AEU Journal Vol. 42 No. 7

Vol 42 I No.7 November 2010

AEUJOURNAL SAOfficial publication of the Australian Education Union (SA Branch)

INSIDE:Step 9 finally rolls out

Federal Funding Review

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:32 AM

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:32 AM

As I understand it, DECS submitted apaper outlining at least 40 programs inpriority order for the consideration ofCabinet. The Adult Re-entry Programwas listed right near the bottom of thislist, yet was picked up by Cabinet asone of the few targets for take-up inachieving its cost-cutting measures.Why?

Not being a member of Cabinet, I willnever know the real answer. But, what Ido know is that organisations, includinggovernments, perpetuate social injus-tices when their members allow it tohappen. Where, then, were the voices inthe Cabinet room speaking up for thethousands of adults whose first experi-ence of mainstream education failedthem, and who now seek a just societythat enables them to re-engage withschooling, regardless of age?

I have had the pleasure of meetingfive Cabinet members in a range of work-related contexts, and sense them to begood, genuine South Australians. But, ifthey were silent as the Treasurer pushedthis disgraceful decision through, thenthey should hang their heads in shame.No good can come from such a short-

3

PRESIDENT’S V IEWFEATURES AEU JOURNAL

*Winner of TOP LETTER!

Dear EditorMembers will appreciate that govern-

ment is not easy. Decisions have to bemade and choices between competingdemands have to be weighed up (theo-retically in the best interests of thecommunity). On 16 September the RannGovernment announced a budget thatattacked the basic right of adults overthe age of 21 to re-enter a quality DECSeducation program in order to completetheir education and/or further their life-long learning through the attainment ofother recognised qualifications. So, howdid they make such a socially unjust andill-informed decision?

Members will be aware that allgovernment agencies, including theDepartment of Education and Children’sServices (DECS), were asked to submitto the Rann Cabinet a range of programsthat, when cut, would contribute thefunds required by government as savingsin its 2011 budget.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cover Story: State Budget cutspages 12 – 15

The ALP’s 2010 State Budget attacks jobs, workersentitlements and public services.

Kunmanarapage 18

Hundreds mourn respectedAboriginal educator.

Federal SchoolsFunding Reviewpage 8

Make a submission forbetter funding.

sighted decision: one that lacked anyresearch into the work of Adult Re-entrySchools and their communities (beyondanecdote, mischievous scuttle-butt andthe inevitable ‘short-cut to save a buckmentality’ that exists in our currentcontext). The thousands of adult studentsI work with are deserving of a secondchance. As a long time Labor Partymember, I can’t say the same for theRann Government!

A concerned AEU member

Got something to share with AEUmembers? Write a letter to the editorAND WIN !!Best letter in each AEUJournal will receive twotickets to an AdelaideSymphony Orchestraconcert.Email to:

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TOPLETTER

continued on page 19 3

INSIDE:

Step 9 finally rolls out

Federal Funding Review

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:32 AM

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I write this column in Correna’s place asat the time of publication she is on well-deserved leave.

As you can read elsewhere in thisJournal, the Union has been extremelybusy in the last few months dealing withboth the implementation of the new Awardsas well as responding to the recent SouthAustralian budget.

In a number of ways those two importantmatters intersect, none more so than theintroduction of the new enrolment-basedschools funding model. The budget hasgiven rise to a scurry by DECS officers topresent the model to school principalsand attempt to explain the staffing andother resourcing implications which arisefrom it.

Even at this late stage in the year, thepicture is not especially clear. This is pro-viding concern and tension to those inschools who need definite funding infor-mation in order to calculate staffing andplan timetables for 2011.

We are assured that the Educationbudget includes a generous increase ofover $200 million which will bring an extra700 or more staff into schools. There isextra, but that does not arise from govern-ment generosity, rather from the IndustrialRelations Commission’s decisions in thenew Award, many of which resulted fromour own members’ determination andpatience during the last couple of years ofthe EB process.

The extra staff are necessary in order tomeet the new Award’s entrenchment ofmaximum face-to-face teaching, alongwith the minimum non-instruction time.

The budget contained a number ofassaults on our members and the widercommunity (see table page 13). Many –long service leave reductions, forcedschool amalgamations, country housing

rental concessions, multi-campus schools’reduced funding, to state but a few – requireour action, but the budget decision whichhas generated most public concern, angerand dismay is the callous and seeminglyunreasoned decision to deny secondaryeducation to most people over 21 years.

The reaction of our wonderful membersin the adult re-entry colleges was imme-diate and spontaneous. They saw veryclearly what disastrous implications thedecision could have on their students, andon the communities which are served bythose schools. Indeed, the future of theschools themselves is under threat.

The re-entry schools’ staff and studentsbanded together and called the first of therallies outside the DECS building on thelast day of last term. That was followed byattendance at the public sector unions’rally in Victoria Square during the holi-days, and another well attended re-entryschools’ rally on the steps of ParliamentHouse in the first week of this term.

The action continues. The sub-branchsecretaries meet frequently and the cam-paign continues, and grows with eachpassing week. It has struck a chord withthe wider community and in the media.Socially concerned and responsible organ-isations, including Anglicare, SACOSS andthe wider union movement have volunteer-ed their public support, and at least somegovernment politicians have shown a will-ingness to listen to the outcry. Questionshave been asked in both State and FederalParliaments, but the answers are feebleand unconvincing. We can show manylogical educational, social and economicreasons why students over 21 – many ofwhom are from markedly disadvantagedsections of our community – should beallowed ready access to a secondaryschool education, but the basic positionon the other side of the debate is thatcosts must be cut.

So it’s educators and socially concernedcitizens on one side and bean-counters onthe other. Sound familiar?

Please add your voice and actions tothe cause. Support the rights of our fellowcommunity members of all ages to anaffordable government-provided education,and agitate to overturn such a patentlywrong budgetary decision.

In solidarity, David Smith, AEU Vice President

AEU VICE PRESIDENT’S VIEW

State Budget leads tomember action

NEW FUNDING MODEL

Same or morefunding?

Since the beginning ofTerm 4 I have been onsecondment at the AEUto work on the introduc-tion of the new per capitafunding model. The

existing “funding model” is based on anindustrially agreed Staffing AllocationDocument. This agreement guaranteedtheory and practical class sizes in secon-dary and area schools and theory classesin primary schools. It was based on guar-anteeing a face-to-face delivery of at leastsix out of eight learning areas in everyschool and supplemented small andremote schools with open access fund-ing for distance education. Some wouldargue that this was a student-centredand educationally focussed model. Whywas there pressure to change? Schoolshave been forced to become more finan-cially accountable and small changes toenrolments could potentially changeschool budgets by large amounts.

What we know from previous imple-mentations of per capita models is thatwinners and losers are created. What wehave found so far is that the government’sextra $265 million over four years is notallowing many of our schools to meetthe requirements of the new award andmaintain support staff, leadership posi-tions and the class sizes to which theywere previously entitled.

Their “same or more” funding guaran-tee relates to the old award and doesnot cover the increased NIT time. Whatwe are learning is that amalgamation ofco-located Primary and Junior Primaryschools will result in a large withdrawalof funding from the education system.How will this improve student learningand NAPLAN outcomes?

Consider two hypothetical schools –Conlon Junior Primary, around 263 stu-dents and Foley Primary, a 3-7 school of304 students. If we combine these twoschools to form Rann Mega School, thereis a reduction of funding of $350,000 oraround 3.6 teachers! The AEU is notagainst a per capita funding model butwe need to ensure that all provisions ofthe award are met from the available fund-ing and that workloads of SSOs, teachersand leaders are not increased.

Mick Braham

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ovarian cancer and after treatment, whichinvolved both surgery and chemotherapy,was cleared to return to work on 13November 2006.

Despite having obtained a medicalclearance, Marie was told it was incon-venient for the school and was asked toreturn to work a week later. She was toldshe would be a relief teacher. On herreturn a number of her personal books,folders and resources had gone missingand her name had been excluded fromthe staff list. No accommodations weremade to cover the taking of medication,appropriate rest breaks or the develop-ment of a health plan.

When discussions on her return towork at the school were not settled,Marie approached the regional officebut received a disinterested responsefrom the regional director.

When Marie approached the AEU toget assistance in resolving the issuesaround her return to work she wasadvised to file a complaint to the chiefexecutive of DECS.

POLICY

managers to refer to.The story on the development of the

new procedure dates back to March 2006when Marie Loudis a teacher at a metro-politan high school was diagnosed with

n 14 October 2010 theAEU was informed thata new procedure titledManagement of a NonWork Related Injury or

Illness had beenapproved and could be

accessed on the DECS website.Members reading the front page of the

document could be forgiven for thinkingthis was a DECS initiative solely develop-ed by DECS officers. The procedure failsto acknowledge the AEU’s extensiveinvolvement in the development of theprocedure or a member’s struggle forDECS to have such a procedure for site

Member action leadsto new procedureDECS employees can expect more supportwhen returning to work after serious illness.

