tea and is out the door, driving to the Wexford Courtcampus for a 10am meeting with architects and school staff, who are movingwithin the school to accommodate construction this year of an administrativeand P–2 area.By the end of this year two-thirds of Northern Bay’s four P–8 campuses anda new Year 9 section will have been rebuilt (cost: $20m). Like most other stateschoolregeneration projects in Victoria, there is yet no money on the table tofinish the job (it requires another $60m).The architects and builder’s representative are reminded at the meeting thatthe new buildings must be ready by the start of next year. Campus principal ToniWilson says two new phone connections are required. Will the school’s securitysystem need moving? Northern Bay’s IT man, Paul Salcombe, takes note. Whatcontinued overleaf 22 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 23

featureis the progress of building and demolition permits? Will builders need access tothe school over the summer holidays?Clarke returns to Goldsworthy Road at 11.15am to meet his admin team.He grabs a mug of tea on the way in and a Lions fundraiser Christmas cakeis sliced and shared. The team discuss an all-clear WorkSafe report on theschool, an asbestos report on a soon-to-be demolished wing, this year’s bushire arrangements and advance funding, a required safety audit of signs in theTTC and organising a set of quotes for reception joinery and phone and dataconnection in the TTC.When not running between campuses Clarke is in Melbourne for meetingswith the department about his budget or staff, or he’s having meetings withlocal employment, industry or welfare agencies. Meanwhile, oblivious bureaucratsand ministers urge schools to build stronger relationships with theircommunities.Clarke is a member of Northern Futures in Geelong, which helps young,unskilled people get work, and of the Corio Norlane Development AdvisoryBoard, whose members include residents, local MPs, police, housing, humanservices and employer representatives. Improving school performance, attendanceand retention rates in the area is one of its priorities.Clarke is about to start on his toasted sandwich when Jeremy Miller and JodieDavis from SkyThrills flying school arrive for a 1.15pm meeting to discuss theschool’s plan to buy a plane.A two-seater Savage Cub, costing about $65,000, would be paid for witha $100,000 State Government school specialisation grant should EducationMinister Martin Dixon agree to schools owning planes.With Avalon Airport nearby and local manufacturing dying, aviation seemeda logical area in which to broaden learning opportunities at Northern Bay. Theschool considered buying a flight simulator but doubts were raised about itssimilitude to real cockpits.Then came the possibility of buying a plane and leasing it to a flying school.Access to reasonably priced flying lessons would help students work toward aCertificate III in aviation (a pilot’s licence) and leasing the plane would cover itshangar and maintenance costs and generate a reasonable annual income.Whether or not a plane will be bought and decked in Northern Bay livery nowrests with department lawyers and the minister.It’s Graeme Holmes’ turn next. He’s a former regional network leader whosejob disappeared last year in the department restructure. But Holmes is lucky inthat he has a principal’s job to move to. He and Clarke went to teachers’ collegetogether in Geelong and have taught at and run schools in the state’s westsince.Clarke’s parents emigrated from Belfast in 1950; their youngest son wasborn in transit at Southampton and he spent the first six weeks of his lifeaboard the Asturius. Clarke’s father worked first at the butter factory in Portlandand then for Pivot fertilisers. Clarke’s first principal position was at Skipton,south-west of Ballarat, in 1981.Clarke shows Holmes around the TTC and new, post-merger buildings. Oncethe tour is done he returns at 4pm to the Hendy Street campus for a longservingstaff member’s farewell. At 5.30pm he’s back in his office to processemails and speak to Goldsworthy campus leaders who wander across to updatehim on several matters.Later, at the nearby Shell Club, he asks his dinner companions how they wantto receive school news. The school has set up a demo phone app for Androidand Apple phones to deliver newsletters and alerts. A trial Facebook page existsfor senior students and the school may create its own page given so many ofits students and parents use the website. Facebook and Twitter spread schoolnews across Corio and Norlane like wildfire, Clarke says.He heads home just after 9pm. The Christmas break, in which he plansto holiday with his wife in Barwon Heads and Port Fairy, is a week away and,judging by this day alone, well earned. Wild womenWomen In union Leadership Development is an AEU initiative to bring on thenext generation of union leaders at sub-branch, regional and state level.The program aims to develop women members’ skills and knowledge so theycan be part of succession planning for union leadership, employment or activism.WILD builds on the Anna Stewart union