Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)
Candidates for PPTA President:
Chris Abercrombie – James Hargest College
Having had the experience of working in a range of schools and in different areas of Aotearoa New Zealand, I have dealt with the variety and breadth of pressures that we as educators face. With the continuing impacts of Covid, the NCEA change package, the Curriculum Refreshes, and the prolonged industrial round – we find ourselves having to deal with an ever-increasing workload.
In my roles as JVP and acting President, I feel that I have gained the experience needed to fight for members at this time of great change. I have been a strong voice, one that reflects the diversity of experience of teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I understand the many obstacles and concerns we face in our daily working lives, but I still believe teaching is an amazing career. It is a career that I love, and I’m energised by the joy and sense of pride that we all have as teachers within our classrooms and schools.
We are on this journey together and if we continue to move forward together as one, success will take care of itself.
We must continue to ensure that every teacher – from the top of Te Tai Tokerau to the very bottom of Te Waipounamu – has what they need. Support for teachers should not be dictated by the postcode lottery. By investing in our teachers, we are investing in the future for all New Zealanders. When we stand together in solidarity, we bring out the best.
[embedded content]
Jacinta Grice – Hillmorton High School
“Ka tika ā muri, Ka tika ā mua”,
“Past stability ensures future stability”.
With 30 years of commitment to NZPPTA Te Wehengarua I have the skills and enthusiasm to lead the mahi of upholding and improving quality public education. As a confident public speaker I will ensure the professional voice of teachers is known and heard. I am actively engaged in fostering diverse and inclusive environments within the education sector. I have led PPTA Activism successfully. I am truly passionate about education, coaching and advocacy. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and dedication to the role of President. I am well known for thinking outside the square to develop innovative solutions.
Teachers were united to settle the collective agreement. However, the pay and conditions were a catch up not a pay increase and work still needs to be continued. There are many big issues that are looming. For example: Compulsory teaching requirements for maths, reading and writing; Charter schools; Bulk funding; Destreaming in secondary schools; Commitment to te tiriti Māori; Low trust performance appraisals.
Underfunding change needs managing to ensure we have a world class education system and a high trust model of respect for educators. Teaching needs to be a first career choice for top
graduates with better working conditions and remuneration.
[embedded content]
Candidates for PPTA Vice President:
Graeme Bridge – Waiopehu College
We want to see education moving forward. We want to make that point of difference in Aotearoa. We want to be motivated to strive for the greater good.
With so much change just around the corner, will it really make the difference that we are hoping for or are we just like a ship sailing in the dark in uncharted territory?
Tēnā koutou, my name is Graeme Bridge, and I am standing for Junior Vice President.
When moving forward I like to have clarity and a purpose and I do not make empty promises. I will do whatever it takes to represent your interests.
I will always strive to protect the values that we as teachers live by. I believe that we need open dialogue with no hidden agendas. I am someone who perseveres and follows through to completion.
In the last 16 years I have spent 8 of them as an executive member and twice been a member of the Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement negotiating team.
I have always worked to protect and preserve your interests, representing PPTA in various forums, and will continue to do so.
I look forward to being your representative and the next Junior Vice President.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
[embedded content]
Kieran Gainsford – One Tree Hill College
Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Te Wehengarua. We have been through a lot, together, over the last 14 months. We know all too well the challenges in our schools, and we all experienced the resistance our government showed towards investing in a sustainable teaching profession. As a member of your negotiating team, I felt this resistance first-hand. Throughout the campaign, nothing made me prouder than our commitment to fighting for a fair deal. We knew that better salaries and conditions were needed for our profession to have a future, so we stuck to our actions despite the difficulties these posed. What we achieved through bargaining was a direct result of our members’ power – and we should be proud of it.
However, I know that there is more to do. While we now have a settled collective agreement, I know that the next bargaining round will not be easy. Teacher shortages will not be resolved overnight, and we need to be strategic in how we approach the next negotiations round if we want to make headway on this. The NCEA Review and Curriculum Refresh rollouts leave plenty to be desired and are imposing significant workloads on teachers. On top of this, we face an uncertain political environment, where education issues have become a hot topic. In short, there is plenty to do!
I am up for this challenge. Representing members on the Executive has been a privilege, and I have the experience to help to lead the Association’s responses to the complex issues we are facing. I also know that the strength of PPTA Te Wehengarua comes from our democracy. I intend to listen and to ensure that the diverse voices of our 21,000 members are heard at all levels of decision-making. I know both the joys and challenges of secondary teaching. It can be the best job in the world, but there is more to do to secure its future. Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa!
[embedded content]
Louise Ryan – Western Springs College
Throughout my over 20 years in the education sector, I have witnessed first-hand the significant improvements won by the union to benefit teachers. While obvious examples of this include the ongoing gains won as a part of our collective agreements, in fact it is the ongoing support and advocacy across the public education system that reminds me how important PPTA Te Wehengarua is.
The role of PPTA is crucial in advocating for, and protecting the public education system. Through my time as part of the PPTA Executive I have seen and been involved with so many aspects within the education space: the NCEA Change Package, Curriculum Refresh and RoVE – three bodies of work which will have a significant impact on teacher workload and wellbeing over the next few years. I have had the opportunity to hear from middle leaders about the significant workload issues facing pastoral and curriculum leaders. I have seen the work on ending streaming; the PLD fund and the opportunities it has opened for teachers, the list could go on… important valuable work to ensure that we have an equitable and fair education system for all.
The past four years have been so challenging on teachers, students and the wider community. From lockdowns, significant weather events, industrial action – we have experienced challenging times. And there is further uncertainty ahead.
However, what it has reinforced for me is the importance of our public education system and the role that teachers have to play. I have felt so proud to be a PPTA member and an executive member seeing the way in which teachers are prepared to fight for quality education, for their colleagues and for their students.
PPTA has the opportunity to be a powerful voice for teachers at this time. I would see it as a privilege to be able to contribute to the teaching community as your PPTA Junior Vice President.
[embedded content]
MIL OSI
