The campaign is working! We must keep the pressure on Turnbull
2 May 2017
Section: News
Today’s announcement by the Federal government tells us that our schools funding campaign has been having a significant impact. It is now more important than ever to keep the pressure on the federal government to deliver the existing funding commitments. Tonight’s tweetathon is a vital chance to tell Malcolm Turnbull that he must deliver on current funding agreements. We need everyone to get on twitter tonight between 6:30 and 8:30pm, tag @turnbullmalcolm, and tell him that he must deliver the current schools funding agreements, now!
Public high school maths teacher to feature on ‘Australian Story’
1 May 2017
Section: News
Cherrybrook High School mathematics head teacher Eddie Woo will be featured on tonight’s edition of Australian Story on ABC TV at 8pm.
May Day is an opportunity to commit to solidarity on workers’ rights
1 May 2017
Section: News
Today — May 1— is May Day: an opportunity to remember the hard-won fight by workers and the union movement to secure the eight hour working day and resolve to improve workers’ conditions for the future.
May 2 a day of Gonski action as campaign heats up prior to federal budget
1 May 2017
Section: News
With the federal budget due on May 9, and education minister Simon Birmingham scheduled to make an announcement about schools funding on May 4, the Gonski campaign continues to take the message of fair schools funding to the public.
TAFE teachers’ experience vital at new Skillspoints
27 April 2017
Section: News
The NSW Teachers Federation welcomes the Minister for skills, John Barilaro’s announcement of 9 Skillspoints across the state. These centres will provide an opportunity to re-establish and expand TAFE’s ability to create high quality curriculum to support training packages and specialised TAFE courses required by Industry. Teachers Federation Deputy Secretary Maxine Sharkey said it was important that experienced TAFE teachers took a leading role in the new centres.
Memorial to teachers who fought in both world wars returns with new glow
24 April 2017
Section: News
Today, fittingly on the eve of Anzac Day, the memorial plaque honouring public school teachers who fought in the two world wars was rehung on Federation’s walls after being cleaned and refurbished since being first placed on display in 1955. The memorial plaque was carved by celebrated sculptor Paul Beadle, who was also a teacher and lecturer.
Federation seeks clarification on Safe Schools
18 April 2017
Section: News
Federation is writing to the NSW Education Minister, Rob Stokes, to request more information about the decision to drop the Safe Schools program from NSW schools. In an announcement made over the Easter long weekend, Minister Stokes announced that once federal funding for the program runs out later this year, the state government would not continue to support the program, and would replace it with a new anti-bullying strategy.
NSW Education Minister speaks out for Gonski
7 April 2017
Section: News
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes will continue to fight “very, very strongly” for the Federal Government to honour its obligation to fund the final two years of the NSW Gonski agreement, ABC Radio reported today ahead of the Education Council meeting in Hobart. Mr Stokes said: “We have a bi-lateral agreement and have met our obligations and we will be insisting the Commonwealth does likewise.”
Premier urged to demand that Federal Government fully funds Gonski agreement
6 April 2017
Section: News
The NSW Public Education Alliance has appealed to the NSW Premier to reject alternatives to the Gonski schools funding model. The Alliance comprises the organisations representing the parents, citizens, principals and teachers of NSW public schools. In a letter sent to the Premier yesterday, the Alliance asks Ms Berejiklian to act on her supportive public statements about securing the Gonski needs-based funding model, and demand that the Federal Government honour its obligations under the NSW Gonski agreement.
NSW Parliament Stands up for Gonski
5 April 2017
Section: News
The campaign for the fair, equitable schools funding offered by the Gonski model has enjoyed strong support in NSW – and support that crosses party lines. In recent weeks, members of NSW parliament have renewed their support for Gonski funding, and the great work the funding is facilitating in NSW schools to lift student outcomes.
Voters reminded of the effects of TAFE funding cuts on their community
5 April 2017
Section: News
Central Coast voters are being reminded of the negative impacts the NSW Coalition’s funding cuts to TAFE are having on locals, before they cast their vote in the Gosford by-election on Saturday. The Liberal-Nationals’ Smart and Skilled privatisation policy forces TAFE to compete with private vocational education and training providers for much of its funding — the result being reduced government funding for TAFE.
Support for members affected by natural disaster
4 April 2017
Section: News
On Tuesday, 4 April, Federation Executive authorised a number of financial support options for members affected by the recent floods. “Federation offers its support to affected members and their families at this time,” Acting General Secretary David Wynne said in an email sent to members in affected areas. The email provided details of the following assistance to members directly affected by natural disasters:
Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees 2017
4 April 2017
Section: News
For many people facing violence and oppression in their home countries, fleeing to another country in search of refuge is their only hope for keeping themselves and their families alive.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Today on this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Federation members are reminded of their responsibility as educators to organise, act and educate against racism in all its forms. Federation’s Anti – Racism Policy applies to all Federation members and employees and through its decisions and policies, will heed the voices of its members and students who are subjected to racial abuse, discrimination or vilification.
New ACTU leader gives a Gonski
18 March 2017
Section: News
New ACTU Secretary Sally McManus gave her support for the campaign to secure six years of the Gonski needs-based schools funding model when she addressed Federation’s March Council meeting this morning.
Wet, wet, wet – but Port Macquarie’s set for Gonski fight
16 March 2017
Section: News
Torrential rain (and even the lack of a Gonski Bus!) could not stop more than 80 teachers, parents and community members from attending The Great Gonski Gathering in Port Macquarie yesterday.
200 parents hear Gonski good news as MP pledges support
15 March 2017
Section: News
Member for Macarthur, Labor’s Dr Mike Freelander pledged to fight for Gonski school funding to be continued in full at a local launch of the AEU’s Getting Results 2 publication at Sarah Redfern High School in Minto, in Sydney’s West. “I understand how Gonski funding makes a difference to schools,” Dr Freelander said, as Federation members explained to parents of students the crucial benefits Gonski funding had brought to Sarah Redfern High.
More than 50pc of students struggling in under-resourced schools: report
15 March 2017
Section: News
International data released today proves that Gonski is working and highlights the recklessness of Malcolm Turnbull’s $29 million cuts to education. The PISA and TIMSS data released today prove that adequately resourcing schools leads to better student performance.
Gonski-rich Parkes seat hears Federation’s message
15 March 2017
Section: News
Splashes of green across the state’s north and central west marked Federation action in support of continued Gonski funding as members turned out from the Dubbo, Nyngan, Bourke and Walgett Teachers Associations to harness community support for the needs-based funding.
Knowing your students’ passions helps to engage them in learning
13 March 2017
Section: News
Getting to know your students is key to engaging them, the SBS Insight program “A Teacher Changed My Life” illustrated last week.
The importance of relationships and partnerships in leading Aboriginal Education in a school
13 March 2017
Section: News
Principals and aspiring principals are exploring the different ways to meet the challenges often associated with the implementation of whole-school change at a Centre for Professional Learning course today. The Leading Aboriginal Education in Your School course focuses on the importance of relationships and partnerships.