Nation-wide union meetings tackle proposed teaching council fee increase - pg 12-13
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Volume 41 | Number 1 | March/April | Poutu-terangi/Paengawha-wha- 2020
Nation-wide union meetings
tackle proposed teaching
council fee increase – pg 12-13
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 1
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In this issue...
What matters can’t always be measured 3 Professional conference 9
March 15 anniversary 7 Teaching council fee PUMs 12-13
COVID-19 don’t panic 8 Tomorrow’s schools update 17
2 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020
President's Viewpoint
What matters can’t always be measured
PPTA president Jack Boyle considers the many changes facing
the education sector with the aid of his favourite TV show.
effort is diverted from an institution’s to use, amend and share, or will we be
true purpose. left waiting as we were at the inception
The lesson for us as teachers in of the NCEA in the early 2000s and
Aotearoa is perhaps salient, what with again when the NCEA was “realigned”?
a new assessment regime imminent The union-led PLD offerings for this
within a year and other ideas about year, including funding for teachers
curriculum and measurement in to attend their subject association
nascent form in the bowels of the conferences, will no doubt help – but
Ministry of Education. does our leadership in the curriculum
and assessment space run the risk
Will we all be tasked with measuring
that the pendulum swings too far and
progress in a standardised way? Will
resource development by the centre
this be an alternative to assessment for
is discontinued in favour of the local?
credentials or will we be expected to do
Jack Boyle | NZPPTA President In other words – will teachers become
both? Are PACT and other digital tools
tasked with building (and funding) all
the way to ensure learning can be more
curriculum resources themselves?
One of my favourite TV personalised or are we meekly giving
way to the voracious appetite of data Much like the TV programme, the
shows is the HBO series The influence of one institution on another
and “digital everything” as the drivers
Wire. Focused on the city of can take some time to materialise: In
for what schooling will (and must) be
Baltimore, the show drills down to be future ready? And what of the
the Wire “juking the stats” in schools
into the school system, local comes to be a plot line in the season on
key competencies: will debates about
local politics. Is the proposed removal of
politics and the media, providing measuring these again emerge?
“unnecessary metrics” in our education
a “fly on the wall” scrutiny of Those of us who have been in the system (e.g. National Standards and
their workings and dysfunctions. game for a few seasons know that what appraisal) a political foil for the new
One of the seasons, the one that deals can be measured is not always worth metrics that will take their place?
with the schooling system, follows a measuring (and that what matters can’t
Did the same quid pro quo occur with
class in a public school conscientiously always be measured).
the proposal to have a “teacher led”
focusing on practising for the Can we anticipate that resources in Centre for Leadership established at
standardized tests that will occur in six support of the changes to NCEA, local the teaching council (with the boon
weeks. This becomes the entire focus curriculum, personalised learning of paying for it out of our recent pay
of learning. Consequently, teaching to and the new New Zealand history increases)? Do we need to tune in next
the test is held up as a way in which curriculum will be available for teachers time to find out?
Photo by Fleur on Unsplash
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 3
Service Award
Branch treasurer awarded top union honour
St Mary’s College branch secretary Marion Myers receives a PPTA service award.
St Mary’s College (Wellington) professional development they were well-reasoned” voice to discussions,
branch stalwart and entitled to, Meg and Girish said. the co-chairs said.
20 years of supporting branch chairs The branch is the heart of the PPTA
longstanding treasurer Marion
“In the 20 years that Marion has been At a Wellington region function to
Myers was the recipient of a
branch treasurer she has worked recognise Marion’s achievement,
2019 PPTA service award. regional treasurer Vernon Tile noted the
with numerous branch chairs. When
Branch co-chairs Meg Davies and they take on this role Marion always St Mary’s branch accounts had never
Girish Sajwan nominated Marion for helps them understand not just the been late. This resulted in the branch
receiving its annual capitation on time
her more than two decades in the role. financial aspects of running a branch,
every year.
Marion used her role as treasurer to but the roles and responsibilities as a
lay a platform for a functioning branch whole. Without Marion’s institutional PPTA general secretary Michael
by ensuring events were always well knowledge and willingness to help, Stevenson said Marion’s nomination
catered for by working with each new the St Mary’s branch would not have reminded him of the research into
the role of the branch by the late
branch chair to help them understand enjoyed the continuity and stability it
Gay Simpkin, who found that the
their role and responsibilities. has,” they said.
branch was the heart of PPTA and for
Marion was a key figure behind Marion is a passionate union member optimal performance required a fully
ensuring branch members received the who lends her “always gentle, yet functioning branch committee.
Marion Myers (centre) with Girish Sajwan and Meg Davies.
4 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020
PLD
Inspirational leader retires from key teacher PLD role
Onslow College member Kathryn Levy retires from TRCC after more than 13 years.
After thirteen and a half years
in the chair, Onslow College
member Kathryn Levy has
retired from her role on the
board of the Teacher Refresher
Course Committee (TRCC).
The TRCC was gifted to education
unions PPTA, NZEI and TEU in
1946 by former director general of
education Clarence Beeby. Beeby’s
vision was that teachers would
run professional development for their snouts firmly in the trough of what networks of expertise ministry contract,
teachers and that unions were is estimated to be a $100-$200 million which they won – returning the subject
best-placed to administer courses a year industry. speciality PLD space to the teaching
for their members. Fast forward community.
