After a robust Federation campaign, the Department has confirmed much-needed additional staff for the state’s 33 Connected Communities schools are in the process of being actionedâ€.
In acknowledging Federation’s representations for Connected Communities schools, the Department indicated it was working on finalising the additional permanent teacher and executive positions. The Department wrote to union Deputy President Henry Rajendra on 30 May, to inform him that all 33 Connected Communities schools will receive between 1 and 4 additional staffing positions for inbuilt reliefâ€.
In addition, each of these schools will receive an executive position at [assistant principal or head teacher] level to mentor early career teachers and teachers who would like to refine and enhance their teaching practice,†the Department stated.
Mr Rajendra welcomed the Department’s response, which for some Connected Communities schools will amount to a permanent staffing increase of more than 20 per cent.
This is a welcome outcome to a Federation policy and campaign position that commenced with a declaration at May 2020 Council regarding the staffing of Connected Communities schools,†he said.
Mr Rajendra said efforts were further being made to build the additional allocation into respective school staffing entitlements.
While this improved staffing will not reflect Federation’s entire policy position , it is a significant structural permanent staffing improvement,†he said.
While there is much more to fight for, we take this as a win for a number of our most complex schools that are doing all they can for their students and communities.â€