Accountability

For your interest: our data over time

Our Consultative Committee

In our busy lives, it is important that we address concerns in the appropriate forums or with the person who is responsible. To support us to do so, we have developed school norms so that our professional conversations are safe and respected.

There is also a 'Go To' chart in every Briefing Notes so that we know who to ask about a concern that may be challenging us. If this is not addressed and the concern fits into the Consultative Committee delineations, then it can be added to the agenda.

Information from the CC website:

Consultation is not perfunctory advice on what is about to happen. This is common misconception. Consultation is providing the individual, or other relevant persons, with a bona fide opportunity to influence the decision maker… Consultation is not joint decision-making or even a negative or frustrating barrier to the prerogative of management to make decisions. Consultation allows the decision making process to be informed, particularly as it may affect the employment prospects of individuals'.

From the AEU:

3. Consultative Committee business

Clause 12 (5) provides for the consultative arrangements to be used for long-term planning for the following school year, and includes:

• The development of workforce plans.
• The planning and organisation of the program of instruction in the school (including the timetable and allocation of allotments and classes, transition arrangements, and any changes to school programs, including avoiding grade splitting where possible).
• Organisation of teacher of work consistent with clause 22, including time in lieu for activities as set out in clause 24.
• Organisational duties, including the allocation of time release and/or an allowance for the duty as set out in clause 22 (11).
• Organisation of education support class work, including time in lieu for any work required outside the ordinary hours of work consistent with clause 24(9) and time to participate in the performance and development process.
• Organisation of the work of teachers in their first 12 months of teaching.
• The recognition of the work performed by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employee associated with cultural responsibility.
• The schedule of meetings occurring in addition to the seven hours attendance requirement set out in clause 24 (3) (a).
• Organisation of classes, including class sizes.
• The structure of selection and other panels for the purpose of making recommendations to the principal.
• The process for access to external professional development opportunities.

Examples of what can be discussed under these headings include:

• 30 + 8 model
• professional practice days
• workforce planning, such as staff profile
• programs/specialist areas
• allotments/grade allocations
• reduction in scheduled duties for first year teachers and time for mentors
• ES roles and responsibilities
• ES leave purchase allowance, attendance during term breaks
• ES supervision of students
• meeting schedule and meeting length
• parent/teacher interview arrangements
• pupil-free day arrangements
• CRT employment
• positions of responsibility – allocation of duties, time allowances and special payments
• excess
• leave policy
• performance and development processes
• TIL arrangements

All Staff: medical certificates and statutory declarations

A reminder that any falsification or alteration of a medical certificate constitutes serious misconduct and, in line with a Department of Education directive, will be reported to the fraud unit and result in immediate dismissal. No leniency can be applied.

All medical documentation must be genuine and verifiable. Where certificates are obtained via online providers, the school must be able to validate the authenticity of the platform and practitioner. 

Statutory declarations are able to be used but only in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort when it is not possible to obtain a medical certificate.

Our clear preference is that staff attend a local GP for medical certification rather than using online facilitators.

Vicki 

Wish List

School Council are keen to support our school's decision to keep class sizes small in spite of the lower than expected enrolments. They are keen to have a 'wish list' by Tuesday of next week so that they can prepare fundraising initiatives to start being rolled out in different forums. 

The first forum would be at the Grandparents Morning Tea as part of la Semaine de la Fracophonie.

A range of items/costs to support learning and play would be preferred for example, the renewing the Synthi Grass is already on the list.

Suggestions: 

• reader sets
• art materials 

Potential union action

FYI: Message sent to parents in Le Journal:

       Potential union action - Tuesday 24 March 2026

• You may have heard in the media that teachers will more than likely be taking industrial action to demand a wage increase and improved conditions.  We wanted to keep you informed as the outcome of the ballot will not be known until 12 March. 

            If the day of action does go ahead, many schools will be closed.

• We are keen for you to be aware of this so that you can make arrangements for the    care of your children on that day if the school is impacted.
• We will keep you informed of any information as it comes to hand.

Potential timeline for our staff:

The outcome of the ballot will be announced on the 12 March.

Staff will need to inform me 36 hours prior to the 24 March if they are taking action. 

All staff who are taking action will meet on the day to attend the organised union event with our school banner.

The number of staff taking action will determine whether the school is:

• closed to all students 
• or whether students attending school will be in the care of teachers not taking action.

All staff not involved in the action will be expected to be on duty.

If you have any questions about the day of action, please see me or your Union Representatives.

Janet

Supervision on the synthi

Please ensure that you reminder students not to play on the stairs up to the tennis court or along the brick wall running along the tennis court. 

A student today fell off the ledge down the stairs and sustained multiple scratches along both arms.

Thanks

Jackie