Education union representatives visit schools

25/11/2011

John Quessy visited OLQP and observed classes. He is pictured here with teacher, Josette Wooley

From left: Principal, Michael Hopley with IEU Cumberland branch members Greg McKinney and Pam Smith

On Wednesday 16 November, NSW Independent Education Union (IEU) assistant secretary, John Quessy, and Cumberland branch representatives, Pam Smith and Greg McKinney, visited Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary (OLQP), Greystanes as part of a three-school visit in the Parramatta diocese to talk to teachers about working in open plan learning spaces.

Earlier in the month the IEU representatives visited St Oliver’s Primary, Harris Park and Holy Trinity Primary, Granville with Catholic Education’s team leader staff services, Paul Dolan, director system performance, Danuta Maka, and director system learning, Sue Walsh.

Paul said the Catholic Education Office invited the IEU to visit the schools following a series of meetings and correspondence regarding the introduction of open plan learning spaces in the diocese.

‘The IEU have represented their concerns from some of their members over the past 18 months or so,’ said Paul. ‘We wanted to provide an opportunity for them to visit our schools first-hand and speak with staff about their experiences within the learning spaces.’

As part of the school visits, the IEU were taken on a tour of learning spaces at the three schools and were able to speak with staff during the tour. Staff were also invited to meet with the IEU representatives at the end of the school day.

John Quessy said the IEU had no opinion on whether the learning spaces were better or worse than traditional classrooms, but were concerned about how the change impacts on teachers’ working lives.

‘The union is agnostic about these learning spaces,’ said John. ‘There is no union-endorsed style of teaching.’

‘We are looking at how the nature of teachers’ work has changed as a result of these spaces and whether or not the skills, facilities and professional development have been provided and are effective from a staff perspective,’ he said.

The IEU were interested in speaking with staff about occupational health and safety matters e.g. voice care and acoustics in the spaces; how teachers are finding working in teams with other teachers whose teaching styles differ; how teachers are dealing with the change from isolated classrooms to team working environments; and what additional support or professional development teachers require.

John said the visits hadn’t revealed anything earth shattering, rather identified what he described as ‘irritants’ for some teachers working within the spaces.

‘We certainly haven’t found anything earth shattering but there are what I would call irritants as a result of the change and the way teachers are now working differently,’ said John. ‘We acknowledge that members don't often call us about the things they're satisfied with; they call with questions, complaints or to let us know the things they want improved.’

Paul Dolan said the union would agree that some of the issues raised by teachers were not only the result of working in open plan learning spaces but were found in traditional classrooms as well.

‘Many of the issues raised by teachers would be seen in traditional classrooms,’ said Paul. ‘OHS, voice care, classroom management, working with colleagues with differing teaching styles are all part and parcel of a teacher’s professional life.’

‘The IEU visit has been very constructive from our perspective because it enables us to continue to look at how we support our teachers and staff to ensure they have good information and the appropriate professional learning to continually develop their teaching practice,’ said Paul.

Year 1 teacher at Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary, Tammy Roosen, said it was a good reminder that teachers are able to find solutions to their concerns.

‘The union’s visit was a good opportunity to think about solutions rather than just complaining about what we are unhappy with,’ said Tammy. ‘It was great to have the union reps come into the space and let us know that they are focused on trying to find solutions.’

‘They provided some feedback on how we can make our own professional choices to improve the way we work, but also seek external assistance if needed,’ she said. ‘I think it also helped us to realise that we could be more collaborative as a staff and share some of the strategies we have found successful with our colleagues in other learning spaces.’