We remind our pre-2004 members to finalise your 100 hours of PD during this calendar year if you are close to completion. See the IEU Zone (theieuzone.org.au) for on-demand PD options.
Make sure you have evaluated all your accredited PD and uploaded all the elective PD you have completed over the last four years – you just might have enough to reach 100 hours already.
Accreditation news
NESA arrangements for teacher accreditation during lockdown, as of 26 July 2021:
- No teacher will be disadvantaged due to COVID restrictions in greater Sydney.
- Teachers can continue to finalise their maintenance of accreditation and Proficient Teacher accreditation at this time.
- Teachers who are overdue or due in Term 3 2021, have an extension to the start of Term 4 2021 (5 October 2021). This includes due dates up to 17 September 2021.
- Teachers whose due date is after Term 3 2021 and who are concerned about completing Proficient Teacher accreditation or maintenance requirements can apply for an extension.
Early childhood teachers
Early childhood teachers with a maintenance of accreditation due date of 17 July 2021 have until 17 January 2022 to finalise. There is no need to apply for this extension.
Temporary ceasing and suspension of accreditation
Until further notice, NESA is delaying:
- ceasing action for teachers who have not met Proficient Teacher accreditation, and
- suspension action for teachers who have not maintained their accreditation.
- NESA will communicate with overdue teachers when these actions restart.
Working With Children Check
In response to the Covid lockdowns, the Office of the Children’s Guardian has announced the following:
- The Children’s Guardian has extended all Working With Children Check clearances that were due to expire from 19 July to 26 September for a further three months.
- The three-month period applies from the date of the person’s current expiry date.
- Teachers who are granted an extension will be advised by email and the system will be automatically updated.
- Employers should update their records to indicate the change in their employee’s expiry date.
NESA communication reminder
NESA uses the contact details provided by teachers on their eTams account to make contact about a variety of matters, including a teacher’s accreditation status. It is important for members to respond to emails they receive from NESA, to avoid serious issues, such as suspension or revocation of a teacher’s accreditation.
If you haven’t checked your contact details on eTams in a while, it would be worth confirming that they are up to date. If you receive communication from NESA and require assistance, please call your organiser, or write to accreditation@ieu.asn.au
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
Collaboration between the Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) and the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch has continued over the last four weeks, with several meetings taking place to explore options for clarification of evidence and audit guidelines.
The IEU’s NCCD Working Group was also involved, at DESE’s request, in providing examples of the types of evidence collection documents currently in use in schools, to inform our discussions. Further meetings are scheduled throughout August.
Meeting with the Productivity Commission
In May 2021, the NSW Government released the Productivity Commission White Paper 2021 Rebooting the Economy. The White Paper devotes a section to Best Practice Teaching to Lift School Results.
Stakeholders consulted included representatives of the Department of Education, the Association of Independent Schools and Sydney Catholic Schools. Feedback was not sought from the education unions, or from teacher focus groups. The IEU subsequently requested a meeting with the Productivity Commissioner.
A concerning recommendation included the proposal that teachers undergo mandatory classroom performance evaluation at least twice each year. This suggests that the issue of a perceived decline in academic results will be resolved by closer scrutiny of teachers.
The union strongly represented the injustice of ignoring teacher feedback on the flaws in the education system and failing to address the inadequate support for unfunded students with special needs whilst holding teachers responsible for deficits beyond their control.
The Productivity Commission has invited union officers to further discussions, particularly related to the churn of evidence-based initiatives, and the current practices in schools that already provide a mechanism for teacher feedback and professional development.
Quality Initial Teacher Education Review
The IEUA Federal Education Committee has submitted a response to this review: see page 13 (opposite).
Experienced Teacher applications
Applications in 2021 have been given an extension. Email accreditation@ieu.asn.au if you have any concerns regarding your application.
Note from a member
"I just wanted to say thank you for the Accreditation Handbooks you sent. Although I am in the final stages of accreditation, they are a big help. The IEU has been very helpful to me for a few different situations, and I just want to say that I am grateful and will be telling all my teacher friends what a difference you all make."