But Kathryn Levy and a new generation
to 2020 and we can see Beeby’s This was a David and Goliath battle
of TRCC leaders decided to do
thinking was well ahead of its time. between a committee of teachers and
something about it. Knowing just how
David and Goliath low the quality of PLD had become, multi-million dollar private industry.
Much of the TRCC’s work remained they restructured the TRCC to meet Through Kathryn’s leadership, the
static from the 1980s until recently, the needs of the modern teaching underdog won.
as private providers and edupreneurs world. The refreshed TRCC gave the For more information visit
dominated the teacher PLD landscape, committee the opportunity to bid for the www.trcc.org.nz.
PPTA general secretary Michael Stevenson and Kathryn Levy.
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 5
Accord
The Accord – what happens now?
New advisory officer Susan Haugh updates us on the tripartite
accord between PPTA, NZEI and the Ministry of Education.
The tripartite Accord between
the Ministry of Education,
PPTA and NZEI stems from the
settlement of the 2019 STCA
and is sponsored by the Minister
of Education Hon. Chris Hipkins.
One of my portfolios, in my new job at
PPTA national office, is to support the
president and general secretary as the
two PPTA representatives at the Accord
governance table. This involves being
one of three people on the Accord
secretariat and ensuring all Accord Signing on the dotted line – PPTA, NZEI, the Ministry of Education and
agenda items are well-researched and education minister Chris Hipkins sign the tripartite accord.
tuned to PPTA policy.
I will be updating members during You can read the full advice in the learning needs. Fran is joined on
2020 on Accord developments, through News and Media section of the this group by chief science advisor
the PPTA News, Collective News and PPTA website (ppta.org.nz) - look for professor Stuart McNaughton and
on the website. I am also available to Removing appraisal – a workload former NZEI president Lynda Stuart.
travel to regional meetings and update reduction win, and the teaching The second of the workload sub-groups
members on Accord matters. council website (teachingcouncil.nz) – up and running is looking at the impact
search for Appraisal.
Here are the key achievements in the of personalisation of learning. This is an
Accord to date: Teacher wellbeing especially important area in the digital
NCEA teacher only days for secondary PPTA president Jack Boyle has led this era, as members are telling us about
and area school members piece of Accord work and the wellbeing the constant pressure they are under
framework toolkit. We are excited that as a result of technological advances
There will be eight teacher only days
wellbeing workshops for secondary and in the student/parent/teacher
over the course of the next three
area school staff will be taking place communication spaces. PPTA executive
years to ease workload around the
throughout the country starting from member for Tāmaki Makaurau
NCEA changes. March this year. Auckland (Eastern Ward) Lawrence
You can view a list of teacher only days These workshops will be run by Mikkelsen and I will both represent the
on the Ministry of Education website WorkSafeReps and will give teachers association on this group.
(education.govt.nz). Search for ‘2020 a strong sense of the features Change management
dates for Accord Teacher Only Days for of proactive, respectful school-
secondary schools and wharekura’. PPTA’s change management toolkit will
place cultures and how to use risk
be distributed by the association and
Removal of appraisal management strategies to create these
ministry as a resource available for
Legislation is now before the House safe work environments. It will also
schools to use at a local level. You can
that will remove any requirement look at the definitions of bullying and
find it on the PPTA website. Look for
for teachers to undertake appraisal. harassment, and what the law says
about the duties of reps, teachers and Education change management toolkit.
Schools should therefore be winding
down current appraisal approaches principals in maintaining wellbeing. The three Accord partners will also be
that involve workload-heavy portfolios For more information and to register working on a set of confirmed system-
of evidence or inquiry projects. Instead, for a wellbeing workshop in your wide change management principles
we are moving to a high trust model, area visit the PLD Fund section that we hope to publish mid-way
where teachers are encouraged to: of the PPTA website and look for through 2020. The principles will be
Wellbeing Workshops. based on national and international
• Have professional conversations best practice education change
with each other. Workload groups
management, including the lessons we
• Undertake an annual lesson 2020 will see a big focus on workload can learn from Finland and Singapore.
observation (two for PCTs). in the Accord, with a number of specific
We will also be having international
• Engage in reflective practices. sub-groups examining different areas
that impact on a teacher’s working day. speakers on this topic at April’s
• Undertake professional learning Two of these Accord sub-groups are professional conference in wellington –
and development. already underway: PPTA advisory officer Pasi Sahlberg and Dr Trivina Kang. See
• Have brief documentation of Fran Renton is representing PPTA on a page 9 for information on this.
the above, not create evidential group looking at workload associated To learn more about Susan check out
documents. with dealing with students with complex her profile on page 18.
6 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020
Support for Canterbury
I dread the anniversary and long for it
Reflecting on the changes schools have seen
a year on from the Christchurch terror attacks.
We’re about to start a four-
lesson assessment in my senior
classes. Last year, on 15 March,
we were in the middle of it.
While events were unfolding I
was in a class with two students
whose siblings didn’t survive.
One of those siblings was also a
student of mine.
After, there was a gap in the seating
plan, and origami hearts on the wall,
and Martin Luther King quotes about
lightness driving out hate. By the end
of 2019 it was almost a relief to take
these reminders down.
