40-year members: Latest group of 40-year members, with SSTUWA President Matt Jarman (end left), SVP Natalie Blewitt (fourth from left), VP Sharmila Nagar (fourth from right) and General Secretary Mary Franklyn (second from right)

World Teachers’ Day with its Hats Off to Teachers message was a perfect day for the SSTUWA to host its 2024 Women’s Conference.

The event theme for this year was Count Her In – Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress, which built on the UN theme for International Women’s Day this year.

One of the keynote speakers was Natasha Short, founder and managing director of Kimberley Jiyigas (Birds), a collective of Indigenous women whose heritage links them personally to the Kimberley region. Natasha works to join Indigenous talents, skills, passions, experience and networks to build a movement that champions Kimberley Indigenous women and facilitates cultural and social change not only across the Kimberley, but abroad and across the nation.

Secondary head of departments (HOD), head of learning areas and program coordinators gathered at the SSTUWA for an afternoon of networking and discussion about current issues they faced in their schools.

SSTUWA Senior Vice President Natalie Blewitt, school leader consultant Lindsay Hale and former HOD and current union Growth Team officer Nicola Sorrell guided conversations at the event.

SSTUWA members who have held union membership for 40 years were recognised during a ceremony held at the SSTUWA building.

The most recent group of 40-year members were presented with a certificate in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the union movement and public education over four decades.

The union launched its Target 27 campaign, which calls on the state government to reduce the maximum class size for Years 4-10 from 32 to 27.

A mobile billboard for the campaign made its way around Perth, stopping at various public schools, where it was met enthusiastically by union members. To view more Target 27 school photos visit sstuwa.org.au/target27