From Surviving to Thriving, new educators today are adopting this strategy to shape a better future for our children's education and to make the most of the time they spend in the classroom.

Teachers from all over WA gathered together on Friday August 13, for SSTUWA's inaugural New Educators' State conference, themed 'From Surviving to Thriving'.

Conference organisers, ETC Coordinator, Mary Franklyn and SSTUWA Educator, Cherry Bogunovich, arranged the attendance of approximately 55 participants, a mix of primary and high school educators who are in their first five years of teaching.

They are fresh on the block and are looking for new and innovative ways to teach, cope with common issues and learn more about how the union can support them.

Read more: New Educators: From Surviving to Thriving

On the 13th of April, the SSTUWA hosted a Pre-retirement Seminar, sponsored and run by Police & Nurses Financial Planning.
55 attendees were lucky enough to get places (many missed out), to hear and learn from the experts about making the most of their retirement.

Teachers came from all over, Applecross to Albany and from Polytechnic West to Margaret River PS.

Such was the enthusiasm that, while standing near the registration table, one participant was overheard saying: “I don’t have time to register; I’m retiring.”

Read more: RETIREMENT: It’s about starting, NOT stopping

The SSTUWA will host a Forum on the Australian Curriculum Consultation on Draft K – 10 Curriculum on Saturday 1st May 2010 at the SSTUWA building in East Perth.

The consultation phase on the drafts of the first four subjects in the development of the Australian Curriculum: English, mathematics, science and history closes on 23rd May 2010.

Participants will work in tables of interest to provide information and material for the AEU National Submission and to support members doing independent submissions.

The final curriculum for English, maths, history and science, for K to 10 and for the senior years, will be published later in 2010 following the national consultation.

Read more: SSTUWA Forum: Draft K – 10 Curriculum

There was a big turnout at today’s(Friday 19th March) Early Childhood Forum, at the SSTUWA Education & Training Centre.

Teachers and Administrators came, many as ‘teams’, to hear about those currently implementing the new K15 hour program, and learn more about the industrial and professional issues arising from it.

According to the Federal Government, Kindergarten hours are being increased from 11 to 15hours a week to assist children with learning important skill such as literacy and numeracy, and to develop emotionally and socially.

The increase in hours is for both private and public schools, with some being selected to begin increasing hours this year.

Read more: ECE Forum: Kindergarten 15 hour program

On Tuesday, New Educators (NE) attended the first TOPS training session of the year. It was a great opportunity to chat with some of the NEs met at last week’s Welcome (see: internet story and January Western Teacher), and to find out if they had acquired a position yet. It was also great to get to know some new faces and hear about the variety of backgrounds.

Ashlee Mustard- Braeside PS

When we met Ashlee last week, she was concerned at not yet having been offered a post, so it was great to find out that she is now organising to move to Katanning and excited about her future:

Read more: The Education and Training Centre at the SSTUWA

2009 was the most successful year yet for training, at the SSTUWA. With the introduction of TOPS and other new courses, union members more often than not chose to use their PD time here, reaping the benefits of up-to-date and relevant courses, with excellent guest speakers.

Mary Franklyn, the ETC co-ordinator, worked tirelessly to organise courses and even seminars such as the extremely popular ECE two that happened this year.

Mary spoke about the development of the union’s ETC and what’s new for 2010.

Why is PD so important for teachers?

Education is critical to the individuals’ successful survival in any society – this is a core belief for any teacher.  The union provides teachers and administrators with both industrial and educational learning opportunities. Educators need time to stop and reflect, to learn new skills and consider new knowledge.

Read more: ETC - Providing all your training needs

More than 20 union members attended the SSTUWA’s TUTA accredited “Violence, Bullying and Stress” training course on Thursday, 15th October.

The resounding message: No to workplace violence. This is not part of the job was the focal point of the day’s training, which saw the attendance of Principals, union reps, OSH reps and your everyday, highly affected, classroom teacher.

All were keen to know their rights and most had a personal story to tell, where they were the victim of some form of violence, bullying and/or stress.

Tony Mullen, Organiser, presented the course which was part of the union’s Anti-violence Campaign.

“Some 300 assaults on teachers were reported to the DET in the first semester of 2009, and we know that this is the tip of the iceberg as most staff do not make formal reports of such incidents, or they do not result in suspension and, therefore, do not come to the attention of central office.

“More and more of SSTUWA office time, and teachers’ time, is being consumed by such events.

“You are entitled to a safe workplace and the DET must manage all workplace hazards including violent students, in order to minimise the risk of physical and psychological harm to staff.”

Read more: Violence, Bullying and Stress... all in a day's work?

If you are still unaware of this programme, TOPS (Teacher’s Online Planning System) enables teachers to “...translate the Australian Curriculum into classroom practice...it’s your personal curriculum centre with the content to plan comprehensively and the applications to use ICT for planning, teaching and learning- recording, reporting and accountability.

“There are over 2000 A3 pages of curriculum support for years K P-6/7,” says Robin Clarke, creator of TOPS.

The programme, exclusively available to members, has gained great momentum and ground, since its launch in July of this year.

“We have delivered 52 courses in the time period since TOPS’ release in July, until the end of T3,” said Robin. “That is, 520 people have done the courses and 156 people have registered for TOPS. Our ‘Twilight’ programmes are really increasing in popularity.”

Read more: New educators get a taste of TOPS

After the successful launch of the SSTUWA’s Teaching Online Planning System (TOPS), this week was the first Train the Trainer training session to expand the programme into schools.

Robin Clarke, developer of the TOPS Curriculum Organiser programme, took the course, with Day 1 focussing on curriculum, competencies & planning, and assessment. Day 2 looked at training, administration and school coordination.

So far, 184 people have been trained, with a 100% positive response from participants.

Read more: TOPS Training swings into action

This is your last chance to enrol for Industrial Education for SSTUWA Pilbara Members. Deadline for registration:  Friday 3rd July 2009 5.00 p.m.

The Industrial Educator will be in Hedland during Week 3 commencing 31st August subject to sufficient demand for union training.  Under our Award all members (schools & TAFE) are eligible to 5 paid “trade union training” leave days per year or ten days in two years. School members may access up to ten days in a two year period.

Below is a list of the training on offer to members:

Read more: Last Chance to Enrol for Industrial Education in the Pilbara