The students have all been mixed
up in new classes for the new
school year, the seats rearranged,
the walls reorganised. It’d be easy
to think we’d all moved on. But A cumulative effect Useful information to help develop a
there’s something indelible there, Linwood College at Ōtākaro Tumuaki- support strategy can be found on the
here, in most of us, I think. principal Richard Edumundson says Get Ready section of the Civil Defence
I dread the anniversary, and long for the attacks on the Al-Noor Mosque website (civildefence.govt.nz). Search
it. I think of the siblings, the mother at and Linwood Islamic Centre had a for ‘Get prepared for an emergency.’
parent teacher interviews, the friends cumulative effect on a community The Ministry of Education’s updated
whose voices still drop when they say already recovering from the 2011 emergency management plan can be
their lost mate’s name. I don’t think quakes. “It would have had the found at education.govt.nz. Search for
we’ll ever be quite the same. shocking effect by itself but it layers Preparing for emergencies, traumatic
- Amy Paulussen on existing fragility.” incidents, evacuations and lockdowns.
An enhanced sense of responsibility The attack had a deeper effect on There is no room for ignorance
those students and staff who were
15 March 2019 is a day that will be and hate in our schools
already sensitive post-earthquake,
etched into our collective psyche Jack Boyle extends the association’s
he said.
forever. It was the day we realised New deepest sympathy to all the victims of
Zealand was not as isolated from acts The increasing normalisation of police
the terrible events of March 15, their
of terror as we previously believed. with guns was also polarising, Richard
said. “Some feel safer, some less so.” families and their communities.
“We want to honour the teachers of
Despite the above, Richard has seen “We extend our aroha and support to
Christchurch who loved and protected
the triumph of the human spirit with all our rangatahi, and whānau who will
their students and kept them safe, even
individuals, family, staff and boards continue to be affected by this tragedy,
as they were afraid themselves,” PPTA
of trustees looking to do what they to those in our Muslim community and
president Jack Boyle said.
can do support each other and those who live and work alongside
For the teachers in Canterbury he has them. We want to offer our support
creating connectedness through
spoken with there is an enhanced and aroha to those of all faiths and
whakawhanaungatanga.
sense of responsibility for the students
Family support strategies ethnicities who may still be feeling
in their care. In turn they have learned
vulnerable. We want to let them know
to have confidence that their own Having been through such an event,
there is no room for ignorance and hate
children’s teachers will keep their loved and the devastating earthquakes of
in our schools.
ones safe, he said. 2011, many of the people of Canterbury
“The events of March 15 bring into have developed emergency strategies. “To all the teachers who supported
sharp focus what all kaiako and They encourage fellow members around our rangatahi while schools in
kaimahi already know - we are always the country to develop their own. Christchurch were in lockdown, who
there for our rangatahi. We create that A family meeting point, a designated once again put the needs of their
stability and safety for them – even person to pick up children and a plan students and communities first and
though many of us were unsure what for when phones are not available are were in the front line of responders to
was happening for our own children all things to consider. Having an agreed an unprecedented disaster – as they
and were grieving for what had plan can make a real difference to were in 2011 – our deepest gratitude
happened in our community.” stress levels at the time. and respect.”
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 7
Health and safety
...but be sensible
PPTA’s recommendations
for managing COVID-19.
As of the date we go to press, the If assessments are usually set and Teachers who have additional childcare
situation with COVID-19 is not submitted through these systems then responsibilities as a result of the
assignments submitted by students quarantine should discuss a plan for
dissimilar to last year’s measles linking online should be marked along reduced workload expectations with
outbreak. The key message from with those of the attending students. You their employer.
public health professionals is: are not required to do anything extra. Schools cannot require teachers
don’t panic, but do take some If you are required to self-isolate and to use their own computers, and
sensible precautions. are well, you should be setting relief teachers should not communicate
as per your school’s usual policies. It with students using their personal
If you have any questions about your pay may be reasonable to expect you to be email accounts. Schools should be
or what work you should be doing as the monitoring and marking work online. discussing reimbursing data usage.
COVID-19 situation unfolds contact your Schools that do not have online systems Some teachers may not have internet
field officer in the normal way. Otherwise or have students who do not have plans that will allow them to participate
here are some key points to remember: access to computers or the internet in online learning.
Looking after yourself and others at home will not be able to rely on this Other accommodations will have
In the ‘Keep it Out’ phase the Ministry however, and no schools can expect this
to be made for schools that do not
of Health advises that the best ways to to replace normal classroom teachers
have online systems in place or have
keep yourself and others safe are: especially in practical subjects.
students who do not have access to
• Wash your hands often and Supporting student learning computers or the internet at home.
thoroughly with soap and water when the school is closed
Leave and salary payments
for at least 20 seconds and dry It is possible that as part of the Keep it
them thoroughly. If a teacher has to stay away from school
Out strategy a school may be closed for
a period of time. because they or a family member is
• Stay home from school if you are
ill, because they have had other direct
unwell, and avoid large gatherings If the school has online systems in contact with someone who has had the
• Cover coughs and sneezes with clean place, such as Google Classroom then virus, or because of recent travel to a
tissues or the crook of your elbow provided you are well it is reasonable
category 1 country, then they should
and put used tissues in the bin for your school to ask you to work
receive sick leave or domestic leave as
remotely from home to provide on-going
• Avoid close contact with anyone with appropriate in the first instance.
learning for the students.
