Annual Report 2011 - Teacher Registration Board - Northern ...

Annual Report 2011Meetings of the Board 2010–11Meeting Date Description Duration1 5 August 2010 Teleconference Afternoon2 9 September 2010 Darwin Full Day3 14 October 2010 Darwin Full Day4 2 December 2010 Teleconference Afternoon5 20 January 2011 Teleconference Afternoon6 10 February 2011 Teleconference Full Day7 17 March 2011 Darwin Full day8 12 May 2011 Teleconference Afternoon9 9 June 2011 Darwin Full DayAttendance registerMeeting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9MembersKaren BlanchfieldSteve Carter AP AP APElsabe BottAPChris Tudor AP APLorraine Hodgson AP AP APJohn SarevRFBSusan Stanaway A A PRobyn OberRFBGreg O’Mullane AP APPeter ClisbyRFBKaren Piening AP AP APYalmay YunupinguAPStephen NimmoClaire Kilgariff AP APPeter Kell* AP AP AP*Professor Kell was appointed to the Board on 17 January 2011; however he did not assume his Board responsibilities until 9June 2011 as prior to this date he was still working overseas and in the process of returning to Australia to commence at CharlesDarwin University.Legend: A – Absent; AP – Absent with Apologies; NA – Not Applicable; P – Part meeting;SL – Sick Leave; LSL – Long Service Leave; STL – Study Leave: RFB – Retired from Board.8

Annual Report 2011Goal 5Promote and develop competencies ofteachers during the early stages of teachers'careersGoal 6Promote the importance of ongoingprofessional learning against the standards ofprofessional practiceTo develop and improve professional teaching standards and facilitate andsupport the continuing competence of teachers in the Northern Territoryagainst the standards of professional practice for the profession.Goal 7Research and promote best practiceGoal 8Participate in the development andimplementation of national professionalstandandards of practice for teachersCommittees of the BoardAll committees of the Board make recommendations on matters referred to them by theBoard. Committee membership is at the invitation of the Board.All committees have made a significant contribution to the Board’s work in reviewingprocesses, developing policy, promoting the profession and fulfilling the Board’s regulatoryand professional responsibilities under the Act.Registration Procedures CommitteeThe Registration Procedures Committee provides advice to the Board to ensure that allteachers in Northern Territory schools are appropriately qualified and of good character.Importantly, this committee has strong representation from the employers of teachers in theNorthern Territory.MembersMr Steve CarterMs Carol PenglaseMr Greg O’MullaneMs Gail BarkerMr Geoffrey BatemanChair and Board member nominated by the NT Council ofGovernment School OrganisationsGeneral Manager, Human Resource Services, Department ofEducation and TrainingBoard member and Deputy Director Schools Service, CatholicEducation OfficeExecutive Director, Association of Independent Schools NTChief Executive, NT Christian Schools AssociationMeetingsMeetings scheduled after 30 June 2011.10

Annual Report 2011OFFICE OF THE TEACHER REGISTRATIONBOARDOverviewSecretariat support to the Teacher Registration Board is provided by the Office of the TeacherRegistration Board.The Office supports the Board on a range of matters including:• assessment of all applications for registration and authorisation• management of the registration and registration renewal processes• conduct of the annual audit of employers• management of complaints, inquiries and investigations• administration and management including financial management• support for Board committees.Board staffing analysis and reviewIn May 2010, the Office of the Board engaged Ms Sharon Winks from WalterTurnbull toundertake:• a review of the skills necessary to support the work of the Teacher Registration Board,taking into account the structures and position descriptors of other teacher regulatoryauthorities• to develop/fine-tune position descriptions at appropriate levels based on skill analysis• to take into account that given the Office of the Board is comparatively small and willalways have a limited budget, provide advice on complimentary skills sets that can bedeveloped as fractional appointments, or as positions that encompass complimentaryskills.The review provided the Board with direction as to the current and future staffing requirementsthat references the work of other teacher regulatory authorities and aligns that work with theDET and NTG position categories.Review Outcomes• The position of Registration and Office Manager was revised to recognise theincreased management responsibility as well as the increased handling of morecomplex and difficult registration applications. The Job Description and JobAssessment Questionnaire were updated to more accurately reflect the increasedcorporate and reporting role and the position was successfully re-jessed to an AO6.• The position of Senior Policy and Registration Officer was revised to better focus onthe secretariat role to the Board, the high level administrative functions includingpreparation of Cabinet and ministerial documents, management of complaints andinquiries including high level liaison with the Department of Justice and policydevelopment, implementation and review.• The creation of an additional Registration Officer (AO4) administrative position toprovide full-time processing of applications to support the core business of the Board.Approval to create the position came in August 2010 after a Job Description and Job13

