The collective spirit of our union will see us through the challenges of 2022
31 January 2022
Section: Columns
I would like to start by extending a warm welcome to all teachers who are beginning their careers. Like our…
Languages in schools
16 December 2021
Section: Columns
Language is the primary tool we use for communication. It is what sets us apart from all other living things.…
A day 10 years in the making
14 December 2021
Section: Columns
Tuesday 7 December, 2021 has been etched into the history of the NSW Teachers Federation. For the first time in…
There’s power in withdrawing your labour
13 December 2021
Section: Columns
The Department of Education cannot ignore us when we are strong, says casual teacher and Federation Life Member Terry Moriarty.…
Increased salaries are essential for women’s financial security
9 December 2021
Section: Columns
It is more important than ever for women to take an active interest in the remuneration they should receive and…
Why we must take industrial action over salaries and workloads
27 November 2021
Section: Columns
Politicians and public servants love to talk about “evidence-based policy making”. They trot out the phrase to accompany all sorts…
Why women need to lead for better remuneration and working conditions
12 November 2021
Section: Columns
The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2021 was “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
Talking Employment
10 November 2021
Section: Columns
Noting the significant employment challenges that some casual and temporary teachers have faced during the pandemic, we hope that the following employment tips will assist members to secure employment in term 4 and for 2022.
It’s up to all of us
29 October 2021
Section: Columns
The road to winning this campaign lies ahead of us.
Evaluation shows EAL/D teachers improve learning outcomes
28 October 2021
Section: Columns
Intensive English Centre and Central Sydney Intensive English High School staffing entitlements for permanent staff will be maintained during 2022 and 2023.
Government’s great deceit … (and we have the proof)
15 October 2021
Section: Columns
There is often a gap between what governments say and what they know.
United we bargain, divided we beg
15 September 2021
Section: Columns
“We’d had enough,” said casual teacher member Denise Walker, reflecting on what motivated her and her Kiama colleagues back in 1988 to travel to Sydney to be part of a march down Macquarie Street and a rally in the Domain to reject the Greiner/Metherell government’s attack on public education.
COVID recovery: consult us, don’t insult us
9 September 2021
Section: Columns
No one wants kids back in the classroom more than teachers – except for their parents, of course – and such a return must be undertaken when it is safe to do so and in full consultation with the profession.
Teachers rise to the challenge
24 August 2021
Section: Columns
There is no question that adjusting to remote learning during the current COVID-19 lockdown is affecting all teachers, students and school communities, however, the situation for teachers in schools for specific purposes (SSP) and support units is particularly complex.
Resources offer tips for staying safe online during pandemic
20 August 2021
Section: Columns
Online connectivity comes with risks, the federal eSafety Commissioner states.
Real-life stories help understanding
8 July 2021
Section: Columns
“My largest kindy class was 34 and largest year 1 class was 36,” recalls Wheeler Heights Public School Fed Rep Trish McCombie. “It was in the early part of my career and it was challenging.”
Crunch Point
15 June 2021
Section: Columns
The Gallop Inquiry flagged it, independent research confirmed it and our members are voting with their feet; NSW public education is in the thick of a staffing crisis.
Sexual harassment and gendered violence in the workplace
28 May 2021
Section: Columns
Tens of thousands of people attended the @March4JusticeAU rallies across Australia earlier this year chanting “Enough is enough” and demanding an end to gender-based violence and workplace harassment.
Casual teachers and maternity leave
22 April 2021
Section: Columns
Casual teachers are not entitled to access paid maternity leave in the same way as permanent and temporary teachers on an engagement can.
Numbers count when it comes to action
10 April 2021
Section: Columns
Union members’ ongoing commitment to Federation’s campaign for additional release from face-to-face teaching for infants and primary schools was rewarded in 1983.
Inquiry underlines systemic neglect
1 April 2021
Section: Columns
The report of the independent inquiry into Valuing the Teaching Profession rightly identified schools populated by high numbers of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) students as being further affected by disadvantage.