Independent Public Schools Forum Thursday 22nd September

The IPS forum delegates represented schools form both metro and country 2012 IPS intake.

The consistent feedback we have from reps in IPS is that they did not have access to all information and time to digest and discuss all the issues.

If you are an IPS school member – or – want to know more about the IPS issues – consider attending our TERM 4 IPS forum.  Attend and be informed.

The day covered:

• current IPS issues and concerns from an industrial view point,
• where the IPS model came from internationally and the results of this “privatisation” model in USA and UK
• grievance and issue resolution procedures for union reps to manage issues
• the legal parameters for IPS school to operate in
• presentation from Dr Scott Fitzgerald outlining the finding of the “Putting the Public First” report, and,
• a great panel session where delegates interrogated with panel members: Anne Gisborne, Present SSTUWA, Dr Scott Fitzgerald and Edd Black, Principal Huntingdale Primary

Issues/Concerns put on the table by delegates:

• What is going to happen to non IPS schools – will they be getting all the referred students?
• All admin and teaching staff need time to be fully in serviced and well read on all flexibilities – this needs to happen on site by informed DOE and SSTUWA staff.
• Impact on ESC/Schools. If the evidence suggest costs cutting what happened to ESC/S around Australia/worlds?
• Bullying from Administration as the pressure is put on them.
• Narrowing of the curriculum – force on NAPLAN – in IPS
• Loss of teacher professionalism and autonomy for teaching and learning.
• Expectation that we will have to attend increased out of hours PD and extra curricula activities.
• Transfer process – in the future if you want to go to a new school after being at an IPS school – how will you get an new place?
• Rights of every child to a good education. Who looks after them?

Where to for this group of Union  Reps/Members: How can the union help......
               
Specific information forums at school for all members on the essential industrial issues confronting them – e.g. staffing

Education for members of IPS on their rights and how to assert these rights through appropriate grievance and dispute resolution procedures.

Regular contact and discussion with the union organiser and office.

Organised forums for IPS members to talk and learn about other IPS schools – to hear the good stories and the bad stories – and learn to manage and IPS schools in a way that respect the industrial and professional rights of all staff.

Pictures