“...the persistence anddetermination of onemember can leave alasting legacy, which canbenefit future membersin similar situations.”

1 Bill Hignett with AEU member Marie Loudis

O

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VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I took annual leave in September andspent much of it travelling around Turkey,a country that is endlessly intriguing – ahybrid of East and West, religious yet con-stitutionally secular and, like Australia,a nation where tensions between progres-sive and conservative ideologies arevery apparent.

Lingering memories of Troy, Ephesusand the glorious seascapes where theAegean and Mediterranean intersectwere quickly dispelled on my return tothe AEU and when I started to absorbthe implications of the Federal Electionoutcome, the State Budget, the rolloutof new Awards and other ongoing issuesthat make a huge difference to the dailyworking life of all our members.

The State Budget is of key interest.Although educators have almost devel-oped a gene by now that enables us todo more with less, politicians still havethe capacity to surprise us with theirexpectations that we will soldier on des-pite cuts and changes that pose evengreater challenges to delivering a decenteducation system that addresses, evenminimally, the age old dilemma of theunequal distribution of resources andprivilege.

One aspect of Labor’s Budget wemust grapple with is the proposed amal-gamation and closure of 68 schools toform 33 new ones. For many members,there will be a sense of déjà vu, in thatwe spent much of our time under Lomax-Smith staving off the worst excesses ofEducation Works. The truth is, no matterhow hard we fight or how just the cause,we win some battles and lose others.But it is always worth the effort, regard-less of the result, when the quality ofeducation and the preservation ofdiminishing public assets are at stake, letalone the blow-out in member workloadsthat are the inevitable consequences of

almost every “saving measure”.The AEU is strongly opposed to

amalgamations and closures that takeno account of the social fabric, educa-tional outcomes, economic disad-vantage and the need for communityconsultation. The latter was enshrinedin legislation when a previous LaborGovernment amended the Education Actsome years ago to address the closureof schools in circumstances where thelocal community vigorously rejectedclosures for good reason.

Despite the fact that the Rann Govern-ment vowed to listen more attentivelyto its constituents when it retainedpower after the last State Election, thecurrent Minister for Education appearsto have presented the co-location initia-tive as a done deal, with little option forthe people of South Australia to have agenuine voice in determining futuredirections for the delivery of educationfor their own children.

To support communities in makinginformed decisions, based on a realunderstanding of the benefits and lossesincurred in the amalgamation process,the AEU has written to all governingcouncils, principals and sub-branchsecretaries in the 68 schools targetedfor closure and amalgamation. We areencouraging school communities toseek and analyse the data that willdemonstrate whether they will gain orlose if they amalgamate, and to exercisetheir right to consultation, as enshrinedin legislation by the Rann Governmentin more idealistic and benign times.

We have also appointed an additionalofficer for Term 4 to work with co-locatedand multi-campus schools. Sub-branches,school leaders and communities whorequire more information regarding fund-ing implications or any other matterrelating to proposed amalgamationsand closures should contact the AEU for advice and support. Change for thepublic good is welcome. Change thatstrips communities of valued and muchneeded resources deserves to be resis-ted. The 68 schools identified for bigchanges fit somewhere on that spec-trum and their own communities arebest placed to decide what their futureshould be.

68 schools targeted for amalgamation

AEU Vice PresidentAnne Crawford returnsfrom leave to findschools on the chop-ping block, again.

The chief executive’s response to hercomplaint was disappointing. After sittingon her letter for four months he wrote toMarie advising her he had referred thematter to another departmental officer.

This was the final straw for Marie. It was now March 2008 and 16 monthsafter the unsatisfactory arrangementson her return to work and still no DECSofficer was prepared to do anythingabout it.

With AEU assistance an appeal waslodged in the Teachers Appeal Boardseeking an independent review of theissues Marie had raised.

At the directions hearing in theTeachers Appeal Board on 8 May 2008,the AEU submitted on Marie’s behalfthat a number of adjustments such asreduced use of stairs, extra breaks tocope with tiredness, temperature adjust-ments and a private area for taking medi-cation could have been implemented tofacilitate Marie’s return to work.

The AEU also submitted on Marie’sbehalf that the appeal be referred tomediation to develop “actions, policiesor guidelines for DECS employees return-ing to work after serious illnesses”.

On 18 July 2008, the AEU was advisedthat DECS had established a referencegroup to work on this issue and assigneda project officer to direct the group.

A draft policy developed by the refer-ence group was forwarded to the AEUon 17 February 2009 and a number ofamendments suggested were incorpo-rated into the draft procedure.

The final wording on the new proce-dure was settled on 14 October 2010resulting in a new procedure that clearlyoutlines what needs to be done in DECSsites for employees returning to workafter a non-work related illness or injury.

This new procedure demonstratesthat the persistence and determinationof one member can leave a lasting legacy,which can benefit future members insimilar situations.

If you or a colleague are faced withreturning to work after serious illness,the DECS Management of a Non WorkRelated Injury or Illness procedure isavailable on the DECS website at:

http://bit.ly/bKA45f

* The AEU would like to acknowledgethe hard work carried out over a numberof years by AEU Organisers’CoordinatorBill Hignett in supporting Marie’s casein the Teacher Appeal Board.

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be as short or detailed as eachschool determines and should

be uploaded to the for ourfuture website before theend of this term.

The Federal Govern-ment’s panel will consider

submissions duringDecember and January with

a view to compiling theirreport with recommendations

to Federal Parliament in the firsthalf of next year. This review constitutesthe first major opportunity to overhaulthe way the Federal Government fundsschools since 1973 and may providethe only opportunity for many years tocome to have any influence on how thisfunding is distributed.

The AEU therefore urges each school,as well as individuals and other commu-nity groups involved with our publicschools to lodge a submission.

To make a submission go to:www.forourfuture.org.auand follow the tips on how to makeyour voice count for public education.

FEDERAL SCHOOLS FUNDING REVIEW

...and take part in the FederalSchools Funding Review

PHOTO: ???????????

The review offederal funding

to schoolsannounced by

Julia Gillard earlierthis year, is now

moving into a signi-ficant phase in which public schoolcommunities can have a say about theimportance of appropriate levels ofresourcing. On October 24, the AEUlaunched a national campaign whichwill be reinforced through a month longseries of television advertisements tocoincide with the commencement of asubmission period.

The Federal Government has estab-lished a Review Panel which has alreadyreceived oral submissions from a rangeof key education stakeholders, including

WHave your say...

the AEU at both federal and state levels.The focus of the AEU campaign is to lodgea significant number of submissions tothe panel, including one from every publicschool in Australia. Submissions can beof any size and include a contextualdescription of your school, the types ofeducation programs currently providedand should explain how additional fund-ing from the Federal Government wouldenable improved delivery and greaterstudent access to specialist support.

The AEU has forwarded a campaignkit, including a comprehensive guide tocompleting the submission, to eachschool early this term. We have alsowritten to the chairperson of eachschool’s Governing Council urging themto table the submission process at theschool’s next meeting. Submissions can

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9

It was one of the big wins in the AEU’sarbitration case and finally, after monthsof debate and clarification on the process,Step 8 teachers are taking the opportun-ity to complete the required ProfessionalDevelopment Plan and collect a well-deserved pay increase. The implemen-tation of Step 9 has not been without itsfair share of challenges – not the least, awave of misinformation that unfortunate-ly led to some AEU members risking abreach of the Award. For some, the Step9 process was made more difficult thanthe Commission’s decision intended.

In response to this, the AEU organis-ed a series of information sessions, mostof which took place at area meetingsearly in Term 3. At these sessions, theAEU issued workplace reps with a USBdrive containing resources to conducttraining sessions back at their work-places in order to support members withthe Step 9 process. While there are stillmany people yet to apply, and, regret-tably, some that may still be feeling over-whelmed by what should be a relativelysimple process, reports back from AEUsub-branches are encouraging.

Here are some of the reports and com-ments that are coming in to the AEUfrom a range of workplaces:

VICKY LACEY | Sub-branch Secretary,Port Elliot PS

“At our site therewere eight people inattendance at thetraining session andanother three haveviewed the PowerPointon the USB since. All

Step 8 teachers except those incoordinator positions have applied. Allstaff that have had interviews with thePrincipal and Assistant Principal havebeen successful – we are just waitingfor the DECS online process, which hashad some delays. The USBs provided bythe AEU were great and made thesession very easy to run.”

AEU welcomesLisa Sigalla

Journal: Whatinspired you towork at the AEU?