cold or flu-like symptoms However because COVID 19 is a
During this time your aim should
• Clean surfaces regularly (when notifiable disease, they may be eligible
be to further the students’ learning
infection is suspected). upon their return for disregarded sick
by providing tasks, information and
Supporting student learning resources. This may include setting leave. This means the leave taken will
when the school is open and marking work. You should work restored to their leave balance. Email
During this time teachers may be asked normal hours, and there should be any request for disregarded sick leave
to support student learning where there no expectation to communicate with to employment.relations@education.
are a few students away either because students outside these hours. govt.nz with supporting evidence that
they are self-isolating or are recovering confirms the diagnosis (e.g. a letter
Again not all subjects, especially those
from the virus. from the Medical Officer of Health),
with a practical component, are equally
or documentation to confirm the
This is no different from any student suited to on-line learning. The school
recent travel.
absence. Use the school’s existing should not expect students to meet
systems such as Google Classroom to assessment deadlines as if lessons had Members who are well but whose school
post materials that you have prepared carried on as normal. Decisions about has closed should be paid normally.
for your normal class, so that students issues to do with assessment will have During this time they may be asked to
can keep up with the rest of the class. to be made according to the situation. work from home as set out above.
8 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020
Education Conference
Advancing the dream of public education – April 2020
Everything you need to know about PPTA’s education conference.
Join us in Wellington to hear • Morning teas, lunches and University Dr Trivina Kang, University of
Pasi Sahlberg, Trivina Kang, afternoon teas Canterbury Department of Computer
• Pub Quiz night on Wednesday Science and Software Engineering
Rawiri Toia, Dr Tim Bell, Helen
April 22 (RSVP required) Professor Tim Bell, Victoria University
Varney and Professor Stephen of Wellington Dean of the Faculty of
Dobson talk education. • Conference dinner at parliament
on Thursday April 23 - hosted by Education Professor Stephen Dobson,
22 - 24 April 2020 education minister Chris Hipkins Victoria University of Wellington
Rutherford House, Wellington contract director of Māori medium
• Access to Māori medium sessions
Schooling Projects Rāwiri Toia
Free registration for first Registration cut off: Tuesday March 31 (Ngāpuhi), Secretary for Education
300 participants
Full programme and keynote speakers Iona Holsted and "Tautai o le Moana"
Registration for PPTA Education - Navigators of the Pacific director and
Conference is now open. An official PPTA 2020 Education
Conference website is now live and past president of the Auckland Primary
Travel and/or accommodation we invite you to visit to view and Principals Association Helen Varney.
subsidies up to $400
download the programme overview Visit confer.eventsair.com/ppta-2020/
(for PPTA members only).
which outlines the key topics, keynote Special accommodation rates
PPTA members can apply for travel speakers, teacher-led workshops,
and accommodation subsidies up to research and panel forum that you can Take advantage of special conference
$400, after the event – application look forward to. rates at some of Wellington's
with receipts main hotels; bookings must be
Our keynote speakers include professor
Take advantage of this offer and sign made directly with the hotel. Visit
of Education Policy and Research
up early to secure your place to listen, the accommodation page on the
Director at the Gonski Institute for
learn and be heard, as we work toward conference website for details:
Education of the University of New
the goal of "Advancing the dream of South Wales Pasi Sahlberg, associate Any questions?
public education" dean (Professional and Leadership Contact the Conference & Events Team
Registration includes: Development) at the National Institute at ppta2020@confer.co.nz
• Entry to all conference sessions of Education Nanyang Technological or +64 4 282 1702
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 9
Overseas Teachers
Incorrectly assessed overseas teaching qualifications
Advice for overseas teachers who may not have
had their qualifications properly assessed
Attention overseas teachers effect which you will then be able to will find on the front page of the PPTA
submit to the Ministry of Education for website (ppta.org.nz)
If you have overseas teaching salary reassessment. Note: NZQA may request digital
qualifications and started If NZQA cannot identify sufficient level 7 copies of the qualification documents
teaching in New Zealand subject content they will let you know. and further information if required,
from 2015, NZQA may not What do I need to do? particularly for IQAs completed in 2015,
have properly assessed Fill out the Subject Specialism Re- 2016 and early 2017, before NZQA
your qualifications. Assessment Request form which you moved to a fully digital process.
It appears that in the period from 2015
– 2019 NZQA was only assessing the
teaching qualification component and
not the subject qualifications.
So, if you:
• started teaching in New Zealand
between 2015 and 2019
inclusive
• have overseas education
qualifications with substantive
specialist content which were
assessed by NZQA
• were assessed as G3 rather
than G3+ by the Ministry of
Education for salary purposes
• believe that the subject content
of your qualification has not
been given full consideration
...then you may be affected.
Typically this would be someone with
a three or four year education-based
qualification which also contains
specialist subject study of about two
thirds of an academic year in the last
year or over the last two years of a
4-year conjoint degree.
What is the offer?
NZQA has offered to reassess, on
request, the tertiary qualification of
anyone in this group of teachers who
believe that their qualification contains
the equivalent of a minimum of 72
credits at Level 7 in a specialist area
(subject, special education or similar)
which was not been recognised
in the International Qualifications
Assessment (IQA).
This reassessment service will be
available until 30 June 2020, free
of charge.
What will happen?
If NZQA can identify sufficient content
at Level 7 or higher in a specific Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash
subject, they will provide a letter to that
10 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020IT
Ransomware attack
Precautionary advice for PPTA members.