Annual Report 2011Staff of the Teacher Registration BoardDirectorSpecial ProjectsOfficerSenior Policy andProfessional ConductManagerSenior Registrationand Office ManagerRegistration OfficerThe Director is responsible for theleadership and management ofthe Office of the Board to ensureeffective governance of theteaching profession in theNorthern TerritoryTo provide leadership andexpertise in professional teachingstandards and professionallearning as they relate to theBoard’s processes for supportingregistrants preparing to apply forFull Registration, RegistrationRenewal and preservice teachereducation course accreditation.The Senior Policy andProfessional Conduct Manager isresponsible for developing,implementing, managing andproviding expert policy advice tothe Director and the TeacherRegistration Board. The Managerprovides secretariat support to theBoard and its committees anddevelops and implements aprofessional conduct qualityassurance framework includingmanagement of all aspects of thecomplaints process.The Senior Registration and OfficeManager is responsible formanaging all aspects of theprocesses for registering teachersin the Northern Territory and theprovision of corporate support,including data managementsystems.The Registration Officer is amember of a small multi-skilledteam in the Office of the TeacherRegistration Board withresponsibility for undertaking allaspects of the processes forregistering teachers in theNorthern Territory.Appointed by the TeacherRegistration Board, Dr JulieWells was the Director untilher resignation in July 2011.Owing to Dr Wells’ leave ofabsence from 18 April 2011,Mr John Sarev was appointedActing Director of the Board.Up until 18 April 2011, MrJohn Sarev was the SpecialProjects Officer.Up until 21 April 2011, MsSharon Scurr was the SeniorPolicy and RegistrationOfficer.From 27 April 2011, MsRachael Dunn is ActingSenior Policy andProfessional ConductManager.Ms Jackie Crawley is theSenior Registration andOffice Manager.Ms Katrina Estbergs is theRegistration Officer.15

Annual Report 2011Professional ConductOfficerAdministrationAssistantAdministrativeAssistant (MutualRecognitions)The Professional Conduct Officeris a member of a small multiskilledteam with responsibility forcase managing complaints againstteachers and other disciplinarymatters relating to teachers.The Administration Officerprovides administrative andfinancial support and assist in theprocesses for registering teachersin the Northern Territory.The Administrative Assistant takescarriage for all aspects ofprocessing applications forregistration under the MutualRecognition principle and toprovide general support for thework of the Teacher RegistrationBoard, including some receptionduties.Ms Melissa Frey currentlyholds this position.Ms Aphrodite Georgiadis isthe Registration andAdministration Assistant.Miss Carissa Liddle wasappointed AdministrativeAssistant (MutualRecognitions) in February2010 and resigned herposition in February 2011.Miss Sienna Dupe wasappointed to this position inFebruary 2011 followed byMiss Yara Murray-Atfield.Office placementsThe Office provides placements for the Department of Education Indigenous TraineeTeachers who are on cadetships, scholarships or fellowships. The assistance provided by thetrainees is welcomed, particularly as they work with us during the busier times of the yearwhen teachers are being recruited.Memorandum of UnderstandingIn April 2011, the Board concluded its Memorandum of Understanding with the Department ofJustice, Solicitor for the Northern Territory, for the provision of a Professional Officer 1(lawyer) for two days a week to assist with a backlog of complaints and inquiries.Information technology supportWhile the Department of Education and Training provides corporate services to the Board,additional support in information technology is provided by Brainware Pty Ltd and the TerritoryBusiness Centre.Official travelThe Teacher Registration Board’s Director and the Chair attended the biannual meetings ofthe Australasian Teacher Regulatory Authorities in Sydney in September 2010 and inWellington in February 2011.Board members who travelled to attend the full day Board meetings in Darwin.Karen Blanchfield Darwin/Alice return 6 timesChris Tudor Darwin/Alice return 5 times16

