College backdown underscores perils of proposed discrimination bill
College’s ‘contract’ proposal proved that the Religious Discrimination Bill will enable discrimination against LGBTIQ+ kids under the cover of religious beliefs.
Why workload remains the biggest issue facing teachers
The workloads of education staff have been an issue since long before the pandemic, and must be addressed now for the good of the entire education system.
COVID-19 information: resources list
One stop site for crucial resources, from vaccination advice to the latest government information.
From The Conversation: A short history of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
January 26, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Ngambri Ngunnawal/Canberra – the longest continuous protest in the country, and the world.
Your back to school primer
From the rules governing RAT tests to hints on how to survive your first day at work after a holiday, click below to be informed.
Back to school reading
Relevant and stimulating reads to get you up to speed on the news and views about education in the media.
From The Age: Back to school questions answered
Masks, tests, ventilation: How the 2022 school year will be conducted.
How to beat the return to work blues
We’ve gone a little left field to offer creative suggestions for hitting the ground running (or at least not crawling).
Strikes remain an option if workplaces are unsafe
Withdrawing labour remains a live option if more isn’t done for worker safety during the most transmissible phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From The Conversation: Australia about to feel the full brunt of teacher shortages
The Omicron wave is likely to exacerbate Australia’s existing teacher shortages and demanding workloads.
Teachers, unions demand safe schools
The start of the 2022 school year must be planned and cautious and education workers must be properly resourced, properly protected and properly consulted to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
From The Age: Teachers fight easing of isolation rules for close contacts
Teachers’ unions are pushing back against plans to allow school staff who have been in close contact with a COVID case to keep working on-site, warning the looming change will increase the risk of coronavirus spreading.
A safe return to school in 2022
To ensure the safety of staff, students and school communities, the Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania calls for the following provisions, safeguards and assurances:
Your education reading cheat sheet
Need a quick primer on what’s making news in education ahead of the return to school? Here’s your one-stop shop for all the latest.
Progressive holiday reading
You are what you read… Stock up on some nutritious mind food with this selection of education and union articles.
Know Your Rights: Understanding holiday pay
Holidays can be expensive, especially over the long summer break for school staff if they are only entitled to pro-rata leave.
From The Point: Pandemic job applications
If, as expected, there are more vacancies than usual this summer, how do you ensure you get the position you want?
New reps, unprecedented challenges
This was not an easy year to start out as a Rep. Here, some new Reps share how they performed their duties in another year dominated by lockdowns and remote learning.
From Australian Unions: Safe workplaces are union workplaces
The latest “Work Shouldn’t Hurt” (WSH) survey reveals that unionised workplaces are the safest.
From the Point: Know Your Country – boost indigenous education
A visionary campaign is calling on all levels of government to fund a locally approved First Nations educator in every Australian primary school.