Lisa: I have beeninvolved in theunion movementfor several yearsrepresenting child-care workers. I was

looking for a challenge and had a lot ofrespect for the AEU. I was impressedwith how active and involved memberswere, especially around issues like cutsto funding and attacks on public educa-tion. My daughter attends a publicschool and like every parent I want thebest for my child; improving our publiceducation system will only help childrento achieve their goals.

Journal: Tell us about your roleLisa: I am an Organiser with a focus onSchool Services Officers. I visit worksitesand talk to members about their issuesand potential members about the bene-fits of joining the AEU. A key part of myrole this term will be providing the firstpoint of contact for SSOs and ECWs whomay be experiencing any difficultieswith the conversion process.

Journal: What is the current situation inrelation to permanency conversions?Lisa: The criteria for conversion has beenforwarded to all members and manyhave advised us that they believe theyare eligible. The AEU has sent a list ofthose members to DECS. It is importantfor SSOs and ECWs to know that specialneeds funding or other fixed-term fund-ing will not be sufficient reason for refus-ing conversion to permanent status.Members also need to know that thereis a dispute settling process in the Awardand the AEU will be supporting its mem-bers if this needs to be used.

Journal: What do you see as futurechallenges for SSOs?Lisa: Some of the challenges will be main-taining the positive recognition that camefrom arbitration into the future. SSOsmust stand together and continue thefight for more permanency. Building boththe SSO and ECW membership in sitesis really important. We have had somegood results recently but it could be evenbetter with more members. In a nut shell,there’s more to fix, so we need to keepthe spotlight on SSOs and ECWs.

STEP 9 NEW AEU ORGANISER

Teachers are stepping upto Step 9

The long wait for a nationally competitive salaryincrease is almost over for most Step 8 members

BILL DANIELL | Athelstone Schools“All Step 8 teachers atour site have appliedand all have had theirapplications approved.We expect a 100%success rate. The USBstick supplied by the

AEU was extremely useful. It providedthe scaffolding and content to explainall aspects of the process to ourmembers. The AEU organiser, Ken Case,was clear and confident in deliveringthe initial training and this allowed usas a sub-branch to inform and empowerour members.”

SHERYL JAMIESON | Sub-branchSecretary, Nuriootpa PS

“We held the Step 9training over two staffmeeting nights in Week6 and 7 of Term 3.Once staff were awareof the process they allmet with the Principal

to discuss their applications. ThePrincipal didn’t delegate the signing offto anyone else and was very supportiveof all applicants. All staff currently onStep 8 at our site have applied andbeen successful.”

AEU members must remember that,unlike the onerous and poorly taken upAST process, the Industrial RelationsCommission intended that the transitionto Step 9 would be via a “soft barrier”.If you’re on Step 8 and feel the applica-tion process is too hard, perhaps it’s notbeing managed as the Commissionintended. Don’t be put off applying! TheStep 9 is your hard-fought entitlementand is the means by which you will bene-fit from the AEU’s long battle in enter-prise bargaining and arbitration.

If you do feel you need support andhaven’t had access to an informationsession, speak to your Sub-branchSecretary or Workplace Rep. Or call the AEU Information Unit: 8272 1399.

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ACTU ADDRESS

or Ged Kearney, the speechwas her first at the famed Press

Club in her current role, hav-ing been elected unopposed

to the top ACTU post in April.

A clearly passionate and engag-ing speaker, Kearney said it was an

“immense honour” to follow in the foot-steps of former ACTU Presidents suchas Bob Hawke, Simon Crean, JenniGeorge and Martin Ferguson and thatshe also had the honour of becomingPresident at a “new and exciting stagein Australia’s political history.”

With minority government opening up,as she put it, “the possibility for newideas in government and in the widercommunity”, it is indeed a time of greatopportunity for the organised labourmovement. But there is much work tobe done before unions can take fulladvantage. Kearney acknowledges this:

“…regardless of the novelty of thecurrent political environment, the longterm task of the union movement and

my role as part of its leadership is tohelp build our membership, improve ourcapacity to campaign, and broaden ouragenda.”

Ged Kearney is certainly capable ofmeeting these challenges. With years ofexperience in the trade union movement– she is the former National Secretaryof the Australian Nurses Union (ANF) –Kearney commands wide respect and isrevered for her strong work ethic. She isalso seen as someone who understandsthe problems workers face on a dailybasis; she has her ear to the groundand can connect with ordinary people.

“During the election campaign I had

the chance to hear from many workingAustralians. They are struggling finan-cially to makes end meet. They arestretched between family responsibili-ties and economic commitments. Formany there is no guarantee of the basicsecurity and entitlements that many ofus take for granted. These struggles arenot imaginary. The wages share ofnational income is now at its lowestpoint since December 1964. Employ-ment is now more precarious thanever,” she told the Press Club.

These are some of the stark realitiesthat will drive the ACTU’s policy direct-ion into the future. While recognisingthat “the space for rational policydebate in this country is narrower thanever”, Kearney went on to outline anumber of key priorities for the ACTU inthe coming years. They include:

• Job Security

• Community building

• Clear and strategic campaigning

• Stronger pursuit of the politicalinterests of workers

The last point is perhaps one of themost crucial. In setting the agenda forthe future, Kearney told the Press Clubthat while the ACTU’s ‘traditional’ ties tothe ALP will remain, that: “…our impacthas to be on all parties and MPs – Labor,Green, Coalition or independent…wewill work with elected representativeswho show a genuine commitment toenhancing workers’ rights – and oftaking a long-term view to improvingour members’ lives.”

There’s no question the ALP haveignored the interests of workers for toolong. It seems Kearney, and perhapsothers in the ACTU, have recognisedthis. But to recognise is one thing, they must follow through by actingindependently and campaigningstrongly against any ALP policy thatignores the interests of workers andtheir families.

The full transcript of Ged Kearney’sspeech to the National Press Club isavailable on the ACTU website:

www.actu.org.au

A vision for the Australian union movementACTU President Ged Kearney outlined thefuture direction of the Australian peak unionbody in a speech made at the National PressClub in Canberra on October 6.

1 Ged Kearney speaking in Adelaide at a recentrally in protest against the State Government’sproposed budget cuts.

PHOTO: JO FROST

F

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11

outh Australia has astrategic plan for the best.

We assume that means the best for all SouthAustralians whether theyare newly arrived or have

been here for generations.Reading the so-called Strategic Plan,one wonders: how does cutting thefunding for 5– 10 year-old migrants’ bustransport to New Arrivals Program (NAP)centres help to achieve these goals?

Here’s what it says in the educationsection of the SA Government plan: “AllSouth Australians must have the oppor-tunity to reach their potential, and tocontinue to learn and develop through-out their lives. Giving a helping hand tothose in need is a central tenet. An edu-cated and inspired community, activelyparticipating in the work, life and healthof South Australia, is our best legacy forthe future.”

And under the heading tacklingentrenched disadvantage: “The bestway to maintain social cohesion andeconomic competitiveness in the globaleconomy is to have an aware, open-minded community that places a pre-mium on knowledge and education atall levels.”

Presently we have numerous newlyarrived migrant students enrolled in spe-cialised New Arrival Programs through-out the state. Staff running these pro-grams are highly effective and highlyefficient in preparing and skilling thesestudents to achieve their potential in amainstream school.

All NAP units “tackle the entrencheddisadvantage” that comes with not speak-ing English well enough to participatein schooling or the community. How arethese students to learn the English lan-guage if they are not given “a helpinghand” to get to the very NAP centers thatprovide this crucial and very basic skill?Some of these refugee families havenever lived in a Western society. Whenthey arrive they are faced with manychallenges, including the difficultly ofproviding transport for their children toattend a school which can provide thenecessary conditions for their child toflourish. Many of these families don’town a car or have the necessary skillsto speedily obtain their drivers licence.

Ironically, the SA Strategic Plan alsostates: “A number of measures reflect thevalue we place on our diversity. Theseinclude: the English language proficiencyof recently arrived migrants.”

Perhaps the Treasurer and his razorgang of bean counters would do well torevisit (or read) their own Strategic Plan.

Newly arrived non-English speakingparents will be forced to manage bustimetables to get their 3 or 4 children toa NAP unit, risking late arrival at theirown compulsory English classes.

Supporting or not supporting newly

NEW ARRIVALS PROGRAM

SA Strategic Plan for All leavesnewly arrived migrants at the curbAn experienced inner-city NAPteacher says the State Government’s budget cuts are a contradiction of their own policy.

arrived migrants and their families willalso determine the degree to which theycan interact effectively in our community.So much for another key aim of the StateStrategic Plan: Multiculturalism – “increasethe percentage of South Australians whoaccept cultural diversity as a positiveinfluence in the community”.