On the evening of Saturday 8 systems after attacks and upgrading Not to open suspicious emails, as these
February, the PPTA fell victim our anti-virus/malware software, as are used by attackers to gain access
well as adding an off-site, off-line to servers.
to a ransomware attack. The back-up. We are also going to have Familiarise yourself with New Zealand
matter was reported to the a local Wellington cyber security firm privacy law, including the need to be
police and no ransom was paid. independently review our level of transparent and report breaches. The
protection and make recommendations Privacy Commission website has
The matter was also reported to the
for improvement. some excellent information, including
relevant government agency, CERT
(Computer Emergency Response Team), Advice from CERT NZ e-learning resources: Privacy
and to the Privacy Commissioner. CERT had some excellent advice Commissioner -Te Mana Mātāpono
for the association and, as a new Matatapu (privacy.org.nz)
Erring on the side of caution
government cyber security agency, we Report any ransom request received
While we are confident no member
want to draw members’ attention to electronically to the police and CERT.
data has been misused, we want to err
their existence: Contacts:
on the side of caution and report the
matter to members. We don’t want to CERT NZ – responding to cyber security • PPTA privacy officers Michael
unnecessarily alarm members but we threats in New Zealand (cert.govt.nz) Stevenson and Jenny O’Donnell
do want to be transparent around the We encourage members to: mstevenson@ppta.org.nz;
fact this occurred. Regularly change passwords (including jodonnell@ppta.org.nz
The matter was resolved by engaging those to access the member only side • PPTA IT manager Peter Cooke
an IT firm who deal with computer of the PPTA website). pcooke@ppta.org.nz
Photo by Andras Vas on Unsplash
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 11PUMs
PPTA branches meet to take on teaching council
PPTA News talks to two branch chairs about organising their first branch-based
paid union meetings over the teaching council’s proposed fee increase.
PPTA branch chairs across the job. Two chairs who are new to the job The students took the meeting in their
country have pulled together share their experiences with us: stride she said. “Since the industrial
A sense of outrage and action last year they know that union
union meetings at short notice members need to shut the school and
a hope for resolution
to combat the Teaching Council meet sometimes.
of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Western Springs College Ngā Puna O
“The meeting went well. We had kai –
Waiōrea physics teacher Rosa Hughes-
plans to more than double their Currie is in her third year teaching at
we find it lifts the mood and it’s a good
fees from July 1 this year. way to encourage people to get to the
the school and her fifth year teaching meeting on time,” she said.
To add insult to injury members were full stop. She is the Tamaki makaurau
Most teachers were aware of the issues
initially only given three weeks to Network of Establishing Teachers rep
but weren’t over all the details, so it was
provide feedback to the proposal at one and had been a branch chair for a
good to go through the PUM presentation
of the busiest times of the school year. whole month when she had to organise so everyone was on the same page.
PPTA’s executive authorised every PPTA her first PUM.
“Members were universally unkeen
branch to hold a paid union meeting Rosa found doing this so early on on the teaching council proposals and
(PUM) to coordinate feedback and plan in her new role surprisingly easy. much of the discussion was about the
our next steps and the association “Management was great. We were able ‘Centre for excellence’” she said.
managed to negotiate an extension to find a date that worked well for the “We don’t see them doing a lot to
from February 28 to March 13 to school and our principal came to the raise the status of teachers and
provide feedback to the council. meeting. He’s a staunch supporter of teaching. They are willing to step in and
PPTA branch chairs, many of whom teachers’ rights and a strong advocate publish the badness but we don’t see
were in their first year in the role, for the work of the PPTA. In fact he them lifting the majority of teachers
stepped up to pull together meetings had already made a submission to the who are working under difficult and
at very short notice and did a fantastic teaching council,” she said. stressful circumstances.”
Hundreds of union meetings have been held around the country to respond to teaching council fee increases.
12 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020Almost all members wrote a It made me feel like I can meeting and positive feedback from
submission, Rosa said. actually do this role branch members afterwards. Personally
“There was a sense of outrage, Wellington Girls’ College branch chair I could have read the speech another
readiness for action and hope Cam Stewart teaches social sciences time or two before I got up in front of
for a resolution. We are looking and music. He found organising his first the staff, but there were no significant
forward to seeing what our executive PUM a lot of work, but had an “amazing stumbles,” he said.
recommends,” she said. committee” to back him up. The Wellington Girls’ College branch
Rosa’s advice for branch chairs “It made the whole thing so much members were quite united, Cam said.
planning to hold PUMs is to have easier. The branch secretary and I were “There was an overwhelming feeling
positive and clear communications in regular communication. She was on that the teaching council is acting
with their principal and senior top of a lot of the details that I wasn’t. beyond their mandate and needs to
leadership team and try to find a There was no end of support from the consider what their core business
time that suits the school. “Have an rest of the committee as well, who really is,” he said.
informal discussion with the board and gladly took on different jobs, organised
The experience has given Cam more
principal before you send the formal our kai, helped prep the tables and
letters,” she said. confidence is his role as branch chair.
distribute voting forms. All of this meant
“Especially given I was reluctant to take
“Impress upon members the I could focus on preparing the meeting
on the role,” he said.
seriousness of the PUM. Just because itself,” he said.
it isn’t a massive regional one doesn’t The branch was lucky to have a very “It was nice to see how supportive our
mean it’s not as important.” supportive principal, Cam said. “As we branch members were and it made me
had no branch chair at the beginning feel like I can actually do this role.”
