Message from School Council

Dear Bell Primary School community,

Many of you may have seen media coverage or heard discussion about negotiations currently taking place between the Victorian Government and the Australian Education Union regarding pay and working conditions for teachers, education support staff and school leaders.  These negotiations have now been underway for several months. At this stage there has not yet been an offer from the government, and as a result AEU members across the state are considering next steps, which may include industrial action later in March (24th) if progress is not made.

School Council has been briefed on the issues that staff across the Victorian public system are raising. These include concerns about workload, staff shortages across many schools, and the fact that Victorian teachers and education support staff are currently paid less than their counterparts in most other states.

As parents ourselves, we see every day the dedication and care that the staff at Bell bring to our children. Teaching is an incredibly demanding profession, and the quality of our school is directly tied to our ability to attract and retain great educators.  For that reason, School Council believes it is important that our staff are supported with fair pay and reasonable working conditions. Ensuring the profession remains attractive for current and future teachers is critical for maintaining the high standard of public education that our community values.

If industrial action does occur, the school will communicate directly with families about any impacts and the arrangements that will be put in place.

In the meantime, I want to acknowledge the incredible work of the Bell Primary staff and thank them for the commitment they show to our students every day.

Charles Beaton

President

School Council

Bell Primary School