NeNews – 7 March 2023 (New Educators)

Hello from the vice president

Kaya Member,

Welcome to your second NeNews, and congratulations on completing over half a term of teaching. Whether this is your first year in front of a class, or you have a few years of experience under your belt, making it through the first five weeks of the school year is an achievement in itself.

Mid-term can be a difficult time for new teachers as assessment and marking load may peak, students can become tired and their behaviour more challenging, and you yourself may be feeling fatigued from the efforts of the term. I encourage you to reach out to others – your friends and family, mentor teacher and of course your union – for advice and support around any challenges that may arise.

Finally, I am pleased to see the number of new educators who, early in their career, understand the importance of union membership and solidarity in our profession. You are part of an organisation that has championed public education for over 125 years, and by joining up and joining in, you are making a difference.

You may have heard that your union is commissioning an independent review into public education. As a new teacher, your voice is important. If you would like to contribute to the review, please see the link below. In particular, if you have been a new educator since 2020, your input on the impact of the Covid pandemic on your teaching practice would be highly beneficial. Find the review information here.

Sharmila Nagar
Vice President

Teaching Tip

A signal to begin is an established phrase and/or action that calls students to attention, ready to begin a new task or listen to a whole-class instruction. All teachers do this differently, but your signal to begin should be routinely the same each time. Some options include:

• One hand raised and wait in silence for students to return your signal and pay attention.
• One hand raised and the phrase “Finishing up your conversation…voices off and eyes to me in one…two…three…”.
• A clapping pattern that the teacher initiates and students respond to.
• Teacher puts both hands on their head and waits for students to copy.
• Teacher says a phrase, (i.e. “Avengers…Assemble!”) and students respond (“Assemble, assemble, assemble!”).
• Use a musical instrument such as a tambourine or drum.

No matter what signal you choose, make sure you commit fully – don’t start talking until you can see that you have the attention of every student in your class. If some students are lagging, begin to thank students who are doing the right thing until everyone catches on.

Know Your Rights

Did you know that schools are given funding so that graduate teachers can be released to attend Graduate Modules?

It’s a requirement of the Department of Education that you complete these modules in your first thirty months of teaching, and the relief funding should help to make this happen.

If you complete a graduate module online or during the holidays, you should be paid additional earnings for the two additional days you are working. This should be negotiated with your leadership team prior to enrolling in the module and should be paid to you as PTOIL.

To understand all your graduate allocations and make sure you don’t miss out, head over to our info sheet. And if you’re having trouble understanding your entitlements, give Member Assist a call!

What we're reading

We’re all teachers here but... Can you pass a high school pop quiz?

Victorian public school teacher Louise Hobbs has put together this quick eight question quiz.

Test your skills here.

ICYMI

How much do you know about the stark inequity of Australia’s schools funding system?

Funding sits as the starting point of any effort to fix public education. Jane Caro talks about the myths surrounding funding and how to counter them.

You can read the online version here.

Get to know the senior officers

Senior officers are elected by members every three years. They lead the SSTUWA’s advocacy and lobbying processes, developing and implementing policy under the guidance of State Council and the Executive Committee. While senior officers work full time for the SSTUWA for the duration of their three year term, State Council delegates and Executive members remain working in schools/TAFEs while holding their elected positions within the SSTUWA.

Currently, the union’s senior officers are Matt Jarman (president), Natalie Blewitt (senior vice president), Sharmila Nagar (vice president) and Mary Franklyn (general secretary). Find out more here.

What's on in March

Education and Training Centre courses

Online

Relationships and Routines for Success in Primary Classrooms
Thursday 9 March | 90 mins

Five Approaches to Differentiation in Secondary Schools
Thursday 30 March | 60 mins

Engaging STEM using LEGO Primary Students
Thursday 30 March | 60 mins

In person
Writing a Competitive Job Application for Teaching Positions
Sat 11 March | 9am – 12.30pm

Get involved with your union

• Join us on Wednesday 15 March for our second new educator webinar (NENinar!) this year: Routines and Rituals: 10 tips for early career teachers. This is a great way to consolidate foundational aspects of your teaching practice, as well as connect with other new teachers across WA. Join the New Educator Network and register here. This online event is free for members.
• The ACTU will be supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their fight for a Voice to Parliament this year – and wants YOU to join them! If you wish to know more about the Voice, From the Heart have an online course available. It’s a great, free resource for you to learn more about what a Voice to Parliament is and why a referendum is required to make it happen. Click here to visit the course page, then click on Start Course.

Don't forget about graduate modules

Did you know your school has been provided funding to release you to attend your mandatory Graduate Modules? Take advantage of this opportunity to build your professional practice and network with other graduate teachers. If you’re attending module one or module four, keep an eye out for a member of the Growth Team, too.

Upcoming graduate modules are scheduled across the state, including in Broome, Mandurah, Kalgoorlie and in the North and South Metro regions. Speak to your principal and visit PLIS to register.

We're here to help!

Have a question about your working conditions? Contact Member Assist on (08) 9210 6060 or memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

Need help with a graduate-specific question? Want a Growth Team visit to your school? Interested in getting more involved with your union? Contact the Growth Team at neweducator@sstuwa.org.au

Looking for graduate-specific support, advice and networking opportunities? Join the New Educator Network on Facebook.

Want to know your rights, read the latest SSTUWA news, check out your member benefits and more? Visit sstuwa.org.au and login with your member number.