If we want the best for these students,we should be prepared to continue tosupport their integration into our com-munity. If these students do not get thesupport to access NAP units they maybe at risk of dropping out of school,playing truant or worse, complete disen-gagement with society. It may end upcosting a lot more to rehabilitate themwhen they are older.

By providing bus transport to theNAP units, we ensure we are doing ourbest to ensure these students are beinggiven every chance to access the educa-tion environment, which is their passportto a successful future.

S“Newly arrived non-English speaking parentswill be forced to managebus timetables to get theirchildren to a NAP unit.”

PHOTO: AVANTE MEDIA

1 Migrant students waiting for the bus that may never come.

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STATE BUDGET 2010

12

Nor is the Rann-Foley approach toindustrial relations a laughing matter.

Public sector long service leave (LSL)entitlements will be drastically cut byspecial legislation. We will be the only

Sustainable Budget Commi-ssion (SBC) chaired by thefounder of Access Eco-nomics and compris-ing two heads ofdepartment, twoprivate sector

representatives and theGovernment’s Social InclusionCommissioner MonsignorDavid Cappo created ahorror wish list driven bythe private sector agenda.

Public school staffingnumbers and generalemployment conditionswere protected from theworst of this by the arbi-tration case successfullyprosecuted by the AEU withstrong member support.

However, nearly 4000 jobs will go across the public sector, includingsome areas of DECS.

The State Budget targets vulnerablemembers of the community, a factdeplored by Monsignor Cappo and byRoss Womersley from the SA Councilfor Social Services.

For example, bosses who drivecompany cars won’t be worried by rises in registration fees or thedisappearance of registration renewaloptions. This will hit those with lowincomes and limited cash flow.

Rich kids who get into law and medi-cine won’t be worried by the loss ofaccess to adult re-entry for people 21years and over. The kids who left schoolbefore getting their SACE and who asadults now want to resume their learn-ing don’t generally live in the leafyeastern suburbs.

It is not the kids from the wealthiestfamilies who need to get into TAFE for atrade certificate. They could afford tolaugh off the 25% increase in fees. It’snot a laughing matter for the ones ingenuine need.

A Tyrannosaurus WreckKevin Foley’s experiment with outsourcingthe State Budget preparations has failedthe test of community interest.

“We will be the onlypublic educationworkers in Australiaunable to negotiateleave conditions. ”

public education workers in Australiaunable to negotiate leave conditions.This is an approach to industrial relationsreminiscent of Howard’s WorkChoiceslegislation and to some of the dracon-ian measures introduced in Queenslandduring the days of Jackboot Joh.

No wonder public sector unions aremore united than ever before, holdingjoint mass rallies involving thousands ofeducation workers, ambulance officers,nurses, firefighters, bus and tram driversand public servants.

STATE BUDGET 2010

A

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“This loss of “core Labor” values means that alleducation employees and their students have

every right to feel betrayed...”

SA Unions affiliates recently resolvedunanimously to promote union valuesand to challenge the “approach of thecurrent Labor Government leadership inorder to protect workers, their employ-ment and conditions”.

There has been a groundswell of sup-port for calls by some union leaders forthe sacking of Rann, Foley and Conlon.

Our approach will be to maintain our ability to protect and defend public education regardless of which party is in office and regardless of who maylead it.

Mike WillissAEU Research Officer

A slap in the face

The Rann/Foley Budget cuts are likea slap in the face with the Wine Statemagazine, from the man who claimedhe wanted to be the Education Premierand his ‘triple A’ obsessed sidekick.

Analysis of the the Rann/Foley budgetcuts show how they will impact uponevery member of the AEU. These cutssecretly hidden from voters in the leadup to the March 2010 election includeschool closures and amalgamations, cutsto employee entitlements and conditions,cuts to school grants and cuts to services.We have not seen such an attack onpublic services in this State since the1990s. They follow a pattern of recentstate budgets that have failed to deliverfor public education.

The unnecessary Rann/Foley cuts arenot a result of declining economic condi-tions, but due to a change in the RannGovernment’s priorities and a loss of theALP’s values and beliefs. This loss of“core Labor” values means all educationemployees and their students have everyright to feel betrayed and we are leftwondering where the next “EducationPremier” will come from.

To add salt to the wounds, these cutshave been implemented to enable thegovernment to pay for hikes in the StateGovernment funding to private schoolsof $19.6 million.

1 Technical studies teacher Jeff Halls gives advice to some Year 9 students.

Rann and Foley’s Budget Cuts(Source: 2010-2011 Budget Measures Statement: Budget Paper 6)

3. Write a letter to the editor or make acomment online, let your MP andthe press know about your dissat-isfaction with the Rann/Foley cuts.

4. Email Premier Rann and TreasurerFoley and let them know how angryyou are about these cuts.

5. Join in union activities to stop thecuts. Encourage your work mates tojoin the union and get active.5.

Five things you can do1. Speak out and let everyone know.

Tell your work colleagues, familyand friends about the Rann/Foleycuts and how they are impacting onpublic education and educationemployees.

2. Ring talkback radio and outlinehow the spending cuts areaffecting you.

STATE BUDGET 2010

Cuts Starting Date Projected Savings for Cuts in Millions

Workers Rights

The right of public sector workers to enterprise bargain on issues such as long service leave, recreation leave loading and country housing concessions. 2010Our Conditions

Long Service Leave reduced 2010-2011 (whole of gov) $ 90.7

Housing Subsidies 2010-2011 $ 3.8

TVSP 2010-2011 (whole of gov) $ 353.8

School Closures and Amalgamations

Adult re-entry programs discontinued 2011-2012 $ 20.3

Co-located School Closures and Amalgamations 2011-2012 $ 8.2

Multi and dual campus efficiencies 2010-2011 $ 5.8

Small School Grants Cut 2010-2011 $ 12.0

School Funding Cuts

Basic Skills Grant 2010-2011 $ 8.1

Green Schools Grant 2010-2011 $ 4.0

ICT Learning Technologies 2010-2011 $ 8.8

NAP Support in Schools 2011-2012 $ 1.9

School Admin. Supplementation 2011-2012 $ 4.4

Teacher Prof. Dev. Programs 2010-2011 $ 1.7

Temporary Teacher Replacement 2012-2013 $ 3.0

Surplus Teacher Management 2011-2012 $ 9.7

Security Grants 2010-2011 $ 2.6

Continuous Intake: cease 2012-2013 $ 8.2

Preventative Maintenance 2011-2012 $ 2.7

Central Office Cuts

Family Day Care 2011-2012 $ 3.2

Efficiencies 2010-2011 $ 22.9

Policy Dev. in selected programs 2010-2011 $ 3.8

Out of School Hours Care Management 2010-2011 $ 0.5

Executive Employee Reduction by 10% 2012-2013 $ 1.2

Other Cuts to impact on Students

NAP Transport 2011-2012 $ 5.4

Country Bus Service- Drought 2010-2011 $ 1.8

SACE Board

Efficiencies $ 0.8

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STATE BUDGET 2010

Obviously not holding the view thatworkers have a right to hard run entitle-ments gained through the enterprisebargaining process, the ALP (AutocraticLegislative Party) is running its ownshow – attacking public sector jobs, longservice leave, holiday leave loading(education staff are exempt from thiscut), adult re-entry schools, smallschools and even housing trust rents!

In a blatantly obvious attempt to pulla fast one on the general public, andwith the help of the Global FinancialCrisis, Foley used the oldest trick in thebook; he prepared South Australians forwhat was meant to be a horror budget.When finally handed down, many breath-ed a sigh of relief – things didn’t lookthat bad after all. But it didn’t take toolong for the detail to hit home. Runningroughshod over union agreements andbasic human rights – like the right toaccess a public education – Foley hascemented his reputation as hard-nosedand pro-corporate.

To counter the cuts to public sectorjobs, long service leave and leave load-ing, a cross-unions campaign swungquickly into action. Rallies are takingplace, politicians are being lobbied andcampaign strategies developed to keepthe pressure on the State Government.Like the Your Rights at Work campaign,this latest mobilisation of the widerunion movement will continue to growstronger until Kevin Foley and his cronymates can no longer defy gravity.

Adult re-entry education –facing cutbacks

Soon after it became apparent adultre-entry schools were to be one of thebig losers in Kevin Foley’s budget, AEUand non-AEU members from adult re-entry campuses across the metropolitan

area mobilised to rally against cutsthat, if not stopped, will prevent adultsover the age of 21 attending seniorsecondary schools. In the eyes of manythis cut is a complete contradiction ofthe ALP’s own policy which is meant topromote the ideal of “lifelong learning”.

Here is what some of those involvedin the adult re-entry campaign are sayingabout the State Government’s decision.

