Organiser: Caleb Rook
Administration Officer : Karen Alldridge
Office Hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Address: 21 Graham St, Milton Q 4064 (map)
Postal address: PO Box 1750, Milton BC 4064
Address all enquiries to QTAD: 1300 117 823
Phone: (07) 3512 9000
Mobile:  0407 375 385  ​​​​
Fax: (07) 3512 9050
Email: organisers@qtu.asn.au

Branches : BRISBANE CENTRAL ;  FERNY GROVE ;  WOOLOOWIN ;  CENTENARY ;  MT COOT-THA ; SHERWOOD ; SOUTH BRISBANE ; THE GAP

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Request school visit by the Organiser

Term Newsletter

Welcome

It has been great to work and meet with so many members across the Met Central area during my first term as the Acting Met Central Organiser.

If you are new to our area, I welcome you to Met Central, which is located on the traditional lands of the Jagera people south of the river and the Turrbul people to the north. We are a region made up of primary schools, youth detention education centres, hospital schools, ECDPs, special schools, high schools, environmental education centres and the academies. Across those diverse and incredible education settings, there are approximately 4,500 QTU members, so if I am out visiting your workplace, please be sure to say hello.

What's happening this term?

Student behaviour and occupational violence

I have had several requests for visits around student behaviour and/or occupational violence matters within workplaces. During these visits, I often discuss the importance of formal department documentation in the form of OneSchool behaviour incidents, as well as (perhaps more importantly) Workplace Health and Safety incidents on MyHR. These processes ensure that the department is aware of the issues and has an opportunity to implement measures that are consistent with its obligation to provide a safe workplace. The MyHR function is your opportunity to flag physical, psychosocial (mental), and professional risks to your safety at work.

Psychosocial Hazard Code of Practice

This came into effect in Queensland on 1 April. I am keen to make sure that the department is working on the implementation of the new code in our schools, as a significant proportion of workplace health and safety matters for our members is in this space.

In circumstances where there are continued risks to member health and safety, I can support Workplace Reps and members to consider a local workplace campaign. This can involve collective correspondence to the department or consideration of a Union directive. Further information on this can be found via:

• QTU - Occupational Violence
• QTU - Assistance in Dealing with Student Behaviour Management 
• QTU - Occupational Violence - Recognise Report Respond

​​Please also be aware that there is work happening at a wider level around the issue of behaviour in schools and occupational violence. Principals should not be under any pressure to supress disciplinary absences (suspensions) or exclusions. I would be happy to speak to any education leaders who have concerns about this.

Health and safety representatives (HSR) in schools

Members should be aware of their entitlements to a health and safety representative (HSR) in their school. The workplace health and safety legislation states that each “work group” within a workplace is entitled to an HSR. More detailed information on this role can be found on our brochure at QTU - HSR's. This role is particularly relevant considering our occupational violence and class sizes in practical subjects’ campaigns, as well as the new Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice. Members or work groups interested in this role can contact the QTU for further resources and assistance.

Conflict of interest procedures 

The QTU has provided feedback to the department that elements of this policy represent an overreach and a potential breach of Queensland’s principals’ privacy. The QTU is working with the department to seek changes to the documentation supporting this process, to reduce workload and to ensure that the intent of the policy is not expanded through regional or local interpretations. Members are encouraged to raise any issues around this process with myself as the Regional Organiser. We will keep you updated around the progress in this space.

Comprehensive Review of School Resourcing (CRoSR)

Keep an eye out for opportunities to engage in this important piece of work, which concerns the resourcing methodology for your school and will have a significant affect on your working conditions.

The CRoSR project will:

• review allocative models and methodologies
• review direct-to-school grants and system support resources, including teaching and non-teaching allocations
• include the opportunity for a corresponding analysis of current school-based roles and role descriptions.

​​​​​​The QTU has appointed a Project Officer – Review of School Resourcing to lead review consultation processes with integrity on behalf of the QTU and actively engage with the members, the department and stakeholders. The QTU will be maximising opportunities for statewide consultation through digital platforms and face-to-face opportunities where possible, engaging with a broad range of members representing a diversity of employee roles, sectors, school sizes, contexts and locations.

CRoSR Project Officer contact: Cindy Freier - schoolresourcingreview@qtu.asn.au

Membership growth

A big thank you to all our Union Reps for taking the time to talk to any new and beginning teachers about being in the QTU. With more than 160 new members joining us in the Metropolitan Central area this year, it’s an awesome effort – thank you!

