Wednesday 15th August

You may be aware that industrial action is planned for Wednesday 15 August as a result of principal and primary teacher union members response to the Ministry of Education industrial claim. Members are currently voting on how long this action will take, with a possibility that this will be a full day strike meaning that the Board of Trustees are likely to close the school on this day. Once the length of strike action is known you will be informed as soon as possible about what this means from a parents perspective.

Teachers have not taken industrial action in New Zealand since 1994 and while the Hoon Hay staff are very aware how any action has an impact on you as parents, there are grave concerns for the future of quality public education in New Zealand and as such have a belief that serious action is required.

There are three main parts to this discussion. The first is about more resources and staff to support children with additional learning and behavioural needs. The second is about teacher shortage. There has been a 40% drop in teacher graduates in the past five years, while student numbers are growing rapidly. The quality of teaching is the single biggest in-school impact on children’s progress and achievement, so it’s important we continue to attract high quality people into the teaching profession. The third issue is pay. The profession has not had any significant pay rise in a decade. This translates as under-valuing our profession. With an increase in the number of teachers and principals leaving the profession, it is vital for the country’s education sector that the best possible people are both attracted to, and stay in, the teaching profession.