Annual Report 2011Susan Stanaway Nhulunbuy/Darwin return 6 timesStephen Nimmo Darwin/Tennant Creek return 3 timesFinancesThe Teacher Registration Board is an independent statutory authority which operates on abudget allocated by the Northern Territory Government which comprises the revenue fromregistration fees and a grant from the Northern Territory Government. The total income fromregistration fees is not sufficient to enable the Board to operate with financial independence.The total revenue from registration fees for 2010/2011 was $503, 601 a decrease of $16,841from 2009/2010.Budget allocation $Salaries 684,000Operational 201,000Grant 4,000TOTAL 889,000National Partnership fundsIn 2009, the Board was allocated $130,000 of National Partnership funding to facilitate theimplementation of the new registration arrangements following the successful passage of theamendments to the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act that enabled the Board todemonstrate its capacity to meet the requirements of nationally consistent teacher registrationpractices.$50,000 of the National Partnership funding was carried over into the 2010/2011 financialyear.Budget allocation $Expenditure (2009/2010) 80,000Carry forward (2010/2011) 50,000TOTAL 130,00017

Annual Report 2011Information managementOverviewAs a body corporate established by Territory legislation, the Teacher Registration Board is apublic sector organisation for the purposes of the Information Act.Records and archives managementPart 9 of the Information Act provides for the protection and management of records andarchives by public sector organisations. The Teacher Registration Board complies with thisPart by:• keeping full and accurate records of its activities and operations;• implementing practices and procedures to safeguard the custody and ensure properpreservation of its records; and• making arrangements for the archives service to monitor the management of itsrecords.Information access and reportingFor the purpose of reporting under section 98 of the Information Act, the Teacher RegistrationBoard reported to the Information Commissioner that no requests for access to governmentinformation held by the Teacher Registration Board were received during the 2010-2011financial year.Information privacyThe Teacher Registration Board respects the privacy of individuals and is committed tocollecting, using, storing and managing personal information in a manner that complies withthe Information Privacy Principles.18

REGISTRATIONS AND AUTHORISATIONSAnnual Report 2011Strategic ObjectiveTo maintain the standards of professional practice for Northern Territory teachers through astandards-based, regulatory framework that ensures only appropriately qualified, competentand fit and proper persons are employed as teachers in the Northern Territory.Goals1. Maintain a robust and efficient registration system2. Strengthen preservice teacher education programs in the Northern Territory3. Ensure only fit and proper persons maintain registration in the NorthernTerritory4. Maintain a Code of Ethics.Who can be registered?The minimum qualification requirements for registration are met by applicants who havecompleted four years of approved tertiary study in a preservice teacher education course.Applicants must also demonstrate they meet the English language proficiency requirementand that they are a fit and proper person.In certain circumstances, employers are granted authorisation to employ persons as teacherswho do not meet the minimum qualification requirements for registration, but satisfy the Boardthey are competent to teach.Number of teachers registeredThe number of teachers registered to teach in the Northern Territory has increased steadilysince 2005.June 2005 June 2006 June 2007 June 2008 June 2009 June 2010 June 20113992 4481 4572 5086 5462 5768 6151Applications assessedThe office of the Teacher Registration Board assesses applications for registration under theprovisions of the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act and in compliance with theMutual Recognition Act 1992 and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.A total of 923 applications were assessed this year, the majority under the provisions of theMutual Recognition legislation.As is the case every year, a large number of applications were incomplete, most frequentlybecause the applicants failed to provide the required documents. Applications are assessedonly when they are complete and incomplete applications are not included in the final tally of‘applications assessed’.In assessing applications for registration, the Board was presented with 50 instances ofapplications categorised as being ‘hard’ (Schedule H). These applications require additionalresearch and are presented to the Board case by case.While the 50 instances are recorded in Table 1, it is the case that once granted registration bythe Board, the Schedule H status changes to the relevant Schedule (A or R) and thereforeTable 2 is a true representation of the number of new teachers registered in 2010-2011.19

Annual Report 2011Table 1 Applications for Registration Presented to Board by ScheduleNew registrationsIn 2010-2011, 923 new teachers were registered in the Northern Territory. Just on 60% of newteachers registering in the NT did so under the Mutual Recognition (MR) arrangement, whichis 5% higher than the previous financial year. A significant majority of MR applicants wereregistered in the first state with either the Queensland College of Teachers or the VictorianInstitute of Teaching. Graduates from Charles Darwin University made up 11% (100) of allnew registrations and there were 6 graduates registered from the Batchelor Institute ofIndigenous Tertiary Education.20

Annual Report 2011Number of New Teachers Registered in2010-20119231000900800700559Number of Teachers6005004003003642001000Teacher Registration Act Mutual Recognition TotalTable 2 Number of New Teachers RegisteredNew Teachers Registered in 2010-2011 UnderMutual Recognition by Jurisdiction250210200165Number of Teachers1501005066 6422320QLD VIC SA WA TAS NZJurisdictionTable 3 New Teachers Registered Under Mutual RecognitionRegistration renewalsTeachers’ registration is for one calendar year and teachers may register for up to 5 years.On 31 December 2010, 4000 registrations were due for renewal. In all, 3436 teachersrenewed their registration.21

