Ngā mihi mahana ki a koe 

This is the last issue of the Teaching Council Matatū e-newsletter for 2021, and considering these are busy and challenging times, we've kept it to critical information only.

It’s been an exceptionally long year for teachers and leaders—and we all need a break. 

We look forward to seeing you back at work and well rested in 2022. From me to you; Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year | Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou! 

Noho ora mai 
Lesley Hoskin 
Chief Executive 

Fees and levies pre-consultation—our stakeholder feedback

During September and October, a series of pre-consultation hui were held with key stakeholders, including unions and peak bodies. Altogether 39 individuals from 28 organisations including NZEI, PPTA, NZPF and SPANZ attended one or both hui. You can find the complete list of attendees here. The purpose of the hui was to seek feedback to help shape the design of a thorough consultation process with teachers on Teaching Council fees and levies, and to share detailed information on the Council’s activities and costs.

What was discussed? 

The agenda for the two hui were wide-ranging and included the opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions, make comments, and to provide feedback. 

In session one, we gave a financial overview, and an update on the Education and Training (Teaching Council Fees, Levies, and Costs) Amendment Bill. The Council’s proposed two-step approach to consultation on fees and levies was also discussed; stakeholders partook in a breakout session to provide feedback on a proposed approach to consultation and what a well-designed process for consulting on fees and levies would look like.

In session two stakeholders discussed the role of the Teaching Council and its strategic goals. Similarly, in session one, a financial overview was given, and we discussed the fees and levies consultation plan. The stakeholders also participated in a deep dive on Teaching Council activities and costs. 

Next steps 

Our Governing Council received a summary of the pre-consultation discussions and stakeholder feedback on 25 November. They are hoping to carefully consider the feedback from stakeholders and communicate the next steps to teachers and stakeholders in December ahead of any consultation on increased fees and levies in 2022. Click here to view a summary of the stakeholder feedback.

For more information 

If you’re interested in finding out more, you can head to the Teaching Council website, here.

Have your say: physical restraint consultation 

regarding dismissals and mandatory reporting. If you’ve needed to dismiss a teacher from their teaching position this year for any reason, you will need to fill in a mandatory report through the Teaching Council. Please note, you do not need to complete a mandatory report for a teacher who has resigned, unless there was a conduct or competence issue raised within the last 12 months. 

For more information on when and how to submit a mandatory report, please follow this link to our website. 

Board Elections—nominations closing soon! 

Will you start your Unteach Racism journey?

As the new year is fast approaching, this may be a suitable time to reflect on your practice and kick-start your own journey to confront racism. Connecting to the Unteach Racism app is one way to do this! 

The tools and resources of Unteach Racism are for you to identify where you may need to shift your understanding of racism, to better support all learners to succeed. Unteach Racism is not a teaching resource to use with your learners, rather it supports your own journey to identify, confront and dismantle bias and prejudice, so that education is free of racism.  

If you would like to expand your understanding on racism, and connect with the app, head to our Unteach Racism website to find out more. 

At the November hui, your Governing Council:

• discussed the Māori medium education engagement plan 

• approved appointments to the Complaints Assessment Committee

• continued planning the upcoming consultation on the proposed changes to fees and levies.