NSW Teachers Federation: Training: Core Courses

Core courses are listed below with a brief description of the targeted participant group, and the course content.

ABOUT COURSE CONTENT

Beginning Teachers Course

A 1-day course, open to all beginning teachers employed as permanent or temporary or casual teachers in the schools sector by the Department of Education and Training and who will be eligible to receive the Teacher's Certificate this year. Service conditions, teachers' rights, problems of probationary teachers are dealt with and the role and operations of Federation explained. The session on Survival Skills for Beginning Teachers is most useful.

Beginning Teachers Conference

These 2-day conferences are open to all new teachers employed as permanent, temporary and casual teachers in their first or second year. The conferences will cover service conditions, teacher’s rights, issues for probationary teachers and professional workshops on classroom management and pedagogy. The Bundanoon conferences are for teachers in the Sydney Metropolitan, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, South Coast and Illawarra. The other conferences are open to teachers within reasonable travelling distance of the location. Federation will pay for accommodation, meals, and travel expenses where appropriate. The conferences start at 9.30 am on Saturday and finish lunchtime on Sunday.

Open Basic
A basic 2-day course for both men and women in these honorary positions, particularly for those newly elected or anyone interested in taking on these roles. Where the number of applications received exceeds available places, priority for placement on the course is given to members who are currently in the role of Fed Rep or Women’s Contact Person. The course covers teachers' rights and service conditions, current Federation campaigns, workplace disputes, grievance procedures and union structures and operation. Other topics include meeting procedure, the legal responsibilities of the two roles, problem solving and exploration of effective strategies to enhance the work of Fed Reps and Women's Contacts.

Women’s Only Basic

TAFE Fed Reps/Women’s Contacts Basic

This course is for TAFE members only. It is open to both men and women from the TAFE sector. Applications are accepted from TAFE teachers across the state. Where the number of applications received exceeds available places, priority for placement on the course is given to members who are currently in the role of Fed Rep or Women’s Contact Person. The course content is basically the same as the Open Basic course, but as it would apply to TAFE.

Advanced Fed Reps/Women's Contacts

A 3-day course open to both men and women with emphasis on practical sessions around public speaking, negotiation skills, assertive behaviour, conflict management and general campaign ideas. Fed Reps, Women's Contacts or other experienced union members find this course very useful. Where the number of applications received exceeds available places, priority for placement on the course is given to members who are currently in the role of Fed Rep or Women’s Contact Person. In general, completion of a Basic course is a pre-requisite for application to attend an Advanced course.

Skills for Aboriginal Councillors

A 2-day course for Aboriginal Councillors/Proxies which aims to explain the operation of the Federation's State Council. The course covers matters such as Standing Orders, the creation of the Agenda and Reports and the role and responsibilities of Councillors and their Proxies. Strategies for increasing Councillor participation in the process will be a key part of the course.

Attendance at the Federation Council meeting immediately prior to the course dates is essential, either as a Federation Councillor, Proxy Councillor, or as an Observer. The Federation's Aboriginal Education Co-ordinator will be involved in the running of the course.

Skills for Federation Councillors

A 2-day for Federation Councillors/Proxies which aims to explain the operation of the Federation's State Council. The course covers matters such as Standing Orders, the creation of the Agenda and Reports, the role and responsibilities of Councillors and their Proxies. Strategies for increasing Councillor participation in the process will be a key part of the course.

N.B. Attendance at the Federation Council meeting immediately prior to the course dates is essential, either as a Federation Councillor, Proxy Councillor, or as an Observer.

Association Treasurers Training Day

A 1-day course for Association Treasurers to brief them about their role in the Association and their responsibilities for Association funds. The course also looks at the requirements for auditing and book-keeping and the problems Treasurers may be experiencing in this regard.

Presidents and Secretaries Campaigns Course

This is a multi-faceted course that builds on the skills and knowledge of local Association's Presidents and Secretaries. It develops their skills in the roles they hold and the knowledge of current campaign priorities and support provided to them by the Teachers Federation.