No. 26-21, 11 November 2021 | Download PDF

TO: QTU MEMBERS,

MASK UPDATE / TEMP TO PERM / SENIOR TEACHER / EST2

Masks

On Wednesday 10 November, Queensland reached 80 per cent single dose vaccination. As a consequence, the mask mandate in specific local government areas has now been removed, meaning students and staff no longer need to wear a mask while seated or teaching. The requirement to carry masks and their use when social distancing is not possible remains, with a compulsory mask mandate also remaining in airports and on all planes. See the latest information from the Queensland government website regarding mandatory face masks.

Temporary to permanent conversion

Temporary teachers who complete two years of continuous employment and meet the eligibility criteria qualify for temporary to permanent conversion. The Department of Education emails eligible teachers inviting them to participate in the process.

Invitations were sent to eligible temporary teachers on 28 October

Once an eligible teacher accepts the invitation, the department has to offer them ongoing and continuous employment until a permanent offer is made, a great benefit for temporary teachers. It is vital that you accept (or decline) your invitation within the timeframe advised. If you do not respond, it will be deemed that you have declined to participate in the conversion process.

At the time of accepting your offer, you must identify any personal circumstances that may affect your permanent appointment to anywhere in Queensland and submit written evidence to be reviewed in accordance with exceptional hardship criteria, as prescribed under the Teacher Transfer Guidelines.

Members who have questions relating to eligibility or personal circumstances should first email temptchrconversion.humanres@qed.qld.gov.au to seek clarification. In addition, they may wish to read the Temporary to Permanent Conversion brochure and the Unpacking Temporary to Permanent Conversion guide.

Senior teacher 2022

Teachers who become eligible for the senior teacher classification in 2022 will have been notified by the department before the end of October. The email contained information on preparation of the senior teacher undertaking and personal action plan (STAP) and annual performance development, as well as the date of eligibility.

It is important that members note when they become eligible and ensure that the relevant documentation is completed in MyHR PCT in time, to ensure that progression is processed from this date. Otherwise, the progression will only apply from the date that the documentation is actually completed.

Questions relating to eligibility or the process should be directed to the Teacher Classifications Team on tct@qed.qld.gov.au.

Questions relating to actioning the senior teacher shell plan or your annual performance plan should be directed to the MyHR Help Desk MyHRHelpdesk@qed.qld.gov.au.

Experienced senior teacher (EST) 2

In accordance with the Department of Education State School Teachers Certified Agreement 2019, the eligibility requirements for EST2 are:

• three years’ service as an experienced senior teacher (EST)
• an annual performance review (APR) discussion that has occurred between the employee and supervisor using the Australian Institute of School Leadership Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT) Competences to inform the APR discussion.

Teachers who have achieved the three-year service requirement at EST before 1 January 2022

Human Resources will have notified eligible teachers and their current principal between the end of Term 3 and the end of the first week of Term 4. The current principal will be asked to verify that the teacher has had an APR discussion with their current supervisor within the past 12 months and to approve your EST2 classification prior to 5 November.

Payroll will process EST2 classification approvals for payment to commence on 1 January 2022.

If you have not received notification of your EST2 approval status by 12 November and believe you are eligible (including teachers who are acting in higher duties), please email the department at recruitmentteaching@qed.qld.gov.au.

Teachers who will achieve the three-year service requirement at EST after 1 January 2022

Teachers will be notified of their eligibility for EST2 in the term preceding their eligibility. Information regarding how to apply will be included in the service eligibility notification. Notifications for eligibility in Term 1 2022 will be distributed during Term 4.

Teachers who have questions relating to their eligibility should email the department at recruitmentteaching@qed.qld.gov.au.

iTunes U platform discontinued

Apple recently announced that the iTunes U platform will be discontinued at the end of 2021. If you intend to use the templates within this timeframe, all functionalities will remain available for you to create and share evidence of practice. The Queensland College of Teachers is currently in the process of creating new templates that can be used with other applications, however these are still in development. If you would like to proceed with the current iTunes U template, or if you have any questions, please send your request to digitalportfolio@qct.edu.au.​​

Authorised by:

Kate Ruttiman
QTU General Secretary

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064