The Western Springs Ngā Puna O
Waiōrea branch shared the PUM of the year, she found out about the Cam’s advice for branch chairs putting
tasks, she said. “One member did the PUM before any of us. She went quickly together their first PUM is to make sure
presentation, another did the shopping into organisation mode, suggesting to ask for help from your field officer or
and I chaired the conversation. People the best dates to minimise disruption other PPTA staff. “We’re fortunate in
want to help but you need to give them to whānau. We also had excellent central Wellington to have easy access
specific jobs,” she said. resources from PPTA national office, to PPTA advisory officers. Susan Haugh
“I missed the sense of power of the resources so clear that even a musician came down to school to be there for our
massive PUMs, but branch PUMs were could run a PUM,” he said. PUM and answer the questions that I
way more convenient in the context. I Cameron felt the meeting went well. couldn’t. I definitely couldn’t have done
would definitely do it again,” she said. “There was a feeling of solidarity in the it without her.”
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 13Establishing Teachers
Learning from Australian new educators
Establishing Teacher Committee member Paul Stevens reports back from the
Australian Education Union New Educators’ Network Annual Conference.
PPTA Establishing Teacher models for engaging with issues locally, Another takeaway was the serious
Committee member Paul reframing them and starting with contrast between the political
shared values,” he said. landscape in New Zealand and
Stevens represented the
The third, on campaigning, was a Australia, he said. “Both in terms of
association on the international funding, equity, infrastructure, respect
broad session exploring all kinds of
stage during the Australian campaigning. “It was very Aussie for public education and freedom of
Education Union New Educators focused and looked mainly at speech and association for unions.
Network Annual Conference. campaigning in elections, but it was They are in a crisis under Scott
an eye-opener on how they do things”, Morrison (as is the environment of
In November last year he joined PPTA course!) It both made me feel very glad
he said.
advisory officer Kirsty Farrant to to have the state of things we do, even
learn from Australian new educators A key benefit of the conference for Paul
was in networking. “I made connections if ours isn’t perfect.”
in Sydney and take part in an
international panel. across the hierarchy of the AEU and Paul was also interested to see how
Education International. I also connected many young educators and activists at
with teachers from all Australian states the conference were in, or had been in,
and have continued relationships with short-term (two terms to one year) co-
educators and organisers after coming opted organising roles. These teachers
home,” he said. were often out in schools across the
Key takeaways country activating branches.
One of the key takeaways from the “I know our context (and size) is very
conference for Paul was the fact he different, but it still got me thinking
could see the AEU had come a long about how something similar could
way on indigenous issues. “Although work for us. Our field staff are of course
there were not many Aboriginal amazing and do their best to get into
Representing PPTA teachers present it seemed there was branches, but with the increasing
a real focus, both at the start of the demands of individual member issues I
Keynote speeches on the history of
conference and throughout, of the need know it can make engagement activity
the union movement, by then New
for reconciliation and a meaningful a challenge at times. It would also
South Wales Teachers’ Federation
approach to acknowledging the people mean that teachers didn’t feel like they
president Maurie Mulheron, and
of the land. It was less tokenistic than had to leave the profession long-term to
today’s political landscape, by Australia
I had seen previously in Australian be a full-time activist for a period. Just
Education Union federal president
conferences,” he said. an idea,” he said.
Correna Haythorpe were followed by the
international panel.
“I was proud to represent the
association. I spoke about our recent
campaign and what worked for us in
making the argument we did about the
value of our profession,” Paul said.
“People were very complimentary
and jealous of our prime minister and
it was a great opportunity to fly the
flag for our association. There was a
focus on climate change on the panel
as there was in other aspects of the
conference,” he said.
Workshops
Paul shared information on three
workshops. The first, on recruitment,
focused on values, perception and
how we need to present unions in the
21st century.
The second, Managing Up, looked
into issues in schools and how
branches can approach them. “It was
constructive and looked at positive
14 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020Get even more value from your PPTA membership. Your union exists to work on your behalf. And since 1963 all PPTA members have been eligible for additional benefits – through ‘member-only’ schemes that offer services and value beyond what the for-profit market will provide. One of these is HeathCarePlus. Created by unions for members, it’s a unique type of healthcare that maximises value for you – not profits. Our day-to-day plans bring genuine benefits through everyday life (not just when someone gets ill) and can leave a typical family better off by hundreds of dollars every year. And once you’re a member our value can extend to your family – and last not just for the rest of your teaching career, but for the rest of your life. So find out the difference that a few dollars a week* could make for you – at healthcareplus.org.nz *Terms & Conditions apply PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 15
Classroom Resources
25 April – a new kind of documentary for schools
A New Zealand made animated documentary on Gallipoli has
been released with a lesson plan and made available online.
In the lead up to Anzac Day a just like young men and women that
New Zealand made animated you might know now. Because it was so
personal it felt honest and relevant and
25 April DVD
documentary film about the
1915 Gallipoli Campaign
I hope the film does too,” she said. available for review
“I am very much hoping it finds a PPTA News has a copy of 25 April
has been made available for place in the hearts of young people, on DVD available for a member
schools to study. giving them a better understanding to review. If you are interested
of the experience of the young men email news@ppta.org.nz. First in,
25 April had its world premiere at the
and women who took part in the first served!
