SSTUWA - State School Teachers' Union of Western Australia

Independent Public Schools - Update 12

Created on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:13 Written by David Kelly

ROUND 2 APPLICANT SCHOOLS ANOUNCED : Last week the Minister announced receipt of 132 applications for the second round of IPS. Whilst it is diappointing to see further erosion of the system of government schools through the IPS program, the Union wishes to commend the work undertaken by Union Reps and members in many schools during this process. It was particularly pleasing to see on the ground activity to ensure that staff and community were as fully informed as they could be, that “the Union’s perspective” was heard, that a “clear and transparent” process for gauging community/staff opinion was established and the staff representative(s) on the school council presented the staff position. 

SSTUWA & DoE DISCUSSIONS : The parties have established a schedule of meetings for the Doe-SSTUWA IPS Reference Group for the remainder of the year.

Despite the promise of IPS being able to ‘opt out of policies’, DoE has been reluctant to identify a list of policies which may/may not be ‘opted out of’. Rather they are proposing a process to be established through which an IPS school would need to work if seek to develop a differentiated policy. The Union expects to see a draft of this proposal soon.

The Government has flagged its more serious intention to promote ‘one-line budgets’ in the IPS  with the establishment of a new unit ....

CONSULTATION IN IPS : The Union has sent out a survey to the schools in the IPS program seeking feedback with regard to implementation of fundamentals in the 2008 General Agreement. We are also seeking to establish a clearer picture as to the extent to which school communities (staff and parents) are being engaged in the development of the Business Plans.

UNION REPS/MEMBERS IN SCHOOLS LISTED AS 2nd ROUND APPLICANTS TO THE IPS PROGRAM
Please find attached a survey for consideration and response. The survey is designed to provide the SSTUWA with a clearer picture of the management of the consultation process in your school and to gauge

PLEASE RETURN SURVEY:         
Atten: Anne Gisborne
Fax:  9210 6001
BY COB Friday 21 May 2010

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