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 a consequence, in 2003, only students with birthdays from 1/1/03 to 30/6/03 were enrolled in year one. That is, about 50% of the usual number of students entered school in the 2003 cohort.

What happens with the ‘half cohort’ in 2010?

In 2010, this half cohort will enter year 8. Schools who would normally have expected a year 8 intake of say 250 students will only expect to have 125 students.

What is going to happen with staffing of high schools in 2010?

DET has advised that it will be applying the “normal staffing formula”. This means there is a high likelihood that up to 500 FTE of teaching positions will be lost in high schools from 2010.

DET has advised that in managing staffing reductions it will ensure the continued employment of permanent staff.

What does the SSTUWA want to happen with staffing in 2010?

The Union has been calling for some time for the Government to provide sufficient resources to enable DET to manage staffing with “surplus to staffing requirement as per the staffing formula” practices. There are several reasons for this.

• [1] In 2012, DET will again be faced by a major teacher supply crisis. It is predicated that with the ageing teaching profession we could be short up to 2 000 teachers at this time.
• [2] The W.A. Government in recent times has invested hugely to deal with the teacher shortage. Such measure have included – teacher scholarships; the Twomey Taskforce; recruitment ventures overseas and interstate; and salary and allowance improvements in the recent 2008 General Agreement. Applying strict staffing formula processes at this time will leave DET vulnerable in a mere 24 months time.
• [3] During 2008/09, DET as gutted staffing from support services in District and Central Office to manage teacher supply issues. The lack of  these services is placing stress of schools and teachers/ administrators. DET should be able to rebuild these essential services for schools and teachers/ administrators.
• [4] A brief period, 2010 and 2011, with some additional staffing in the system would enable a range of positive outcomes for students, school communities and the system to be achieved. Preparations could be started with the development of curriculum support materials for national curriculum; targeted programs for assisting student improvement in learning and social/behaviour areas could be put in place; mentoring programs to support graduates and re-entry teachers could be fully established.
• [5] Many loyal and long serving fixed term teachers will have face difficulties in securing fixed term employment.

What has the SSTUWA done to date?

• The SSTUWA has written to the Minister for Education urging a change to the approach to staffing in high schools during 2010/11.
• Much media comment has been made during this year on the handling[mis] of the ‘half cohort’.
• The SSTUWA has established a ‘Half Cohort’ section on its website – www.sstuwa.org . This area can be accessed by members through the portal.
• Union Reps have been requested to provide updates on circumstances in their schools using the “Half Cohort Report Sheet”. Thank you to Reps who have been able to respond.
• The SSTUWA has called an urgent Employee Relations Executive Committee (EREC) meeting on this matter after being advised of DET’s approach to staffing for 2010. This matter will continue to be a standing agenda item for EREC.
• Resolutions on the ‘Half Cohort’ issue were endorsed at the 2009 June State Council. A Half Cohort Workshop enabled State Council delegates
• Industrial staff have been in schools seeking clarification as to the predicted situation of each school for 2010. This information is being used to clarify the situation, identify various concerns and inform our campaigning.
• Industrial staff are supporting members on individual issues associated with employment for 2010.

What is the SSTUWA doing now?

• The SSTUWA is in a campaign mode around the ‘Half Cohort’.
• Further lobbying of the Minister for Education, the Premier and the Treasurer is to continue from the Union office.
• The Union is writing to all state politicians this week.
• The Union is supporting Branches/ worksite representations to local MPs [see final page + Half Cohort Local Politician Visit Report Sheet]
• The Union will continue to receive updates on the position for 2010 and management of this matter directly from DET.
• Advertising on this issue will commence in local papers this week.
• The SSTUWA P&C/School Council Communication Kit Term 3 2009 will contain a key element on the ‘Half Cohort’. Union Reps/ Branches are urged to make arrangements for their Term 3 address to the P&C/School Council now.
• The Union will continue its dialogue with WACSSO and the administrator associations on this issue.

What can you do?

Union Reps are requested to:

• [1] Use the Half Cohort Report Forms to keep the Union office advised of conditions in workplaces;
• [2] Arrange to have regular briefings from your Principal;
• [3] Ensure that staff are kept regularly briefed on proposals for 2010;
• [4] Ensure that staff are fully briefed and understand associated staffing processes [e.g. EIP processes; situation for staff moving towards permanency; transition to primary training arrangements]; and
• [5] Be ready to engage in any Union initiatives and action around the half cohort and staffing practices.

Union Members are requested to:

• [1] Keep aware of this issue; and
• [2] Support Union/ Branch activities on this matter.

BRANCHES/ WORKSITES ARE URGED TO GET ACTIVE and  TAKE THIS ISSUE TO YOUR LOCAL POLITICIAN

• 1. Identify a group of members to visit your local MP and raise this issue
• 2. Gather the relevant information to support your visit
  • What is the predicted impact of the ‘half cohort’ on student numbers at your school in 2010? [How many year 8 students usually, how many in 2010?]
  • What is the staffing impact [potential loss of positions... teaching/ administrator/support staff]?
  • To what extent does it look like long term temporary staff at your school may not have a teaching position for 2010?
  • If your school were able to ‘maintain staff’, how could these staff be used to benefit students, staff and the school community?
  • Other concerns
• 3. Identify a group of members to visit your local MP and raise this issue
• 4. Arrange your visit
• 5. Report back on your visit to the Union office using the Half Cohort Local Politician Visit Report Sheet  [see attached + also available at www.sstuwa.org ]
• 6. Consider, after the Term 3 address to your P&C/ School Council, if you can make a return visit to your local MP with P&C/ School Council representatives

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