Toronto International Film Festival and
Gallipoli campaign.”
has screened around the world. It was
the first New Zealand animated film to Docs in Schools
qualify for Oscar consideration. Leanne is keen to let history, social
Director Leanne Pooley said 25 April was studies and media studies teachers
designed as a new kind of documentary. know the film is out there and available
online as part of the Docs In Schools
“One in which the past comes alive, programme run by DocEdge. This
liberated from the constraints of includes resource materials.
existing archive footage. Animation
Doc Edge is a video-on-demand
allows the story to be constructed
platform with films that have a social
imaginatively by bringing the dead
impact and focus on youth subjects and
back to life and allowing them to be
perspectives. “We identified the need
interviewed as young people,” she said.
to get these stories out to students
Though animated, 25 April was who may not have the ability to see
constructed along the same lines as a the many amazing documentaries
traditional documentary. The research from around the world. This platform
period took a year and involved reading allows us to distribute documentaries
hundreds of diaries. for viewing across New Zealand and
“I felt really privileged when I was Pacific Island classrooms. We include
reading the diaries. It was quite downloadable learning resources to
emotional because it took me inside accompany each film, giving context
somebody’s personal experience of this and discussion points for further
terrible, terrible situation. Even though learning,” they say.
its 100 years later, it didn’t feel like a To access the film go to ondemand.
long time ago because they sounded docedge.nz and search for 25 April.
16 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020Tomorrow’s Schools and New DGS
Tomorrow’s Schools reform update
PPTA general secretary Michael Stevenson shares
the latest on the Tomorrow’s Schools review.
PPTA members will be relieved This will be an important step to ensure
to hear that the worst of the the new ESA delivers for teachers,
principals and students. Particular
proposals from the Tomorrow’s elements PPTA members could be
Schools Independent Taskforce interested in are: what role do they
have been defeated. want (if any) for the ESA to have in
curriculum and how the new leadership
National collective agreements will advisors can best support senior
remain and a recommendation to leadership teams and aspirants.
move to DHB-style education hubs A commitment to partnership
was flushed down the toilet in what
was a sensible response to taskforce Secretary for Education Iona Holsted
assured PPTA at a 31 January Accord
recommendations by Education
meeting that the ministry had a genuine
Minister Hon. Chris Hipkins.
• Stronger arrangements to underpin commitment to partnership around
Instead of the ill-fated hubs, the the development of the ESA model.
principal leadership.
ministry will provide regional and local This statement was welcome news
support through the Education Service • Reconfiguring school property as delegates to PPTA’s 2019 annual
Agency (ESA); a new structure focussed management responsibilities. conference passed resolutions on
on teaching and learning, including PPTA engaged in design the need for the Association to be
support for leadership development In order to get the ESA implementation involved in the implementation of any
and curriculum delivery. right, progress on the reforms will slow Tomorrow’s Schools reforms.
Key changes in 2020 as the ministry works through If designed and implemented well,
internal matters. Once it’s time to start the ESA will have the potential to
The key changes will be: the implementation of the new ESA, revolutionise the way the ministry
• Establishment of the ESA within a PPTA and Accord partner NZEI will be interacts with the sector at a regional
redesigned Ministry of Education. engaged in its design. and local level.
A strong voice for the people on the ground
Introducing PPTA’s new deputy general secretary membership Adele Towgood.
PPTA’s new deputy general service. “I see the role as supporting
secretary plans to be a strong field officers to aid the members to
uphold their just claims and advance
voice for the people on the the cause of public education,”
ground who look out for she said.
our members. “I want to be a strong advocate for the
Adele Towgood has walked the walk field officers. They are the people on
both as a PPTA member activist and the ground facing the challenges with
a field officer. A teacher of history, the members on a daily basis. I plan to
social studies and sociology Adele held be a strong voice at the table for the
branch and regional secretary positions field officers so they can be a strong
and was regional chair in Northland PPTA deputy general secretary voice for the members,” she said.
central at a time when the area was membership Adele Towgood. Adele is keen to be engaged in both
threatened by encroaching charter regional activities and the wider vision
schools. She became PPTA field officer a field officer and it was an amazing of PPTA.
for the Wellington and Wairarapa region experience to be able to help out our Her first major event as a newly
in 2015 and enjoyed the experience of members,” she said. minted deputy general secretary will
supporting members and promoting the “While I am somewhat sad to be moving be the PPTA Issues and Organising
professional side of teaching. away from that direct involvement conference, which she has been
In her new role Adele is now in a with members, I am excited about the enjoying the opportunity to organise.
position to support her fellow FOs opportunity to support the field officers At the time of printing she was looking
support our membership. in supporting them.” forward to bringing members together
“I am very excited. Five and a half years She saw the position as an opportunity to work around the issues facing
ago I had the opportunity to become to advance her passion for the field PPTA in 2020.
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 17New Faces
Hitting the ground running
Introducing Susan Haugh, PPTA’s national campaigns coordinator.
PPTA’s newest advisory officer with a bit of social studies and history
had to hit the ground running, on the side.
helping coordinate nationwide During her time at St Mary’s Susan
became an active PPTA member, joining
paid union meetings in her first the Wellington regional committee and
two weeks in the office. becoming the women’s representative.