placement program and on the AEUActive training for union activists — applicants will be expected to have hadparticipated in one or the other.The program starts with the AEU Women’s Conference in May and involvesfour days of activities: two days at the AEU on June 4–5, a day shadowing amentor at a time of their convenience, and a final day at the AEU in November.Course topics include the role of unions and their operation and procedures,industrial agreements, a look at leadership, unions and women, and politicalpower games, resilience, and work/life balance.The AEU will cover replacement costs for all four days, and meet participants’travel and accommodation costs. There are up to eight places on the course.Applicants should submit a one-page application by March 15 to barbara.jennings@aeuvic.asn.au, outlining their experience of unions, activism, leadershipand their aspirations.To find out more call (03)9418 4896 or go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/WILD.Anna Stewart: Last callTHE first round of the Anna Stewart Memorial Project in 2013 will run fromMay 6–17. The closing date for applications is March 8. ASMP is a two-weekprogram for women who want to become more active in their union. Participantsspend time at Victorian Trades Hall and at the AEU. For more information go towww.aeuvic.asn.au/asmp.Women’s ConferenceANNA Bligh, former premier of Queensland,will be keynote speaker at our women’sconference on Saturday, May 25. Bookingswill open shortly — save the date and keepan eye out for details at www.aeuvic.asn.au/women.Dad and partner leaveNEW dads and same-sex partners can now access up to two weeks’ paidleave on the birth or adoption of a child. Introduced on January 1, “dad andpartner leave” is paid at the federal minimum wage of about $590 per week.The leave is in addition to any paid partner leave in our agreements (usuallyone week at replacement wage cost).The father or partner must take unpaid leave from the employer and accessthe Dad and Partner Pay through the federal Department of Human Services viathe Family Assistance Office — in the same way as federal paid parental leave isaccessed.Members and their partners should check their eligibility on the Dad andPartner Pay page of the DHS website at tinyurl.com/b82vp77 as it may beaffected by tax, income, work situation or other factors.The Victorian Education Department advises that employees who apply forDad and Partner Pay can choose to take their unpaid leave as part of parentalor family leave (see the department website at tinyurl.com/bb8nfcb), or applyfor leave without pay in accordance with existing department policy (see tinyurl.com/bhslt7a). Women’s FOCUSBarb Jennings women’s officerThe flexibleprinciplePrincipals who deny new parents the rightto keep their full-time status can expect aletter from our lawyers.LATE last year, the AEU sent legal letters to three principals who would notallow members to retain their full-time status when they sought reducedhours on returning from family leave.One of those members found good news waitingfor her when she returned to work this year. Herprincipal agreed to put an end date on her reducedtime fraction, at which point she would return tofull-time work.Unfortunately, as AEU News went to press, noresponse had been received from the otherprincipals. The AEU is discussing further action withour lawyers to step up the fight.We believe the principals’ actions breach theSchools Agreement and the Education Department’spolicy on flexible work options for returning parents.They certainly run contrary to the spirit of the policy.The Federal Government is considering tighteningrights to appeal when employers refuse requests forpart-time work following parental leave. The right torequest was enshrined in the national employmentstandards introduced as part of the Fair Work Act.The AEU has been a leader in campaigning forthis right for women employees — teachers andeducators have long been ahead of the field when itcomes to paid maternity leave and other familyrelatedrights.Our federal women’s officer, Catherine Davis, hasbeen seconded to the ACTU to work on this issueand other improvements to the standards, including broadening the definitionof “caring” to include care for elder relatives and others.Another sign of changing times was the January 1 introduction of Dad andPartner Leave for new parents.Our union and many others have fought for this provision. Fathers andpartners are now eligible for two weeks’ leave at the federal minimum wage— currently $590 a week.Some men are apparently deciding not to take up the leave as it paysless than their usual salary. It is of course a pay rise for many women —about 40% of women earn less than the federal minimum wage. Many ofour education support members in schools and many members in disabilityservices are among this group. inside the AEU24 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 25

