Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)
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.
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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!
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