Annual Report 2011A total of 564 teachers did not renew their registration for 2011 compared with 733 teacherswho did not renew their registration when it expired in 2009.Profile of teachers registered in the Northern TerritoryOf the teachers registered in the Northern Territory, 51% are between 45 and 60 years of ageand 53% are female.3% of teachers identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Of this cohort, the majoritygained their qualifications in the Northern Territory.A total of 532 registered teachers have an initial teacher education qualification obtained froman overseas institution.The percentage of the total number of teachers registered in the Northern Territory under theMR arrangements continues to increase. In 2008, 25.5% of the total number of teachersregistered had done so under the MR arrangements and this increased to 27.9% in 2009 and30% in 2010.Table 4 Registered Teachers by AgeNumber of TeachersRegistered Teachers by Schedule as at30th June 2011400035003000250020001500100050003500550A B RSchedule2101Table 5 Number of Registered Teachers by Schedule22

Annual Report 2011Number of Teachers70006000500040003000200010000Registered Teachers as at30th June 20115666485Fully Registered Provisionally Registered Total6151Table 6 Registered Teachers5000Registered Teachers by Gender as at30th June 20114498Number of Teachers400030002000100016530MaleGenderFemaleTable 7 Registered Teachers by GenderNames removed from the RegisterDeceased teachers removed from the Register 2AuthorisationsThe Board grants authority to employ an unregistered person for a calendar year only. In mostinstances, teachers employed under authority are three-year trained, or specialists inlanguage, music or vocational education and training.For the 2010 calendar year, the Board granted authorisation to 9 people to be employed inteaching positions; for the same period the Board granted 21 repeat applications forauthorisation that were continued from the previous calendar year. From January to 30 June2011, a total of 23 authorisations were granted to persons employed in teaching positions. Ofthis number, 5 were new applications and 18 repeat authorisations that were continued from23

Annual Report 2011the previous calendar year. The majority of authorisations were granted to employunregistered persons in the government sector.Of the persons employed between January 2010 and 30 June 2011, 3 completed further studyand are now registered teachers.SCHEDULE T - Jan 2010 - December 201021Jan11Feb11Mar13May10Jun5Aug9Sep14Oct Total SuccessfulNew School 1 3 2 3 0 1 0 0 10 9Repeat School 12 5 4 0 1 0 0 1 23 21Variation to Current Auth 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3Upgrade to Sched A 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 6Unsuccessful 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Table 8 Schedule T January 2010-December 2010SCHEDULE T - Jan 2011 - December 20112Dec20Jan10Feb17Mar12May9Jun4Aug1Sep20Oct1Dec Total SuccessfulNew School 0 1 2 0 1 1 5 5Repeat School 10 3 3 0 3 0 19 18Variation 0 0 1 0 0 2 3Upgrade 1 0 0 0 0 2 3Unsuccessful 0 0 0 0 1 0 1Table 9 Schedule T January 2011-December 2011Authorisations GrantedJanuary 2010- December 2010353030Number of Authorisations25201510592120New Applications Repeat Applications Total Authorisations Upgrade QualificationsTable 10 Authorisations Granted January 2010 – December 201024

Annual Report 201125Authorisations GrantedJanuary 2011- June 2011232018Axis Title15105510New Applications Repeat Applications Total Authorisations Upgrade QualificationsTable 11 Authorisations Granted Jan 2011 – June 2011AppealsDuring the 2010-2011 reporting period no applicant for registration and no registered teacherhas appealed a decision of the Teacher Registration Board.Annual audit and complianceUnder section 78 of the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act employers are requiredto inform the Board of the names of all teachers employed in the school by the end of the firstterm of the school year. In the past the Board has been concerned with the accuracy andtimeliness of some of the returns and that some employers started a teacher’s employmentbefore registration was granted. As awareness and understanding of the requirements of theAct increases, so too does compliance.21 teachers were in breach of section 73 of the Act.This year, as a consequence of the audit, the Board noted that almost every instance of noncompliancewas a consequence of failure to renew registration. Where non-compliance wasidentified, letters were sent to both the principal, the teacher and to the Chief Executive Officerwhere relevant, advising them of their obligations under sections 72 and section 73 of the Act.No prosecutions were instigated.25

