No. 10-24, 21 June 2024 | Open PDF

TO: QTU MEMBERS

State Budget handed down

The Miles state government brought down its pre-election State Budget on Tuesday, 11 June. It featured some laudable initiatives that focus on early childhood education and the needs of students at risk of disengaging from schooling, as well as a commitment to increasing funding for state schooling by $1billion over the next five years.

However, there were also some serious omissions, including a lack of any specific additional funding or programs to attract and retain teachers, the lack of additional funding for professional development to support curriculum implementation, and proposals to review and reduce teacher and school leader workload.

The decrease in funding for new education capital works is also concerning, though an additional $500m in capital and recurrent funding has been allocated over four years for the Sustainable Investment in Schools program, which will benefit existing schools. This includes funding to make school facilities safer. Nevertheless, more could have been done to address workplace safety and wellbeing.

The next edition of the Queensland Teachers’ Journal will contain a full budget analysis. Read the QTU media release here.

Valuing Our Profession

Work continues on the Valuing Our Profession campaign, and the QTU continues to negotiate with the department of Education for improved outcomes for members in a range of key areas.

Behaviour Management Round Table

In the weeks between the Minister’s announcement of a Behaviour Roundtable and the event itself, members of the QTU’s standing committees provided the Union with strong examples of the significant and proactive work being undertaken to mitigate unsafe and unruly behaviour inside the school gate.

Our members are at the forefront of developing and implementing unresourced plans for students as part of case management and complex case management. This includes work with in-school support and wellbeing communities, and engaging with families, carers, other stakeholders, and external agencies. Our members refer students to tailored programs, and often deliver those programs in alternative settings.

QTU members continue to provide anecdotal evidence about the use of school disciplinary absence (SDA) data, despite an agreed statement (3 May 2024) between the QTU and Department of Education that stated: “The department reiterates that school disciplinary absence trends are not to be used as a measure of success for state schools or as an individual principal performance measure. The trend data is used to ensure schools are provided with appropriate levels of support and advice.”

Any verbal or written direction to principals or other members of the school community that contravenes this statement should be reported to the QTU via qtu@qtu.asn.au or your local QTU Organiser.

In addition, the QTU has reinforced with the Director-General the need for agreed protocols that ensure that the aim that “school disciplinary absence trends are not used as a measure of success for state schools” is realised.

This includes:

• the removal of SDA trends from the SORD (School Online Reporting Dashboard)
• that where necessary, school leaders will be supported to issue school disciplinary absences in accordance with the student code of conduct, provide a safe and supportive learning and working environment for students and employees, and will not be contacted to discuss their decision-making processes (unless an appeal of the SDA is pending).
• that SDA data will not be used as a key performance indicator for regional directors, school supervisors and school leaders.
   

Teacher Workforce Roundtable

In addition to the Minister’s survey, which is designed to improve understanding of the issues contributing to member workload, the work of the roundtable continues through a working group.

This working group is focusing on how to deliver strategies that will encourage people to join our profession, support members returning to teaching, and retain experienced teachers. It is also considering how we can encourage members to work in difficult to staff locations and subject areas.

The roundtable’s work will continue to be informed by the input of members through the Minister’s survey, QTU emails, and the Valuing Our Profession campaign.

EB log of claims

At the close of the EB claim development period, the QTU had received more than 1,400 motions from members.

These motions cover a wide range of topics and are currently being sorted into themes, which will help to inform the areas of interest that the QTU will put forward as part of its log of claims.

QTU Executive will consider the proposed log of claims at its meeting at the start of Term 3, after which it will go to August State Council for endorsement.

State election

This year, QTU members have their say on who will be their employer for the next four years. Over the school holidays, the QTU will use members’ input through the Valuing Our Profession campaign and EB claim development to identify core issues that members want to see addressed. These will be used when we call upon the parties to demonstrate how they will deliver for members.

It is vital that any future government shows us exactly how they will value our profession if elected.

Happy holidays

Once the school bell rings this afternoon, it is time for you to disconnect from work and enjoy your holidays. The right to disconnect means that work emails should be met with an out-of-office response, stating that you will not be responding during the school holiday period. It is important for your own wellbeing that you take this time to unwind and take a break from all things work related.

We will also be pausing all but emergent communications to you via email and online during the school holiday period.

We hope you have a safe, restful, and joy-filled holiday and come back refreshed and rejuvenated for Term 3.​​​​​

Kate Ruttiman
General Secretary​​​​​​

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