MANDY HANK REGO | TeacherMarden Senior College

“We are a smartcountry and weneed to maintainand cultivate aneducatedcommunity thatvalues lifelonglearning. Thisdecision by the

State Government will impactnegatively on the disenfranchised andthose who don’t easily fit into or can’tafford TAFE or other adult educationoptions. Students who have had gaps intheir learning often need to come backto school before they can make thatquantum leap into TAFE or anothertertiary institution.”

JACKIE BONE-GEORGE | TeacherOpen Access College

“It’s obviousthat a strong com-munity campaignis building. We willdefend the rightsof those that haveno voice. We willdefend the right toa public education

for those whose schooling has beeninterrupted for whatever reason. For

those who live in remote and isolatedparts of our state; we will standtogether with our communities, withour adult students and protect theirrights to an education and to achievetheir SACE.”

LEN ALTMAN | TeacherMarden Senior College

“I teach andtrain in the geo-sciences and wehave large num-bers of students inour program whohave gone throughour program, goneon to university or

TAFE, including Sudanese refugees whoare now working in the mining andexploration industry. Without MardenSenior College, this program will notrun and these people will be onunemployment benefits.”

VANESSA KALDEROVSKIS | StudentHamilton Secondary College

“I want to be adentist, there areother people hereat Hamilton whowant to be doctorsor nurses. We’vegot people herewho want to benutritionists.

These are people who are going tocontribute to society in major ways. Ifthis goes ahead, these people willnever get that opportunity.”

CLAIRE GERAGHTY | New Educator Open Access College

“Where arethese studentsgoing to go?Where are peopleover 21 going toget their SACE? Wehave that servicealready providedfor them and

they’re benefitting by being able to goTAFE and university when they are

Foley’s razor gang attacks unionsand public educationBig business might be all smiles but if youask the rest of the community it’s prettyhard to find anyone who is happy with KevinFoley’s 2010 State Budget.

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

15

ready. What are they going to do now?What’s going to happen to them?”

ROSS WOMERSLEY | Exec. DirectorSA Council of Social Service

“By eliminatingthe chance ofanyone over 21gaining their Year12 Certificate ofEducation (SACE),and the chance ofa Tertiary EntranceRanking (TER)

allowing them to pursue the highereducation of their choice, this govern-ment is undercutting opportunities forthousands of South Australians.”

MIKE WOHLTMANN | TeacherMarden Senior College

“We have adiverse array ofstudents rangingfrom 16 rightthrough to 93. The93 year old hascome back to doYear 12 History forthe first time in 60

years and is having great success. Hesays to me and to the school that it’s aform of therapy for him; it gets him outof the house and gets the brain mattergoing. He is just one of numerouspeople that come to our school fordifferent reasons. The Minister needs tounderstand that. He needs to comedown and see what the school actuallydoes and see who the adults are; what’sgoing to happen to the hundreds ofrefugees that attend adult re-entrycolleges? How are they going to bereskilled in the modern economy?”

STATE BUDGET 2010

Photos of the recent 5 October rally: 3Pictured top right: AEU Vice President DavidSmith addresses the crowd at the October 8rally against public sector cuts.

Pictured middle right: AEU members are worriedabout the whereabouts of Mike Rann, the“Education Premier”. He hasn’t been sighted for a number of years. Anyone who thinks theyknow of his whereabouts are asked to call theAEU immediately.

Pictured below right: AEU members are amongthe thousands who have rallied in recent weeksagainst the Rann/Foley State Budget cuts. Oneprotestor, AEU Executive member CarmenKowalski, tries to get Mr Foley on his mobile butit’s been cut off by the ALP finance committee.

PHOTOS: JO FROST

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WOMEN’S FOCUSWOMEN’S FOCUS

process of the conference, which isorganised by AEU Federal Women’sOfficer, Catherine Davis.

NORA THOMAS | SSO Instrumental Music Service

“I learned so much and walked awayfrom that weekend with a much betterunderstanding and a greater motivationto become so much more pro-active notonly in my work place, but also in mylife. I was so moved by so many womenwith their stories, experiences and advice.I arrived back home a different person!”

VIRGINIA GILL | Principal Tumby Bay AS

I thoroughly enjoyed it and it wasgreat to be able to provide a schoolleadership perspective to some of theissues and recommendations for BranchExecutive. I particularly enjoyed thepanel session and Ged Kearney’s presen-tation, especially her comments regard-ing working with the Gillard Government.I also found Nina Funnell’s presentationon sex/relationships education andfeminism really enlightening and it

Held in Melbourne over the LabourDay long weekend, the theme for theconference this year was Making a Worldof Difference and a delegation of nineAEU SA women attended. Guest speakersincluded ACTU President Ged Kearneyand ASU Victoria Assistant SecretaryLisa Darmanin – undoubtedly making aworld of difference in their chosen field.Each of the wonderful conference pre-senters shared inspiring informationabout their work and efforts to generatepositive change in women’s lives.

The conference is an opportunity forAEU women members across the countryto get together, network, share ideasand propose solutions or recommenda-tions to Federal Executive. It is an oppor-tunity for the voices of women in the AEUmembership to be heard.

The SA delegation for 2010 was afantastic representation of our member-ship and included a principal, SSO, ACEO,teacher, remote teacher, a teacher whohas recently migrated to Australia and amember of AEU Branch Council. Thewomen who attended were all extreme-ly impressed with the content and the

AEU Women’s Officer Tish Champion reportson the 2010 AEU Federal Women’s Conference

Women making aworld of difference

made me realise there is still so muchto do to combat sexism in our schools.

ROMA HARNAL | TeacherLeigh Creek AS

“I would like to thank the AEU forgiving me the opportunity to attend theFederal Women’s Conference inMelbourne. The conference was a stim-ulating experience for me not just as awoman educator but also as a migrantstill discovering the versatile Australia. Ithoroughly enjoyed every minute of theconference especially the feministdebate and the networking witheducators from all around Australia.”

This conference is one of the fewopportunities for AEU members acrossAustralia to have a voice and informfuture policy and direction for the AEUnationally. Locally, AEU women memberswho wish to be more involved and informchange can join the various consultativecommittees including the Status ofWomen Consultative Committee. Womenmake up at least 70% of the AEU mem-bership, so it is vitally important morewomen stand up and take a more activerole in future decisions and directions inSA and nationally.

Young Womenand Politics

As previouslyreported, SouthAustralian teacherHelen Hewitt (pic)won the federallyfunded RosemaryRichards Scholarship.

In her submission,Helen presented a proposal to increasethe political awareness of junior secon-dary girls in public high schools. Afterworking for over 30 years in public edu-cation, Helen saw a gap in the politicalliteracy skills of young students – partic-ularly young women. She believes it iscrucial to Australia’s future that all youngpeople understand the importance ofleadership in our society. Young womenin particular, need to step up to leader-ship opportunities and responsibilitiesif Australia is going to continue to thrive.

As part of her scholarship, Heleninvited secondary schools to take partin the Young Women and Politics project.Norwood Morialta High, Henley High,Brighton Secondary, Glenunga Inter-national and Mitcham Girls High allagreed to take part and phase one of 3

1 (Back from left) Anne Marquard, Roma Harnal, Nora Thomas, Wendy Baldwin, Virginia Gill and VickiMinnes. (front from left) Tish Champion, Anne Crawford and Janette Riggs.

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

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WOMEN’S FOCUS

3 the project began on 14 October witha half day forum held at the AEU. Theforum featured keynote speaker, SAUnions’ Janet Giles and a panel of womenin leadership with AEU Vice PresidentAnne Crawford, Brighton SecondarySchool Principal Olivia O’Neill and CEOof the Leaders Institute of SouthAustralia, Niki Vincent. Students alsotook part in an educational activity runby Francine Smith from the GlobalEducation Centre. This was an extremelyenjoyable session where students gaineda great deal of information and ideas.

As a follow up to this forum, the stu-dents are now working on individualschool-based activities to “spread theword” to their peers. Students from each

of the five schools taking part are beingsupported and encouraged by theirsupport teacher to develop a creativeactivity or action back in their school toinform other students about the need totake leadership seriously and under-stand that they can all play a part inAustralia’s future. On 11 November, thestudents will return to the AEU for apresentation evening where they willhave the opportunity to share theirindividual projects with their families,friends, teachers and AEU and depart-ment officials, before receiving partici-pation certificates.

Teachers wanting to know more aboutthis project can contact Helen Hewitt atBrighton Secondary School.

For further information on the annualRosemary Richards Scholarship pleasecontact Tish Champion on: T: 8272 1399

1 (from left) Olivia O’Neill, Niki Vincent andAnne Crawford.

1 Francine Smith. 1Mitcham Girls High student,Ellie Thomas with Janet Giles.

1 Students applying their skills in thegroup activity.

According to The Age (15 October 2010)another teacher, John Cusack, evidently“did the dirty” on Mary by forging therolls so the best students were foundon paper to be in his classes.

