NewsEditions
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September 2020
Restrictions on movement and gatherings along with changes to normal routines in society and our schools are reminders that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, but this has not stopped the work of the union. The first edition of Education in 2020 outlined the union’s priorities for the year, particularly the commissioning of “Valuing the teaching profession – an independent inquiry”. Throughout the year members, schools, academics and industry experts have been making submissions to the inquiry panel. The profession will no doubt keep a watchful eye on the hearings set to commence shortly after this edition goes to print. Many members will recall the Vinson inquiry undertaken in 2001 by the late Emeritus Professor Tony Vinson. We acknowledge this landmark inquiry in our “Reflections” column and revisit the policies from this report that shaped the politics of education in NSW. Much has happened since the beginning of the school year. From the frontline of the pandemic, teachers — despite their incredible commitment and professionalism — have been subjected to threats of a wage freeze by the NSW Government. The teaching profession has also been a point of conversation in the media, demonstrated in the handing down of the recent curriculum review. Collectivism is at the heart of the union. This was personified when a group of more than 50 retired principals heeded the call to action in response to credible threats of precarious employment being placed onto their colleagues. While many face-to-face meetings are not possible, this has not stopped the union prioritising its call for increased staffing provision and a curriculum guarantee for all students. Members have been meeting — by whatever means possible — to show their support for Federation’s staffing campaign. Students deserve access to a full curriculum with appropriately trained and accredited permanent teachers and the issue of staffing goes to the core of this principle. A lot has been said publicly about how the nation can recover from COVID-19. In this edition, we examine the vital role TAFE must play in the nation’s recovery and celebrate the recent National TAFE Day. Have a close look at our back page coverage of the event, you might spot a familiar face! We also examine some other effects of the pandemic that might not immediately come to mind. Under the axiom “never let a good crisis go to waste”, we take a look at the role the burgeoning ed-tech industry has played during the pandemic as part of its creeping presence in education. On the lighter and brighter side, we feature the magnificent exhibits in Artexpress — which has been re-imagined online after its regional tour was cancelled under health restrictions — and celebrate the work of public school students and their dedicated teachers.
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May 2020
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, as the axiom goes, and this edition of Education is a “real-time” example. With most of the machinery of society and industry either on pause or in emergency mode, Federation made the difficult decision to distribute this journal electronically in place of the paper version. It is anticipated this will be a one-off, with the print edition to return as soon now that daily life is beginning to return to something resembling normal. Federation has not been on pause, however. These are unprecedented circumstances for the teaching profession, students, parents and our public school communities but the union has continued in its own mode of operation. Staffing, our Award, the plight of our TAFE colleagues and Valuing the teaching profession — An independent inquiry have continued to be a focus for the union.
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March 2020
It has been a challenging start to the year, with the drought, bushfires, floods and now the COVID-19 pandemic, but Federation has been there to support its members. Senior Officers visited bushfire-ravaged school communities on the first day of term and the union has made relief funds available for those members affected. On that note, our focus this year is on the wellbeing of teachers, highlighted by the announcement that Federation has commissioned a panel of eminent people to conduct an inquiry into the work of teachers with a view to presenting a report on the value of the profession.
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