Annual Report 2011Sector Employer Name Return ReceivedCEO Catholic Education Office 04/04/11GOV Department of Employment, Education and Training 05/04/11IND Good Shepherd Lutheran School 29/04/11IND Kormilda College 05/04/11IND Living Waters Lutheran School 17/03/11IND Milkwood School Council 09/03/11IND Northern Territory Christian Schools Association 28/03/11IND Nyangatjatjara College 04/05/11IND St Andrew’s Lutheran School 22/03/11IND St Philip’s College 29/03/11IND The Alice Springs Steiner School 11/03/11IND The Essington School 25/03/11IND Yipirinya School 30/03/11IND Yirara College 31/03/11IND Tiwi College 04/04/1126

Annual Report 2011The Board continued liaising with CDU and BIITE with regard to the implementation of theaccreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: standards and procedures.CDU applied to the Board for an extension of approval for their preservice and postgraduateprograms. The Board resolved to grant an extension of these programs in light of the nationalaccreditation system being implemented in 2012. The Board expects to accredit a CDU initialteacher education program in 2012 using the national system.National accreditation of initial teacher education coursesThe Teacher Registration Board has continued to contribute to the development of a nationalsystem for the accreditation of preservice teacher education courses both through ATRA andmembership of working groups established by AEEYSOC and MCEECDYA. ITEC continuedto be engaged in providing advice to the Board on consultations concerning the developmentof a national accreditation system of preservice teacher education programs.28

Annual Report 2011COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIESStrategic ObjectiveTo maintain the standards of professional practice for Northern Territory teachers through astandards based, regulatory framework that ensures only appropriately qualified, competent andfit and proper persons are employed as teachers in the Northern Territory.Goals1. A robust and transparent complaints and inquiries procedure for implementationat the commencement of the new Act;2. Ensure all registered teachers are made aware of their obligations under the Act;3. Strengthen the capacity of the Board to obtain appropriate and timely legaladvice; and4. Processing disciplinary proceedings in a timely way.Inquiries and investigationsThe Board is responsible for disciplinary proceedings in relation to registered teachers. Itconducts investigations and inquiries into allegations of a teacher’s serious misconduct,serious incompetence or lack of fitness to teach.An inquiry or investigation may be initiated by:• the lodging of a complaint,• a notification from an employer,• a notification from the NT Police,• a notification from another teacher registration authority, or• information received from another source.The Teacher Registration Board has made considerable progress to ensure its processes forconducting inquiries and investigations are fair and pursued in a timely manner, with supportfrom the Solicitor for the Northern Territory in the Department of Justice.To assist teachers, employers and members of the public to better understand the Board’scomplaints and inquiries process, an additional page was added to the Website. This pagenow contains relevant information relating to the way in which the Board manages complaintsand inquiries against registered teachers.The Board has identified changes to the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act that willenhance the inquiry and investigations process.Number of cases carried over from previous year 49Number of new cases received in the 2010 – 2011 financial year 15TOTAL 6430

Annual Report 2011StatisticsThe statistics below represent complaints lodged under section 50 of the 2007 Act andthose lodged under section 49 of the 2010 ActOpen 9Rejected 5Preliminary Investigation then no further actionwarrantedInquiry recommended by Board but laterabortedInquiry – Committee of Inquiry established andrecommendations handed down to Board300Ongoing at 1 July 2011 1Notifications from employerOpen 28Rejected 0Preliminary Investigation then no further actionwarrantedInquiry recommended by Board but laterabortedInquiry – Committee of Inquiry established andrecommendations handed down to Board530Ongoing at 1 July 2011 20Notification from NT PoliceOpen 5Rejected 2Preliminary Investigation then no further actionwarrantedInquiry recommended by Board but laterabortedInquiry – Committee of Inquiry established andrecommendations handed down to Board101Ongoing as at 1 July 2011 131

Annual Report 2011During this financial year, the Board has had the pleasure of working with Ms Sonia Brownhill,Barrister (William Forster Chambers) and Mr David Alderman, Barrister (William ForsterChambers).The following Board members have represented the Board on at least one Committee ofInquiry this financial year:• Elsabe Bott• Chris Tudor• Steve Carter• Karen Blanchfield• Lorraine Hodgson• Peter Clisby.The Board thanks these members for their time, support and effort.AcknowledgementsThe Board thanks the Solicitor for the Northern Territory, Department of Justice, for itscontinued legal support and assistance during the past financial year.33