Aboriginal Education Assistants’ News

A meeting of the AEA Steering Committee was held at PSA House in Sydney on 14th December. Here are some recommendations and news from that meeting.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

CERTIFICATE III IN ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

The PSA has written to DET informing them of their error and requesting them to retract the incorrect advice immediately. If you have Certificate III and are not receiving the sixth year rate of pay, you should, in the first instance should forward on copies of their qualifications to the Department's School Staffing Services unit in Bathurst. If you are still told that you are not entitled to the sixth year rate of pay, please contact Jacqui Nissim, PSA Industrial Officer on (02) 9220 0904 or jnissim@psa.asn.au

STEERING COMMITTEE VACANCY

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN 2006

• Deseleen Morgan, Leeton High School (Riverina): 6953 2122
• Lois Birk, Royal Far West School, Manly (Northern Sydney): 9977 2452
• Wally Hammond, Oxley High School (New England): 6766 1677
• Jennie McKenny, Lurnea Public School (South Western Sydney): 9607 7002
• Narelle Trist, Chifley College, Mount Druitt Campus (Western Sydney): 9625 9750
• Joan Sherriff, Tweed Heads South Public School (North Coast): (07) 5524 3408
• Hilton Donovan, Alexandria Park Community School (Sydney): 9698 1967
• Leigh Ridgeway, Hunter River High School (Hunter/Central Coast): 4987 2306
• Helen Pussell, Vincentia High School (Illawarra/South Coast): 4441 6766
• Lola Wighton, Condobolin Public School (Western) (currently on leave)

NAME CHANGE

____ Aboriginal Education Assistant (ie, retain the current title)

____ Indigenous Education Officer

____ Aboriginal Education Support Officer

____ Aboriginal Education Officer

The title that receives the most votes will be recommended to DET as the new title for AEAs.

Please return your vote to Nella De Fazio by
Mail: GPO Box 3365, Sydney 2001;
Fax: (02) 9262 1623, or
Email: ndefazio@psa.asn.au
By Friday 17th February 2006

On behalf of the PSA, I hope you all had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. I look forward to working with you in 2006.

Jacqui Nissim
Industrial Officer

1.1.3.2.1 Statement of Duties: Aboriginal Education Assistant

The emphasis given to these three aspects of the role will vary, according to the nature of the school and its community.

The Aboriginal Education Assistant can carry out duties from this range.

The Aboriginal Education Assistant is responsible to the Principal in the following areas:

1. Student Support

• Supporting Indigenous and Torres Strait Island students in relation to their participation and progress. Supporting and encouraging student attendance and retention;
• Encouraging student participation in relevant school decision making.
• Supporting students on matters relating to educational and individual needs (including vocational subject advice).

• Maintaining effective relationships with Indigenous parents and the Indigenous community.
• Encouraging the involvement of Indigenous parents in school programs and their participation in decision-making.
• In conjunction with Principal, Deputy, Assistant Principal, Aboriginal School Liaison Officer, Home School Liaison Officer, undertaking approved visits to parents/carers in relation to their children's school process or needs (not for disciplinary purposes).
• Informing Indigenous community of the objects and organisation of the school.

Supporting teachers:

• to involve parents and the community in school programs.
• with Indigenous students in school activities, eg excursions.
• with the progress of Indigenous students.
• in developing and implementing an appropriate curriculum for all students and specifically one which meets the needs of Indigenous students.
• with the identification and development of resources to support programs for all students with particular reference to Indigenous students.

Carrying out other duties as required by the Principal, relevant to the statement of duties.

The school must not require an Aboriginal Education Assistant to accept responsibility for class management and control, playground duties, teaching students, disciplining students, bus duty, or hygiene/health care needs of students.