SAS STAFF NEWS - September

New Teachers Aide Special Positions

The Minister outlined the following plan for putting the positions in place:

• In 2005 each special class specifically catering for students with behaviour disorders, emotional disorders and autism will be allocated a Teachers Aide (Special) on the basis of no class needing to exceed seven enrolments;

• In 2006 all classes supporting students with mild intellectual disabilities will be allocated a Teachers Aide (Special);

• Each special class for students with moderate intellectual disabilities, physical and hearing impairments in regular schools will also be allocated a Teachers Aide (Special). Each of these classes will not need to exceed an enrolment of 10, 8 and 9; and

• By 2007 every special class in both special and regular schools will have a Teachers Aide (Special).

• The Department of Education and Training will establish an Advisory Group comprising key education and community groups to oversee the implementation of this significant staffing enhancement supporting special classes;

• The Advisory Group will consider the full range of special education services delivered to students in special classes in both regular and special schools and advise on how these services can be strengthened and extended to deliver quality learning outcomes for all students and give schools a greater say; and

• The Advisory Group will deliberate on how best the new teachers aides and special education services will be used across each of the state's ten education regions.

Winning the substantial number of additional positions for SAS Staff in Special Education as well as in Administration can be attributed in no small part to the PSA's campaign against work overload for SAS Staff and our strong action on OH&S issues in the Special Education area. Our thanks go to all members for their support, without which we could not have achieved these staffing gains.

Implementation of SAS Staff Award

The PSA is pursuing more flexible working hours for SAS Staff. We have an in principle agreement from the Department to remove the requirement in the award for full time employees to be at school for at least 3 hours on any one school day. This would provide for the taking of flex days during term time, which is a benefit now available in some schools but not in others.

Permanency for Long Term Temporary SAS Staff

eLAPS

Orientation Day

Members in schools who retain 2 December as Orientation Day should not collect Year 7 fees and book pack money.

Did you know?

• Casuals and temporary staff can and should join the PSA.
• PSA officials are happy to visit your workplace. Phone Daryl on 9220 0976 to make arrangements.
• The last clause in your statement of duties "undertaking other duties as directed" does not mean your Principal can direct you to do whatever they want.
• No SAS Staff can be brought into work for less than two hours.
• The PSA runs excellent training courses. Members are entitled to leave to attend these.