The motion is critical of the Department of Education (DET) decision not to share details of the report with staff or to share the recommendations.
Details of the report were leaked to the media and the motion states “… that staff have not been engaged by DET properly so to understand the issues raised in the CI report or provided with an opportunity to provide constructive feedback, with a view to addressing any identified problems”.
The sub-branch welcomed the establishment of a cultural inclusion steering committee and outlined a list of demands to re-establish trust with teachers and staff including:
● electing GSSCAEU sub-branch nominees on the steering group, in addition to school leadership;
● prioritising work to foster cultural inclusion in the school by clearly indicating which work currently being undertaken by staff will be delayed, altered, or removed in order for the important work on cultural inclusion to occur. This important work must not be on top of current work;
● demonstrating its commitment to rebuild trust in and respect for their employees, by consulting about possible proposals and their impact on the work of staff; and
● ensuring regular fortnightly meetings between school leadership and union representatives to discuss any initiatives and their progress
Union demands also extend to provision of expert support to staff and the school community, additional teaching and classroom education support staff including casuals to support this cultural reform, reinstatement of cultural officers and the creation of dedicated spaces for cultural groups.
AEU (Vic) branch president Meredith Peace said during a difficult transition period for the new college, teachers and staff were being asked to do even more.
“There is no doubt there has been a lot of pressure on staff, and there continues to be,” she said.
“Absolutely it is extra work, and that is why we have been talking to the department about extra staff.
“Our members want this to work. They want, as they always have, to provide the best education possible for that community.”
The union boss said the motion was an opportunity for teachers to be heard, including the message that they wanted to be properly informed and resourced to constructively add to the new school.
“It has been very important for staff to have their say in this way,” she said.
The union welcomed additional resources already in place and Ms Peace said it would continue to lobby for more where needed.
“This is effectively a new school and creating a new culture, it will take time and it will require a commitment from everyone to work together,” she said.
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