Kia ora whānau

As I am sure you are aware, members of the NZEI Union (primary teachers and principals) have come to the difficult decision of taking strike action on 15 August. The teaching profession is at crisis point. Young people now have such a range of career options with appealing salaries that it has become very difficult to attract a high calibre of individuals to teaching. I have been a principal for 18 years, and a position at Heaton used to attract at least 30 good applicants. Now I am fortunate if I get 5 or 6. Teachers are not feeling valued as the job has become very challenging with increased and more complex demands. There is less time for planning, professional development and for being able to have a work/life balance to maintain personal and family wellbeing. Most teachers spend extensive time out of student contact time, in weekends and during school holidays preparing learning programmes for students or participating in professional learning. The teaching profession has also not had a significant pay rise in a decade.

We are very fortunate at Heaton to have an outstanding team of teachers and support staff. The BOT and I are very aware of the importance of recruiting and retaining exemplary teachers for your children’s learning and well-being. A school is only as good as its staff. I know that a strike day is very difficult for parents/whānau but I also know that our community value our teachers and we do appreciate your support.

Please also read the message from our BOT.

Nga mihi

Andrea Knight, Principal