Metropolitan South

Organiser: Ben Vercoe
Administration officer: Meryline Croker-Falani / Mel Smith
Office hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Address: Suite 1/14 Carol Avenue, Springwood QLD 4127
Postal: PO Box 1750, Milton BC 4064
Phone: (07) 3380 5000
Mobile: 0439 782 235​​​​​​​
Email: springwood@qtu.asn.au

Branches: CAMP HILL,EAST BRISBANE, INALA DISTRICT, MACGREGOR ROCHEDALE, MT. GRAVATT, SUNNYBANK, RUNCORN, WYNNUM

Term 2 Newsletter

Term 2, 2023

  Welcome back from the Easter Break – I hope you are feeling re-energised.

Student Behaviour and Occupational Violence

I continue to get questions and requests for visits around student behaviour and/or occupational violence matters within schools.

During these visits, I often discuss the importance of formal department documentation in the form of One School behaviour incidences as well as (perhaps more importantly) Workplace Health and Safety incidences on MyHR. These processes ensure that the department is aware of the issues and have an opportunity to implement measures that are consistent with their 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.

Please be aware that there is now a Psychosocial Hazard Code of Practice in force in Queensland on the 1^st of April, 2023.  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 WHS 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 that can involve collective correspondence to the department or consideration of a union directive. Further information on this can be found in our brochure here.

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 a concern 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 https://www.qtu.asn.au/bradhsr-qtad. 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.

Metro South Training and Events – Term 2
Extended Occupational Violence	Tuesday 16 May Blue Fin Fishing Club – 8.30am – 3.00pm
Assertiveness Training	Tuesday 6 June Mansfield SHS – 3.45pm – 5.00pm
Union Reps level 2 Training	Wednesday 7 June Yeronga SHS – 8.30am – 3.00pm

Conflict of Interest

The QTU has provided feedback to the department that elements of this policy represent an overreach and a potential breach of Queensland’s privacy principles. 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 progress in this space.

Comprehensive Review of School Resourcing (CRoSR)

Keep an eye out for opportunities to engage in this significant piece of work that has a significant effect on your working conditions as the resourcing methodology for your school.

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 – fortnightly direct debit

The QTU now has a fortnightly direct debit payment option to its join online form for new members. If you would like to change your monthly direct debit payments to fortnightly, please call 3512 9000 and ask to speak to our Membership section.

Branch meetings in Term 2

The branch meeting is the opportunity for members to raise matters through the democratic structures of our Union and provides all members with an update on the latest information relating to professional and industrial matters. If you have not attended before, come along to your next meeting with some colleagues.

Branch	Date/time	Location
Wynnum	Monday 15/05/23 at 3.45pm	Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, 92 Wondall Rd, Manly West
Macgregor Rochedale	Wednesday 17/5/23 at 3.30pm	Sunnybank Community and Sports Club, 470 McCullough St, Sunnybank
Inala District	Thursday 18/5/2023 at 4.00pm	Blue Fin Fishing Club, 24 Lilac St, Inala
Runcorn & Sunnybank	Thursday 25/05/2023 at 3.45pm	Runcorn Tavern, 124 Gowan Rd, Sunnybank Hills
East Brisbane	Thursday 1/06/2023 at 3.45pm	Coorparoo Bowls Club, 32 Riddings St, Coorparoo

Ben Vercoe | Metro South organiser
Queensland Teachers' Union
T: 07 3380 5000 | F: 07 3512 9050
E: springwood@qtu.asn.au | W: www.qtu.asn.au
Suite 1/14 Carol Avenue, Springwood, 4127 

Meetings

Branch Meetings Council and Conference dates

Professional Development

QuEST [Queensland Education Support and Training] is the  professional development arm of the QTU.

QuEST’s goal is to deliver high quality professional development to teachers and school leaders across Queensland. Our new Professional Development Officer, Rebecca Hack, is working closely with QTU officers, members and external providers to identify a suite of professional development programs that meets the needs of our members right across this diverse state.

QuEST offers a range of programs, including face-to-face and live online programs. Programs will be open to all members. As a not-for-profit initiative, QuEST aims to keep professional development affordable and operates on a cost recovery basis.  

These programs are recognised as legitimate professional development by the Department of Education and Queensland College of Teachers. As such, it is appropriate to apply for release and funding through your normal school professional development processes.

Industrial education and training programs

The Queensland Teachers' Education Centre (QTEC) is responsible for the coordination, planning and delivery of the Union's member education and training program.

The Union offers a range of training and professional development opportunities for all members of the Union in Brisbane and regional areas. Topics such as LCCs, knowing your working conditions and effective negotiations are included in a program of afternoon seminars which are advertised through workplace union reps and on this website.

QTEC also provides training to administrators, area council delegates, women activists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, TAFE and new educator members.

QTEC coordinates a professional development program for all members on behaviour management and other current educational issues in metropolitan and country areas. These sessions are held after school locally as well as full day courses. Paid leave to attend full day professional development courses is available, with the approval of the principal, in accordance with EQ’s professional development policy.

The Union's commitment to new teachers is a priority and is a strong focus of the training program throughout the year. These conferences and courses provide opportunities for new teachers to contribute to Union priorities and directions.

Click here to see the current program

Request school visit by the Organiser