SUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • WINTER 2015

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TEACHER GRADUATENEWSLETTERYour union, your voice A strong union starts with a strong membership base. And the larger our member base, the more power we have to campaign for your pay and conditions, and for better resources for your students.

Adam Surmacz, Graduate teacher and universities organiser

HERE at AEU, we run awesome events and training. This year, we are supporting pre-service

and graduate teachers with more than 50 training opportunities, including PD in the Pub, Applying for Graduate Teacher Positions and Meet the Principals. Our student and graduate teacher conferences are also very popular, as are the events we host for RMIT and VU pre-service teachers each June. Plus we have a dynamic women’s program, aimed at training and mentoring our women members to become more active in their union, and take on leadership roles in their workplaces.

There is a lot to wrap your head around in your first couple of years of teaching. Being an AEU member means you can call us and we can answer your questions on everything from contracts, health and safety, leave entitlements and more. We can also

provide you with legal advice and representation. As one of the largest unions in the country, we

also fight for your pay and conditions through the process of Enterprise Bargaining Agreement negotia-tions. A generous starting salary for new educators, fought for and won by AEU, is just the beginning.

But being in your union is about more than getting you the best possible EBA. It’s also about your students and the sustainability of the public education sector as a whole. By becoming an AEU member, you add strength to the union’s advocacy. Campaigning for improved class sizes, contact hours, and health and safety is essential to what we do. You can get involved in vital campaigns like I Give a Gonski, TAFE4ALL and Protect our Preschools. These are all driven by AEU and our members, and they all raise public and political awareness about the challenges we face in our workplaces and strive for long-term improvements in the system.

Student membership is free! And graduate

membership is discounted. We hope it will lead to a career-long connection with the AEU.

I encourage you to stand with your 48,000 public education colleagues from around Victoria who are also members. Become a proud union member, take advantage of the professional and industrial support on offer, get active in our campaigns and meet passionate, like-minded people.

Let your fellow students know about the benefits of membership too. There are a lot of misunder-standings about unions and what they do, so let them know why you’ve decided to join up. Our education system and the students it supports relies on all of us playing a part in building our individual capacity as well as striving for better resources for our students. Your membership does just that.

Visit: www.aeuvic.asn.au/training and click on the ‘New Educators’ box to learn about upcoming training and events. Feel free to contact me for more info: adam.surmacz@aeuvic.asn.au �

Gillian Robertson, AEU branch secretary

LATE last year, AEU Branch Council voted to commence the move

from our current building to number 126 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford — right next door. We are excited about the opportunity to create bigger and better meeting and training facilities for AEU members. Although loved by members and employees for its history, our current heritage-listed building at 112 Trenerry has significant limitations.

During the past six weeks, our architects carried out a series of consultations with AEU councillors

and employees to gather information for the refur-bishment and fit-out. These sessions helped Artillery to identify the functional requirements for each department as well as the various different activities and work styles. They also provided AEU staff with the opportunity to test drive, understand, challenge and advocate for design opportunities within the new office.

Based on the feedback provided, the project team understands that natural light, a natural palette of materials, greenery and open and spacious environments are important to AEU coun-cillors and employees. It also highlighted the need for high-quality acoustics, non-disruptive flexible

work and meeting spaces, and sustainable design. Running concurrently with the consultation

process, building specialists including engineers, surveyors and storage consultants are carrying out assessments on the condition of the existing building to ensure the refurbishment suits the new office layout.

An asbestos audit has also been conducted in the new premises and we are pleased to report that the new building is asbestos-free. All data gathered to date will form the foundation for developing the next phase of the project design development. Informa-tion will continue to be provided to members as the shape of the new AEU office continues to evolve. �

We’re moving in 2016

www.aeuvic.asn.au 32 Teacher Graduate newsletter | Winter 2015

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Working with diversityAt the Annual Graduate Teacher Conference, Waleed Aly (The Project) talked about the unique challenges facing students from minority backgrounds.

“The problem for some people who have some kind of marginalised identity … is a profound sense of invisibility.”

Real world politics don’t disintegrate when children enter the school gates, Waleed Aly told a group of new educators at the Annual Graduate Teacher Conference. In his address, he urged teachers to be aware of how politics might get personal at school.

“I have simply lost track of the stories of friends who have kids at school who have been called a terrorist,” Waleed said. “You have to negotiate all the politics of the world in your classrooms.”

