- Related consultation
- Submission received
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Submitter information
Name
Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) - NSW Branch
Where are you located?
New South Wales
What type of area do you live in?
Regional or rural
Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)
Yes
Which sector do you work in?
Primary,Secondary
What is your occupation?
Responding on behalf a teachers association that represents Health and Physical Education Teachers and Academics
Elevating the profession
The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.
Somewhat agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
1. A targeted national campaign to raise the status and value the role of teachers
100% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from our members was that, If we raise the profile and showcase good teaching hopefully our profession can become one that is respected and attract more dedicated teachers to this important and valuable profession.
2. Creation of new Australian Teacher the Year Awards
63% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from our members was that only need recognition within the profession and suitable awards for achieving progression
3. Encourage members of the public to nominate teachers for Medals of the Order of Australia
67% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
4. Targets to increase the number of classroom teachers recognised as high achieving and highly accomplished.
68% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback on behalf of teachers - The key barrier to teachers going through the process of accreditation at higher levels is the time it takes to prepare the evidence and portfolio. This needs to be more streamlined and teachers undertaking the process need to be supported with time off class to complete the paperwork required.
Improving teacher supply
The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.
Somewhat agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
Key Action Areas
5. More teaching places at universities in the right subjects and specialisations.
Our members agreed 80% to this action
6. 5,000 bursaries worth up to $40,000 each to help attract our best and brightest to the teaching profession.
95% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
7. 1,500 more places in the High Achieving Teachers program to encourage more professionals to switch careers to teaching.
74% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
8. Trial new ways of attracting and keeping teachers in the schools that need them most.
100% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback on behalf of teachers - Pre-service teacher education should be viewed more like an apprenticeship than a theory-based course. Learning on the job in a classroom with an experienced teacher mentor will help new graduate teachers start their teaching career with the level of competence and confidence required when they start their first position in a school.
9. Prioritise visa processing for qualified teachers and prioritise teachers from State and Territory nominated visa allocations
65% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from our members was that;
• Stealing teachers from other countries who are also suffering teacher shortages is not prudent. Creating our own strong and dedicated for the recruitment and retention of teachers is far more sustainable.
• Acknowledgement and RPL of teachers from OS may help our global and local learning environments.
• What are the RIGHT subjects???
Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.
Somewhat agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
Key Actions
10. The Teacher Education Expert Panel, led by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Professor Mark Scott, is reviewing initial teacher education and will recommend ways to boost graduation rates, and broadly ensure graduating teachers are better prepared.
84 % of our members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback on behalf of teachers - Pre-service teacher education should be viewed more like an apprenticeship than a theory-based course. Learning on the job in a classroom with an experienced teacher mentor will help new graduate teachers start their teaching career with the level of competence and confidence required when they start their first position in a school.
11. Recognise previous study, work experience and skills that may be transferable to teaching.
100% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
12. Co-design actions to attract and retain more First Nations teachers.
84% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
13. All teaching students will undergo initial assessment of their literacy and numeracy skills in their first year to ensure they can receive targeted support if they need it.
85% of our members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from our members was that;
• Literacy and numeracy skills should be checked early in their university placement
• Whilst we need teachers have adequate literacy and numeracy skills, it is subject knowledge and the ability to connect with students that is more important. By having more practicums for undergraduates that have a more rigorous criteria, this will prepare teachers more. The current practice of allowing 3rd year uni students to casual teach in NSW without any practicums is very concerning and not a long term solution to the teacher shortage issue
Maximising the time to teach
The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.
Strongly agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
Key Action 14 - 95% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Member feedback - Secondary teachers get plenty of prep/admin time. Primary teachers do not - 2 hours of release time each week is not enough. Maximising the time to teach is the most significant domain
ACHPER NSW Feedback - Need to explore number of lessons & classes taught & timetabling. Subjects such as PDHPE that are often timetabled as separate subjects can mean that teachers may see a class for only one period. This may result in teachers having to plan lessons for up to 16 different classes in some instances which is unrealistic and leads to poor classroom practices.
Key Action 15 - 95% of members surveyed agreed to this action.
ACHPER NSW Feedback - Need to explore number of lessons & classes taught & how these are timetabled. Subjects such as PDHPE that are often timetabled as separate subjects can mean that teachers may see a class for only one period. This may result in teachers having to plan lessons for up to 16 different classes in some instances which is unrealistic & leads to poor classroom practices.
Key Action 16 - 84% of members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback - The C2Cs for HPE are a very traditional view of HPE and don’t reflect the intent of the revised curriculum. Sample programs will be beneficial for teachers new to teaching as a framework to develop their planning skills from and for teachers who are teaching subjects out of their specialisation. They shouldn’t be seen as a resource for all teachers.
Key Action 17 - 100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from members
Efficient use of time and the balancing of recreation and work are vital to reducing the burnout of our teachers
Key Action 18 - 100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from members
So many jobs could be completed by administrative staff with the correct training. Unfortunately, no funding has been forthcoming to allow this to happen
ACHPER NSW Feedback
There is concern that without their full training under their belts, particularly if they are being sent to the hardest schools, you will drive them out of the profession before they even start.
Better understanding future teacher workforce needs
How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?
Extremely effective
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
Key Action 19
100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Key Action 20
100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback
This is much needed data that we haven’t been able to access previously. Will also be useful for our planning around Early Career Teacher support and university partnerships.
Key Action 21
100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback
Is there a role for teachers association such as ACHPER at state or national level around developing a subject specific quality framework such as HPE and processing / administering teacher accreditation at a subject-specific level?
22. Prioritise conditional or provisional registration to increase the supply of teachers.
84% of members surveyed agreed to this action
23. Develop and publish comprehensive data about why teachers leave the profession and what careers they move into and what would improve retention, as well as why other career leavers choose teaching.
100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Overall comments from members
• Understanding the why will help with the how of teacher retention.
• A national approach to education, including teacher staffing would be very beneficial
• I don't think we should be rushing university students accreditation just to increase the supply of teachers. Focussing on getting international and interstate teachers to return to NSW should be a greater priority as it would have a much greater impact on the stress/workload of teachers currently working and the learning of students.
• Focus on the root cause of lack of teachers and not just ensuring an abundance of new teachers. If the bucket is leaking, increasing the rate of fill isn't addressing the root cause.
Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession
The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.
Strongly agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
Key Action 24
90% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Key Action 25
100% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Feedback from ACHPER NSW
Funding to professional associations to provide this support for ECT - similar to previous funding under the Quality Teaching Programme.
Key Action 26
94% of members surveyed agreed to this action
Key Action 27
95% of members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback
Accreditation won’t be enough to keep some … what is the incentive for teachers in becoming HALT?
Key Action 28
72% of members surveyed agreed to this action
ACHPER NSW Feedback
What is the role that teachers associations can play in this process?
Feedback from members
• Keep great teachers in the classroom. The only progression we see for leadership opportunities is to go in to executive. This takes us away from the classroom. A highly accomplished teacher should have same pay scale as deputy. Deputy would just have less teaching allocation. The top needs a massive rethink. Work on more women being in leadership positions. How can women be the majority of the workforce but the minority in terms of leadership - no one wants to address this. We will be the last profession to do so.