inside the AEUMembership mattersinside the AEUWho do you turn to when you have a question about your work or union membership?Branch secretary Gillian Robertson explains who does what at the union.flick through AEU News reveals many of theA different roles carried out by your union, fromnegotiating agreements in each sector and advocatingfor publication education, to banking, financeand health fund membership.We are a great source of information, advice,professional development, services and support formembers. We provide this information in many ways— via this magazine, our website www.aeuvic.asn.au, by phone, email and face-to-face at subbranchand regional meetings.Your elected councillors also meet regularly toensure that the AEU represents the interests of allAEU members.Not every member needs all or any of theseservices, but should you need them there are acouple of simple ways to access them.Our website is a great first port of call for information.There are fact sheets on many topics for allthe sectors we represent — you’ll find them in themembers-only section. Members can update theirmembership online, too.But if you need face-to-face or telephone help,we do that too.There are 100 people at the Victorian branchof the AEU, with expertise in many fields includingindustrial and legal matters, finance, research,training, journalism, graphic design and informationmanagement.On average we receive 400 phone calls a day atour Abbotsford office. In the days leading up to astopwork, that number can explode to as many as1000. The majority of callers need to speak to ourmembership services unit (MSU) or to our membershipstaff. L-R Sue Mandley, Kate Aitken, Fiona Sawyer, Andrew Twiddy, Julie Quinn and John KelepourisINSIDE THEMembership Services UnitMSU officers answer industrial and campaigningquestions and give members advice about workplaceissues. There are eight MSU officers at the union —JulieQuinn, Kate Aitken, John Kelepouris, Sue Mandley, RobStewart, Andrew Twiddy and Greg Pond, all ably coordinatedby Fiona Sawyer.All MSU officers have worked in early childhood,schools or TAFE, and in various roles. They knowand understand our members’ terms and conditions,education workplaces and their unique culture, andmatters involving OH&S and WorkCover. They work veryclosely with organisers and industrial officers to assistmembers with what are sometimes very complex issues.Do not hesitate to phone the MSU for advice, guidanceand answers if your sub-branch rep or our websitecannot help you.New MSU staffKate Aitken, John Kelepouris, Julie Quinn and Sue Mandleyjoined the unit at the start of the year. Sue was a teacherat the Gordon TAFE in Geelong and Kate, John and Julieare school teachers.They join recently-appointed MSU manager FionaSawyer, a five-year veteran of the service. She says hergoal is to further broaden the knowledge base of MSUstaff and improve response times.“Hopefully members won’t notice much difference —if they do, it’ll be that the response times will be better.It’s all about improving the service to members.”John, a former long-serving rep at Ashwood SC, sayshis new job is a big change from teaching. “The workseems never-ending but I’m enjoying it. I’m learningsomething every day.”The AEU’s new answering service will further cutwaiting times. To reach the MSU, call (03) 9417 2822or 1800 013 379 and press 1. To reach the membershiprecords team, press 2. For any other section of theAEU, hold for the operator. The AEU has an annualbudget of over $22 millionand it is essential thatmembers’ money is spentwisely and for their benefit.This is the first in aseries of articles setting outthe ways the union allocatesmembers’ money, and theservices and support weprovide to members. Futureeditions of AEU News willcover other areas of theunion.Gillian Robertsonbranch secretaryMembership CentreL-R Glenda Piddington, Lina Mastroianni, Leonie Tindale, Wanda Hayes (front), Helen Levesque and Judy CrooksAnyone who has come into the AEU’s offices will have seen the peoplebeavering away in our Membership Centre on the ground floor.Nerissa, Judy, Mary G, Wanda, Helen, Lina, Georgia, Leonie and Jenni make upour membership team which is led by centre manager and former ES memberGlenda Piddington.These are the people who administer your memberships — all 53,000-plusof them — and make sure that your private and banking details are secure.The centre receives hundreds of calls each week and processes every newmembership application.The membership team greet members attending professional developmentactivities or our many meetings and conferences at our Abbotsford office. Theyare happy to assist you with anything you need to know about your membership.To speak to them, call (03) 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379 and press 2. Challenge us to find you a better deal.Contact Union Shopper todayBig Savings for Union Members26 aeu news march 2013 www.aeuvic.asn.au 27

Bounce back intothe school year withTeachers Health Fund!To find out more about quality healthinsurance for teachers and their families, visitteachershealth.com.au or call 1300 728 188For the well-being of teachers.Teachers Federation Health Ltd ABN 86 097 030 414 trading as Teachers Health Fund. A Registered Private Health Insurer. THF-AEUVIC-0213