Susan Haugh is PPTA’s national “I had always been a PPTA member but
campaigns coordinator. It is a new role only actively got into membership stuff
that comes into play when dealing with when I felt more confident in myself.
nation-wide issues. “I’m the person who When you’re a beginning teacher
provides the overview of what’s going your main focus is surviving being a
on and supports different regions, beginning teacher. When I came back
ensuring they have what they need,” PPTA national campaigns coordinator to New Zealand I was more confident,
she said. Susan Haugh. took on the branch chair role and it
The branch-based PUMs in response grew from there.
to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa executive there to help, the field staff “Being in Wellington helps too. There’s
New Zealand’s proposed fee increase all over it. It’s currently (at the time of more of a buzz here. National office
provided Susan with her first challenge, printing) going really smoothly,” she said. is here, parliament is here. There are
possibly a little sooner than expected. Susan’s background as a PPTA branch really good opportunities that come
“My first two weeks were busy and a bit chair was helpful when it came to with being involved with the regional
terrifying. It was a baptism of fire. But helping from the other side, she said. committee. It was really cool.”
after that I became aware of how well A teacher for 10 years Susan started Susan’s next goal is to get a good
the machine runs,” she said. working in Invercargill before spending start on the next collective agreement
“Once we put out the message it was some years teaching in Germany. She campaign. “Thankfully I have two years
amazing – the branch chairs doing their returned to New Zealand, settling in to really get a handle on things. I’m
thing, the regions supporting them, Wellington where she taught German really excited to be here,” she said.
Making an impact through language and learning
Introducing Adele Scott, PPTA’s new professional issues advisory officer.
Adele’s background is steeped “I certainly have a lot to learn. I’m
in language, as a classroom enjoying meeting people from different
parts of the organisation, and I’m
teacher, an academic and a really impressed with the way different
pedagogical leader. aspects of the organisation are
organised and activated, like the PUMs
Before joining us as our new advisory
in response to the teaching council
officer responsible for professional
fees,” she said.
issues, Adele was Kaihautū
Mātauranga; pedagogical leader at “One of the reasons I wanted to come
Te Aho Te Kura Pounamu where she here (to PPTA) was because I was
oversaw the development of online hoping to be able to utilise some of
courses for languages. the research skills I have in a role that
Prior to that she taught Japanese would have a bigger impact across the
Adele is pictured with a Japanese education sector and I believe this role
and French, in both New Zealand and
Australia, and worked for 19 years kakejiku (hanging scroll). does that,” she said.
as a teacher educator at Massey “When I was able to be, I was always
University College of Education as part and assessment on Ministry of a PPTA member. I have always been
of the secondary teacher education Education advisory groups. This means supportive of the organisation.”
team. She completed a Masters in she will be our representative when it Adele has PPTA very welcoming.
secondary school language teaching comes to the NCEA review. “I feel like I’ll be able to grow my
and has designed national curriculum Subject associations are also an area of expertise around the activities of the
documents and assessment tools. responsibility and she will be working on organisation. I am looking forward
Adele’s key role is to represent PPTA the upcoming subject association forum to meeting as many members as
and advocate our policy on curriculum with the support of Kirsty Farrant. possible,” she said.
18 | PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020Out In The Field
It’s about time
Advice on timetable policies from PPTA’s intrepid field officers.
Since 2002 it has been a legal Non-contact, class size and duties and field officers can provide advice, but
requirement for schools to outside of the classroom each school’s policy will be an individual
The collective agreement clauses document tailored to the requirements
have a policy on timetabling, of the collective agreement.
set out some requirements for the
developed in consultation with A living document requiring
timetable policy. STCA 5.1A states that
its teaching staff. it must incorporate [a] the non-contact staff consultation
STCA 5.1A and ASTCA 4.2.2 set out entitlements [b] statements about class Beware outside consultants who offer
the legal requirements, yet there size, including the average maximum to come in and write a timetable policy,
are still schools in which the policy class size and what happens if that can’t as part of a “job lot” they are doing for
is not compliant with the collective be met [c] reference to other matters, the board. These people usually lack
agreement. In other schools the policy such as duties outside the classroom, a good understanding of the collective
may at one time have been adequate which impact on timetabling practices, agreement or of how secondary
but has not been sighted for the last and [d] a compensation mechanism schools actually work, and there is no
decade or so. which applies when, “for genuine intention to consult. They are “tick box”
reason”, the non-contact entitlements exercises. The timetable policy needs
An adequate, up-to-date and accessible to be a living document that has been
timetable policy is the best way for cannot be provided, or the average
consulted on with the staff.
teachers to ensure they are getting maximum class size cannot be provided.
The ASTCA has equivalent clauses. The timetable policy needs to be
their contractual entitlements in terms
regularly reviewed and the PPTA
of non-contact, class size and some All of these matters must be included. branch may initiate that process.
other matters. This is because the The details of what they look like in Now, with a new collective agreement
policy is the board’s policy; if there practice is something to be negotiated in place, and recent changes to the
is any dispute about such matters between the teaching staff and the Employment Relations Act, would be
the policy can be referred to, and the board. The purpose of the timetable a good time to do so. There could
board must support its own policy. The policy is to reflect how each individual be a reference to delegate time,
policy should be a living document, school adapts its workplace practice for example. As part of the review
not something stored away in a to the requirements of the collective process, you could send the policy to
file somewhere that no-one knows agreement. There are sample policies your field officer for them to suggest
how to access. and FAQs available on the PPTA website, any changes that may be needed.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
PPTA NEWS March/April | Poutūterangi/Paengawhāwhā 2020 | 19You can also read