This earned him the bonus by boost-ing his students’ 1865 equivalent of theNAPLAN score.

But just to make sure, Cusack wroteanswers to the inspectors’ questions on aslate, and held them up behind his backso the students could boost their marks.

Young Mary, born of a fiery Scotsfamily, protested the injustice. FatherRiordan, her parish priest, tried to hushthe scandal up but Mary reported it toher father who created such a furorethat Cusack was sacked and driven outof town. But other members of theparish blamed Mary, who was also

forced to resign a few months later.Unfortunately at the time there was

no teacher union to whom she couldturn for assistance, but she persisted inher teaching career with miraculousresults in Penola.

Bonus pay was eliminated in Victoriain the 1890s when it was discoveredthat due to cheating, the results ofVictorian students did not match theirreal abilities. Those of the salariedteachers in NSW were superior.

A courageous 2010 election policyReward Payments for Great Teachers,saw the Gillard Government promise tore-introduce annual test-linked bonuspay and mandatory annual inspection of 300,000 teachers in every Australianschool.

The angels are definitely not on theside of this proposal, and the prognosisfor it is no better than it was in 1865.Teachers (who vote) will vehementlyoppose it and perhaps even light acandle to pray for help from St Mary!

Seems that the young Mary McKillopwas teaching at Portland Common School510 in 1865 when a school inspector visit-ed to inspect the teachers’ performance.

At the time, teachers relied on a goodassessment by an inspector to gain anannual salary bonus.

AEU Federal Industrial Officer Rob Durbridgesays support for Gillard’s bonus payments plan is unlikely to come from above.

Saint Mary – the education activist

CHANGES TO THE PAIDMATERNITY LEAVE POLICYPregnant?

Permanent? On Leave?

Twelve months continuous service‘IMMEDIATELY’ prior to the birth

is no longer required!You may be eligible for Paid MaternityLeave. For further info please contactTish Champion on: T: 8272 1399E: [email protected]

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

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ver 300 mourners drovealong a dusty tracknorth of YalataCommunity to thecemetery recently -

past a school where asignificant educational

leader, Stanley Minning, worked muchof his career and the Sorry Camp wherefriends and relatives had shared theirgrief before the burial proceedings wereconducted. Oak Valley School studentsin their colourful uniforms formed aguard of honour as the coffin, coveredin Sturt Desert Peas, and a spinifexwreath was carried into the cemetery.Three generations of his students werepresent including two, now Ananguministers, leading the ceremonies.

State records show Stanley Minningwas born near Ilkurlka north ofTjuntjuntjara in the Great VictoriaDesert on 1 January 1934. As a youngboy his name was Minningka, after histjamu or grandfather. He told teacherfriends about the long walk his littlelegs endured over 500 kilometres withhis mama (father) and nguntju (mother)to a new camp at Ooldea Soak Missionon the edge of the Nullarbor. His fathernavigated by the stars and knew thenames of many. Mr Minning remember-ed being scared when seeing his firstwhite man (a dingo hunter) and a train!

At the Ooldea Mission Stanley’s jobwas to look after a goat herd. Later he

was an assistant to Harry Green, theUnited Aboriginal Mission-appointedteacher. There was no government fund-ing in those times, the school beingbuilt of railway sleepers.

In 1952 Ooldea Mission was closed,so Stanley and a group of families walk-ed south. Soon after, atomic bomb testsstarted at Maralinga and more Ananguwere forced to move from their traditi-onal lands. The Walkabout School – withStanley as sole teacher – moved to wher-ever water was available. A LutheranMission was established at Yalata, whereStanley often taught in tandem withchurch-appointed teachers.

Albert Whitelaw, the Superintendentof Aboriginal Schools, had the foresightto realise how important it was to havePitjantjatjara teachers in Anangu schoolsand Stanley was the first appointee byDECS in the early seventies teachingmiddle primary. Other appointmentsfollowed at Ernabella and Indulkana.

When an elder with his Christianname passed away Stanley became Mr Minning from then on as a mark of respect to the deceased person. Mr Minning was a leader in a number of positions at Yalata School includingas community liaison teacher who didmuch to bring the community and schoolcloser together. When the communityfaced challenges, he was the rock, theconstant supporter of some teachers

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

Kunmanara – learner,educator, leaderThe legacy left by Stanley Minning will behard to match writes Geoff Rogers.

“He defused potentiallyvolatile situations withhumour and improvedcross-cultural under-standing of newlyappointed teachers even teaching them his language.”

O

who found working there difficult. Hedefused potentially volatile situationswith humour and improved cross-cultur-al understanding of newly appointedteachers even teaching them hislanguage.

After the Maralinga Lands were hand-ed back to the traditional owners, somemoved back to Oak Valley. Mr Minningmoved again with his people. The schoolchanged from a tarpaulin with a visitingteacher to a caravan and shelter, andeventually a modern set of buildings.Mr Minning was back in the country heloved. He liked nothing better than tosit on the red sand drawing patterns witha stick and telling stories. After an illnessforced him to retire he came back as acoordinator to assist the Oak ValleySchool’s leadership to guide the progressof students. Mr Minning is now known asKunmanara. The Pitjantjatjara call peoplewho have passed away this name as amark of respect for the one whosename can no longer be mentioned.

Kunmanara is remembered by amultitude of educators as a man with acheeky sense of humour. He was a loyalfriend to many piranpa or white teachers.In the big smoke, he rode an escalatordespite the fear, travelled in a lift withhis eyes closed to make students laugh,flew in an aeroplane against his betterjudgement and viewed many things inthe city with the wonder and curiosityof a true learner.

Kunmanara’s dedication and hugecontribution to the education of Anangufor more than 50 years is a legacy fewwill match! On his last night he chose tosleep under the stars that providedguidance to his parents and the youngboy who grew to become the teacherremembered and respected by so many. Vale Kunmanara

Kunmanara’s son gave permission forhis story to be told and his photo to bepublished to the writer.

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

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adults who would struggle toachieve success in mainstreameducation.

All re-entry colleges are structured tofacilitate learning across unique wholecommunities using best practice metho-dologies for adult learning. It needs tobe remembered that adults need flexibleteaching and learning solutions. Forexample, at Marden Senior College weoffer courses from 8.45am to 3.35pm.We offer twilight courses for studentsfrom 4pm – 7pm, and offer night coursesfrom 6pm – 9pm.

Classrooms are where the rubbermeets the road; where the directinstructional interventions of teachershappen and formal adult learning ismost directly shaped. Where will theseadults now go, given the fact that TAFEhas not taught senior secondaryeducation for over 20 years?

What will happen to the new arrivalsprograms? Where will many mature agerefugee students go?

Shutting adults out of adult re-entryschools is a classic example of the re-centralisation of control of education.

It further demonstrates how out oftouch both DECS and our educationbureaucrats have become.

Re-entry colleges deliver qualityaffordable courses to a broad cross-section of the most educationallydisadvantaged members of our society.

The effects of this measure and therestructuring and marginalisation ofadult re-entry is a huge backward stepin education in South Australia.

The greater tragedy is that this kindof thinking is educationally regressive;especially given the fact that adult re-entry is starting to play a crucial role in

Dear Editor,

The current disproportionate emphasison science over humanities courses inthe new SACE curriculum is regrettablebut no surprise in the current socialclimate. If it continues its long-termeffect will be a limiting of creative andcritical social thinking in the populationin favour of more prosaic and conform-ist perceptions of society.

It is fundamental to our democracythat we have a broadly educated citizen-ry capable of examining critically thehuman and social issues of the day. Inthe end it is the existence of a thinking,rational, creative and compassionatepopulation that offers our best chanceof retaining genuine democracy andavoiding tyranny.

It is especially humanities coursesthat have an essential role to play inthis and we must restore them with dueemphasis in the curriculum if we are toavoid the risk of democratic failure inyears to come.

Terry HewtonRetired Teacher

Dear Editor,

The announcement by Treasurer KevinFoley to prevent adults over the age of 21from attending re-entry schools to com-plete their South Australian Certificateof Education is an absolute disgrace.

This decision abrogates the StateGovernments’ commitment to a very vul-nerable and disadvantaged group in ourcommunity. Re-entry colleges are strate-gically placed in the Adelaide metropolitanarea to provide an educational route for

lifelong learning.

Many of the adult re-entry collegesoffer VET courses providing the trainingneeds of the new economy.

In addition, adult re-entry providesbasic job skills to enable students tobecome self-employed.

It helps them to develop self-confi-dence, personal skills and helps themto get involved in their local community.

This cut will not break the nexusbetween low-skill and non-participation,it will only widen it!

