Friday, the end of a long, hard working-week. People going for a much-needed drink, sharing family time but.not for almost 200 SSTUWA union members, who spent the early part of their evening in the Perth CBD rallying against the effects of the half-cohort.
HALF COHORT RALLY – Friday 27 November 2009: Many thanks to the many members who joined the ‘HALF COHORT RALLY’ on Friday 27 November 4.30 – 5.30pm in St Georges Tce. Members listened to a number of speakers, petitions were signed and handed in to Minister Constable’s office and for about 30 minutes chanting boomed along St Georges Tce as we lined up with banners to draw to the attention of the community this issue.
The November 6 & 7 2009 State Council endorsed industrial action, including strike action, be considered as a response to the Barnett Government’s continued failure to respond positively to your Union’s call to retain the 500+ FTE about to be removed from the 2010 staffing for high schools. Members are reminded to consider the situation of our colleagues who will lose their jobs at the end of the year and how a failure to retain these teachers will impact on DET’s ability to tackle future teacher shortages.
Read more: Half Cohort - Job Losses Imminent - Call For Action
Last week transfers hit the schools. It has now become clearer the impact at the moment on both permanent staff [moved out of their current school] and fixed term staff [positions that may have been available in 2010 have been filled with the transfer in of permanent staff who have lost teaching positions in their current schools]. The situation will be sensitive for staff without apparent job security for 2010 and those being forced to relocate. Please ensure that all individuals are supported.
Read more: Half Cohort Update 006: Reality Hits With Job Losses
The Barnett Government continues to be intransigent in the face of an impending teacher shortage crisis in a mere 8 school terms, continuing to insist that it will apply strictly the staffing formula in high schools in 2010 as the ‘half cohort’ moves into the secondary sector.
The Government's failure to take 'special measures' in managing the impact of the 'half cohort's' transition into secondary school in 2010 is putting at risk the jobs of 500+ teachers and administrators. One group of members who are particularly concerned are our Teacher Librarians. They have set up an action group and have been working with me on the matter and longer term issues around conditions of work for teacher librarians.
The UnSSTUWA intends to begin a media campaign to alert the community of the Half Year Cohort issue. Union reps and members are requested to direct letters to the editor, contact talkback radio and lobby their local politicians on this issue. As well as activities taking place by organisers and union staff, members can help greatly by becoming invloved in this way.
In February 2010, a small number of students known as the ‘Half Year Cohort’ will move from primary to high school Year 8 in West Australia. The 'Half Year Cohort came about following the changing of school starting ages a few years back. This half year of students has been moving through primary schools, but will now attend high school for the first time. This will result in lower enrolments at many Western Australian high schools.
In 2003, the starting age for students entering year one in W.A. schools changed. Students entering year one, prior to 2003, turned six (6) years old in the year they started year one. From 2003, students entering year one would consist of students turning six (6) between July 1 and December 31 of the preceding year and students turning six (6) between January 1 and June 30 in the year they started year one.
As you are aware the half cohort will be entering most secondary schools in 2010. The half cohort group entered Year 1 in 2003 and has been progressing through primary school since then. This has been well managed within normal practices and processes.
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