eNews - 2 March 2023

Review sessions near you

Public consultation sessions of our commissioned review into public education are now underway.

Members of the review panel will be travelling across WA to hear from educators, parents and community leaders.

This week’s public session dates, locations and links to register are below:

◾️ Belmont | Tuesday 7 March, 4.30-6pm Register here
◾️ Meadow Springs | Wednesday 8 March, 4.30-6pm Register here

If your workplace does not already have a review submission poster on your union notice board, download and print one here.

Click here to view future dates >>

State Council/AEU Branch Council insufficient nominations election

Information about the insufficient nominations election E2022/141 for SSTUWA State Council/AEU WA Branch Council delegates is available here.

Election schedule:

Nominations open: 3 March 2023

Nominations close: Noon, 17 March 2023

Withdrawing nominations: Noon, 17 March 2023

Ballot open (if required): 11 April 2023

Ballot close: 8am, 17 May 2023

Note: Nominations must not be submitted before Friday 3 March 2023.

Further information: Find the election notice and nomination form here.

Join us for IWD

UnionsWA is hosting a rally on 8 March to celebrate International Women's Day. The SSTUWA will be taking part and we'd love members to join us.

The rally starts at 5.30pm in Forrest Chase in the city centre.

Find out more about IWD and #EmbraceEquity here.

Ministers get it wrong on master's degree

The Australian Education Union has rejected the education ministers’ announced feasibility study investigating a one-year education master’s degree as an attack on the qualifications of the teaching profession.

Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the AEU would never accept a move that undermined Australia’s teachers.

“We are at a loss to understand why education ministers would commission a study to shorten the time required to ensure teachers are fully prepared to enter the classroom," Ms Haythorpe said.

“Put simply, this is bad policy.

“This announcement has been made without any consultation with the teaching profession through the AEU. Any changes to teaching qualifications must be made in consultation with the profession it impacts."

Read more >>

What can be done about non-union free riders?

A long overdue public debate has started in Australia about free riding in industrial relations – when non-union members benefit from collective agreements negotiated by union members without contributing (through membership dues or other payments) to their negotiation and administration.

Read our Western Teacher article by economist Dr Jim Stanford >>

Education and training

ECE Forum (TUT) The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC): Planning for Children's Development
Wednesday 22 March, Noon - 3.30pm

The SSTUWA invites school leaders and early childhood teachers to join Gail Clark, Western Australian AEDC coordinator, principal Stephen Soames and Nadia Wilson-Ali, director of education and quality at Nido Education to learn more about the AEDC and its application in the school setting.

Gail will discuss how the results can be used as an evidence base to inform planning and key community partnerships. Stephen will share his experience integrating the AEDC in practice and planning. Nadia will talk about opportunities to maximise children’s continuity of learning through strong connections between families, schools and early childhood education and care services.

Join us for a light lunch and networking from noon, followed by a beneficial afternoon of learning. Register now