This Labor Government should hangtheir heads in shame. They are disman-tling a great educational sector thatplays a crucial role in delivering socialjustice and creating a fairer and morejust society.

Michael Wohltmann Marden Senior College

people to contribute to, and participatein, their own and broader society.

The closing date for nominations isFriday, 26 November 2010. Thewinner will receive a $1000 prize and allnominees will receive a certificate fromthe AEU.

For further information contact DarcelRussell, Deputy Federal Secretary on T: (03) 9693 1800 F: (03) 9693 1805 E: [email protected]

Nomination forms are available from the AEU website:www.aeusa.asn.au>Your AEU>Sectors>Aboriginal Educators

This Award is in recognition of AEUmembers who are committed toensuring all Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander students have the right to highquality education throughout their lives.

The AEU is dedicated to ensuring allAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople have local access to a free,publicly funded education system, whichaffirms cultural identity, and enablesAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Arthur Hamilton Award 2010

continued from page 3 3

Life Quilt SACommunity textile art projectto promote work safetySA Unions, the Working Women’s Centreand the Australian Safe CommunitiesFoundation are sponsoring a communitytextile art project to promote safety andsafe work practices. The project is calledLife Quilt SA and has been inspired by asimilar project from Canada in 2000. TheCanada Life Quilt project commemoratedthe lives of 100 young people killed inwork related incidents. The Life Quilt hasbeen used since to promote safe workpractices. It tours to conferences, work-shops and public meetings to encourageall to take responsibility for safety at work.

The Life Quilt SA [LQSA] project will designand make a wall quilt to be used acrossSouth Australia to promote safety at work.The project is designed to draw togetherpeople affected by a significant work placeincident. Life Quilt SA will be coordinatedby local textile artist – Sue Morley.

Workshops will be held weekly on Fridayafternoons, in Kent Town, over a 4-monthperiod, commencing in Feb 2011.

Experience in sewing or textile art is nota prerequisite to becoming a participant;but a willingness to contribute to and beinvolved in a community art project is.

If you would like to be involved contactthe Working Women’s Centre:T: (08) 8410 6499E: [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR . . .CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

Merry Christmas &a HappyNewYear!Have a peaceful, relaxing and safe holiday.The AEU Office will close at 12 noonFriday 24 December 2010 and willreopen Monday 10 January 2011.

AEU executive & staff wish all members,

20

WORKCOVER

STANDING COMMITTEESCountry Conditions: The Committee monitors country working conditions andmakes recommendations to Branch Executive on appropriate policy and action.Two female positions for 2 years ending December 2012.One male position for 2 years ending December 2012.

Finance: The Committee is chaired by the Treasurer, prepares the AEU budget andreviews expenditure on a quarterly basis.

Two male positions for 2 year ending December 2012.One female position for 2 years ending December 2012.Two female position for 1 year ending December 2011.

Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare: The Committee monitors OHS&Wissues and advises on matters relating to the working environment and health ofmembers and students.Two female positions for 2 years ending December 2012.One male position for 2 years ending December 2012.One female position for 1 year ending December 2011.

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEESConsultative Committees provide advice to Branch Executive on matters affecting their membership sector. All positions are for a one-year term of officeending December 2011.

School Services Officers | 9 positions School Services Officers in DECS.

Contract and TRT | 9 positions Unemployed, Contract and TRT members.

Special Education | 9 positionsTeachers and School Services Officers involved in Special Education.

Status of Women | 9 positions Women members from all membership sectors and classifications.

Principals Consultative Committee | 9 positionsSchool leader members in all sectors of schooling.

Aboriginal Education | 9 positions Indigenous members from all membership sectors and classifications.

Early Childhood | up to 15 positions, a majority of whom shall beChildren’s Services Act employees.Members working in Early Childhood Education.

Closing DateNominations for these Committee vacancies must reach the: Returning Officer, 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063,no later than Wednesday, 17 November 2010.A nomination form is available at: www.aeusa.asn.au/yourunion and from the AEU. Nominations may be accompanied by a supporting statement of not more than 200 words.

Election ProcedureBallots for contested positions will be conducted at Branch Council on Saturday, 20 November 2010.Peter NormanReturning Officer

Australian Education Union | SA BranchNominations are called to fill vacancieson the following AEU Committees:

NOMINATIONS FOR AEU COMMITTEES

Confidentialityof workerscompensationinformationAEU WorkCover Officer Ed Grue offers sage advice

The AEU recently supported a memberin making a complaint to the WorkCoverOmbudsman regarding the inappropri-ate disclosure of confidential informa-tion that related to the member’s work-related medical condition.

The WorkCover Ombudsman deter-mined that in the circumstances of theparticular complaint, the individual whodisclosed the confidential informationwas required to apologise to the memberand DECS should advise leaders andmanagers of their obligations to maintainconfidentiality.

Interestingly, in DECS’ advice toleaders and managers there was anemphasis on the fact that a breach ofconfidentiality is a criminal offence andthat DECS itself would not be liable butonly the individual who committed thebreach.

The AEU recommends membersshould never disclose confidentialmedical information without priorwritten authorisation. If you have awork injury and believe thatconfidential information has beendisclosed without your consent youshould contact the AEU for advice.

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

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AEU 2010 TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

2010 UNION MEMBER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMFri 19 November 9.15am – 15.00pmPotential Delegates Course1-day course introducing members to AEUdecision making processes.Who can attend: AEU members.

All courses are held at the AEU unlessotherwise specified.

For more info or to register go to:

www.aeusa.asn.au

Branch Council MeetingsUpcoming dates for 2010 are:Saturday, 20 November

TAFE Divisional Council MeetingsUpcoming dates for 2010 are:Friday, 19 November

COUNCIL DATES FOR 2010

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NOMINATIONS FOR TEACHERS REGISTRATION BOARD SA

ATTENTION TEACHERS!Renewal of Teacher Registration31 December 2010If your registration expires inJanuary 2011 you must renew yourregistration by 31 December 2010.An application to renew your registrationwill be sent by post in mid October 2010. Theonus is on you to renew your registration bythe due date. Please contact the TeachersRegistration Board if you have not receivedyour application to renew your registrationby early November 2010. Non receipt of anapplication to renew registration is not anexcuse for allowing your registration toexpire.

Change of Name and/or AddressRemember to notify the Board in writing of any change of address and providecertified documentation if you havechanged your name.

PO Box 3649 Rundle Mall, SA 5000Tel: (08) 8226 8811 Fax: (08) 8226 2667Email: [email protected] Website: www.trb.sa.edu.au

To all past students, staff andparents of Linden Park Schools

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS of Learning and the Opening of the Redeveloped Schools

Friday 12 November 5 – 9pmFor info & to register interest:

email: [email protected]: 8379 2171

Australian Education Union | SA BranchStatutory Board Election

Education Act 1972:Teachers Registration Board

5 Members and 5 Deputy MembersNominations are invited from AEU teacher members to serve as Members and

Deputy Members of the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia.

Successful candidates will be appointed to the Board by the Governor for a term of office of up to three years.

Board members are released from teaching duties to attend TeachersRegistration Board meetings.

Nominations, accompanied by a supporting statement of up to 200 wordsand a brief curriculum vitae, close on Wednesday, 17 November 2010.

Nomination forms are available from the AEU.

An election, if required, will be conducted at the Branch Executive meeting tobe held on Monday, 22 November 2010.

Nominations should be addressed to the Branch Secretary, Jack Major, at theAustralian Education Union, 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside 5063.

Further information is available from Jack Major on 8272 1399.

S A W A – A U S T R A L I A ( S A )SUPPORT ASSOCIATION FOR THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN

Fundraising dinner for allsupporters of SAWA

SAWA – Australia (SA) funds Hewad High School for Afghan refugee girls andboys, located in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. SAWA also supports the Vocational TrainingCentre for war widows in Kabul, Afghanistan, offering literacy and handcrafttraining. The training centre assists women to gain skills to become independentin supporting themselves and their families. A dinner has been organised toraise funds so that SAWA – Australia (SA) can continue to supportthese important projects.

