This edition of IE reflects a time of change for our union, this publication, and for education.
With this edition, IE farewells Managing Editor Monica Crouch, who presided over a period of sustained excellence and topical news coverage. We wish Monica all the best, and welcome Sue Osborne who will fill in as Acting Editor until a permanent replacement is found.
It is apt then, that long-time IEU member and accredited professional supervisor Dr John Lee’s article addresses leadership transition! (Welcome to the school leadership team).
Our cover feature is an extensive interview with IEUA Federal Secretary, Christine Cooper, tracing her fascinating journey in education and unionism, and her hopes for the IEU and the union movement.
This edition also highlights welcome changes in education. After years of lobbying, consent education is now mandatory in Australian schools, and Emily Campbell examines whether teachers and employers are prepared (Teacher support crucial).
There’s a ground-breaking program at Holy Family Parish School in Parkes, NSW, in which every class at the school receives fortnightly lessons in Wiradjuri (Lessons in Wiradjuri).
We also cover the establishment of awards celebrating young people’s contributions to peace in Zillmere, Queensland (Peaceful pathways) and the heart-warming embrace of Ukrainian war refugees in Orange, NSW (A warm welcome).
The impact of technological change upon education is an inescapable topic, as you will see with pieces on the right to disconnect (The right to disconnect), personalised learning (The personal touch), and especially the advent of Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT (AI revolution is on its way).
Our new regular feature A Day In The Life, (A day in the life), kicks off with a look at the vital role played by support workers in schools.
That complements our member profile of Kerri-Anne Nolan, a Support Teacher: Inclusive Education (STIE) at St Benedicts’s College, north of Brisbane (Every teacher needs a mentor).
The more things change, the more we need to stick together in our union and hold to the values which inform our commitment to education. We think this issue reflects that need and those values. We hope you enjoy reading it.
Contact us with your feedback via email: ie@ieu.asn.au
Deb James
General Secretary
IEUA Victoria/Tasmania Branch