Don’t forget the information below is shared with all new educators by the department.

The Department of Education recognises your entitlement to join a registered union. Whilst you are not obliged to join a union, the Department encourages its employees to do so. The union that represents your role is Queensland Teachers’ Union – access their site for information on joining and membership. You should also be aware that your name, the name of your workplace and your workplace location may be provided to the relevant union for the purpose of providing the union with the opportunity to discuss with you the benefits of union membership.

QTU Journal

The recent QTU Journal provides valuable information and insight for members. You may be interested in the latest State Council report from 4 March, as well as an editorial by Kate Ruttiman on the value of being a QTU member or the article covering time theft, which also includes a QR code to link members to workload reduction resources.

If you have not already, you may like to take a few minutes to read the Journal here.

The Journal is sent to you directly, or if preferred you can request that you receive online only. Update your details via MyQTU

Branch meetings

Why not make 2023 the year for you to attend branch meetings? This is one of the most effective ways to get involved in the democratic structures of the Union. Find your next branch meeting here

Branch	Date/time	Location
Brisbane Central	Mon 8 May at 4.30pm	Venue TBC
Ferny Grove	Tue 2 May at 3.45pm	Arana Leagues Club, 247 Dawson Parade, Keperra
South Brisbane	Wed 3 May at 3.45pm	Lord Stanley Hotel, Cnr Stanley St East & Didsbury St, East Brisbane
The Gap	Thu 4 May at 3.45pm	The Gap Tavern, 21 Glenquarie Place, The Gap

Queensland Teachers Education Centre (QTEC) – Term 2 training

• Tuesday 9 May - LCC and Working Conditions (Jindalee)
• Tuesday 16 May – Occupational Violence Training (Inala)
• Wednesday 17 May – Union Rep Level 1, Part A (online 1 – 3.15pm)
• Thursday 18 May – Get Set to Rep – Introduction and Q&As (online)
• Wednesday 24 May – Union Rep Level 1, Part B (online – 1 – 3.15pm)
• Monday 29 May – Union Rep – Level 2 (Chermside)
• Wednesday 7 June – Union Rep - Level 2 (Yeronga)
• Thursday 8 June – Promotion Panel Training (Paddington)
• Monday 12 June – Union Rep Level 1 (Paddington)
• Wednesday 14 June – Get Set to Rep (online) – Introduction and Q&As

I encourage members to participate in any of the training that is being offered and to attend their local branch meeting. If you cannot make a branch meeting in person but would like to join, please let me know via organisers@qtu.asn.au and if suitable, we will set up a Teams meeting.  

QuEST – QTU professional development section

QuEST (Queensland Education, Support and Training) was launched in 2019 to provide high quality professional development for members. Since being established, QuEST has provided professional development to well over 10,000 members in locations right across Queensland. QuEST offers a range of programs, including face-to-face, on-demand, and live online programs. These are open to all members. As a not-for-profit initiative, QuEST aims to keep professional development affordable and operates on a cost recovery basis. 

Courses provided by QUEST include:

• BlackCard Cultural Capability training
• Reconnecting to learning – Understanding trauma (I can’t recommend this one enough!)
• Classroom profiling or Essential Skills for Classroom Management (ESCM)
• Behaviour management for early career teachers  

Details of dates and offerings for our Semester 2 face-to-face program, and more information, including links to register, can be found at www.qtu.asn.au/quest

How do you apply for IR leave? 

When an employee (i.e. union member/delegate) is advised or asked by their union to attend training, meeting or conference, the employee should advise their principal/supervisor of the training, meeting or conference and the relevant details (e.g. date, time absent from the school, leave required), and apply for IR Leave via MyHR Self Service “IR Education – Pay”.

QTU on Facebook

Have you liked the QTU Facebook page yet? If not, I would recommend getting out your phone and doing so now. It is one of the main ways that you as a QTU member can stay up to date with what is occurring in our schools and our profession.

​​​​​QTU contact details

If you need to get in touch with the QTU, the best method is via the Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk, also known as QTAD. Employees in our call centre are well trained to quickly respond to a wide variety of queries. You can call them on 1300 11 87 23 or contact them via email at qtad@qtu.asn.au

Please do not hesitate to contact your Union. It is vital that you have the information and advice you need to help you navigate the obstacles and challenges ahead.

Hope you all have a great Term 2!

Caleb Rook
Acting Metropolitan Central Organiser