Tuesday 16 NovemberPondok Bali Restaurant, 310 Pulteney Street, Adelaide. $60/person (banquet-style meal) Prepaid tickets only paid by Wednesday 10 November

For more information or to purchase tickets to this worthwhile cause, visit:

www.sawa-australia.org/ groups/Adelaide.html

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NOTICE BOARD

Members’ Market kids, great walks, fishing.www.stayz.com.au>Bayview,North BeachHOL. RENTAL NORMANVILLE:South Shores Holiday Villa #25.3BR (sleeps 8). Secure behinddunes at Normanville. Golf, horseriding, pools, beach, lawns, cafes. T: 0413 155 460www.stayz.com.au/23983

PORT ELLIOT HOLIDAY ESCAPEStunning new, a/c, 4BR, s/cont.Close to Main St. cafes, shops,restaurants, galleries. HorseshoeBay, swim, surf and fish. Walk/biketrails, markets, wineries, SteamRanger Cockle train. Special rates.E: [email protected] HOLIDAY HOUSE:Yorke Peninsula “OceanfrontEscape” 2-storey hse w. pergolato beach & farmland views, secl,4 BRMs, full kitchen, BBQ, DVD/VCR/TV, billiards, fishing. Peaceful& relaxing, great for kids. ContactBrenton on: T: 0409 864 682E: [email protected] CEDUNA BEACH HOUSE:S/cont, beachfront, BBQ/DVD/LCD/ TV, r/c air. Sleeps 6. Corp.rates AEU members. Main st andjetty 5 min walk. T: (08) 86253343

VICTOR HARBOR Holiday Hse:Renovated 3BR hse walk to beach,skate park, shops, restaurants andtown. All facilities, lge yard, BBQ.T: 0413 920 554E: [email protected]

HOLIDAY HOUSE, 'NORTH BAY',CARRICKALINGA: Arch. designednew 2- storey beach hse. 4BR, 3bath, 2 living areas, Europeankitchen, decking & views. Suits 2families. Sleeps 10. Play equip. forkids. T: 0403 015 964www.stayz.com.au>North Bay,Carrickalinga

ABSOLUTE SEAFRONT HOUSEStunning beach, dolphins - wine -seafood. House (neg), beach orbalcony suites. Min 4 nights. fm$45/dble, mid-wk off-peak.Kingston. T: 0402 922 445

HOLIDAY RENTAL:Yorke Peninsula: New up-marketesplanade beach hse ‘Manyana’at Wool Bay (near Edithburgh).Spa, plasma TV, DVD, stereo, dish-washer. Tastefully ff & equiped,3BR, sleeps 7. Panoramic views,walks, fishing. T:(08) 8832 2623www.countrygetaways.info

HOLIDAY GETAWAYSVICTOR HARBOR:All Seasons Lakefront Getaway:Stunning s/cont. lux. colonialhme. Priv. secl. beach & lake! 4BRs,2 living areas, 2nd bath, 3 toilets& laundry, lge backyd. Sleeps 8. Lakeside Getaway: EncounterLakes Villa, 100m to beach &reserve. 5-min. to Esplanade,walk/bike trail, cafes, restaurants,store. 3BRs. Sleeps 6. Spaciousliving/fam/dine, 2-way bath, sep.toilet, laundry. M: 0419 868 143E: [email protected] www.victorharborholidayhomes.spaces.live.comKangaroo Island GetawayKI RURAL RETREAT: Attractives/cont. lge country hme, gdn,native bush, 260 acres. 2 bath, 2qn beds, 2 living areas, laundry,patio. Sleeps 12. From $120/night.T: 0407 790754 a/hE: [email protected] HOLIDAY COTTAGE: VivonneBay, close to beach & HarrietRiver, wildlife, exc. location for KIattractions. 2BR. s/cont, air, BBQ.Sleep 4, $95. T: (08) 8341 9185E: [email protected]

KI HOLIDAY HSE, KANGASTAYHarriet River, Vivonne Bay, 3BRfully equipped. Close to Seal Bay,Remarkables, Admiral Arch andmore) relax, swim, fish. Linen prov.winter discounts, sleeps 6. From$100/night. T: 0407 215 [email protected]

KI QUEENSCLIFFE COTTAGEKingscote, recently restored 2BR,period decor, gdn. Walk to beach,cafes, jetty, pubs. Sleeps 6. Exc.location to explore island. T: 08 8553 9007www.kangarooislandholidayaccomodation.com.au/property.php?p_id=232

‘WINDSWEPT COTTAGE’Overnight & short-stay accom. inAdel. Hills (Stirling). Suit couples(no children due to steep stairs tomezz. BR). Quiet, botanic setting,own carport & entrance w. galleykitchen, TV, DVD etc. 5 min walk toStirling restaurants, cafes. 15 mindrive to wineries, Hahndorf andHills towns. From $90-$120/night E: [email protected] T: 0431991431www.windsweptcottage.webs.com

HOLIDAY RENTAL WALLAROO:Arch. designed new 2-storey beachhse, bay views. 3BR, 3 bath, openplan living, modern kitchen, sleeps7. DVD, CD, dishw. Safe beach for

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NOTICE BOARD

HOUSEBOAT: (near Mannum)AEU members are offered a 10%disc. during shoulder/off pk.Sleeps 10. T: (08) 8277 8751E: [email protected] www.bundara2.net/

FOR RENT – MITCHAM HILLS3BR hme, 2 bath, living, balcony,hills views, r/c air, gas space heat,2nd living area, 2 car accom. T: 0417 823 912

HOUSE FOR RENT: Modern 5brmin Hillbank, quiet culdasac, closeto public trans, alarm, ducted a/c,solar, shed, gas, dbl carport.$350/wk. T: 0416 113 386 E: [email protected]

ROOM FOR RENT: Share 3BR hsewith 2 others in Gawler. $70/wkplus exp. T: 0409 486 088

FOR RENT: f.f. private apartmentin Glenelg for hol or wkd rental.Heated pool, spa, steam-room,sauna, gym etc. Plasma TV, 100mto beach. T: 0403 606 052

GLENELG NTH T/HSE RETREATHol accom, quiet, mins from JettyRd, close to tram/bus stops. Secl.unit feat. 3BRM, 2 toilets, ldry,bath, new kitchen, sep dining,lounge w. patio area, carport.W: www.stayz.com.au/35993T: 0437847034

35mm SLIDE SCANNINGAdelaide & Hills: Do you haveold slides gathering dust and dete-riorating? Have them profession-ally scanned at high resolution andtransferred onto CD. 17 yrs exp.,reasonable rates. T: 0401 590 875

WORKSHOP: Stress manage-ment, personal dev. and learningdifficulties: Brain Gym-an introwkshop. Movements to ‘switch on’the brain. T/fax: (08) 8768 2537 E: [email protected]

GO SCUBA DIVING WITH ELITE DIVE ACADEMY:Are you a diver, but haven’t beenin the water for a while?! Get $50off a PADI Tune-Up program torefresh your skills. Contact:T: (Steve) 0413 134 827 E: [email protected]

FOR SALE: Certified organiccosmetics & personal products.www.bodytune.mionegroup.com

CAMERON CAMPER TRAILERFOR SALE: Sits on 6’ by 4’ trailerwith electric brakes and watertank. Opens out to create a 17’by 7’ space. A full annexe is alsoincluded. Good cond. $3,200T: 0407 324 559

HOUSE SITTING: Mature couple,teachers, non-smokers, exp. petowners, gardeners seek hse sitwhile new home is built. AdelaideNth pref. Avail. Dec 2010, late Jan– April 2011. E: [email protected]: 0409 608 518 or 0409 280 019

HOUSE SITTING: Prof. coupleseek hse sit, Adelaide & environs,late July – Oct. 2010. Non-smokers,hse proud, exp. renovators, repairs,gardening, animal caring. Contact Chris & Eleanor OystonT: 02 6236 3008 E: [email protected]

FRANCE – SOUTH:Lovely Village House. Languedocregion. T: 0403 314 928 (Julie)www.myfrenchhome.com.au

HOUSE SWAP:We would like to swap a 3bedroom house in suburbanAdelaide for one week from 16 Jan 2011 for house in lowerBlue Mountains (Lapstone) closeto railway. Contact Norma Clarke:T: (02) 4739 3692 E: [email protected]

CIVIL CELEBRANT: Dr Tom Haig:weddings, renewal of vows, com-mitment ceremonies, funerals

Advertise in Members’Market for FREE!Rent, sell, buy or offer goodsand services. Send ads to:

[email protected]

and baby namings. First classpersonalised services with AEUmembers receiving a 10% dis-count on services upon request.T: 85311726 or 0439 687 529E: [email protected] www.tomhaig.com.au

2011 DOUBLE TEACHINGEXCHANGE OPPORTUNITY TOONTARIO, CANADATeach in Penetanguishene, Ontario,Canada, 2- storey hse, 4 brm, 3bath and only 5 kms from school.Pop. of 5000, located 2 hrs drivefrom Toronto, a close knit commu-nity with all the perks of a largecity, incl. hockey arena, skateboardpark, soccer oval, pool and lots offamily friendly parks. Town andnearby communities w. beaches,boating, water sports. Teaching inmiddle & upper primary. Contact Darryl Carter, Manager, International ProgramsT: 8226 1150 or 0402 250 929 E: [email protected]

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

Journal-No07_2010 1/11/10 11:33 AM

AEU Journal Vol. 42 No. 7

Documents

Transcript of AEU Journal Vol. 42 No. 7