The academic and media commentator was exploring the themes of cultural diversity and identity within schools. He argued that it is vital for all teachers to have a sense of the students’ diverse identities, if they are to be fully included and engaged in learning.

Anecdotal evidence shows that students with minority cultural backgrounds, in particular Muslim students, often feel disconnected and isolated to the other students in their class. This can lead to division and segregation and can spur a range of other social and behavioural issues. As classroom teachers, solving these problems can be quite complex, and often require teachers to evaluate their own understanding of the issue.

Waleed spoke from a personal viewpoint, conveying the anxiety he experi-enced as a parent of children belonging to a Muslim minority. He talked about the trust parents place in teachers, which was made evident to Waleed when his daughter came home from school one day asking, “Why does everyone hate Muslims?”

Waleed said the incident prompted his wife, Susan, to write a letter to her daughter’s teacher about the situation, which she felt nervous about given the

fact she was not aware of the teacher’s personal politics. �“It’s hard to convey the sense of powerlessness in that circumstance and the

fear that can overtake you,” Waleed said. “You don’t know what (the teacher’s) politics are, you don’t know what their views are … but you know your children are spending a lot of time in the care of that teacher.”

Waleed said as well as suffering from overt bullying, children from minority groups could often feel invisible when their cultures weren’t acknowledged.

He compared the experience to looking into a mirror and seeing nothing reflected back.

“The problem for some people who have some kind of marginalised identity … is a profound sense of invisibility. That is actually damaging.”

He urged educators to consider the fact that everybody had multiple identi-ties, and it was natural for people to divide and “categorise” others. He said it was important children felt comfortable to express their many identities with authenticity.

Resources for teaching diversity:Victorian Multicultural Commission Teacher Resource kit: http://bit.ly/1GFkW5WLanguages and Multicultural Resource Centre (LMERC) http://bit.ly/1HNb2Rg‘Cultural Diversity: Suggestions for school staff’ (from ‘Kids Matter’) http://bit.ly/1dyXrjR

Being safe at work Educators are entitled to a safe workplace, but unfortunately they’re not always provided with one. Here’s what to do if you don’t feel safe at work.

Janet Marshall OHS organiser

THERE were 15,032 days lost in Victorian schools because of injury or illness that occurred at

work in 2013/14.These included musculoskeletal injuries which

can occur from manual handling, slips and trips. They also included significant psychological injuries attributed to workload, work-related pressure, trauma, bullying and harassment. Schools have the third highest number of stress-related WorkCover claims in the public sector and principals face five times the risk of occupational violence than other occupations.

Early-career educators are often reluctant to speak up about difficult or unsafe situations for fear of being blamed, appearing ignorant or risking their contract being renewed. Many choose to suffer in silence or seek alternative employment rather than report the issue at their workplace.

It is important to remember that you do have rights. The OHS Act 2004 requires your employer to provide a work environment that is safe and that eliminates risks to your physical and psychological

health. The ‘work environment’ includes buildings, equipment, chemicals, substances, systems of work and anything connected with work. Your school is required to actively identify potential sources of injury and take appropriate action.

The EO Act 2010 stipulates that you must not be discriminated, harassed or vilified at work. You can rightfully expect a safe workplace.

What to do if you are injured at work• Report the incident on eduSafe, the

Department of Education and Training’s hazard management system, by visiting http://bit.ly/1etYtO9

• Submit a WorkCover claim if you require time off work or treatment for the injury. This form is available at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. A medical practitioner needs to provide a Certificate of Capacity (which is different to a medical certificate) with the application, which must be given to your employer as soon as practicable. WorkCover must provide a response within 28 days advising whether your claim has

been accepted or not. The AEU can provide assistance with WorkCover claims.

• Use the Department’s free and confiden-tial counselling service. The Department provides employees with up to four free sessions through the Employee Assistance Program (provided through OPTUM). Make an appointment on 1300 361 008.

• Get to know your Health and Safety Representative (HSR), a member of the workplace chosen to advocate for staff members on matters of health and safety. HSRs have significant powers under the OHS Act, but are not responsible for imple-menting OHS systems or for fixing hazards.

