Principals' Message

Dear Parents/Carers, 

We hope this email finds you all well.

You may be aware of the new Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 which has resulted in many changes regarding teacher workloads in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. This has now been ratified and has resulted in several changes.

STUDENT FREE DAYS

Student-free days are days when students do not attend school, with the purpose of allowing time for staff to engage in staff professional development, school professional development activities, school planning and administration, curriculum development and/or student assessment and reporting. 

Each year, the first day of Term 1 and the last day of Term 4 will be student-free days in all Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Principals are able to schedule an additional four student-free days during the school year to meet the needs of their school. Our next school closure is Monday 6 November 2023. On this day staff will be working on school reports. 

MACS have advised us that no primary school students should be dismissed from schools prior to 15 December 2023.  This will be the final school day for all Good Shepherd students at 1.00pm - that is,Foundation - Year 6.

TIME IN LIEU

The new Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 introduces a formal time in lieu (TIL) process for teachers. The Agreement provides that a principal may require a teacher to undertake work and attend a school activity outside the normal hours of attendance (i.e., in excess of the 38 hours or normal hours for a part-time teacher) and when this occurs, it will attract Time In Lieu (TIL). 

The new EBA requires that schools follow very strict guidelines regarding teacher workloads. Teachers are only to work a 7-hour day. At Good Shepherd school that is 8.25am – 3.25pm.

Our staff now attend only two meetings a week for an hour each. Apart from those two nights staff are not able to be rostered on duties as it will require schools to replace the additional time through Time in Lieu. This could be a costly exercise for the school if it is not carefully managed. 

Children are dismissed at 3.05pm and teachers will supervise until 3.25pm. All gates will now be closed at 3.25pm including the drop-off/pick-up zone. Those students not collected will be sent to 'Out of Hours School Care' if we cannot contact the parents. 

As of now parents must collect their children by 3.25pm or enrol them in 'Out of Hours School Care'. We are finding several families are not arriving to pick up their children until around 4.00pm. This is not acceptable as we do not have the staff available to supervise.

We are aware of the impact this is going to have on families across all Victorian schools, however we will endeavour to make this transition as smooth as possible.

We look forward to our continued partnership with all our families and appreciate the support you give us.

On another note it has been so wonderful to see the students so engaged in their learning. As we visit classrooms we are so proud of the students' hard work and dedication to learning.

Term Three is shaping up to be another busy term.

We have already enjoyed the Trivia Night, which was a wonderful community event.

Next week Foundation students will have their first ever school excursion. All year levels have now booked an excursion to be held over the coming months. Some very exciting destinations have been chosen for the students to experience.

Friday 11th August is going to be a great day as we all have the opportunity to wear our pyjamas to school. A great way to head into the weekend!

We wish you all a wonderful weekend. We hope the Winter sun returns soon.

God Bless,

Danielle and Ruth