• Speak to your local sub-branch representa-tive or contact the union directly. OHS is core union business and many OHS issues are also industrial and educational issues, such as class sizes or systems to manage challenging and extreme behaviours. If you would like further information, email janet.marshall@aeuvic.asn.au �

4 top tips to prevent injuries:

1. Approach tasks with OHS awareness

2. Report all incidents and near-misses so your employer can remedy the situation

3. Protect your psychological health — safe systems of work include access to training and support networks

4. Know your Health and Safety Repre-sentative and talk to them about any unresolved areas of concern

Typical injuries in schools and education centresINJURIES COMMON CAUSES

Muscle and tendons • Slips, trips and falls • Non-ergonomic workstations

Broken bones • Slippery surfaces, stairs

Cuts, bruises, abrasions • Challenging or extreme student behaviour• Manual handling

Respiratory problems• Mould from damp classrooms, silica,

substances

Psychological stress and anxiety

• Workload, work pressure, bullying• Constant low level noise• Challenging or extreme behaviour of

students and parents• Lack of job clarity, support or training

Voice damage • Raised voice in large, open spaces

4 Teacher Graduate newsletter | Winter 2015

LGBTI WEBINARSupporting transgender and gender diverse students in school

Tuesday, 18 August, 2015 4.00pm- 6.00pm

This two-hour webinar will explore the particular needs of gender diverse and transgender students in schools. For more information, visit: www.aeuvic.asn.au/glbt

Bank smart from the start. Join today for $100* in the bank!Visit victeach.com.au/VIT15 or call 1300 654 822*Offer available for 2015 VIT graduates. $100 will be credited to your Mutual Bank Account by the 15th of the month following the month you join the Mutual Bank. Victoria Teachers Limited ABN 44 087 651 769, AFSL/Australian Credit Licence Number 240 960.

5 tips to help you land a job Every year the AEU run dozens of events to support our members to establish their careers in Victorian public schools. Following our annual ‘Applying and Interviewing for Graduate Jobs’ and ‘Meet the Principals’ training sessions across Victoria, I’ve compiled my top five tips to help you in your search.

1. Be selectiveThe job selection process allows schools to see if you are the right fit for their vacancy — but is the school the right fit for you? Working in a place that doesn’t challenge you or suit your educational approach can wear you down. Really consider if the job you’ve found is at a school where you want to begin your career. It’s crucial to your success.

2. Do your homework Selection panels want to read an application that shows you know their school programs, values and priorities and that you want to be there. Tailor your cover letter to the specific school and to the position criteria. Focus on quality over quantity when applying for jobs and make each application perfectly suited to the school you are applying for.

3. Use your networksNeighbours, classmates, placement supervisors, your AEU, previous teachers, co-workers and employers. Most people you know will have a connection and possibly information on a school. Your network is a great way to get an insight into which school suits you and how you could get your foot in the door. They’re also a great source for referees and proof readers.

4. Make yourself knownThe saying: ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’ applies here. All schools follow fair and transparent advertising and appointment guide-lines but being known to the school or the panel can help. Consider offering to volunteer at a school that interests you or take a school tour. The infor-mation you can gain from this will be invaluable in your application.

5. Stay positiveJob hunting can take a real toll. It’s time-consuming to write applications and it can be disheartening to receive rejection. Try to keep a positive outlook and look after your health and wellbeing. A vacancy at a school is a chance to make yourself known through your application. Even if it does not result in a job this time around, you never know what the future holds. Every interview is also an opportunity to sharpen your communication skills, plus it’s your chance to get a sense of the culture of the workplace and decide whether it’s going to be a good fit for you too. Remember, you’re not alone. The AEU will be there to support you with advice and training throughout your career. �

STATE LABOR FUNDS EXPANSION OF SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION

Erin Aulich, AEU vice president secondary

THE AEU welcomes the State Government’s budget allocation of $1.04m towards the expansion of the Safe

Schools Coalition Victoria (SSCV) program. SSCV delivers training to staff and students with the goal of creating safe and inclusive schools for same sex attracted and gender diverse students. The additional funding will mean that the SSCV program will be rolled out across every Victorian government secondary school.

AEU Victoria supports diversity in public education and has collaborated with SSCV to run some high-quality, well-attended LGBTI awareness-raising PD for our members. We have seen some brilliant examples of the impact that SSCV programs can have on school communities, and on individual students. �

Safe SchoolsCoalition Victoria